Commemoration of the Holy Fathers of the Seven Ecumenical Councils. Martyr Theodotus of Ancyra and seven virgin-martyrs: Tecusa, Alexandra, Claudia, Phaine, Euphrasia, Matrona, and Julia (303). Martyrs Peter of Lampsacus and Andrew, Paul, Dionysius, and Christina, at Euridinos (249-251). St. Macarius (Glukharev), archimandrite, of the Altai (1847).
Martyrs Heraclius, Paulinus, and Benedimus, of Athens (250). Martyrs Symeon, Isaac, and Bachthisoes, of Persia (4th c.). Martyrs David and Tarechan, of Georgia (683). St. John Gashkevich, archpriest, of Korma (1917).
Martyr Euphrasia of Nicaea (ca. 303). Hieromartyr Potamon, bishop of Heraclea (341). St. Theodore I, pope of Rome (649). St. Stephen the New, patriarch of Constantinople (893). Elgiva (Aelfgifu), abbess, of Shaftesbury (944). New Hieromartyr Damian Strbac, Jr., priest, of Grahovo, Serbia (1940s). St. Anastaso of Leukadion. St. Martinian, monk, of the Areovinthus quarter, Constantinople.
Repose of Blessed Philip, founder of Gethsemane Caves Skete, St. Sergius Lavra (1869).
Friday. [Acts 10:44–11:10; John 8:21–30]
They asked the Lord: Who art
Thou? He answered: Even the same ... from the
beginning (John 8:25). He is in front, behind Him are
the holy Apostles, behind the Apostles are the pastors and
teachers and the entire Church of Christ. Judge now who
are the true avant guarde. Since for so long so
many have followed them and will still follow them, they
have not ceased to be in front, for they continue to be in
front, while all others follow them. Thus for us
Christians there already is an avant guarde; and if
someone attempts to push new people to the fore—it
is obvious that they must be understood as being an
avant guarde heading in the opposite direction;
that is, on the path which leads to the bottom of hell.
There is nothing to add to this. Be on your
guard—for who among you is an enemy to himself? Try
only to understand this in a real way; hold firmly to the
known truth of Christ, and let the others say what the
may.