1 Timothy 3.1-13 (Epistle)

1Istinita je rijeè: ako ko vladièanstva želi dobru stvar želi. 2Ali vladika treba da je bez mane, jedne žene muž, trijezan, pametan, pošten, gostoljubiv, vrijedan da uèi; 3Ne pijanica, ne bojac, ne lakom, nego krotak, miran, ne srebroljubac; 4Koji svojijem domom dobro upravlja, koji ima poslušnu djecu sa svakijem poštenjem; 5A ako ko ne umije svojijem domom upravljati, kako æe se moæi starati za crkvu Božiju? 6Ne novokršten, da se ne bi naduo, i upao u sud ðavolji. 7A valja da ima i dobro svjedoèanstvo od onijeh koji su napolju, da ne bi upao u sramotu i u zamku ðavolju. 8Tako i ðakoni treba da budu pošteni, ne dvojezièni, ne koji mnogo vina piju, ne lakomi na dobitak pogan, 9Koji imaju tajnu vjere u èistoj savjesti. 10A i ovi da se kušaju najprije, pa onda da služe, ako su bez mane. 11Tako i žene treba da su poštene, ne koje opadaju, trijezne, vjerne u svemu. 12Ðakoni da bivaju jedinijeh žena muževi, koji dobro upravljaju djecom i svojijem domovima. 13Jer koji dobro služe oni dobivaju sebi dobar postup, i veliku slobodu u vjeri Isusa Hrista.

Mark 9.10-16 (Gospel)

10I rijeè zadržaše u sebi pitajuæi jedan drugoga: šta to znaèi ustati iz mrtvijeh? 11I pitahu ga govoreæi: kako govore književnici da Ilija treba najprije da doðe? 12A on odgovarajuæi reèe im: Ilija æe doæi najprije, i urediti sve; ali i sin èovjeèij treba da mnogo postrada i da se ponizi, kao što je pisano. 13Ali vam kažem da je i Ilija došao i uèiniše s njim šta htjedoše kao što je pisano za njega. 14I došavši k uèenicima svojijem vidje narod mnogi oko njih i književnike gdje se prepiru s njima. 15I odmah vidjevši ga sav narod uplaši se i pritrèavši pozdravljahu ga. 16I upita književnike: šta se prepirete s njima?

Holy Prophet Haggai (ca. 520 BC)

He was born in Babylon, of the priestly tribe of Levi, during the captivity of the Jews. After their return to Jerusalem, the Jews began to rebuild the Temple and to worship there according to the Law, but were discouraged by opposition from the local population (many of them Jews who had not gone into captivity). So God raised up the holy Prophets Haggai and Zechariah (February 8) to stir the people to complete their sacred work. Haggai’s prophecies reveal that the drought that the Hebrews were suffering was brought about by their failure to complete the rebuilding of Jerusalem, and would only end when they rededicated themselves to their work. He is ranked tenth among the minor Prophets.

Holy Empress and Wonderworker Theophano (893)

She was born to noble parents in Constantinople. Beautiful and pious, she was chosen by the Emperor Basil (867-886) to be the bride of his son Leo VI the Wise. When Leo ascended the throne, the Empress showed no attraction to the honors and pleasures of the royal life, but devoted her days to prayer and almsgiving. She fulfilled all the duties of her Imperial station while living a life of austerity whenever out of the world’s sight. Beneath her rich garments she wore coarse haircloth, and kept fasts and vigils as if she were living the monastic life. She was humble and respectful to all, and would address even her servants as ‘Master’ or ‘Mistress.’ At night, after her servants had left her alone, she would leave her fine bed and sleep on a mat on the floor, rising often during the night to pray.

After her daughter Eudocia died in 892, she wished to leave the world and enter a monastery, but her spiritual father St Euthymius (August 5) would not give his blessing. Nonetheless, her time in the world was not long: only three years later she died, before she had reached the age of thirty. Immediately after her funeral in the Church of the Holy Apostles, her holy relics became the source of many miracles and healings, and are venerated to this day in the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Constantinople.