☦ Orthodox Calendar — Julian 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 — 2 Corinthians 11.5-21
5 For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.
6 But though I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been throughly made manifest among you in all things.
7 Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?
8 I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service.
9 And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself.
10 As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me of this boasting in the regions of Achaia.
11 Wherefore? because I love you not? God knoweth.
12 But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we.
13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
16 I say again, Let no man think me a fool; if otherwise, yet as a fool receive me, that I may boast myself a little.
17 That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.
18 Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also.
19 For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise.
20 For ye suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face.
21 I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. Howbeit whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak foolishly,) I am bold also.
Gospel — Mark 4.1-9
1 And he began again to teach by the sea side: and there was gathered unto him a great multitude, so that he entered into a ship, and sat in the sea; and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land.
2 And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine,
3 Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow:
4 And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up.
5 And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth:
6 But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away.
7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit.
8 And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred.
9 And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
✠ Continuous Gospel reading
Matthew 2 KJV
1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
3 When Herod the king had heard {these things}, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,
6 And thou Bethlehem, {in} the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. {rule: or, feed}
7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.
8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found {him}, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. {presented: or, offered}
12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
14 When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:
15 And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.
16 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying,
17 In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping {for} her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.
18 But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,
19 Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life.
20 And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.
21 But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee:
22 And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.
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