St. Nicetas the Confessor, abbot, of Medikion (824).
Martyrs Elpidephorus, Dius, Bithonius, and Galycus (3rd c.). Virgin-martyr Theodosia of Tyre (307-308). St. Illyrius, monk of Mt. Myrsinon in the Peloponnese. St. Nectarius, founder of Bezhetsk Monastery (Tver) (1492).
Icons of the Most Holy Theotokos “The Unfading Flower” and Iveron.
Martyrs Cassius, Philip, and Eutychius, of Thessalonica (304). Martyr Ulphianus of Tyre (306). Martyrs Evagrius, Benignus, Chrestus, Arestus, Kinnudius, Rufus, Patricius, and Zosima, at Tomis in Moesia (ca. 310). St. Fara (Burgundofara) of Eboriac (now Faremoutiers) (7th c.). St. Joseph the Hymnographer, of Sicily (883) (Gr. Cal).
Repose of Elder Amphilochius (Makris) of Patmos (1970).
Saturday. [Heb. 9: 24–28; Mark 8: 27–31]
The Lord asked the apostles how they see Him? In the
person of the holy Apostle Peter, they answered Thou
art the Christ. This confession did not ripen
suddenly, but once it ripened, it settled in the depths of
the heart and became the source of his guidance. It was
overshadowed by the death of the Lord, but not shaken, and
being resurrected in even greater power by the
resurrection, it directed the apostles for their entire
lives to preach to the whole world. There is a moment for
each believer, when he utters with all his strength,
“Thou art the Christ, my Lord and Saviour. Thou art
my salvation, my light, my strength, my comfort, my hope
and eternal life.” Then is accomplished that by
which this believer cries with the Apostle: “Who
shall separate me from the love of Christ!” (cf.
Rom. 8:35) and like him he begins to pursue all that is
pleasing to Christ the Lord until he comes unto the
measure of His stature (cf. Eph. 4:13).