☦ Orthodox Calendar — Gregorian calendar
Gregorian calendarJulian calendar
☦ Saints of the day
- Synaxis of Archangel Gabriel
📜 Life of the saint
The Archangel Gabriel is venerated as one of the chief angels in the Orthodox tradition, his name meaning "God is my strength." His role is firmly established in Holy Scripture: he appeared to the priest Zechariah to announce the birth of John the Baptist (Luke 1:11-20), and later to the Virgin Mary to announce the Incarnation of Christ (Luke 1:26-38). These divine announcements are central to Orthodox understanding of Gabriel's ministry. The Synaxis of the Archangel Gabriel is celebrated annually on March 26th (April 8th in some traditions), commemorating his service and intercession. As a celestial messenger, Gabriel is revered for his faithful communication of God's will to humanity, embodying the angelic role of bearing divine revelation. His feast day is observed with hymns and prayers honoring his sacred function within the heavenly host. - Holy Martyr Golinduc of Persia (6th c.)
📜 Life of the saint
Holy Martyr Golinduc of Persia, venerated in the sixth century, is remembered as a nobleman who steadfastly refused to renounce his Christian faith during a period of intense persecution under the Sassanid rulers. Historical records of his life are sparse, but Orthodox tradition preserves his witness as one of many faithful who suffered for Christ in Persia. He is commemorated among the martyrs who endured torture and death for their unwavering commitment to the Gospel, embodying the courage of the Church in a hostile land. His feast day is observed within the Orthodox liturgical calendar, a testament to the enduring legacy of those who chose martyrdom over apostasy. The Church honors this memory as a powerful witness to the unshakeable truth of Christ, whose light shines through the darkness of persecution, inspiring generations to hold fast to the faith even unto death. - Saint Julian, Bishop of Cenomanis (Le Mans) (1st c.)
📜 Life of the saint
Saint Julian is venerated as the first bishop of Le Mans (ancient Cenomanis) in Gaul. Historical records, including early ecclesiastical lists and the Synaxarion of the Orthodox Church, identify him as the initial bishop of this see, established in the early Christian period. He is commemorated in the Orthodox liturgical calendar as a saint and bishop. While the exact dates of his episcopate are not definitively recorded, he is traditionally associated with the 1st or early 2nd century, reflecting the period when Christianity began to take root in Gaul. His legacy is preserved in the Church of Le Mans, where he is recognized as a foundational figure. No specific miracles or detailed events of his life are documented in widely accepted historical or ecclesiastical sources. He is honored as a saint whose ministry established the Christian community in the region, and his feast day is observed within the Orthodox tradition. - Repose of Photios Kontoglou (1965) (June 30 OC)
📜 Life of the saint
Saint Photios Kontoglou (1895–1965) was a renowned Greek Orthodox iconographer, theologian, and writer. Born in Constantinople (Istanbul) in 1895, he dedicated his life to the restoration and promotion of traditional Orthodox iconography. He studied art in Athens and later traveled extensively, deeply studying ancient Byzantine and Russian icon painting techniques. Kontoglou became a pivotal figure in the 20th-century revival of authentic iconography within the Orthodox Church, emphasizing theological depth and spiritual expression over mere artistic imitation. His writings, including "The Meaning of Icons" and "The Life of Christ," profoundly influenced Orthodox understanding of sacred art. He served as a priest and was known for his ascetic life and commitment to Orthodox tradition. Saint Photios died in Athens on June 30, 1965 (Old Calendar), leaving a lasting legacy through his icons, theological works, and his role in revitalizing Orthodox artistic practice. His feast day is commemorated on June 30.
📖 Readings of the day
Epistle — 1 Corinthians 5.9-6.11
9 I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:
10 Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.
11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?
13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.
1 Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints?
2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?
4 If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.
5 I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?
6 But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers.
7 Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?
8 Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren.
9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
Gospel — Matthew 13.54-58
54 And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?
55 Is not this the carpenter’s son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?
56 And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?
57 And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house.
58 And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.
✠ Continuous Gospel reading
Matthew 16 KJV
1 The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven.
2 He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, {It will be} fair weather: for the sky is red.
3 And in the morning, {It will be} foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O {ye} hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not {discern} the signs of the times?
4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.
5 And when his disciples were come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread.
6 Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
7 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, {It is} because we have taken no bread.
8 {Which} when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread?
9 Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?
10 Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?
11 How is it that ye do not understand that I spake {it} not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?
12 Then understood they how that he bade {them} not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?
14 And they said, Some {say that thou art} John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed {it} unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. {Peter: this name signifies a rock}
19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
20 Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.
21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. {Be...: Gr. Pity thyself}
23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any {man} will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
28 Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.
/api/calendar/gregorian/2026-07-13