From the calendar, 2027.

Wednesday, July 7

Ven. Thomas of Mt Maleon

Strict fastNo meat, dairy, eggs, fish, wine or oil.

Appointed to be read.

At the
1. EpistleRomans 8:2–13
2. GospelMatthew 10:16–22

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Epistle.

Romans 8:2–13

2 min read

2For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.

3For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh,

4that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

5For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.

6For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

7Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.

8So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

9But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.

10And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

11But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

12Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh.

13For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

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Gospel.

Matthew 10:16–22

1 min read

16'Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.

17But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues.

18You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles.

19But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak;

20for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.

21'Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death.

22And you will be hated by all for My name's sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.

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In remembrance.

Ven. Thomas of Mt MaleonRead the life

He was a renowned general, known for his great size and courage, his many victories against barbarian enemies, and his considerable wealth. But, forsaking wealth and reputation to follow Christ, he retired to the desert to live in asceticism. The Prophet Elias appeared to him and, accompanied by a pillar of fire, led him to Mount Maleon, near the Holy Mountain. There he lived in solitude, giving his days and nights to prayer. Like so many who seek to hide their holiness from the world, he was discovered, and people began to come to him for healing of their ailments and those of their loved ones. The saint healed countless ailments, drove out demons, cured the blind, and made water to pour forth from barren earth. In prayer he appeared as a pillar of fire. He reposed in peace, and his relics continued to be a powerful source of healing.

Holy Martyr Kyriake of Nicomedia (289)Read the life

Dorotheos and Eusebia, a devout, aging Christian couple who lived in Anatolia, had no children. After many years, their fervent prayers for a child were answered, and they were blessed with a daughter, whom they named Kyriake (‘Sunday’ in Greek) because she was born on the Lord’s day. The child grew up beautiful in body and soul and, though she had many suitors, chose to consecrate herself entirely to God and remain single. One of her suitors, angered at her refusal, denounced her and her parents to the Emperor Diocletian. Dorotheos and Eusebia were subjected to cruel tortures, then sent into exile, where they died under further torture. Kyriake was sent to Maximian, Diocletian’s son-in-law, for trial. By his orders, she was subjected to a horrifying series of torments; but Christ Himself appeared to her in prison, healing and comforting her.

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Further.

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What this is.

The Scripture the Orthodox Church reads each day, the saints it remembers, and a study aid that answers from Scripture and the Fathers and shows its sources.

Divine Liturgy. The Church's main service, at which Holy Communion is given. Its Epistle and Gospel are what most people mean by the day's readings.

Matins. The morning service of praise. On Sundays and feasts it has a Gospel of its own.

Vespers. The evening service. The Church's day begins at sunset, so a feast's Vespers is served the evening before.

Hours. Short services of psalms and prayer at set times of the day: the First, Third, Sixth and Ninth Hours.

Tone. The hymns of the week are sung in one of eight tones, or melodies, which follow each other week by week.

New Calendar. Fixed feasts are kept on the civil date, as in the OCA and the Antiochian Archdiocese. Churches on the Old Calendar keep them 13 days later. Pascha is the same for both.