Saturday August 23 / Sept 5 ns 2026 Apodosis of the Dormition of the Theotokos • Holy Martyr Loúppos, Holy Hieromartyr Irenæus of Lyons ~ QUOTE: Types of Sin by St. Isaac the Syrian

Saturday

August 24

September 5 new style

2026

we commemorate and honor

• The Apodosis of the Dormition

of the Theotokos

Holy Martyr Loúppos,

Holy Hieromartyr Irenæus

of Lyons

The Holy Martyr Loúppos was a servant of St. Demetrios the commander of Thessalonica.

When Emperor Maximian beheaded St. Demetrius, Loúppos dipped the hem of his garment and his ring in the blood of the martyr. With this garment and ring, Loúppos worked many miracles in Thessalonica, healing people of every pain and infirmity.

Emperor Maximian, who was then still residing in Thessalonica, discovered this and ordered that Loúppos be tortured and killed. However, the soldiers who took up weapons against Loúppos turned against one another and severely wounded themselves. As he was not yet baptized, even though he was a Christian, Loúppos prayed to God that He would somehow plan his baptism before his death. At that moment, rain unexpectedly fell from the clouds upon this holy martyr and thus he received baptism from on high.

After great sufferings, Loúppos was beheaded and took up habitation in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Apodosis: Philippians 2:5-11
King James Version

5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Apodosis:  Saint Luke 10:38-42, 11:27-28
King James Version

38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.

39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.

40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.

41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:

42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

27 And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked.

28 But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.

Day: 1 Corinthians 4:1-5
King James Version

4 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.

2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self.

4 For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.

5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.


Day:  SaintMatthew 23:1-12
King James Version

23 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,

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.

And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?

St. Matthew 26:40 KJV

Types of Sin

by St. Isaac the Syrian

One type of sin that occurs is when the fighter cares for virtue and insists on working for it day and night, but does not succeed and falls into some sin. It may be that through ignorance, or from various causes, contrary to the path of virtue, or from the waves of passions that rise up in his members from time to time, or from the spiritual paralysis that may happen to him in order to test his free will, the scales tilt a little on the left yoke, so he is drawn by the weakness of the flesh to some sin, and he regrets and worries and groans with pain of soul for this suffering of his.

Another kind of sin is when a man becomes infatuated and neglects the work of virtue, and completely abandons its right path, and runs like an obedient slave to the enjoyment of sins, and shows zeal in inventing new ways for the full enjoyment of pleasure. In doing this, he is ready, like a captive slave, to do with special care the will of his enemy, and to offer the members of his body as weapons to the orders of the devil. And the unfortunate man does not remember repentance at all, nor does it cross his mind to leave his destructive path and return to virtue.

The first kind of sin, which I mentioned, is when a man slips and falls while walking on the path of virtue and righteousness. This is what the Fathers mean when they say that, on the path of God, we encounter both falls, and opposition from the enemy, and compulsions, and the like. While the second type of sin, which I mentioned, is for the soul to fall, and to be lost, and to completely abandon the struggle.

Friday August 22 / September 4 ns 2026 • Commemoration of the Icon of the Theotokos Prousiótissa; Holy Martyr Agathónicos; Holy New Hieromartyr Gorazd, Bishop of Bohemia and Moravia ~ QUOTE: Spiritual Intelligence Saint Gregory of Sinai

Friday

August 22

September 4 new style

2026

Fast Day

we commemorate and honor

The Icon of the Theotokos

Prousiótissa (of Prousa); 

The Holy Martyr Agathónicos; 

The Holy New Hieromartyr Gorazd,
Bishop of Bohemia and Moravia

The Holy Icon Panagia of Prousiótissa according to tradition was painted by the hand of St. Luke the Evangelist.

Since the year 829, this Holy Icon of the Theotokos has been kept in a church that still stands in the city of Proussa, now the Turkish city of Brusa, which is near present day Istanbul. Many miracles have taken place before this icon in the Church.

The only known accurate replica of this miracle working icon had resided at the Monastery of Prousos in Greece. In late June 2008 the replica was transported by clergy of the monastery and of the Metropolis of Karpenisi to the United States and placed permanently at the Monastery of Panagia Prousiótissa in Troy, North Carolina.

The Holy Martyr Agathónicos was a citizen of Nicomedia and a Christian by faith. With great zeal he converted the Hellenes from idolatry and instructed them in the true Faith. By order of Emperor Maximian, the emperor's deputy cruelly persecuted the Christians. During the persecution, the deputy captured St. Zóticos in a place called Carpe, crucified his disciples and brought Zóticos to Nicomedia where he also captured and bound St. Agathónicos, Princeps, Theoprepius, (Bogoljepa), Akíndynos, Severianós, Zeno and many others. Securely bound, they were all taken to Byzantium. However, along the way, Saints Zóticos, Theoprepius and Akíndynos died of their many wounds and exhaustion. They killed Severianós near Chalcedon and, Agathónicos with the others were taken to Thrace to the town of Silybria where, after torture before the emperor himself, they were beheaded and entered into eternal life and into the joy of their Lord. (ORTHODOX WIKI)

Galatians 2:6-10
King James Version

6 But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man's person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me:

7 But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;

8 (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)

9 And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.

10 Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.

