Saturday 24th May 2025
Today we commemorate:
St. Simeon Stylites (the Younger) of the Wonderful Mountain (596). St. Nicetas (Nikita) Stylites, Wonderworker of Pereyaslavl-Zalesski (1186). Holy Martyrs Meletius Stratelates (the General), Stephen, John, and 1,218 soldiers with women and children, all of whom suffered in Galatia (218). St. Vincent of Lerins (5th C).
Acts 15:35-41; John 10:27-38
Readings in bold type are those appointed by the Typikon for use at the Liturgy
Acts 15:35-41
Paul and Barnabas remained at Antioch and with many others they taught and preached the Gospel, the word of the Lord. Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, ‘Let is return to visit our brothers and sisters in every city in which we preached the word of the Lord, to see how they are.’ Barnabas was determined to include John who is also called Mark, but Paul did not think it appropriate to take with them someone who deserted them in Pamphylia and did not keep company with them in the work. A dispute developed, so much so that they separated from one another. Barnabas took Mark and set sail for Cyprus, and Paul chose Silas and set out after being entrusted to the grace of God by the brothers and sisters. He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
John 10:27-38
The Lord said to the Jews who came to him, ‘The sheep who are mine listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me. I also give them everlasting life so that they will never perish, and no one will snatch them from my hand. My Father who has given them to me is greater than all, and no one can snatch them from my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.’ Then once again the Jews picked up stones to stone him. Jesus said to them, ‘I showed you many good works from my Father. For which of these works are you stoning me?’ The Jews told him, ‘We are not stoning you for a good deed but for blasphemy, because you, a human being, are making yourself out to be God.’ Jesus answered, ‘Is it not written in your law, “I said you are gods”? Although those to whom the word of God came were called gods, and Scripture cannot be set aside, you are saying of the one whom the Father consecrated and sent into the world, “You are blaspheming” because I said that I am the Son of God. If I am not doing the works of my Father, do not believe me. But if I am doing them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works so that you may recognise and believe that the Father is in me and I in him.’