Acts 8.18-25 (Epistle)

18A kad vidje Simon da se daje Duh sveti kad apostoli metnu ruke, donese im novce 19Govoreæi: dajte i meni ovu vlast da kad metnem ruke na koga primi Duha svetoga. 20A Petar mu reèe: novci tvoji s tobom da budu u pogibao, što si pomislio da se dar Božij može dobiti za novce. 21Nema tebi dijela ni iseta u ovoj rijeèi; jer srce tvoje nije pravo pred Bogom. 22Pokaj se dakle od ove svoje pakosti, i moli se Bogu da bi ti se oprostila pomisao srca tvoga. 23Jer te vidim da si u grkoj žuèi i u svezi nepravde. 24A Simon odgovarajuæi reèe: pomolite se vi Gospodu za mene da ne naiðe na mene ništa od ovoga što rekoste. 25Tako oni posvjedoèivši i govorivši rijeè Gospodnju vratiše se u Jerusalim, i mnogijem selima Samarijskijem propovjediše jevanðelje.

John 6.35-39 (Gospel)

35A Isus im reèe: ja sam hljeb života: koji meni dolazi neæe ogladnjeti, i koji mene vjeruje neæe nikad ožednjeti. 36Nego vam kazah da me i vidjeste i ne vjerujete. 37Sve što meni daje otac k meni æe doæi; i koji dolazi k meni neæu ga istjerati napolje. 38Jer siðoh s neba ne da èinim volju svoju, nego volju oca koji me posla. 39A ovo je volja oca koji me posla da od onoga što mi dade ništa ne izgubim, nego da ga vaskrsnem u pošljednji dan.

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.)