St. Alexis the Man of God, in Rome (411). St. Macarius, founder of Kalyazin Monastery (Tver) (1483).
Martyr Marinus the Soldier, at Caesarea in Palestine (260). St. Patrick, bishop of Armagh and enlightener of Ireland (451). St. Parthenius of the Kiev Caves (1855).
New Hieromartyr Victor Kiranov, archpriest, of Berdyansk (Crimea) (1942).
St. Ambrose, deacon, of Alexandria (400). St. Gertrude, abbess, of Nivelles (659). St. Beccan of Rhum (677). St. Withburga, solitary at Holkham and East Dereham (ca. 743). Monk-martyr Paul of Crete (767). Hieromartyr Gabriel the Lesser, of Gareji, Georgia (1802). St. Gurias, archbishop of Tauria and Simferopol (1882). St. Theosterictus the Confessor, abbot of Pelecete Monastery near Prusa (826).
Repose of Archbishop Tikhon (Troitsky) of San Francisco (1963).
Wednesday.
Baptism (kreshenie) in the Russian language sounds
like cross (krest). This is fortunate consonance,
for although the visible action of baptism is submersion,
its essence is a co-crucifixion with Christ on the inner,
spiritual cross. The Apostle Paul says: our old man is
crucified with him in baptism (Rom. 6:6). This is not
some sort of mechanical act, but a moral change, or a
revolution of thoughts, goals, desires, and sympathies.
Before, all of these were stained with self-pleasure; now
all are selflessly dedicated to God, in Christ Jesus, by
the grace of the Holy Spirit. [If you were baptized as an
infant] you will say, “I didn’t understand
that when I was baptized.” Now you understand; set
it in your conscience to carry out the meaning of baptism,
for your baptism is indelible. Even at the judgement its
seal will be visible either for you, or against you.