2024
On Thursday | August 1
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The Readings from the Regular Cycle
The Epistle
Thursday of the 6th Week
The reading is from Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians.
1 Cor. 3:18 – 23
Brethren, let no one deceive himself. If any one among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,” and again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.” So let no one boast of men. For all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future, all are yours; and you are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s. [RSV]
The Gospel
Thursday of the 6th Week of Matthew
The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Matthew.
Mt. 13:36 – 43
At that time, Jesus went into the house. And his disciples came to him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field.” He answered, “He who sows the good seed is the Son of man; the field is the world, and the good seed means the sons of the kingdom; the weeds are the sons of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the close of the age, and the reapers are angels. Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the close of the age. The Son of man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all evildoers, and throw them into the furnace of fire; there men will weep and gnash their teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” [RSV]
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The Readings for the Commemoration
The Epistle
For the Saints.
The reading is from Paul’s Letter to the Hebrews.
Heb. 11:33 – 40; 12:1 – 2
Brethren, all the saints through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were killed with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated — of whom the world was not worthy — wandering over deserts and mountains and in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had foreseen something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect. Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin that easily distracts, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of faith. [RSV]
The Gospel
For the Saints.
The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Matthew.
Mt. 10:16 – 22
The Lord said to his disciples, “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of men; for they will deliver you up to councils, and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear testimony before them and the Gentiles. When they deliver you up, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.” [RSV]
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Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.
Synaxarion
From the Menaion.
On August 1 is the procession of the precious and life-giving Cross. We also commemorate the seven holy Martyrs, the Maccabees: Abim, Anthony, Guria, Eleazar, Eusebona, Achim, and Marcellus; and their mother Solomone; and Eleazar their teacher.
By their holy intercessions, O God, have mercy on us. Amen.
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Fasting Rule
Strict: Refrain from meat, fish, oil, dairy, and eggs.
It is the Dormition fast.