Orthodox Calendar

23 Octombrie 2027
Saturday of the 18th week after Pentecost

No Fast

Commemorations

  • Holy Martyrs Eulampius and Eulampia (196)
  • Blessed Fool for Christ Andrew of Totma (1637)

Scripture Readings

1 Corinthians 15.39-45 (Epistle)

39Nu orice trup este la fel; ci altul este trupul oamenilor, altul este trupul dobitoacelor, altul este trupul păsărilor, altul al peştilor. 40Tot aşa, sunt trupuri cereşti şi trupuri pământeşti; dar alta este strălucirea trupurilor cereşti, şi alta a trupurilor pământeşti. 41Alta este strălucirea soarelui, alta strălucirea lunii, şi alta este strălucirea stelelor; chiar o stea se deosebeşte în strălucire de altă stea. 42Aşa este şi învierea morţilor. Trupul este semănat în putrezire, şi învie în neputrezire; 43este semănat în ocară, şi învie în slavă; este semănat în neputinţă, şi învie în putere. 44Este semănat trup firesc, şi învie trup duhovnicesc. Dacă este un trup firesc, este şi un trup duhovnicesc. 45De aceea este scris: „Omul dintâi, Adam, a fost făcut un suflet viu.” Al doilea Adam a fost făcut un duh dătător de viaţă.

Luke 5.27-32 (Gospel)

27După aceea Isus a ieşit afară şi a văzut pe un vameş, numit Levi, şezând la vamă. Şi i-a zis: „Vino după Mine!” 28Vameşul a lăsat totul, s-a sculat şi a mers după El. 29Levi I-a făcut un ospăţ mare la el în casă; şi o mulţime de vameşi şi de alţi oaspeţi şedeau la masă cu ei. 30Fariseii şi cărturarii cârteau şi ziceau ucenicilor Lui: „Pentru ce mâncaţi şi beţi împreună cu vameşii şi cu păcătoşii?” 31Isus a luat cuvântul şi le-a zis: „Nu cei sănătoşi au trebuinţă de doctor, ci cei bolnavi. 32N-am venit să chem la pocăinţă pe cei neprihăniţi, ci pe cei păcătoşi.”

Commemorations

Holy Martyrs Eulampius and Eulampia (196)

They were brother and sister, from Nicomedia, who suffered for Christ during the reign of Maximian. Eulampius was arrested for his Christian faith; when his sister received the news, she hurried to join him. Both were subjected to various cruel tortures, including being cast into fire and boiling pitch, from which they miraculously emerged unharmed. Finally, Eulampius was beheaded, and Eulampia gave up her spirit before she too could be beheaded.

Blessed Fool for Christ Andrew of Totma (1637)

“Saint Andrew came of a family of devout, unlettered peasants. He obtained an education by going to church and, on the death of his parents, became a novice at the Monastery of Galich, in the diocese of Kostroma. The Abbot, who was remarkable for his wisdom, discerned Andrew’s spiritual gifts and encouraged him to undertake the unusual and difficult ascesis of Foolishness-for-Christ. Andrew left the monastery to lead a wayfaring life, but often returned to reveal his thoughts and deeds to his starets. On his Elder’s death, he settled near the Church of the Resurrection in the town of Totma, where he was completely unknown. He spent the whole night in prayer and during the day begged alms that he forthwith gave to the poor. He went barefoot summer and winter and lived on nothing but bread and water. Every year he made a pilgrimage to the holy places of the region. One day he was accosted by the chief of an outlandish tribe. The man was suffering from an eye complaint and asked Andrew, who was already looked upon as a wonderworker, to cure him. Andrew fled, but the wild man washed his eyes in the snow trodden by the Saint and was healed.

“Worn out by ascesis and privation, Saint Andrew foreknew the day of his decease. He called a priest, confessed and communicated in the holy Mysteries, and not long after he fell asleep in the Lord, a heavenly scent pervading the room where his body lay. Some time later, the Saint appeared to a sick woman as she slept, holding the Gospel for her to venerate and telling her to pray at his tomb. When she awoke, the woman was healed.” (Synaxarion)