Saturday July 23/August 5 ns 2023 • Translation of the Relics of the Holy Hieromartyr Phocás, Holy Prophet Ezekiel, St. Pelagía of Tenos, Holy Hieromartyr Apollinaris of Ravenna > Rom. 14:6–9; St. Matt. 15:32–39 > WILL THE HETERODOX BE SAVED?

Translation of the Relics of the Holy Hieromartyr Phocás

Holy Prophet Ezekiel,

St. Pelagía of Tenos,

Holy Hieromartyr Apollinaris of Ravenna
Saturday July 23/August 5 ns 2023

On this day we commemorate the translation of the relics of St. Phocas from Pontus to Constantinople about the year 404 A.D. The primary feast of this saint is celebrated on September 22 and on that day a brief hagiography of his life and his sufferings is recorded. Today, one miracle of this saint is commemorated. The Arabs captured a man named Pontinus. The Arabs shackled him, bound his hands to his back and left him to die. Lying on his stomach on the ground, and not being able to move, Pontinus cried out: "O Holy Martyr Phocas have mercy on me and save me!" Saying this he fell asleep and, in a dream, saw Saint Phocas approaching him, touched him by the hand and said: "The Lord Jesus Christ forgives you!" When the man awoke, he found himself loosed from all bonds and free. He arose and departed for his home and took St. Phocas as the patron saint of his household.

THE EPISTLE OF THE HOLY APOSTLE PAUL

Romans 14:6-9 KJV

6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.

7 For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.

8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.

9 For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.

THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO 

Saint Matthew 15:32-39 KJV

32 Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way.

33 And his disciples say unto him, Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude?

34 And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes.

35 And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground.

36 And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.

37 And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full.

38 And they that did eat were four thousand men, beside women and children.

39 And he sent away the multitude, and took ship, and came into the coasts of Magdala.

Q: 

What is in the ascetic's hut or cave that allows he or she to care nothing about the squalor, the food, or anything the "world" has to offer - the same "world" that most others cannot live without and prefer over obedience to God?

A:  

They simply like reading prayers over and over.  

They are misfits and unpopular so they hide from society. 

They are lazy and don't want to work.   

They've lost their minds.  

They've been granted Theosis

 

TOMORROW SUNDAY † 9th St. Matthew • Holy Great Martyr Christina, Sts. Boris and Gleb the Passion-Bearers