Commemoration of the Meeting of the Vladimir Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos (1395). Martyrs Adrian and Natalia and 23 companions, of Nicomedia (305-311). St. Maria of Diveyevo, fool-for-Christ (1931).
St. Adrian, founder of Ondrusov Monastery (Karelia) (1549). St. Adrian of Uglich (after 1504). Blessed Cyprian of Storozhev, former outlaw (16th c.). Finding of the relics of St. Bassian, schemamonk of Alatyr Monastery (1748). New Hieromartyr Nectarius (Trezvinsky), bishop of Yaransk (1937).
New Hiero-confessor Roman Medved, archpriest, of Moscow (1937).
The miraculous renewal of the Vladimir Icon of the Theotokos in Harbin (Manchuria) (1925).
St. Maximus, archbishop of Jerusalem (347). St. Tithoes of the Thebaid, disciple of St. Pachomius the Great (4th c.). St. Ibestion the Confessor, Egyptian ascetic (ca. 450). St. Zer-Jacob, missionary of Ethiopia. Monk Ioasaph, prince of India (4th c.)
Friday. [Gal. 2:6-10; Mark 5:22-24, 35-6:1]
Having resurrected the daughter of
Jairus, the Lord charged her parents straitly, that no
man should know it. Thus are we commanded: do not seek
glory, and do not train your ear for human praises, even
if your deeds are of such a nature that it is impossible
to hide them. Do what the fear of God and your conscience
urge you to do, and behave as though such talk did not
exist. Look after your soul—as soon as it inclines
the slightest degree in this direction, return it to its
place. A desire for people to know is provoked by a desire
for praise. When there is praise the goal is achieved; but
this undermines one’s energy and suppresses the
praiseworthy activity, and consequently suppresses the
continuation of praise. Thus, one who wants people to know
of his good deeds is his own betrayer. It is a good thing
for people to praise what is good—for why
wouldn’t someone praise what is good? But do not
keep this in your thoughts; do not expect it and do not
seek it. Indulge yourself in this and you will be totally
spoiled. One indulgence leads to another. Increasing the
frequency of the same deeds turns them into a habit, and
you will be a lover of praise. When you come to that
point, then not all of your deeds will be praiseworthy,
and praise will cease. Because you lack praise from
others, you will begin to praise yourself, and this is
what the Lord called sounding a trumpet before oneself.
This is even worse. The soul then becomes petty, and
chases solely after tinsel. Do not expect true good to
come from such a soul.