2024

On Wednesday | August 14

   

----------

   

The Readings from the Regular Cycle

The Epistle

Wednesday of the 8th Week

The reading is from Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians.

1 Cor. 10:12 – 22

Brethren, let any one who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your strength, but with the temptation will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. Therefore, my beloved, shun the worship of idols. I speak as to sensible men: judge for yourselves what I say. The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread. Consider the people of Israel: are not those who eat the sacrifices partners in the altar? What do I imply then? That food offered to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be partners with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of the demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of the demons. Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he? [RSV]

The Gospel

Wednesday of the 8th Week of Matthew

The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Matthew.

Mt. 16:20 – 24

At that time, Jesus strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ. From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And Peter took him and began to rebuke him, saying, “God forbid, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are not on the side of God, but of men.” Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me.” [RSV]

__________

   

Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On August 14 we commemorate the Prophet Michah.

On this day we also commemorate the holy Martyr Markellos, Bishop of Apamia.

On this day we also commemorate the transfer of the Holy Cross to the palace.

On this day we also commemorate the holy hiermomartyr Ursicius (or Ursicinus).

On this day the holy Martyr Lucius the solder died by fire.

The Holy Neo-martyr Symeon of Trebizond, who witnessed in Constantinople in the year 1653, died by hanging.

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

__________

   

Fasting Rule

Strict: Refrain from meat, fish, oil, dairy, and eggs.

It is the Dormition fast.