From the calendar 2028

Wednesday, September 20

Greatmartyr Eustathius and Martyr Theopistes

Appointed readings

2 passages

Epistle

Galatians 6:2–10

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2Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

3For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

4But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.

5For each one shall bear his own load.

6Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.

7Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.

8For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.

9And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

10Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Gospel

Luke 4:1–15

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1Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,

2being tempted for forty days by the devil. And in those days He ate nothing, and afterward, when they had ended, He was hungry.

3And the devil said to Him, 'If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.'

4But Jesus answered him, saying, 'It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.' '

5Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.

6And the devil said to Him, 'All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish.

7Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours.'

8And Jesus answered and said to him, 'Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.' '

9Then he brought Him to Jerusalem, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, 'If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here.

10For it is written: 'He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you,'

11and, 'In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.'

12And Jesus answered and said to him, 'It has been said, 'You shall not tempt the LORD your God.' '

13Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time.

14Then Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and news of Him went out through all the surrounding region.

15And He taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all.

The rhythm of the day

Fasting: Strict fast
Weekly tone: Tone 6

In remembrance

The saints commemorated this day

Greatmartyr Eustathius and Martyr TheopistesRead the life

Before baptism he was a renowned military commander under Trajan. While hunting in the woods, he met a great stag with a shining Cross between his antlers. Through the stag, the Lord spoke to Placidas (his pagan name) and told him to find a priest and be baptized into Christ. Returning home, he found that his wife Tatiana had also had a vision in which she was told to become a Christian. They were baptized, Placidas receiving the name Eustathius, and Tatiana the name Theopiste; their two sons were baptized with them. Eustathius and his family were almost immediately subjected to a series of grievous trials, in which all were separated from one another. After years of hardship they were re-united, and returned to Rome with honor when the Emperor sought out Eustathius to command his army once again.

Read the full life

Martyrs Michael and Theodore of Chernigov

Holy Martyrs Hypatius and Andrew, Confessors of the Holy Icons (8th c.)Read the life

They were friends from childhood, fellow-strugglers for holiness. Their godly way of life attracted the attention of the Bishop of Ephesus, who made Hypatius a bishop and Andrew a deacon and itinerant preacher. During the reign of Leo the Isaurian (714-41) they were both imprisoned for confessing the Orthodox faith and defending the veneration of the holy icons. They were subjected to various tortures, including having icons set afire on their heads in mockery of their faithfulness. They were executed near Constantinople and their bodies thrown to the dogs.

Sts Anastasius, Theodore, Euprepius and Anastasius the Younger, confessors and disciples of St Maximos the Confessor (7th c.)Read the life

These saints were disciples of St Maximos the Confessor (January 21) and suffered with him for their condemnation of the Monothelite doctrine promoted by the Emperor Constans II. Anastasius the elder (who had been the Papal representative to Constantinople) and Anastasius the younger were present at the Lateran Council called by St Martin, Pope of Rome (April 13), which condemned the Monothelite heresy. For this the Pope himself, and the two confessors named Anastasius, were seized by the Emperor. Along with St Maximos, the two endured many tortures; when St Maximos had his right hand cut off and his tongue cut out, Anastasius the elder suffered the same punishment. They, along with their fellow-disciples Euprepius and Theodore and St Maximos himself, were sent into exile to Lazica in the Caucasus, where all of them died.

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