☦ Orthodox Calendar — Julian calendar
Gregorian calendarJulian calendar☦ 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 6.11-17
11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
Gospel — Matthew 8.14-23
14 And when Jesus was come into Peter’s house, he saw his wife’s mother laid, and sick of a fever.
15 And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them.
16 When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick:
17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.
18 Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about him, he gave commandment to depart unto the other side.
19 And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.
20 And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.
21 And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.
22 But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.
23 And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him.
✠ Continuous Gospel reading
Mark 1 KJV
1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;
2 As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. {for: or, unto}
5 And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.
6 And John was clothed with camel's hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey;
7 And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.
8 I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.
9 And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.
10 And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him: {opened: or, cloven, or, rent}
11 And there came a voice from heaven, {saying}, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
12 And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness.
13 And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.
14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,
15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
16 Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
17 And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.
18 And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him.
19 And when he had gone a little further thence, he saw James the {son} of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets.
20 And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him.
21 And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught.
22 And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.
23 And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,
24 Saying, Let {us} alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.
25 And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him.
26 And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.
27 And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine {is} this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.
28 And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee.
29 And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.
30 But Simon's wife's mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her.
31 And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them.
32 And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils.
33 And all the city was gathered together at the door.
34 And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him. {to speak...: or, to say that they knew him}
35 And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.
36 And Simon and they that were with him followed after him.
37 And when they had found him, they said unto him, All {men} seek for thee.
38 And he said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth.
39 And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils.
40 And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.
41 And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth {his} hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean.
42 And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed.
43 And he straitly charged him, and forthwith sent him away;
44 And saith unto him, See thou say nothing to any man: but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing those things which Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.
45 But he went out, and began to publish {it} much, and to blaze abroad the matter, insomuch that Jesus could no more openly enter into the city, but was without in desert places: and they came to him from every quarter.
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