Martyrs and Confessors Gurias and Samonas (299-306), and Abibus (322), of Edessa. St. Paisius (Velichkovsky) of Moldavia and Mt. Athos (1794).
Martyr Demetrius of Thrace (307). Martyrs Elpidius, Marcellus, and Eustochius, who suffered under Julian the Apostate (361). St. Philip, founder of Rabang Monastery (Vologda) (1457).
“Kupyatich” Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos (1182).
Repose of St. Herman, Wonderworker of Alaska (1836). St. Quinctian, bishop of Seleucia (4th c.). St. Thomas the New, patriarch of Constantinople (665- 668).
Repose of Abbot Arsenie Boca of Romania (1989).
Thursday. [I Tim. 3:1-3; Luke 16:1-9]
The parable is about the denounced
unjust steward. Do you see how he managed to disentangle
himself from his misfortune! If only we would all manage
to arrange for ourselves a peaceful life upon our
departure from this life! But no: Children of this
world are in their generation wiser than the children of
light. Why did the steward go to such pains? Because
disaster was near. The nearness of misfortune aroused
energy and quick-wittedness, and he quickly settled
everything. But is our misfortune not near? Death could
overtake us at any moment, and then: give an account of
thy stewardship. Everyone knows this, but almost
nobody moves. What is this insanity? Nobody thinks he will
die right now, but all suppose that they will live another
day or two; they don’t know the time, only that
death will come sometime later. This is why misfortune is
seen as something in the future. Misfortune is ahead, and
any thought about what to do in case of misfortune is put
off. Nobody thinks to remain incorrigible his entire life,
but he simply puts off changing for the present day. But
since one’s entire life is composed of present days
and hours, any concern for change just does not
come.