Friday 20th September 2024
Fast day: strict fast
Afterfeast of the Exaltation of the Cross
Today we commemorate:
Great Martyr Eustathius (Eustace), his wife, Martyr Theopiste, and their children, Martyrs Agapius and Theopistus, of Rome (c 118). St. Eustathius, archbishop of Thessalonica (1194). Venerable Martyr Hilarion of St. Anne Skete on Athos. Venerable John of Crete. Holy Martyr Michael and his Councillor Theodore of Chernigov (1245). St. Stephen (István), King and Enlightener of Hungary (1038).
2 Corinthians 11:5-21; Luke 4:22-30
Readings in bold type are those appointed by the Typikon for use at the Liturgy
2 Corinthians 11:5-21
I do not consider that I have lagged behind the foremost apostles in any way. Even if I am untrained at speaking, I am not in learning, and we always explained everything to you. Or was I in error in humbling myself so that you may be exalted when I preached the Gospel of God to you free of charge? I robbed other churches to obtain financial support for your ministry, and when I was with you and in want I was a burden to no one because, when the brothers came from Macedonia, they provided for my needs. In every way I maintained myself without being a burden to you, and I shall continue to do so. The truth of Christ is in me. That is why this boasting will not be silenced on my part throughout the region of Achaea. Why? Is it that I do not love you? God knows I do. But what I am doing I shall continue to do, so that I may snuff out the opportunities for those who are looking for a chance to boast that they are regarded as being just like us. For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers disguising themselves as Christ’s apostles. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. It is not surprising then that his servants, whose end will match their deeds, also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Again I say, may no one think me a fool. But failing that, at least accept me as a fool so that I may boast just a little. What I am saying, I am not saying from the Lord, but as it were, foolishly, with boastful confidence. Since many boast in a worldly way, I too shall boast because, being wise, you gladly put up with fools. For you put up with it if someone makes a slave of you, or preys upon you, or takes hold of you, or is haughty, or hits you in the face. With shame I declare that we were not that strong. If anyone shows courage in any way, I am speaking foolishly, I too have courage.
Luke 4:22-30
They were all speaking approvingly of Jesus, marvelling at the gracious words coming from his mouth, and they said, ‘Is this not Joseph’s son?’ He said to them, ‘No doubt you will quote this proverb to me: “Physician, heal yourself. Perform here in your home town things that are the equal of those we heard were done at Capernaum.”’ And he said, ‘Truly I tell you that no prophet is acceptable in his home town. It is a fact, I tell you, that there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah when the sky was shut up for three years and six months, when a great famine came upon the whole land, but Elijah was sent to none of them except a widow woman at Zaraphath in Sidon. And there were many lepers in Israel at the time of Elisha the prophet, but none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.’ When they heard this, everyone in the synagogue was filled with rage. They rose up and threw him out of the town. They marched him to the very edge of the cliff on which their town had been built in order to throw him off, but he passed through the middle of them and walked away.