☦ Orthodox Calendar — Gregorian calendar
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☦ Saints of the day
- St Andrew of Crete
📜 Life of the saint
Saint Andrew of Crete, Archbishop of Crete, was a renowned theologian and hymnographer of the eighth century. He served as Archbishop of Gortyna on the island of Crete, a position he held with great distinction. During the tumultuous period of the Iconoclastic Controversy, Saint Andrew stood firmly as a defender of the veneration of icons, upholding the Church's teaching that icons are windows to the divine, not objects of worship. His theological writings and sermons were instrumental in preserving the orthodox understanding of sacred images. He is especially celebrated for composing the Canon of the Resurrection, a profound and widely used liturgical hymn that remains central to the Church's worship. Saint Andrew reposed in peace in the year 740, leaving behind a legacy of deep piety, theological clarity, and rich liturgical tradition. The Church honors his memory for his unwavering defense of the sacred icons and his enduring contribution to the Church's hymnography and spiritual life. - Holy Royal Martyrs of Russia: Tsar Nicholas II, Tsaritsa Alexandra, Crown Prince Alexei, and Grand duchesses Olga, Tatiana, Maria, and Anastasia, and those martyred with them (1918).
📜 Life of the saint
The Holy Royal Martyrs of Russia, Tsar Nicholas II, Tsaritsa Alexandra, their children Crown Prince Alexei and Grand Duchesses Olga, Tatiana, Maria, and Anastasia, and those who suffered with them, were martyred in Yekaterinburg on July 17, 1918. They were seized by revolutionary forces and executed for their unwavering faith in Christ during the persecution of the Church. The Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church recognized their martyrdom in 1981, affirming that they died as witnesses to the Christian faith, not for political reasons. Their steadfastness in prayer and humility amidst suffering, even in the face of death, exemplified the Christian life. The Church venerates them as true martyrs who chose Christ above all earthly power and comfort. They are honored as a powerful testimony to the enduring strength of faith within the family and the sanctity of life, even in the darkest hour of persecution. The Church commemorates them to inspire all Christians to remain faithful to Christ, regardless of the cost. - St Martha, mother of St Symeon of the Wonderful Mountain (551)
📜 Life of the saint
St. Martha is venerated as the mother of St. Symeon of the Wonderful Mountain, a revered ascetic and spiritual father of the 5th century. Her life, as recorded in Orthodox tradition, is primarily known through her son’s holy example. She is recognized as a woman of deep faith who raised Symeon in the ways of the Lord, nurturing his early devotion and ascetic inclinations within the household. While specific details of her own life, such as her birth, death, or any particular deeds beyond her role as a mother, are not preserved in the established tradition, her significance lies in the sacred lineage she provided for a saint whose life profoundly influenced monastic spirituality in the East. The Church honors her memory not for her own works, but as the humble vessel through whom God raised a great spiritual father, exemplifying the profound holiness nurtured within the Christian family. - St Andrew (Rublev), iconographer (1430)
📜 Life of the saint
Saint Andrew Rublev, a monk of the Holy Trinity Monastery near Moscow, is revered as one of the greatest iconographers of the Orthodox Church. His life and work are deeply intertwined with the spiritual renewal of 15th-century Russia, particularly under the guidance of Saint Sergius of Radonezh. While little is known of his personal life beyond his monastic service, his icons are celebrated for their profound theological depth, serene beauty, and ability to convey the divine light of the Kingdom of Heaven. His most famous work, the icon of the Holy Trinity, exemplifies this, presenting the three angels as a vision of divine communion and love, reflecting the very essence of the Holy Trinity. Rublev’s art transcended mere craftsmanship; it was a prayerful expression of Orthodox faith, inviting the viewer into contemplation of the sacred. The Church honors Saint Andrew Rublev for his enduring contribution to the spiritual life of the Church through his icons, which remain powerful windows into the divine, guiding the faithful towards theosis.
📖 Readings of the day
Epistle — Romans 8.14-21
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,
21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
Gospel — Matthew 9.9-13
9 And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.
10 And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples.
11 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?
12 But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.
13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
✠ Continuous Gospel reading
Matthew 7 KJV
1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.
2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam {is} in thine own eye?
5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.
6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?
10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?
11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide {is} the gate, and broad {is} the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: {strait: or, narrow}
14 Because strait {is} the gate, and narrow {is} the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. {Because: or, How}
15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither {can} a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:
29 For he taught them as {one} having authority, and not as the scribes.
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