2024

On Sunday | August 11

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The Readings from the Regular Cycle

The Epistle

Seventh Sunday

The reading is from Paul’s Letter to the Romans.

Rom. 15:1 – 7

Brethren, we who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves; let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to edify him. For Christ did not please himself; but, as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.” For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Welcome one another, therefore, as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. [RSV]

The Gospel

Seventh Sunday of Matthew

The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Matthew.

Mt. 9:27 – 35

At that time, as Jesus went on, two blind men followed him, crying aloud, “Have mercy on us, Son of David.” When he entered the house, the blind men came to him; and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to him, “Yes, Lord.” Then he touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith be it done to you.” And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly charged them, “See that no one knows it.” But they went away and spread his fame through all that district. As they were going away, behold, a dumb demoniac was brought to him. And when the demon had been cast out, the dumb man spoke; and the crowds marveled, saying, “Never was anything like this seen in Israel.” But the Pharisees said, “He casts out demons by the prince of demons.” And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every infirmity among the people. [RSV]

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The Readings for the Commemoration

The Epistle

For the Martyr.

The reading is from Paul’s Letter to the Romans.

Rom. 8:28 – 39

Brethren, we know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the first-born among many brethren. And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified. What then shall we say to this? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, will he not also give us all things with him? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies; who is to condemn? Is it Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us? Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. [RSV]

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Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On August 11, we commemorate the holy Great-martyr Euplus the Deacon.

On this day we commemorate the consecration of the venerable and beautiful house and church of our most holy Lady Theotokos the Merciful.

On this day we relate the story about the Icon of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ, which was not made by human hands.

On this day we commemorate the contest of the holy Martyrs Neophytos, Gaius, Gaianus, Zeno, Mark, and Macarios. Services in their honor were held in the chapel of the holy glorious and wonderworking Unmercenaries Cosmas and Damian, in the Quarter of Darius.

Devout St. Passarion died in peace.

Devout St. Niphon, who lived in asceticism in the cenobitic Monastery of St. Dionysius on Mt. Athos, and who became Patriarch of Constantinople, died in peace.

On this day is the commemoration of the supernatural miracle that our father among the saints Spyridon did against the Hagarenes on the Island of Corfu.

By the intercessions of Your Saints, O God, have mercy on us. Amen.

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Fasting Rule

Wine: Wine and oil are allowed. Refrain from meat, fish, dairy, and eggs.

It is the Dormition fast.