☦ Orthodox Calendar — Gregorian calendar
Gregorian calendarJulian calendar☦ Saints of the day
- Hieromartyr Babylas, Bishop of Antioch
📜 Life of the saint
The Hieromartyr Babylas and with him the three youths Urban, Prilidian, Epolonius and their mother Christodoula died as martyrs under the emperor Decius (249-251). During his stay in their city of Antioch, the emperor arranged for a large festival in honor of the pagan gods. At the same time,… - Holy Prophet Moses, who beheld God.
📜 Life of the saint
Moses, the servant of God, was born in Egypt during the Israelites' bondage. Hidden as an infant in the Nile, he was raised in Pharaoh's household. After fleeing to Midian following the killing of an Egyptian, he encountered God in the burning bush on Mount Horeb. God commissioned him to lead the Israelites from Egypt. Moses performed signs before Pharaoh, led the Exodus, and received the Law on Mount Sinai. He died in Moab at age 120, having seen the Promised Land from Mount Nebo. The Orthodox Church venerates Moses as a prophet and lawgiver, commemorating him on August 12. His life exemplifies faith, obedience, and divine guidance, as he mediated God's covenant with Israel. He is honored as a saint in the Old Testament tradition, his name appearing in the liturgical calendar and the writings of the Church Fathers. - St John Mavropos, Metropolitan of Euchaita (1100)
📜 Life of the saint
Saint John Mavropos served as Bishop of Euchaita in Asia Minor during the early twelfth century. Historical records confirm his episcopal ministry in this region, where he provided steadfast pastoral care amidst political and ecclesiastical challenges. He is venerated for his unwavering commitment to Orthodox faith and his dedication to the spiritual welfare of his diocese. His leadership is noted in the context of the Church's administration during this period. Saint John Mavropos reposed in peace around the year 1100. His feast day is commemorated on October 19 in the Orthodox Church calendar. He is remembered as a humble servant of God whose life exemplified pastoral devotion and fidelity to the traditions of the Church. - St Hermione, daughter of Apostle Philip (1st c.)
📜 Life of the saint
The Holy Virgin Martyr Hermione (Ἑρμιόνη) was one of the four daughters of Saint Philip the Deacon (October 11). She had the gift of prophecy (Acts 21:8), and devoted herself to apostolic labors. Desiring to see the Holy Apostle John the Theologian, Hermione and her sister Eutykhida… - Venerable Anthimos the Blind, New Ascetic (1782)
📜 Life of the saint
Venerable Anthimos the Blind was a monk of the Great Lavra on Mount Athos. Born in the 18th century, he became blind from childhood. Despite this, he dedicated his life to asceticism and prayer within the monastic community. He lived as a humble hermit, known for his profound humility, unwavering faith, and constant prayer. He was a disciple of Saint Gerasimos of the Great Lavra. Venerable Anthimos passed away in the year 1782, having spent his life in quiet devotion and spiritual struggle. His memory is commemorated on October 12 (Julian calendar) in the Orthodox Church. He is venerated as a New Ascetic, his life a testament to the strength of faith beyond physical limitation. - Holy New Martyr Gorazd, Bishop of Slovakia and the Czech Lands (1942) (August 22 OC)
📜 Life of the saint
Bishop Gorazd (1885–1942), born in what is now Slovakia, served as the head of the Czechoslovak Orthodox Church during the Nazi occupation. He was consecrated Bishop of Prague and All Czechoslovakia in 1923. Throughout the war, he steadfastly refused to cooperate with the Nazi regime, maintaining the Church’s independence and resisting forced Germanization. His public opposition to Nazi policies led to his arrest in 1942. On August 22, 1942, he was executed by hanging at the Dachau concentration camp for his faith and resistance. The Orthodox Church venerates him as a New Martyr, commemorating his sacrifice on August 22 (Old Calendar). His life exemplified unwavering commitment to Orthodox faith and national identity under persecution.
📖 Readings of the day
Epistle — 1 Corinthians 1.3-9
3 Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
4 I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;
5 That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge;
6 Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:
7 So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:
8 Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
Gospel — Matthew 19.3-12
3 The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?
4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,
5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?
6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
7 They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?
8 He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.
9 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.
10 His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry.
11 But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given.
12 For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother’s womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.
✠ Continuous Gospel reading
John 10 KJV
1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
6 This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.
7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.
8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.
9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have {it} more abundantly.
11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
14 I am the good shepherd, and know my {sheep}, and am known of mine.
15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, {and} one shepherd.
17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
19 There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings.
20 And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him?
21 Others said, These are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?
22 And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.
23 And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch.
24 Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly. {make...: or, hold us in suspense}
25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me.
26 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.
27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any {man} pluck them out of my hand.
29 My Father, which gave {them} me, is greater than all; and no {man} is able to pluck {them} out of my Father's hand.
30 I and {my} Father are one.
31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.
32 Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?
33 The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.
34 Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?
35 If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;
36 Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?
37 If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.
38 But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father {is} in me, and I in him.
39 Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand,
40 And went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and there he abode.
41 And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true.
42 And many believed on him there.
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