Orthodox Calendar

13 Iunie 2028
Tuesday of the 2nd week after Pentecost

Apostles Fast — Wine and Oil are Allowed

Commemorations

  • Holy Martyr Aquilina of Byblos (293)
  • Saint Triphyllius, bishop of Leucosia (Nicosia) in Cyprus (370)
  • St Anna and her son John (5h c.)

Scripture Readings

Romans 4.4-12 (Epistle)

4Însă, celui ce lucrează, plata cuvenită lui i se socoteşte nu ca un har, ci ca ceva datorat; 5pe când, celui ce nu lucrează, ci crede în Cel ce socoteşte pe păcătos neprihănit, credinţa pe care o are el îi este socotită ca neprihănire. 6Tot astfel, şi David numeşte fericit pe omul acela pe care Dumnezeu, fără fapte, îl socoteşte neprihănit. 7„Ferice”, zice el, „de aceia ale căror fărădelegi sunt iertate şi ale căror păcate sunt acoperite! 8Ferice de omul căruia nu-i ţine Domnul în seamă păcatul!” 9Fericirea aceasta este numai pentru cei tăiaţi împrejur sau şi pentru cei netăiaţi împrejur? Căci zicem că lui Avraam credinţa „i-a fost socotită ca neprihănire.” 10Dar cum i-a fost socotită? După sau înainte de tăierea lui împrejur? Nu când era tăiat împrejur, ci când era netăiat împrejur. 11Apoi a primit ca semn tăierea împrejur, ca o pecete a acelei neprihăniri pe care o căpătase prin credinţă, când era netăiat împrejur. Şi aceasta, pentru ca să fie tatăl tuturor celor care cred, măcar că nu sunt tăiaţi împrejur; ca, adică, să li se socotească şi lor neprihănirea aceasta; 12şi pentru ca să fie şi tatăl celor tăiaţi împrejur, adică al acelora care, nu numai că sunt tăiaţi împrejur, dar şi calcă pe urmele credinţei aceleia pe care o avea tatăl nostru Avraam, când nu era tăiat împrejur.

Matthew 7.15-21 (Gospel)

15Păziţi-vă de prorocii mincinoşi! Ei vin la voi îmbrăcaţi în haine de oi, dar pe dinăuntru sunt nişte lupi răpitori. 16Îi veţi cunoaşte după roadele lor. Culeg oamenii struguri din spini sau smochine din mărăcini? 17Tot aşa, orice pom bun face roade bune, dar pomul rău face roade rele. 18Pomul bun nu poate face roade rele, nici pomul rău nu poate face roade bune. 19Orice pom care nu face roade bune este tăiat şi aruncat în foc. 20Aşa că, după roadele lor îi veţi cunoaşte. 21Nu oricine-Mi zice: „Doamne, Doamne!” va intra în Împărăţia cerurilor, ci cel ce face voia Tatălui Meu care este în ceruri.

Commemorations

Holy Martyr Aquilina of Byblos (293)

She was born of Christian parents, and by the age of seven was already living as a true Christian. She boldly preached Christ to the maidens with whom she played, and for this was brought before the governor during the persecutions of Diocletian. Despite her young age she would not deny Christ to save her life. After horrible tortures, she was left for dead and thrown on a dungheap. But that night an angel appeared to her saying ‘Arise and be healed!’ Aquilina arose fully restored and praising God; but she begged not to be denied a martyr’s death. She heard a voice from heaven saying ‘Go, and it shall be to thee as thou desirest.’ She returned to the city and to the governor’s palace by night, doors opening miraculously before her, and stood before the governor’s own bed. Needless to say, the governor was seized with terror upon waking to see the maiden he had thought dead. The next morning, she was beheaded. Her relics healed many of the sick. At the time of her repose, she was only ten or twelve years old.

Saint Triphyllius, bishop of Leucosia (Nicosia) in Cyprus (370)

He was a disciple of St Spyridon (December 12), and like St Spyridon he became a bishop on Cyprus. Known for his mercy, purity, and ascetical way of life, he was called ‘a living fountain of tears.’ After shepherding his flock well for many years, he reposed in peace.

St Anna and her son John (5h c.)

“Taken as an orphan into the house of a nobleman and treated as an adopted child, she was cared for and educated in that house. The rich man considered her worthy to be married to his son. When the old man died, the family urged the son to put his wife away because of her low birth and to marry another more suited to his rank and wealth. The rich man’s son feared God and did not want to do this. Seeing her husband in difficulties with his family, Anna secretly left him and ran off to a distant island where there was not a living soul. She was pregnant, and soon gave birth to a son. They laboured on the island for thirty years in fasting and prayer. Then, by divine providence, a hieromonk landed on the island. He baptised her son and named him John. Anna lived her ascetic life in the fifth century, and died peacefully.” (Prologue)