☦ Orthodox Calendar — Gregorian calendar
Gregorian calendarJulian calendar☦ Saints of the day
- Robe of the Theotokos at Blachernae
📜 Life of the saint
The Church venerates the icon of the Theotokos known as the Blachernitissa, housed for centuries in the Church of the Blachernae in Constantinople. This icon, not a physical garment, was the focus of profound devotion. The church, built in the 5th century, became one of the most revered sites in the Eastern Christian world, particularly for its association with the Theotokos. Pilgrims flocked to venerate the icon, believing it offered protection to the city and its people. While the church itself was destroyed in 1453, the icon was preserved and later enshrined in other churches, continuing its spiritual significance. The Church honors this memory not for any relic of cloth, but for the enduring witness of the Theotokos through her icon, which embodies the Incarnation and serves as a sacred window into the divine, reminding the faithful of her role as the Mother of God and intercessor. - St John (Maximovich), Archbishop of Shanghai and San Francisco (1966) (June 19 OC)
📜 Life of the saint
Archbishop John (Maximovich) of Shanghai and San Francisco reposed in the Lord on June 19, 1966 (Old Calendar), having served faithfully as a shepherd of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia. Born in 1896, he was ordained a priest in 1918 and became a bishop in 1922. He led the Russian Orthodox community in Shanghai during the tumultuous years of the Chinese Revolution, providing spiritual guidance and care to countless exiles. After the Communist takeover, he continued his ministry in the United States, becoming the ruling bishop of the Russian Orthodox Church in America, based in San Francisco. Known for his profound humility, deep piety, and unwavering commitment to the Orthodox faith, he dedicated his life to pastoral care, prayer, and the preservation of tradition amidst great hardship. His life exemplified steadfast witness to Christ during a time of widespread persecution and displacement. The Church honors his memory for his faithful service, his gentle and compassionate leadership, and his enduring spiritual legacy as a true father of the Church. - St Juvenal, Patriarch of Jerusalem (458)
📜 Life of the saint
Patriarch Juvenal of Jerusalem reigned from 421 until his repose in 458. He is remembered for his steadfast defense of Orthodox doctrine at the Council of Chalcedon in 451, where he opposed the heresy of Eutyches and upheld the full divinity and humanity of Christ. Following the council, he dedicated himself to the restoration and veneration of Jerusalem’s sacred sites. Under his leadership, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, damaged by earlier conflicts, was rebuilt and consecrated, becoming a central place of worship and pilgrimage for the faithful. His efforts strengthened the spiritual life of the Holy City and the surrounding Christian communities. He is commemorated as a faithful shepherd who guided the Church through a critical period of theological controversy and physical renewal. The Church honors him for his unwavering commitment to the truth of the Gospel and his tireless service to the Church of Jerusalem. - St Juvenaly, First Martyr of America and Alaska (1796)
📜 Life of the saint
St. Juvenaly, monk of the Valaam Monastery, is venerated as the first martyr of America and Alaska. Sent to the Russian colony in Alaska in the late 18th century, he served as a spiritual guide among the indigenous peoples. In 1796, while traveling near Kodiak Island, he was brutally murdered by Aleut hunters who sought to prevent him from preaching the Gospel and converting their people. His death occurred during a period of intense missionary effort by Russian Orthodox monks in the region. The Church honors him not for specific, well-documented miracles, but for his unwavering witness to Christ in the very heart of North America. He gave his life for the faith he proclaimed, becoming the first to shed blood for Christ in the lands that would become the United States and Canada. The Church commemorates him as the pioneer of martyrdom in the New World, whose sacrifice marked the beginning of a long tradition of Orthodox witness and suffering in America. The Church honors this memory because he was the first to seal his faith with his blood for Christ in the Americas.
📖 Readings of the day
Epistle — Romans 15.17-29
17 I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God.
18 For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed,
19 Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.
20 Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man’s foundation:
21 But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand.
22 For which cause also I have been much hindered from coming to you.
23 But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you;
24 Whensoever I take my journey into Spain, I will come to you: for I trust to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way thitherward by you, if first I be somewhat filled with your company.
25 But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints.
26 For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.
27 It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things.
28 When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain.
29 And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.
Gospel — Matthew 12.46-13.3
46 While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him.
47 Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee.
48 But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?
49 And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!
50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
1 The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side.
2 And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.
3 And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;
✠ Continuous Gospel reading
Matthew 5 KJV
1 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:
2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
3 Blessed {are} the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed {are} they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed {are} the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed {are} they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
7 Blessed {are} the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed {are} the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
9 Blessed {are} the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
10 Blessed {are} they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are ye, when {men} shall revile you, and persecute {you}, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. {falsely: Gr. lying}
12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great {is} your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. {a bushel: the word in the original signifieth a measure containing about a pint less than a peck}
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach {them}, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed {the righteousness} of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
21 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: {by: or, to}
22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. {Raca: that is, Vain fellow}
23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
26 Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.
27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast {it} from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not {that} thy whole body should be cast into hell. {offend...: or, do cause thee to offend}
30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast {it} from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not {that} thy whole body should be cast into hell.
31 It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:
32 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.
33 Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:
34 But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne:
35 Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.
36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.
37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.
38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have {thy} cloke also.
41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more {than others}? do not even the publicans so?
48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
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