Today’s Scripture Readings
Epistle Reading: Romans 4:13-25
For the promise that he would be the heir of the world was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. For if those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise made of no effect, because the law brings about wrath; for where there is no law there is no transgression. Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all (as it is written, “I have made you a father of many nations” ) in the presence of Him whom he believed – God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did; who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, “So shall your descendants be.” And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. And therefore “it was accounted to him for righteousness.” Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him, but also for us. It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification.
Gospel Reading: Matthew 7:21-23
Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’
Saints and Feasts celebrated today
- St. David of Thessaloniki
- St. Dionysius the Archbishop of Suzdal
- Translation of the relics of St Tikhon of Luchov, Kostroma
- St. John the Bishop of the Goths in the Crimea
- Appearance of the Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God
- Icon of the Mother of God of Seven Lakes
- Icon of the Mother of God “Neamts”
- Icon of the Mother of God of Lydda or “the Roman”
- Feast of All Saints of Georgia
- New Martyr David of St. Anne’s Skete
Today’s Fasting Guidelines
Strict Fast
Refrain from meat, fish, oil, wine, dairy, and eggs
Orthodox Daily Readings 