Saturday July 26 / August 8 ns 2026 • Holy Martyr Paraskevé; Holy Hieromartyrs Hermólaos, Hérmippos, and Hermocrátes • • Gal 3:23-4:5; St. Mark 5:24-34 • • • EVERONE HAS A CONSCIENCE BELOVED ST JOHN OF KRONSTADT

Saturday

July 26 / August 8 ns

2026

Holy Martyr Paraskevé
Holy Hieromartyrs Hermólaos,
Hérmippos, and Hermocrátes

Paraskevé was born in Rome of Christian parents and from her youth was instructed in the Faith of Christ. With great fervency, St. Paraskevé endeavored to fulfill all the commandments of God in her life. Believing strongly and living according to her faith, Paraskevé directed others on the path [of salvation] with the help of the True Faith and pious living. 

When her parents died Paraskevé distributed all of her property to the poor and was tonsured a nun. As a nun she preached the Faith of Christ with an even greater zeal, not hiding from anyone, even though at that time the Roman authorities bloodily persecuted the Faith of Christ. First the pernicious Jews accused St. Paraskevé of preaching the prohibited Faith. She was brought to trial before Emperor Antoninus. All the flatteries of the emperor did not help in the least to cause her to waver in the Faith. They then subjected her to fiery torments and placed a red-hot helmet on her head. The Lord miraculously saved her [who can measure the depth of God's love?] and Paraskevé was delivered and left Rome. She again traveled from city to city to convert the pagan people there to the True Faith. 

In two more cities she was brought before princes and judges and was tortured for her Lord, at the same time working great miracles and by the power of God quickly recuperated from her pains and wounds. The pagans, as always, ascribed her miracles to magic and her power of recovery to the mercy of their gods. St. Paraskevé once said to the prince who tortured her: "It is not your gods, O prince, who healed me but my Christ the True God." Finally Prince Tarásios beheaded her. Thus this saint gloriously ended her fruitful life. Her relics were later translated to Constantinople. She suffered honorably for Christ in the second century.

Galatians 3:23-4:5

King James Version

23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.

24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

4 Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;

2 But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.

3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:

4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

Saint Mark 5:24-34

King James Version

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

25 And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years,

26 And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse,

27 When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment.

28 For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.

29 And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.

30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?

31 And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?

32 And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing.

33 But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth.

34 And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.

EVERONE HAS A CONSCIENCE

BELOVED ST JOHN OF KRONSTADT

Do not be irritated either with those who sin or those who offend: do not have a passion for noticing every sin in your neighbor and judging him, which we are in the habit of doing.
Everyone shall give an answer to God for himself. 

Everyone has a conscience; 

Everyone hears God's word and knows God's will, either from books or from conversation with other people. 

Especially do not look with evil intention upon the sins of your elders, which do not regard you, "to his own master he standeth or falleth," 

Correct your own sins, amend your own life. 

Friday July 25 / August 7 ns 2026 • Dormition of St. Anna, Mother of the Theotokos; St. Evpraxía the Virgin; St. Olympiás the Deaconess •• Wine and olive oil are permitted •• St Anna: Gal. 4:22-27; St. Luke 8:16-21 •••.EVERGETINOS "The Benefactress" From the Life of St. Synkletike

Dormition of St. Anna,

Mother of the Theotokos

St. Evpraxía the Virgin

St. Olympiás the Deaconess

Today is the commemoration of St. Anna's falling asleep; her main feast is on September 9th, where her life is written. Anna was of the tribe of Levi, and was the daughter of Matthan the priest. After a long life pleasing to God, she entered into rest at a great age.

Friday

July 25 / August 7 ns

2026

Fast Day

X

permitted

Galatians 4:22-27
King James Version

22 For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.

23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.

24 Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.

25 For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.

26 But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.

27 For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.

Saint Luke 8:16-21
King James Version

16 No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light.

17 For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad.

18 Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.

