Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “Pochaev” (1675). Martyrs Trophimus, Theophilus, and 13 others, in Lycia (284-305). Glorification of St. Theodore Ushakov, admiral of the Russian Navy (Glorification 2001).
Hieromartyr Apollinarius, first bishop of Ravenna (ca. 75).
Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “The Joy of All Who Sorrow” (with coins) of St. Petersburg (1888).
Righteous Anna (Hannah), mother of the Prophet Samuel (1100 b.c.). Martyr Apollonius, at Rome (183). Repose of St. John Cassian the Roman, abbot, of Marseilles (435). St. Anna of Leucadia (919). Commemoration of the Miraculous Appearance of the Mother of God at Pochaev, which saved the monastery from the assault of the Tatars and Turks (1675). St. Pelagia, nun, of Tinos (1834). St. John (Iacob) of Neamts, the Chozebite (1960). 250 martyrs killed by Bulgarians (802-811).
Saturday. [I Rom. 14:6-9; Matt. 15:32-39]
The Lord filled the people accompanying Him
miraculously another time to show that He is always ready
to generously provide for people who believe. He could
have done this every time as well; but He did not, in
order to not break them from their usual way of
life—established, maintained and supported by Him.
Such is God’s general providence. The main,
all-embracing actions of providence were accomplished in
the beginning upon the arranging of all things; but having
arranged everything and set it into motion, God did not
tie Himself up in any way, but reserved for himself
freedom to usher in extraordinary help when necessary. He
acts like the master of a house, who establishes rules;
however, while maintaining them, He does not bind himself
with them, but relates to them authoritatively, with
well-managed good intentions. Those who oppose the faith
do not understand the meaning of God’s providence.
Extending it in their thoughts beyond proper boundaries,
and not seeing the realization of their ideas in reality,
they deny this very providence. The providence which they
demand definitely does not exist; but that providence
which the Lord God is well pleased to establish and
preserve unquestionably exists.