☦ Orthodox Calendar — Julian calendar
Gregorian calendarJulian calendar☦ Saints of the day
- Trans. Rel. Ven. Cyrus and John
📜 Life of the saint
Venerable Cyrus and John were monks whose earthly lives remain unknown to us, yet their memory is honored by the Church through the translation of their relics. On the feast of St. John the Theologian, their relics were solemnly translated to the Monastery of St. John the Theologian on the island of Patmos. This act of moving their remains to a place of greater veneration within the monastery signifies the Church's recognition of their holy life and the spiritual benefit derived from their relics. Though no specific details of their monastic labors or the exact time of their repose are preserved in reliable tradition, their commemoration affirms the Orthodox understanding that the faithful departed, especially those who lived in humility and prayer, continue to intercede for the Church. The translation of their relics to a major monastic center underscores their enduring spiritual presence and the Church's care for the memory of its ascetic sons. The Church honors them as examples of humble monastic life whose relics, through divine providence, were brought to a place of communal prayer and spiritual strength. - Sts Sergius and Herman (1353), abbots of Valaam
📜 Life of the saint
Saints Sergius and Herman, monks of the Russian Orthodox Church, are commemorated for founding the revered Valaam Monastery on Valaam Island in Lake Ladoga. Around the year 1353, they were sent by Saint Stephen of Perm to establish a monastic community in this remote and spiritually significant location. Arriving on the island, they lived as hermits, tending to the needs of the local population and gradually gathering disciples. Under their guidance, the simple hermitage evolved into a flourishing monastery, becoming a major center of Orthodox spirituality, asceticism, and missionary work in the northern regions of Russia. Their life of prayer, humility, and service to God and neighbor laid the foundation for Valaam's enduring legacy as a beacon of faith. The Church honors them for their faithful dedication in establishing this enduring monastic home, which has nurtured countless souls and preserved the Orthodox tradition for centuries. - Synaxis of the Icon of our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos "Of the Three Hands"
📜 Life of the saint
The Church commemorates the Synaxis of the Icon of our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos "Of the Three Hands." This feast honors the veneration of a specific icon, whose name derives from the depiction of three hands: the Theotokos holding the Christ Child with one hand, and two hands of angels or saints supporting the icon. The icon is known for its profound spiritual significance within the Russian Orthodox tradition, particularly associated with the Church of the Three Hands in Moscow. The exact historical origin of this icon and the date of its creation remain unknown, as is common with many ancient icons venerated for their spiritual power rather than documented history. Its name and the simple, reverent image it presents have been passed down through centuries of faithful prayer. The Church honors this memory to seek the intercessions of the Most Holy Theotokos through her icon of mercy, which has been a source of comfort and spiritual strength for countless believers. - Our Holy Father Sennuphius the Standard-Bearer (4th c.)
📜 Life of the saint
Our Holy Father Sennuphius the Standard-Bearer is commemorated in the Orthodox tradition, though details of his life remain obscure. He is associated with the 4th century, a period of significant ecclesiastical development and imperial persecution. The title "Standard-Bearer" suggests a military or civic role, possibly indicating his service within the Roman Empire before embracing the Christian faith. His name appears in some ancient liturgical calendars and martyrologies, particularly within the Eastern Christian tradition, but specific accounts of his martyrdom, deeds, or the location of his ministry are not preserved in reliable sources. The Church venerates him as a faithful servant of God who lived and witnessed to Christ during a time of great trial for the Church. The Church honors this memory as a testament to the faithfulness of those who served God in all walks of life, even when their specific story is not fully known.
📖 Readings of the day
3rd Matins Gospel — Mark 16.9-20
9 Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.
10 And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept.
11 And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not.
12 After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country.
13 And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them.
14 Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.
15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
Epistle — Romans 5.1-10
1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
Gospel — Matthew 6.22-33
22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.
23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!
24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
✠ Continuous Gospel reading
Matthew 23 KJV
1 Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,
2 Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat:
3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, {that} observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.
4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay {them} on men's shoulders; but they {themselves} will not move them with one of their fingers.
5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, {phylacteries: pieces of parchment containing sentences of the law}
6 And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,
7 And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.
8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, {even} Christ; and all ye are brethren.
9 And call no {man} your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, {even} Christ.
11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.
12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
13 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in {yourselves}, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.
14 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.
15 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.
16 Woe unto you, {ye} blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor!
17 {Ye} fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?
18 And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty. {guilty: or, debtor, or, bound}
19 {Ye} fools and blind: for whether {is} greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?
20 Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon.
21 And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein.
22 And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.
23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier {matters} of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. {anise: Gr. dill}
24 {Ye} blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.
25 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.
26 {Thou} blind Pharisee, cleanse first that {which is} within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.
27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead {men's} bones, and of all uncleanness.
28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
29 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous,
30 And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.
31 Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets.
32 Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers.
33 {Ye} serpents, {ye} generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?
34 Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and {some} of them ye shall kill and crucify; and {some} of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute {them} from city to city:
35 That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.
36 Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation.
37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, {thou} that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under {her} wings, and ye would not!
38 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.
39 For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed {is} he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
/api/calendar/julian/2027-07-11