1 Corinthians 7.24-35 (Epistle)

24Svaki, braæo, u èemu je ko pozvan u onome neka ostane pred Gospodom. 25A za djevojke nemam zapovijesti Gospodnje, nego dajem svjet, kao koji sam pomilovan od Gospoda, da budem vjeran. 26Mislim dakle ovo da æe biti dobro za sadašnju nevolju da je èovjeku dobro tako biti. 27Jesi li se privezao za ženu, ne traži da se razdriješiš; jesi li se odriješio od žene, ne traži žene. 28A ako li se i oženiš, nijesi sagriješio; i djevojka ako se uda, nije sagriješila: ali æe imati takovi nevolje tjelesne; a ja vas žalim. 29A ovo govorim, braæo, jer je ostalo vrijeme prekraæeno, da æe i oni koji imaju žene biti kao oni koji nemaju; 30I koji plaèu kao koji ne plaèu; i koji se raduju kao koji se ne raduju; i koji kupuju kao koji nemaju; 31I koji ovaj svijet upotrebljavaju kao da ga ne upotrebljavaju: jer prolazi oblièje ovoga svijeta. 32A ja hoæu da ste vi bezbrižni. Ko je neoženjen brine se za Gospodnje, kako æe ugoditi Gospodu; 33A koji je oženjen brine se za svjetsko, kako æe ugoditi ženi. Drugo je žena, a drugo je djevojka. 34Koja je neudata brine se za Gospodnje, kako æe ugoditi Gospodu, da bude sveta i tijelom i duhom; a koja je udata brine se za svjetsko, kako æe ugoditi mužu. 35A ovo govorim na korist vama samijem, ne da vam nametnem zamku na vrat, nego za lijepu i pristojnu službu Gospodu bez smetnje.

Matthew 15.12-21 (Gospel)

12Tada pristupiše uèenici njegovi i rekoše mu: znaš li da fariseji èuvši tu rijeè sablazniše se? 13A on odgovarajuæi reèe: svako drvo koje nije usadio otac moj nebeski, iskorijeniæe se. 14Ostavite ih: oni su slijepi voði slijepcima; a slijepac slijepca ako vodi, oba æe u jamu pasti. 15A Petar odgovarajuæi reèe mu: kaži nam prièu ovu. 16A Isus reèe: eda li ste i vi još nerazumni? 17Zar još ne znate da sve što ulazi u usta u trbuh ide, i izbacuje se napolje? 18A što izlazi iz usta od srca izlazi, i ono pogani èovjeka. 19Jer od srca izlaze zle misli, ubistva, preljube, kurvarstva, kraðe, lažna svjedoèanstva, hule na Boga. 20I ovo je što pogani èovjeka, a neumivenijem rukama jesti ne pogani èovjeka. 21I izišavši odande Isus otide u krajeve Tirske i Sidonske.

St Thomas of Mt Maleon (10th c.)

He was a renowned general, known for his great size and courage, his many victories against barbarian enemies, and his considerable wealth. But, forsaking wealth and reputation to follow Christ, he retired to the desert to live in asceticism. The Prophet Elias appeared to him and, accompanied by a pillar of fire, led him to Mount Maleon, near the Holy Mountain. There he lived in solitude, giving his days and nights to prayer. Like so many who seek to hide their holiness from the world, he was discovered, and people began to come to him for healing of their ailments and those of their loved ones. The saint healed countless ailments, drove out demons, cured the blind, and made water to pour forth from barren earth. In prayer he appeared as a pillar of fire. He reposed in peace, and his relics continued to be a powerful source of healing.

Holy Martyr Kyriake of Nicomedia (289)

Dorotheos and Eusebia, a devout, aging Christian couple who lived in Anatolia, had no children. After many years, their fervent prayers for a child were answered, and they were blessed with a daughter, whom they named Kyriake (‘Sunday’ in Greek) because she was born on the Lord’s day. The child grew up beautiful in body and soul and, though she had many suitors, chose to consecrate herself entirely to God and remain single. One of her suitors, angered at her refusal, denounced her and her parents to the Emperor Diocletian. Dorotheos and Eusebia were subjected to cruel tortures, then sent into exile, where they died under further torture. Kyriake was sent to Maximian, Diocletian’s son-in-law, for trial. By his orders, she was subjected to a horrifying series of torments; but Christ Himself appeared to her in prison, healing and comforting her. Many pagans came to believe in Christ when they saw her miraculously saved from death by fire or from wild beasts; all of these were beheaded. Kyriake told Apollonius, the general who supervised her tortures: ‘There is no way that you can turn me from my faith. Throw me into the fire — I have the example of the Three Children. Throw me to the wild beasts — I have the example of Daniel. Throw me into the sea — I have the example of Jonah the Prophet. Put me to the sword — I will remember the honored Forerunner. For me, to die is life in Christ.’ Apollonius then ordered that she be beheaded. At the place of execution, she raised her hands in prayer and gave up her soul to God before the executioner could take her life.

Note: St Kyriake is also known as Dominica or Nedelja, Latin and Slavonic words for ‘Sunday’.