27 Iunie 2026
Saturday of the 4th week after Pentecost

Apostles Fast — Fish, Wine and Oil are Allowed

Commemorations

St Sampson the Hospitable of Constantinople (530)
St Severus the Priest (6th c.)
St Joanna the Myrrh-bearer (1st c.)

Scripture Readings

Romans 6.11-17 (Epistle)

11Tot aşa şi voi înşivă, socotiţi-vă morţi faţă de păcat, şi vii pentru Dumnezeu, în Isus Hristos, Domnul nostru. 12Deci păcatul să nu mai domnească în trupul vostru muritor şi să nu mai ascultaţi de poftele lui. 13Să nu mai daţi în stăpânirea păcatului mădularele voastre, ca nişte unelte ale nelegiuirii; ci daţi-vă pe voi înşivă lui Dumnezeu, ca vii, din morţi cum eraţi; şi daţi lui Dumnezeu mădularele voastre, ca pe nişte unelte ale neprihănirii. 14Căci păcatul nu va mai stăpâni asupra voastră, pentru că nu sunteţi sub Lege, ci sub har. 15Ce urmează de aici? Să păcătuim pentru că nu mai suntem sub Lege, ci sub har? Nicidecum. 16Nu ştiţi că, dacă vă daţi robi cuiva, ca să-l ascultaţi, sunteţi robii aceluia de care ascultaţi, fie că este vorba de păcat, care duce la moarte, fie că este vorba de ascultare, care duce la neprihănire? 17Dar mulţumiri fie aduse lui Dumnezeu, pentru că, după ce aţi fost robi ai păcatului, aţi ascultat acum din inimă de dreptarul învăţăturii pe care aţi primit-o.

Matthew 8.14-23 (Gospel)

14Isus S-a dus apoi în casa lui Petru şi a văzut pe soacra acestuia zăcând în pat, prinsă de friguri. 15S-a atins de mâna ei, şi au lăsat-o frigurile; apoi ea s-a sculat şi a început să-I slujească. 16Seara, au adus la Isus pe mulţi îndrăciţi. El, prin cuvântul Lui, a scos din ei duhurile necurate şi a tămăduit pe toţi bolnavii, 17ca să se împlinească ce fusese vestit prin prorocul Isaia, care zice: „El a luat asupra Lui neputinţele noastre şi a purtat bolile noastre.” 18Isus a văzut multe noroade împrejurul Său şi a poruncit să treacă de cealaltă parte. 19Atunci s-a apropiat de El un cărturar şi I-a zis: „Învăţătorule, vreau să Te urmez oriunde vei merge.” 20Isus i-a răspuns: „Vulpile au vizuini, şi păsările cerului au cuiburi; dar Fiul omului n-are unde-Şi odihni capul.” 21Un altul, care era dintre ucenici, I-a zis: „Doamne, dă-mi voie să mă duc mai întâi să îngrop pe tatăl meu.” 22„Vino după Mine”, i-a răspuns Isus, „şi lasă morţii să-şi îngroape morţii.” 23Isus S-a suit într-o corabie, şi ucenicii Lui au mers după El.

Commemorations

St Sampson the Hospitable of Constantinople (530)

He is counted as one of the Holy Unmercenary Physicians. “This saint was born of rich and eminent parents in ancient Rome, where he studied all the secular wisdom of that time, devoting himself in particular to the study of medicine. Sampson was a compassionate and liberal physician, and gave the sick medicine for both soul and body, counselling each man to fulfil the requirements of the Christian faith. He moved to Constantinople, where he lived in a tiny house from which he distributed alms, comfort, advice, hope, medicine and all possible aid to those suffering in spirit and in body. The Patriarch heard of Sampson’s great virtue and ordained him priest. At that time the Emperor Justinian the Great became ill with what his doctors believed to be an incurable disease. The Emperor prayed with great fervor, and God revealed to him in his sleep that Sampson would heal him. When the Emperor summoned Sampson to court, the old man had only to put his hand on the diseased place and the Emperor was healed. When Justinian offered him an immense sum of money, Sampson thanked him but would accept nothing, saying to the Emperor: ‘O Emperor, I had silver and gold and other riches, but I left it all for the sake of Christ, that I might gain heavenly and eternal wealth.’ When the Emperor insisted on doing something for him, Sampson asked him to build a house for the poor. In that home, Sampson cared for the poor as a father cares for his children. His compassion for the poor and weak was second nature to him. This holy man, filled with heavenly power and goodness, entered peacefully into rest on June 27th, 530. He was buried in the Church of the Holy Martyr Mocius, his kinsman. After his death, Sampson appeared many times to those who called upon him for aid.” (Prologue)

St Severus the Priest (6th c.)

“He lived in central Italy. A man of rare holiness, he was once called to hear the confession of, and give Communion to, a man at the point of death. He tarried, working in his vineyard, and the news was brought to him there that the sick man had died. Stricken with grief, as if he had himself killed the man, he wept bitter tears over the corpse, and God raised the dead man to life again in response to his fervent prayer. Then Severus confessed him and gave him Communion, preparing him for a Christian leaving of this world, and on the eighth day the man died again.” (Prologue)

St Joanna the Myrrh-bearer (1st c.)

This is Joanna the wife of Chuza, a servant in Herod’s household (Luke 8:3). When Herod had John the Baptist beheaded, it was Joanna who recovered the head and buried it on the Mount of Olives. She reposed in peace.