Tuesday June 18/July 1 ns 2025 • Holy Martyr Leóntios ~ Fish, wine and olive oil are permitted ~ Rom. 10:11-11:2; St. Matt. 11:16-20 ~ GOD WILL NEVER ABANDON

T U E S D A Y

June 18 / July 1 ns 2025

H O L Y

A P O S T L E S'

F A S T

Fish, Wine & Olive Oil 

Saint John the Wonderworker

of Shanghai and San Francisco

Feast Day - TomorrowWednesday

June 19/July 2 ns

Today we praise

The Holy Martyr Leontios

The Holy Martyr Leóntios was a Roman commander in Tripoli in Phoenicia (Phoenicia was an ancient civilization composed of independent city-states located along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea stretching through what is now Syria, Lebanon and northern Israel) during the reign of Emperor Vespasian.
He was born in Hellas [Greece] "of great physical stature, powerful, strong and brave in battles." Hadrian, the imperial deputy, sent a military detachment to arrest Leóntios, for Hadrian was a fierce adversary and persecutor of Christians. Hypátios, the senior officer of this detachment, became ill enroute with a bitter fever because of which the detachment had to slow down their march. One night an angel of God appeared to Hypátios and said to him: "If you want to be well, cry out three times toward heaven with all your soldiers: 'O God of Leóntios help me!' "

Hypátios informed his companions of his vision and all in unison cried out as the angel instructed and immediately Hypátios became well. This miracle astonished all but especially Theodulos. Hypatius and Theodulos then went ahead of the other soldiers to seek Commander Leóntios. Leóntios received them graciously and served them. When he expounded his faith in Christ to them, their hearts burned with love for Christ and, at that moment, a bright cloud descended upon Hypátios and Theodulos and dew from a cloud descended upon them. That was the Holy Spirit of God Himself baptizing these converted souls and St. Leóntios, at that moment, spoke these words: "In the name of the All-holy Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit." The evil Hadrian, learning that Hypátios and Theodulos became Christians, ordered that they be scourged without mercy and following that to be beheaded with an axe. And so, these two spiritual children of Leóntios died.

Then Hadrian prescribed cruel tortures for Leóntios but Leóntios remained unwavering in his holy faith. His entire body was covered with wounds but he diligently prayed to God not to abandon him. In the midst of the cruelest torments, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, encouraged and comforted him. Finally, they knocked the martyr Leóntios to the ground and beat him until he gave up his soul to God. The sufferings of St. Leóntios was personally witnessed by Kir Notarius who recorded all that he saw on lead tablets and placed them in the martyr's grave.

St. Leóntios suffered honorably in the year 73 A.D.

Romans 10:11-11:2 KJV

11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.

13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?

17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

18 But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.

19 But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you.

20 But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me.

21 But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.

11 I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.

2 God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel saying,

Saint Matthew 11:16-20 KJV

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:

Monday June 17/30 ns 2025 • Holy Martyr Ísauros and those with him; Holy Martyrs Manuel, Sabel, and Ishmael; St. Hypátios of Rouphianaí ~ Wine and olive oil are permitted ~ Rom. 9:18-33; St. Matt. 11:2-15 ~ IF I AM NOT JOYOUS THEN I AM NOTHING Elder Aimilianos of Simonopetra Monastery, Mt. Athos

M O N D A Y

June 17/30 ns 2025

H O L Y

A P O S T L E S'

F A S T

Wine & Olive Oil 

Saint John the Wonderworker

of Shanghai and San Francisco

Feast Day - This Wednesday

June 19/July 2 ns

Today we praise

The Holy Martyr Ísauros

and those with him; 

Holy Martyrs Manuel, Sabel, and Ishmael;

St. Hypátios of Rouphianaí

I. Life and Martyrdom of St. ĺsauros 

II. Contemporary Accounts 

III. Historical Facts About the Church

 

https://www.imoph.org/Theology_en/E3d5008AgIsaurus.pdf

The Holy Martyr Ísauros, a deacon, and Basil and Innocent were from Athens. In the reign of Numerian (283-284), they came to Apollonia (most likely, the city in Illyricum); there encountering Felix, Peregrinus, and Hermias hidden in a cave, they strengthened them in their Faith. Betrayed to Tripontius the Proconsul, all but Ísauros and Innocent were beheaded; these last two Tripontius gave over to his son, Apollonius, who tormented them, and then had them beheaded.

Romans 9:18-33 KJV

18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.

19 Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?

20 Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?

21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?

22 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:

23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,

24 Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?

