• Fast day
Holy Hieromartyr Athenogénes
It was a touching sight to see a female deer, whom the merciful Athenogénes fed with his own hand, run up to him and seeing him in misery began to shed tears. Even the wild beasts of the mountain had greater pity toward the martyrs of Christ than the heathens! After cruel tortures, during which an angel of God comforted the martyrs, they were all beheaded; at first the priests and all co-laborers of Athenogénes and after that, Athenogénes himself. All were received into the heavenly fatherland in the year 311 A.D.
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1 Corinthians 7:35-8:7 KJV
36 But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his virgin, if she pass the flower of her age, and need so require, let him do what he will, he sinneth not: let them marry.
37 Nevertheless he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power over his own will, and hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, doeth well.
38 So then he that giveth her in marriage doeth well; but he that giveth her not in marriage doeth better.
39 The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.
40 But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God.
8 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
2 And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.
3 But if any man love God, the same is known of him.
4 As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.
5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)
6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
7 Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.
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Saint Matthew 15:29-31 KJV
29 And Jesus departed from thence, and came nigh unto the sea of Galilee; and went up into a mountain, and sat down there.
30 And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus' feet; and he healed them:
31 Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel.
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Advice To Priests
Elder Cleopas of Romania
The priest-confessor is very accountable for the position he occupies. He judges in the Name and in the place of Christ. He cannot bind anyone in any way without examination, nor can he loose just any sin whatever in any person. In order not to err he must know very well the Sacred Canons, the tradition of the Church, the liturgical life of the Church, the teachings of the Holy Fathers, and especially Holy Scripture. Also, he must be firmly established in faith, have fear of God, love for men, and a fatherly heart towards everyone. He must judge as carefully and fairly as he can, impartially, keeping in mind each person’s nature, age, social position, conduct, education, health, culture, degree of understanding and obedience, and before all, his faith in and fear of God. He must confess people with much diligence and attention, without haste, first listening to what the people say and then asking questions, beginning with spiritual things—the man’s nature, faith, prayer, church attendance—and then about human and physical things. He should not go into detail in asking about sins, in order not to scandalize people, especially the young, by indiscreet questions. He should not show surprise or upbraid anyone for the sins he confesses, nor should he ask who exactly he sinned with, and especially he must not tell anyone the secrets he heard in confession. The Sacred Canons say that anyone who publishes the secrets of confession must bind his tongue and resign from the priesthood and the hearing of confessions.
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