☦ Orthodox Calendar — Gregorian calendar
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☦ Saints of the day
- Greatmartyr Procopius of Caesarea
📜 Life of the saint
Greatmartyr Procopius of Caesarea was a Roman soldier who lived during the persecution of Christians under Emperor Diocletian. He is commemorated as a Greatmartyr, signifying his profound witness to the faith. According to tradition, Procopius, serving in the military at Caesarea in Palestine, openly professed his Christian faith and refused to participate in the imperial cult or offer sacrifice to idols. His steadfast refusal led to his arrest and subsequent martyrdom. The precise date of his death is not recorded in reliable sources, but it occurred during the widespread persecution of Christians in the early fourth century, likely around 303 AD. Little else is documented about his life beyond his courageous stand for Christ. The Church honors his memory not for specific deeds or miracles recorded in ancient texts, but for his unwavering confession of faith and his ultimate sacrifice, offering his life for the Lord. - Appearance of the "Kazan" icon of the Most Holy Theotokos (1579)
📜 Life of the saint
The Appearance of the Kazan Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos is commemorated on August 27 (New Style). According to tradition, this revered icon was discovered in 1579 within the ruins of the Church of the Transfiguration in Kazan, following the city's capture by Russian forces under Tsar Ivan IV. The icon, depicting the Theotokos holding the Christ Child, was found hidden in a wall, having been preserved through the destruction of the church. Its discovery occurred during a period of great turmoil for the Russian state, coinciding with the consolidation of the Russian realm after the fall of Kazan, a major Tatar capital. The icon became deeply venerated as a protector of the Russian people. It was carried into battle and associated with divine aid during times of national crisis, particularly during the Time of Troubles in the early 17th century. Though the precise circumstances of its discovery remain part of the Church's living tradition, its enduring significance as a symbol of the Mother of God's intercession for Russia is well-established. The Church honors this memory to commemorate the Theotokos' unwavering protection of the faithful and the spiritual renewal of the Russian land through her icon. - St Procopius, Fool for Christ (1303)
📜 Life of the saint
Saint Procopius of Ustyug, a Fool for Christ, lived in the 14th century in the Russian lands. He was a monk at the Ustyug Monastery, located near the city of Ustyug in the Vologda region. Known for his humble and seemingly foolish behavior, he renounced worldly possessions and lived in extreme simplicity, often appearing disheveled and speaking in a manner that seemed nonsensical to others. His actions, however, were understood by the faithful as a profound spiritual witness, embodying the Gospel teaching of foolishness for Christ's sake. He spent his life in prayer, humility, and service, drawing people to repentance through his example. Saint Procopius died in the year 1303. His memory is commemorated on October 1st in the Orthodox Church, recognized as a saint who lived a life of radical faith and detachment, offering a powerful testimony of divine wisdom through apparent folly.
📖 Readings of the day
Epistle — 1 Corinthians 2.9-3.8
9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?
5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?
6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.
Gospel — Matthew 13.31-36
31 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:
32 Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.
33 Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.
34 All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them:
35 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.
36 Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field.
✠ Continuous Gospel reading
Matthew 11 KJV
1 And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities.
2 Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,
3 And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?
4 Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see:
5 The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.
6 And blessed is {he}, whosoever shall not be offended in me.
7 And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?
8 But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft {clothing} are in kings' houses.
9 But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.
10 For this is {he}, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. {suffereth...: or, is gotten by force, and they that thrust men}
13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.
14 And if ye will receive {it}, this is Elias, which was for to come.
15 He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
16 But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows,
17 And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented.
18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil.
19 The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.
20 Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not:
21 Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
22 But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you.
23 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.
24 But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.
25 At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.
26 Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.
27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and {he} to whomsoever the Son will reveal {him}.
28 Come unto me, all {ye} that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke {is} easy, and my burden is light.
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