Acts 8.18-25 (Epistle)

18Când a văzut Simon că Duhul Sfânt era dat prin punerea mâinilor apostolilor, le-a dat bani 19şi a zis: „Daţi-mi şi mie puterea aceasta, pentru ca peste oricine-mi voi pune mâinile să primească Duhul Sfânt.” 20Dar Petru i-a zis: „Banii tăi să piară împreună cu tine, pentru că ai crezut că darul lui Dumnezeu s-ar putea căpăta cu bani! 21Tu n-ai nici parte, nici sorţ în toată treaba aceasta, căci inima ta nu este curată înaintea lui Dumnezeu. 22Pocăieşte-te, dar, de această răutate a ta şi roagă-te Domnului să ţi se ierte gândul acesta al inimii tale, dacă este cu putinţă; 23căci văd că eşti plin de fiere amară şi în lanţurile fărădelegii.” 24Simon a răspuns: „Rugaţi-vă voi Domnului pentru mine, ca să nu mi se întâmple nimic din ce aţi zis.” 25După ce au mărturisit despre Cuvântul Domnului şi după ce l-au propovăduit, Petru şi Ioan s-au întors la Ierusalim, vestind Evanghelia în multe sate de ale samaritenilor.

John 6.35-39 (Gospel)

35Isus le-a zis: „Eu sunt Pâinea vieţii. Cine vine la Mine nu va flămânzi niciodată; şi cine crede în Mine nu va înseta niciodată. 36Dar v-am spus că M-aţi şi văzut, şi tot nu credeţi. 37Tot ce-Mi dă Tatăl va ajunge la Mine; şi pe cel ce vine la Mine, nu-l voi izgoni afară: 38căci M-am coborât din cer ca să fac nu voia Mea, ci voia Celui ce M-a trimis. 39Şi voia Celui ce M-a trimis este să nu pierd nimic din tot ce Mi-a dat El, ci să-l înviez în ziua de apoi.

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.)