19 Then came to him his mother and his brethren, and could not come at him for the press.

20 And it was told him by certain which said, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee.

21 And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.

EVERGETINOS

"The Benefactress"

From the Life of St. Synkletike

The Blessed Synkletike said that the struggle for those who come to God is great and requires much toil at the beginning, but that indescribable joy follows subsequently. Just as those who want to kindle a fire choke from the smoke and the tears at the start, but later on accomplish what they are seeking, so it happens with us in precisely the same way, if we really want to ignite the Divine fire in our hearts; we attempt to do it with tears and toil. For the Lord says: “I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?” (St. Luke 12:49). Some people, out of negligence, bear with the smoke and put up with toiling a little, but do not succeed in igniting the fire, since they soon abandon the attempt and do not manage to endure to the end.

Thursday July 24 / August 6 ns 2026 • Holy Great Martyr Christina, Sts. Boris and Gleb the Passion-Bearers ~ St. Christina: II Thess. 2:13-3:5; St. Mark 5:24-34 ••• 3 NOETIC STATES OF THE INTELLECT SAINT MARK THE ASCETIC --- SPIRITUAL VITAMINS by Saint Paisios the Athonite

Thursday

July 24 / August 6 ns

2026

Holy Great Martyr Christina

Christina was born in the city of Tyre the daughter of Urban, the imperial deputy, an idol worshipper. The reason her parents gave her the name of Christina is unknown but it concealed the mystery of her future following of Christ. Until age eleven, she knew nothing of Christ. When she reached the age of eleven her father, in order to conceal her from the world because of her extraordinary beauty until she fully matured, designated the highest floor of a tall tower for her to live. All the comforts of life were afforded her; slaves were given to serve her, gold and silver idols were placed in her quarters so that she may offer daily sacrifices to them.

However, in this idolatrous environment, it was difficult for the soul of young Christina. Looking out through the window each day at the sun and all the beauty of the world then, again at night, at the miraculous cluster of shining stars, Christina, through her own natural understanding came to the firm belief in the One Living God. The merciful God, seeing her longing for the truth, sent His angel who traced the sign of the cross upon Christina and called her the bride of Christ and completely instructed her in godly understanding. Christina then smashed all the idols in her quarters and provoked wild fury in her father. Her father brought her to trial and handed her over to be tortured and, after that, threw her into the dungeon with the intention to behead her the next day. That night Urban, completely healthy, parted from his soul and went to the grave before his daughter. After that two imperial deputies, Dion and Julian, continued to torture this holy virgin. Christina's courageous endurance and her miracles, which she worked by the power of God, converted many pagans of Tyre to Christianity. During the torturing of Christina, Dion suddenly fell dead in the midst of the people. Dion's successor, Julian, severed the breasts and tongue of Christina. The martyr took her tongue and threw it into Julian's face and he was instantly blinded. Finally her suffering for Christ ended by death beneath the sharp sword and her life continues in the immortal kingdom of the angels. Christina honorably suffered in the third century.

Sts. Boris and Gleb

the Passion-Bearers

The holy, glorious and right-victorious Martyrs Boris and Gleb were the sons of the great Prince Vladimir, the baptizer of the Russian people. They became known as Passion-bearers, since they did not resist evil with violence. Boris and his brother Gleb are commemorated together on July 24 by the Church. They received the crown of martyrdom in 1015.

2 Thessalonians 2:13-3:5
King James Version

13 But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.

16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,

17 Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.

3 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:

2 And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.

3 But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.

4 And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you.

5 And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.

Saint Mark 5:24-34

King James Version

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

25 And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years,

26 And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse,

27 When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment.

28 For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.

29 And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.

30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?

31 And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?

32 And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing.

33 But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth.

34 And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.

3 NOETIC STATES OF THE INTELLECT

SAINT MARK THE ASCETIC

The intellect changes from one to another of three different noetic states; that according to nature, above nature, and contrary to nature. 

When it enters the state according to nature, it finds that it is itself the cause of evil thoughts, and confesses its sins to God, clearly understanding the causes of the passions. 

When it is in the state contrary to nature, it forgets God's justice and fights with men, believing itself unjustly treated.

 

But when it is raised to the state above nature, it finds the fruits of the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace and the other fruits of which the Apostle speaks (Gal. 5:22); and it knows that if it gives priority to bodily cares it cannot remain in this state. An intellect that departs from this state falls into sin and all the terrible consequences of sin - if not immediately, then in due time, as God's justice shall decide.