Scripture Readings
2 Corinthians 5.15-21 (Epistle)
15Hristos za sve umrije, da oni koji žive ne žive više sebi, nego onome koji za njih umrije i vaskrse.
16Zato i mi otsad nikoga ne poznajemo po tijelu; i ako Hrista poznasmo po tijelu, ali ga sad više ne poznajemo.
17Zato ako je ko u Hristu, nova je tvar: staro proðe, gle, sve novo postade.
18Ali je sve od Boga, koji pomiri nas sa sobom kroz Isusa Hrista, i dade nam službu pomirenja.
19Jer Bog bješe u Hristu, i svijet pomiri sa sobom ne primivši im grijeha njihovijeh, i metnuvši u nas rijeè pomirenja.
20Tako smo mi poslani mjesto Hrista, kao da Bog govori kroz nas; molimo vas u ime Hristovo, pomirite se s Bogom.
21Jer onoga koji ne znadijaše grijeha nas radi uèini grijehom, da mi budemo pravda Božija u njemu.
Mark 1.16-22 (Gospel)
16I hodeæi pokraj mora vidje Simona, i Andriju brata njegova gdje bacaju mreže u more; jer bijahu ribari.
17I reèe im Isus: hajdete za mnom, i uèiniæu vas lovcima ljudskijem.
18I odmah ostavivši mreže svoje poðoše za njim.
19I otišavši malo odande ugleda Jakova Zevedejeva, i Jovana brata njegova, i oni u laði krpljahu mreže;
20I odmah pozva ih; i ostavivši oca svojega Zevedeja u laði s najamnicima poðoše za njim.
21I doðoše u Kapernaum; i odmah u subotu ušavši u zbornicu uèaše.
22I divljahu se nauci njegovoj; jer ih uèaše kao onaj koji vlast ima a ne kao književnici.
Commemorations
Martyr Sozon of Cilicia (208/304)
He began life as a pagan shepherd in Lycaonia. Coming to faith in Christ, he was baptized and received the name Sozon (“Save”). Thereafter he took every opportunity to proclaim the Gospel to his countrymen and to urge them to give up their idols. Entering a temple of Artemis in Cilicia, he cut off its golden hand, broke it into pieces, and distributed the gold to the poor. When he learned that because of this some were being punished unjustly for theft, he gave himself up to the governor Maximian. He was beaten to death with rods, by some accounts in 288, by others in 304.
Holy Apostles Evodus and Onesiphorus of the Seventy
St Evodus (or Evodius) is mentioned by St Ignatios of Antioch. He was a disciple of the Apostle Peter and succeeded him as Bishop of Antioch. It is said that the name “Christians” for members of the Church was given by Evodus. He was martyred during a visit by the Emperor Vespasian to Antioch. St Onesiphorus is mentioned by the Apostle Paul in his second epistle to St Timothy, where he calls Onesiphorus a friend and helper. He was a bishop in Colophon in Asia Minor, where he met martyrdom for Christ.
Holy Martyr Eupsychyius of Caesarea (2nd c.)
He was the son of a wealthy pagan senator in Caesarea of Cappadocia. When his father died, he gave his inheritance to the poor, proclaiming the Kingdom of God while he did so. For this he was arrested by Sapricius, Governor of Cappadocia, and put in prison. He persuaded his jailers to release him for awhile, and set about giving away the remainder of his worldly goods, first to his accusers and persecutors, then to the poor. When all his wealth was gone, he voluntarily returned to prison. He was viciously scourged several times, then beheaded. At his martyrdom, it is said that milk instead of blood flowed from his body.
Our Holy Father John, Archbishop of Novgorod (1185)
“He was first a married priest and then, from 1163, bishop in Novgorod, building seven churches during his lifetime. He had a vision of the holy Mother of God and a rare power over demons, making them obey him, and he once miraculously preserved Novgorod from an attack by seventy-two princes. He suffered from diabolical temptations, but overcame them all by the power of the Cross and by prayer. Retiring to a monastery in old age, he received the Great Habit and entered peacefully into rest in the Lord on September 7th, 1185.” (Prologue)
St Kassia (Kassiani) the Hymnographer (9th c.)
She was born in Constantinople to a noble family, and grew to be unusually beautiful and learned — so much so that she was chosen to participate in a ‘bride show’, at which the Emperor Theophilos was to choose a wife. Struck by Kassia’s beauty, the Emperor approached her and said ‘Through a woman came forth the baser things,’ referring to Eve’s transgression. Kassia responded, ‘Through a woman came forth the better things’, referring to the Incarnation of Christ through His Most Pure Mother. Stung by her reply, the Emperor rejected her and chose Theodora as his wife. Kassia entered monastic life and founded a women’s monastery in Constantinople, closely allied with the Stoudion Monastery. Serving as abbess of the monastery, she wrote many liturgical hymns, at least twenty of which are included in the services of the Church. Best-known (or at least most closely associated with her) is the Hymn of Kassiani, sung at Matins on Holy Wednesday. She reposed in peace.