2 Corinthians 9.12-10.7 (Epistle)

12Jer služba ove poreze ne ispunjuje samo nedostatak svetijeh, nego èini te se i mnoge hvale daju Bogu, 13Ogledom poreze ove hvaleæi Boga za vaše pokorno priznanje jevanðelja Hristova, i za prostotu podjele k njima i k svima, 14I da se mole Bogu za vas i da èeznu za vama za premnogu blagodat Božiju na vama. 15A hvala Bogu na njegovu neiskazanome daru.

1A sam ja Pavle molim vas krotosti radi i tišine Hristove, koji sam pred vama ponižen prema vama, a kad nijesam kod vas, slobodan sam prema vama. 2Molim pak da mi ne bude trijebe kad budem kod vas, onako slobodan biti kao što mislim da smijem protiv nekijeh koji misle za nas da po tijelu živimo; 3Jer ako i živimo u tijelu, ne borimo se po tijelu. 4Jer oružje našega vojevanja nije tjelesno, nego silno od Boga na raskopavanje gradova, da kvarimo pomisli 5I svaku visinu koja se podiže na poznanje Božije, i robimo svaki razum za pokornost Hristu, 6I u pripravnosti imamo osvetu za svaku nepokornost, kad se izvrši vaša pokornost. 7Gledate li na ono što vam je pred oèima? Ako se ko uzda da je Hristov neka misli opet u sebi da kako je on Hristov tako smo i mi Hristovi.

Mark 3.19-27 (Gospel)

19I Judu Iskariotskoga, koji ga i izdade. 20I doðoše u kuæu, i sabra se opet narod da ne mogahu ni hljeba jesti. 21I èuvši to rod njegov iziðoše da ga uhvate; jer govorahu da je izvan sebe. 22A književnici koji bijahu sišli iz Jerusalima govorahu: u njemu je Veelzevul; i: on pomoæu kneza ðavolskoga izgoni ðavole. 23I dozvavši ih govoraše im u prièama: kako može sotona sotonu izgoniti? 24I ako se carstvo samo po sebi razdijeli, ne može ostati carstvo ono; 25I ako se dom sam po sebi razdijeli, ne može ostati dom onaj; 26I ako sotona ustane sam na se i razdijeli se, ne može ostati, nego æe propasti. 27Niko ne može pokuæstvo jakoga, ušavši u kuæu njegovu, oteti ako najprije jakoga ne sveže: i onda æe kuæu njegovu oplijeniti.

Martyr Myron of Cyzicus (250)

He was a priest in Achaia. In the time of the Emperor Decius, when Antipater was governor of Achaia, the persecutors entered the church on the Feast of the Nativity, dragged Myron away from the service and put him to torture. He endured many horrible tortures, but would not worship the idols. Finally he was thrown to wild beasts. When Antipater saw the beasts greeting Myron affectionately, the persecutor seized a sword and slew himself. The Saint was then sent to Cyzicus, where he was beheaded by the proconsul.

Holy Martyr Patroclus (late 3rd c.)

He was born to wealthy parents in Trychasia (now Troyes) in Gaul. Despite his high station he used his wealth to give daily alms to the poor and ate only once a day after sunset. Such was his holiness that he became a wonderworker, known widely for his healing power. When the Emperor Aurelian visited Gaul, he ordered Patroclus brought before him. The Saint freely confessed Christ and told the Emperor: ‘If, O King, you desire some of my goods, I will give them to you, for I can see your wretchedness.’ The astonished Emperor asked how he could call the ruler of the entire Empire wretched. Patroclus replied, ‘You have earthly, transitory riches, but you are wretched, for you do not possess yourself, since you have no faith in Christ in your heart.’ The saint was condemned to death and beheaded. Two beggars, to whom he had given alms, found his body and gave it honorable burial.