☦ Orthodox Calendar — Gregorian calendar
⇄ Julian calendar☦ Saints of the day
- Greatmartyr Procopius of Caesarea
📜 Life of the saint
Greatmartyr Procopius of Caesarea was a Roman soldier who lived during the persecution of Christians under Emperor Diocletian. He is commemorated as a Greatmartyr, signifying his profound witness to the faith. According to tradition, Procopius, serving in the military at Caesarea in Palestine, openly professed his Christian faith and refused to participate in the imperial cult or offer sacrifice to idols. His steadfast refusal led to his arrest and subsequent martyrdom. The precise date of his death is not recorded in reliable sources, but it occurred during the widespread persecution of Christians in the early fourth century, likely around 303 AD. Little else is documented about his life beyond his courageous stand for Christ. The Church honors his memory not for specific deeds or miracles recorded in ancient texts, but for his unwavering confession of faith and his ultimate sacrifice, offering his life for the Lord. - Appearance of the "Kazan" icon of the Most Holy Theotokos (1579)
📜 Life of the saint
The Appearance of the Kazan Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos is commemorated on August 27 (New Style). According to tradition, this revered icon was discovered in 1579 within the ruins of the Church of the Transfiguration in Kazan, following the city's capture by Russian forces under Tsar Ivan IV. The icon, depicting the Theotokos holding the Christ Child, was found hidden in a wall, having been preserved through the destruction of the church. Its discovery occurred during a period of great turmoil for the Russian state, coinciding with the consolidation of the Russian realm after the fall of Kazan, a major Tatar capital. The icon became deeply venerated as a protector of the Russian people. It was carried into battle and associated with divine aid during times of national crisis, particularly during the Time of Troubles in the early 17th century. Though the precise circumstances of its discovery remain part of the Church's living tradition, its enduring significance as a symbol of the Mother of God's intercession for Russia is well-established. The Church honors this memory to commemorate the Theotokos' unwavering protection of the faithful and the spiritual renewal of the Russian land through her icon. - St Procopius, Fool for Christ (1303)
📖 Readings of the day
Epistle — Romans 8.22-27
22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
Gospel — Matthew 10.23-31
23 But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.
24 The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord.
25 It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?
26 Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.
27 What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.
28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
29 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.
30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.
✠ Continuous Gospel reading
Matthew 20 KJV
1 For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man {that is} an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard.
2 And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. {penny: the Roman penny is the eighth part of an ounce, which after five shillings the ounce is seven pence halfpenny; about fourteen cents}
3 And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace,
4 And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way.
5 Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise.
6 And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?
7 They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, {that} shall ye receive.
8 So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them {their} hire, beginning from the last unto the first.
9 And when they came that {were hired} about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.
10 But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny.
11 And when they had received {it}, they murmured against the goodman of the house,
12 Saying, These last have wrought {but} one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. {have wrought...: or, have continued one hour only}
13 But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny?
14 Take {that} thine {is}, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee.
15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?
16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.
17 And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them,
18 Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death,
19 And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify {him}: and the third day he shall rise again.
20 Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping {him}, and desiring a certain thing of him.
21 And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom.
22 But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.
23 And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but {it shall be given to them} for whom it is prepared of my Father.
24 And when the ten heard {it}, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren.
25 But Jesus called them {unto him}, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.
26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;
27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:
28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
29 And as they departed from Jericho, a great multitude followed him.
30 And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, {thou} Son of David.
31 And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace: but they cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, {thou} Son of David.
32 And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you?
33 They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened.
34 So Jesus had compassion {on them}, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.
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