Saint Mark 5:22-24; 5:35-43; 6:1
King James Version

22 And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet,

23 And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live.

24 And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him.

35 While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?

36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.

37 And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.

38 And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly.

39 And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth.

40 And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying.

41 And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.

42 And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment.

43 And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat.

6 And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him.

Spiritual Intelligence

Saint Gregory of Sinai

You cannot be or become spiritually intelligent in the way that is natural to man in his pre-fallen state unless you first attain purity and freedom from corruption. For our purity has been overlaid by a state of sense-dominated mindlessness, and our original incorruption by the corruption of the flesh.

Only those who through their purity have become saints are spiritually intelligent in the way that is natural to man in his pre-fallen state. Mere skill in reasoning does not make a person's intelligence pure, for since the fall our intelligence has been corrupted by evil thoughts. The materialistic and wordy spirit of the wisdom of this world may lead us to speak about ever wider spheres of knowledge, but it renders our thoughts increasingly crude and uncouth. This combination of well-informed talk and crude thought falls far short of real wisdom and contemplation, as well as of undivided and unified knowledge.

by knowledge of truth understand above all apprehension of truth through grace. Other kinds of knowledge should be regarded as images of intellections or the rational demonstration of facts.

If you fail to receive grace it is because of your lack of faith and your negligence; if you find it again it is because of your faith and your diligence. For faith and diligence always conduce to progress, while their opposites do the reverse.

Thursday August 21 / September 3 ns 2026 • Holy Apostle Thaddæus, Holy Martyr Bássa, Translation of the relics of St. Nektários of Ǽgina •

Thursday

August 21

September 3 new style

2026

we honor

The Holy Apostle Thaddæus, 

The Holy Martyr Bássa, 

The Translation of the relics of

St. Nektários of Ǽgina

Saint Thaddæus, Apostle of the Seventy, was by descent a Hebrew, and he was born in the Syrian city of Edessa. The holy Apostle Thaddæus of the Seventy must be distinguished from St Jude, also called Thaddæus or Levi (June 19), who was one of the Twelve Apostles.

When he came to Jerusalem for a feast day, he heard the preaching of John the Forerunner. After being baptized by him in the Jordan, he remained in Palestine. He saw the Savior, and became His follower. He was chosen by the Lord to be one of the Seventy Disciples, whom He sent by twos to preach in the cities and places where He intended to visit (St. Luke. 10:1).

After the Ascension of the Savior, St. Thaddæus preached in Syria and Mesopotamia. Preaching in Edessa he converted King Abgar, the people and the pagan priests to Christ. He backed up his preaching with many miracles (about which Abgar wrote to the Assyrian emperor Nerses). He established priests there and built up the Edessa Church.

Prince Abgar wanted to reward St. Thaddæus with rich gifts, but he refused them and went preaching to other cities, converting many pagans to the Christian Faith. He went to the city of Beirut to preach, and he founded a church there. It was in this city that he peacefully died in the year 44. (The place of his death is indicated as Beirut in the Slavonic records, but according to other sources he died in Edessa, according to an ancient Armenian tradition.
St. Thaddæus, after various tortures, was beheaded by the sword on December 21 in the Artaz (region of historic Armenia) in the year 50.

Galatians 1:1-3,20-24; 2:1-5
King James Version

1 Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)

2 And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia:

3 Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ

20 Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not.

21 Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia;

22 And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ:

23 But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed.

24 And they glorified God in me.

2 Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also.

2 And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.

3 But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised:

4 And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:

5 To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.

Saint Mark 3:13-21
King James Version

13 And he goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto him whom he would: and they came unto him.

14 And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,

15 And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils:

16 And Simon he surnamed Peter;

17 And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder:

18 And Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Canaanite,

19 And Judas Iscariot, which also betrayed him: and they went into an house.

20 And the multitude cometh together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread.

21 And when his friends heard of it, they went out to lay hold on him: for they said, He is beside himself.

Are there days gone by, O man, to which you would wish to return? They all attracted you like silk, and now remain behind you like a cobweb. Like honey they greeted you, like a stench you bade them farewell. All were totally filled with illusion and sin. See how all the pools of water in the moonlight resemble mirrors; and how all the days that were lit up with your levity resemble mirrors. But as you stepped from one day to the next, the false mirrors cracked like thin ice, and you waded through the water and mud. Can a day that has a morning and an evening as doorways be a day?

O luminous Lord, my soul is burdened with illusions and longs for one day—for the day without doorways, the day from which my soul has departed and sunk into the shifting shadows—O luminous Lord, my soul is burdened with illusions and longs for one day - Your day, which I used to call my day, when I was one with You. Is there any happiness gone by, O man, to which you would wish to return? Of two morsels of the same sweetness the second is the more trite. You would turn your head away in boredom from yesterday's happiness, if it were set out on today's table.

Moments of happiness are given to you only in order to leave you longing for happiness in the bosom of the ever happy Lord; and ages of unhappiness are given to you, to wake you out of the drowsy dream of illusions. O Lord, Lord, my only happiness, will You provide shelter for Your injured pilgrim? O Lord, my ageless youth, my eyes shall bathe in You and shine more radiantly than the sun. You carefully collect the tears of the righteous, and with them You rejuvenate worlds.

Boiling Wheat for the Village 1962