Friday 9th May 2025
The Paschal season is fast free
Today we commemorate:
Righteous Prophet Isaiah (8th C. BC). Holy Martyr Christopher of Lycia, and with him Martyrs Callinica and Aquilina (c.250). Translation of the relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker from Myra to Bari (1087). Monk-martyr Nicholas who lived in Vuneni, of Larissa in Thessaly (1400). Holy Martyr Epimachus of Pelusium, who suffered at Alexandria (250). St. Shio Mgvime, monk, of Georgia (6th C).
British Isles and Ireland:
St. Gorfor, patron of Llanover. St. Sanctan, bishop of Kill-da-Les and Kill-na-Sanctan (6th C).
Acts 8:40-9:19; John 6:48-54
Readings in bold type are those appointed by the Typikon for use at the Liturgy
Acts 8:40-9:19
Philip was to be found at Azotus. He was proclaiming the Gospel as he passed through all the towns until he reached Caesarea. Saul, still breathing menace and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the High Priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus so that if he found any who were of The Way, either men or women, he might bring them captive to Jerusalem. On the journey he was approaching Damascus when suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ He asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. Now arise and go into the city and you will be told what you must do.’ The men travelling with him stood speechless. They heard the voice but saw no one. Saul got up from the ground, but on opening his eyes he could see nothing. They then brought him into Damascus, leading him by the hand, and for three days he was without sight and neither ate nor drank. Now there was at Damascus a certain disciple named Ananias, and the Lord said to him in a vision, ‘Ananias.’ And he replied, ‘I am here, Lord.’ The Lord told him, ‘Arise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas enquire by name for Saul of Tarsus. You see, he is praying, and in a vision he has seen a man called Ananias come in and lay a hand on him so that he might see again.’ And Ananias replied, ‘Lord, I have heard about this man from many people, of how much harm he did to your saints in Jerusalem and that he is here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.’ But the Lord told him, ‘Go, for this man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before nations and kings as well as the children of Israel, and I shall show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.’ Ananias went and entered the house. He laid hands upon him and said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.’ And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he saw again. He arose and was baptised, and after accepting something to eat he was strengthened. Saul was with the disciples in Damascus for some days.
John 6:48-54
The Lord said to the Jews who believed in him, ‘I am the Bread of Life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven so that anyone may eat it and not die. I am the Living Bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live for ever, and the bread that I shall give is my flesh which I shall give for the life of the world.’ The Jews were arguing among themselves, saying, ‘How can this man give us his flesh to eat?’ But Jesus said to them, ‘Truly, truly I tell you, if you do not eat the flesh of the Son of Man and do not drink his blood, you do not have life in you. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have everlasting life, and I shall raise them up on the last day.’