☦ Orthodox Calendar — Gregorian calendar
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☦ Saints of the day
- Greatmartyr Euphemia the All-Praised
📜 Life of the saint
Saint Euphemia the All-Praised was a virgin martyr of Chalcedon in Bithynia (modern-day Turkey). During the Diocletian persecution (c. 303-304 AD), she steadfastly refused to sacrifice to idols, declaring her faith in Christ. For this, she was condemned to be devoured by wild beasts. She was thrown into the arena at Chalcedon, where lions were released upon her. Miraculously, the lions did not harm her, but she was ultimately martyred by the sword. Her relics were enshrined in the Church of St. Euphemia in Chalcedon, which became a major pilgrimage site. She is commemorated on September 16 (Old Calendar) or September 29 (New Calendar) in the Orthodox Church. Venerated as a Great Martyr, she is especially invoked for the defense of the Orthodox faith and for those suffering unjustly. Her feast day is celebrated universally within the Orthodox tradition. - Holy Hieromartyr Cyprian of Carthage (258)
📜 Life of the saint
Saint Cyprian of Carthage, born Thascius Caecilius Cyprianus, was a prominent bishop of Carthage in North Africa. He converted to Christianity around 246 AD, having previously been a pagan orator. He was elected bishop of Carthage in 248 AD and became a leading figure in the African Church, known for his strong advocacy of church unity, discipline, and the necessity of baptism for salvation. His extensive writings, including letters and treatises, addressed critical issues such as the validity of baptisms performed by heretics and the proper conduct of the faithful during persecution. During the severe persecution under Emperor Valerian in 258 AD, Cyprian was arrested, condemned as a Christian, and executed by beheading on September 14, 258, at Carthage. He is venerated as a martyr and a saint in the Orthodox Church. - St Ninian, Enlightener of Scotland (432)
📜 Life of the saint
Saint Ninian, a 5th-century bishop of Roman Britain, is venerated as the Enlightener of Scotland. After studying in Rome, he returned to Britain and established a monastery at Whithorn in Galloway, Scotland. His most notable achievement was building a church of stone at Whithorn, an unusual practice at the time, which became a major centre of Christianity in southern Scotland. He is traditionally credited with evangelizing the southern Picts and other tribes in the region. Saint Ninian died around 432, and his feast day is observed on January 16th. His work laid foundational ecclesiastical structures in Scotland, with Whithorn developing into a significant early Christian site. The primary historical source for his life is Bede’s *Ecclesiastical History of the English People*, which confirms his mission and the stone church at Whithorn. - Our Holy Father Dorotheos the Solitary of Egypt (4th c.)
📜 Life of the saint
Saint Dorotheos the Solitary of Egypt was a 4th-century monk who lived as a hermit in the Egyptian desert, following the tradition of the Desert Fathers. He was a disciple of Saint Anthony the Great and resided in the Thebaid region, dedicating his life to asceticism, prayer, and solitude. Dorotheos is venerated for his unwavering commitment to the monastic life, withdrawing from society to pursue spiritual perfection through humility and obedience. His death occurred in the desert, though the exact date is not recorded. His memory is commemorated on February 1st in the Orthodox Church. He is recognized as one of the early Egyptian ascetics whose life exemplified the core principles of Christian monasticism: detachment from worldly concerns, constant prayer, and the pursuit of inner purity. His legacy endures as a model of solitary devotion within the tradition of the Desert Fathers.
📖 Readings of the day
Epistle — Galatians 6.2-10
2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
4 But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
5 For every man shall bear his own burden.
6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.
7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
Gospel — Mark 7.14-24
14 And when he had called all the people unto him, he said unto them, Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand:
15 There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.
16 If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.
17 And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable.
18 And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him;
19 Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?
20 And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.
21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,
22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:
23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.
24 And from thence he arose, and went into the borders of Tyre and Sidon, and entered into an house, and would have no man know it: but he could not be hid.
✠ Continuous Gospel reading
John 13 KJV
1 Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.
2 And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's {son}, to betray him;
3 Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;
4 He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.
5 After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe {them} with the towel wherewith he was girded.
6 Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? {Peter saith: Gr. he saith}
7 Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.
8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.
9 Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also {my} hands and {my} head.
10 Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash {his} feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.
11 For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.
12 So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?
13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for {so} I am.
14 If I then, {your} Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.
15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.
17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.
18 I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me.
19 Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am {he}. {Now: or, From henceforth}
20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.
21 When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.
22 Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake.
23 Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.
24 Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake.
25 He then lying on Jesus' breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it?
26 Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped {it}. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave {it} to Judas Iscariot, {the son} of Simon. {sop: or, morsel}
27 And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.
28 Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him.
29 For some {of them} thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy {those things} that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor.
30 He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night.
31 Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him.
32 If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him.
33 Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you.
34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
35 By this shall all {men} know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
36 Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards.
37 Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake.
38 Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.
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