25 As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved.

26 And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.

27 Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved:

28 For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.

29 And as Esaias said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha.

30 What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.

31 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.

32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;

33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

Saint Matthew 11:2-15 KJV

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.

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.

IF I AM NOT JOYOUS THEN I AM NOTHING

Elder Aimilianos of

Simonopetra Monastery,

Mt. Athos

"The lack of joy is a pathological state of man, a willing closure within one's self. And whatever he wishes to do he will not be successful."

First, one must clean his field, to find out what is going on and why he is not joyous. Then, he must pursue joy within himself, and then the peace of God will take the place of joy. Thus, man should keep his relationship with God and with his Elder [or Spiritual Father], and should seek a true life.

Am I good, faithful, perfect, holy?

Am I a teacher?

If I am not joyous, then I am nothing.

It is important when they tell me: "Physician, heal thyself, and then, offer him to God." God cannot enter into a heart that is not joyful, He cannot find a place of contact, because He is peace, He is the fulfillment of joy.

Only like things can unite, and because of this, God can only unite with a joyous soul. For the person who is not joyous, the Elder can do nothing at all, his hands are totally tied.

Whoever thinks that he is approaching to reach "the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ", but is not joyous, can understand that he is totally deluded. Joy is the criterion, the thermometer.

Joy is something external, but it is also something internal.

Ultimately, it is a necessary presupposition, because the lack of joy makes man study things differently and to become changed. For example, if one puts even one drop of nitric oxide into pure water, immediately he changes its essence. Thus, exactly, one drop of bitterness, depression, sadness transforms the whole atmosphere of a person, and extinguishes God.

But joy must also exist in a brotherhood [or a family], because it is an element both of one's personal life and of the brotherhood.

I cannot be joyous if all those around me do not have the tendency and the atmosphere of joy, neither, however, can I have any benefit if I do not take on this joy from the brotherhood/family.

Only when I take it on can I say that I have a relationship with the Elder, and then I can take in God, because God is the life that exists within man, and the life which is transmitted through man."

Mel Gibson on the Holy Mountain

Sunday June 16/29 ns, 2025 † 3rd St. Matthew, Holy New Martyrs of the Turkish Yoke • St. Týchon, Bishop of Amathoús in Cyprus ~ Fish, wine, and olive oil are permitted ~ 3rd Matins Gospel: St. Mark 16:9-20 Rom. 5:1-10 (3rd Sunday of Epistles); St. Matt. 6:22-33 ~ THE FALL OF ADAM AND THE DECREES OF GOD by Saint Symeon the New Theologian

S U N D A Y

June 16/29 ns 2025

H O L Y

A P O S T L E S'

F A S T

Fish, Wine & Olive Oil 

Today we praise

The Holy New Martyrs

of the Turkish Yoke

St. Týchon, Bishop of Amathoús

in Cyprus

Grant me, O Christ, teardrops to cleanse the defilement of my heart, that, purified and with a good conscience, I may draw nigh with fear and faith, O Master, to the communion of Thy Divine Gifts.

Orthros

Saint Mark 16:9-20 KJV

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.

Romans 5:1-10 KJV

5 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 Spirit 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.

Saint Matthew 6:22-33 KJV

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.

​THE FALL OF ADAM

AND

THE DECREES OF GOD

by Saint Symeon

the

New Theologian

​EACH OF US MUST RECOGNIZE THAT HE IS ADAM IN ORDER TO BE OF CHRIST

If any of us does not recognize that he is Adam​, the one who sinned before God in paradise, how can you recognize and think that the coming down of the Son of the Word of God was for him?

A law was established after the Fall, that just as each of us is Adam, that is, a corruptible and mortal man, not by reason of our own sin, but by reason of the disobedience of our first ancestor Adam, from whose seed we come; so each of us is of Christ come immortal and incorrupt, not for the sake of our own virtues, but for the sake of the obedience of the second Adam, Who is Christ Our Lord Who came down from Heaven; we become bone of His bone and flesh of His flesh. And just as corruption and death come down from generation to generation from the old Adam, so also incorruption and immortality come down to Christians from the new Adam. Just as the fact that we are participants in the nature of our ancestor Adam, who fell, is recognized by the sign that we also sin and transgress the commandments of God, so also the fact that we are participants of the Divine grace of the second Founder of our race Christ the Lord, we recognize by this sign: that we no longer sin as soon as we receive this Divine grace we draw from the fullness of Christ, just as from some kind of source of fire a myriad of lights might be lit. And the more of them are lit, the more the source abounds in fire and gushes it forth from itself: for Christ, being God, is superabundant in every good.