Tuesday 1st July 2025
Holy and Wonderworking Unmercenaries Cosmas and Damian, Martyrs at Rome
Today we commemorate:
New Martyr Constantine the Wonderworker of Cyprus and those with him. Translation of the relics of Venerable John of Rila from Tmovo to Rila (1470)
British Isles and Ireland:
Holy Julius and Aaron, Protomartyrs of Wales (c.304). St. Servanus (Serf, Sair), Apostle of Western Fife (6th C). St. Lunaire (Leonorious), bishop. St. Cewydd of Anglesey (6th C). St. Juthware of Devon (7th C). St. Veep (Veepus, Veepy, Wimp, Wennapa), patron saint of St. Veep, Cornwall (6th C). St. Gwenyth of Cornwall (6th C).
Romans 10:11-11:2; Matthew 11:16-20
For the Commemoration: 1 Corinthians 12:27-13:8; Matthew 10:1, 5-8
Readings in bold type are those appointed by the Typikon for use at the Liturgy
Romans 10:11-11:2
Scripture says, ‘No one who believes in him will be put to shame.’ There is therefore no distinction between Jew and Greek because the same Lord of everyone is generous towards all who call upon him, and ‘whoever calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved.’ But how will they call if they do not believe in him? And how will they believe if they have not heard of him? And how will they hear unless someone preaches? And how will they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who proclaim the Gospel of peace, of those who proclaim the Gospel of good things.’ But not everyone pays attention to the Gospel, for as Isaiah says, ‘Lord, who has believed our report?’ Faith then is from hearing, that is, hearing the word of God. What if I say, ‘They have never heard.’ Yes they have. ‘Their voice went out throughout the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.’ What if I say, ‘Israel never knew.’ In the first place Moses says, ‘Through what is not a nation I shall provoke you to jealousy; through a foolish nation I shall provoke you to wrath.’ And then Isaiah boldly says, ‘I am found by those who are not looking for me; I am revealed to those who are not asking for me.’ Then to Israel he says, ‘All day long I stretched out my arms to a disobedient and obstinate people.’ And so I ask, has God rejected his people? No, not at all, for I too am an Israelite, the offspring of Abraham and of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not rejected his people whom he has always known.
Matthew 11:16-20
The Lord said, ‘To what shall I compare this generation? It is like little children sitting in the marketplaces, calling out to their friends and saying, “We piped for you but you did not dance. We sang a lament for you but you did not beat your breast.” For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, “He has a demon.” The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and they say, “Look at the man: a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.” But Wisdom is vindicated by her children.’ Then he began to reproach the cities in which most of his miracles were performed because they did not repent.
1 Corinthians 12:27-13:8
You are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And in the Church God has appointed some to be, in first place, apostles, in second, prophets, in third, teachers. After that come miracles, then gifts of healing, assistance, administration and various languages. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all miracle workers? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? Covet the better gifts, but I shall show you an even more excellent way. If I speak the languages of mortals and of angels but do not have love, I have become blaring brass or a clashing cymbal. And if I have the gift of prophecy and understand every mystery and have a knowledge of everything, even if I have complete faith so as to move mountains but do not have love, I am nobody. And if I give away all that I possess to feed others, and if I surrender my body to be consumed but do not have love, I am no better off. Love is patient; it shows kindness. Love is not envious. Love does not boast; it is not arrogant; it does not behave improperly; it is not self-seeking; it is not easily provoked; it does not keep account of evil. It does not rejoice at injustice, but rejoices in the truth. It endures everything, is always believing, always hoping, always persevering. Love never fails. But prophecies? They will become unnecessary. Tongues? They will cease. Knowledge? It will come to nothing.
Matthew 10:1, 5-8
At that time Jesus called together his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every kind of disease and illness. … These twelve Jesus sent out, giving them this charge. ‘Do not go among the Gentiles, and do not enter any town of the Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, preach and say, “The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” Heal the sick, make the lepers clean, raise the dead, and cast out demons. You received freely, give freely.’