Acts 4.1-10 (Epistle)

1A kad oni govorahu narodu, naiðoše na njih sveštenici i vojvoda crkveni i sadukeji; 2I rasrdiše se, što oni uèe ljude i javljaju u Isusu vaskrsenije iz mrtvijeh. 3I digoše na njih ruke, i metnuše ih u zatvor do ujutru: jer veæ bješe veèe. 4A od onijeh koji slušahu rijeè mnogi vjerovaše, i postade broj ljudi oko pet hiljada. 5A kad bi ujutru, skupiše se knezovi njihovi i starješine i književnici u Jerusalim, 6I Ana poglavar sveštenièki i Kajafa i Jovan i Aleksandar i koliko ih god bješe od roda sveštenièkoga; 7I metnuvši ih na srijedu pitahu: kakom silom ili u èije ime uèiniste vi ovo? 8Tada Petar napunivši se Duha svetoga reèe im: knezovi narodni i starješine Izrailjeve! 9Ako nas danas pitate za dobro djelo koje uèinismo bolesnu èovjeku te on ozdravi: 10Da je na znanje svima vama i svemu narodu Izrailjevu da u ime Isusa Hrista Nazareæanina, kojega vi raspeste, kojega Bog podiže iz mrtvijeh, stoji ovaj pred vama zdrav.

John 3.16-21 (Gospel)

16Jer Bogu tako omilje svijet da je i sina svojega jedinorodnoga dao, da nijedan koji ga vjeruje ne pogine, nego da ima život vjeèni. 17Jer Bog ne posla sina svojega na svijet da sudi svijetu, nego da se svijet spase kroza nj. 18Koji njega vjeruje ne sudi mu se, a koji ne vjeruje veæ je osuðen, jer ne vjerova u ime jedinorodnoga sina Božijega. 19A sud je ovaj što vidjelo doðe na svijet, i ljudima omilje veæma tama negoli vidjelo; jer njihova djela bijahu zla. 20Jer svaki koji zlo èini mrzi na vidjelo i ne ide k vidjelu da ne pokaraju djela njegovijeh, jer su zla. 21A ko istinu èini ide k vidjelu, da se vide djela njegova, jer su u Bogu uèinjena.

Apostles Jason and Sosipater

Both were disciples of the Apostle Paul, who mentions them in his Epistle to the Romans: “Jason and Sosipater my kinsmen greet you” (16:21). Jason was born in Tarsus of Cilicia (as was the Apostle Paul), and became bishop of that town. Sosipater was from Patras of Achaia (now Greece), and became bishop of Iconium. After serving their flocks for many years, these two travelled together to Corfu, where they were the first to preach the Gospel. They were furiously opposed by the ruler of that island, but when he died, the new king came to faith in Christ and was baptised with the name Sebastian. Jason and Sosipater remained on Corfu, freely preaching the Gospel and building up the Church until they reposed in great old age. An ancient church in the city of Corfu, dating from the first centuries, bears inscriptions that mention the Saints by name.

They are commemorated April 28 on the Slavic calendar.

St Basil, bishop of Ostrog in Montenegro (Serbia) (1671)

As a monk, he was known for his very severe asceticism. Against his will, he was made Bishop of Zahum, where he served his flock faithfully for many years, “keeping it from the cruelty of the Turks and the guile of the Latins” (Prologue). When his monastery was destroyed by the Turks he moved to Ostrog, where he reposed. His body has remained whole, incorrupt, healing and wonderworking to this day. Innumerable miracles have been worked at his grave; both Christians and Muslims seek out his relics for healing from sicknesses and sufferings.

(A story heard from a parishioner at St Basil of Ostrog Church in Illinois: while the Saint’s relics remain intact, reputedly his shoes wear out from time to time and need to be replaced.)