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2023 |
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On Sunday | August 20 |
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The Readings from the Regular Cycle |
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The Epistle |
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11th Sunday |
The reading is from Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians. |
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1 Cor. 9:2-12 |
Brethren, you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. This is my defense to those who would examine me. Do we not have the right to our food and drink? Do we not have the right to be accompanied by a wife, as the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas? Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for a living? Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? Who tends a flock without getting some of the milk? Do I say this on human authority? Does not the law say the same? For it is written in the law of Moses, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain." Is it for oxen that God is concerned? Does he not speak entirely for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of a share in the crop. If we have sown spiritual good among you, is it too much if we reap your material benefits? If others share this rightful claim upon you, do not we still more? Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ. [RSV] |
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The Gospel |
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11th Sunday of Matthew |
The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Matthew. |
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Mt. 18:23-35 |
The Lord said this parable: "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the reckoning, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents; and as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, 'Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.' And out of pity for him the lord of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. But that same servant, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat he said, 'Pay what you owe.' So his fellow servant fell down and besought him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you.' He refused and went and put him in prison till he should pay the debt. When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Then his lord summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you besought me; and should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?' And in anger his lord delivered him to the jailors, till he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to everyone of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart." [RSV] |
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The Readings for the Commemoration |
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The Epistle |
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For the Prophet. |
The reading is from Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians. |
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1 Cor. 14:20-25 |
Brethren, do not be children in your thinking; however, in evil be babes, but in thinking be mature. In the law it is written, "By men of strange tongues and by the lips of foreigners will I speak to this people, and even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord." Thus, tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is not for unbelievers but for believers. If, therefore, the whole church assembles and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are mad? But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all, the secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you. [RSV] |
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Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion. |
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Synaxarion |
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From the Menaion. |
On August 20 we commemorate the holy and glorious Prophet Samuel. |
On this day we also commemorate the holy 37 Martyrs who witnessed in Viza of Thrace. |
On this day we also commemorate the holy Martyrs Severus and Memnon the Centurion. |
On this day we also commemorate the holy Martyr Fotini, outside the gates of Blachernae, and we commemorate the holy Martyr Lucius the Counselor. |
On this day we also commemorate the holy Martyrs Hiliodoros and Dosai (or Dosa or Soda). |
By the intercessions of Your Saints, O God, have mercy and save us. Amen. |
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Fasting Rule |
Fast Free: All foods allowed. |