Fasting Rules
Meat
Allowed
Fish
Allowed
Dairy
Allowed
Oil
Allowed
Wine
Allowed
Saints & Commemorations
Martyr Anastasia the Roman
Our Holy Father Abramius (366) and his niece Mary (371) of Mesopotamia
Abramius was a Christian of noble birth who, early in life, left all (including a young bride) to live as a solitary monk. This he did for fifty years. When Abramius’ brother died, leaving his seven-year-old daughter Mary orphaned and alone, The Saint took her under his care, giving her a monastic cell near his own. T
Abramius was a Christian of noble birth who, early in life, left all (including a young bride) to live as a solitary monk. This he did for fifty years. When Abramius’ brother died, leaving his seven-year-old daughter Mary orphaned and alone, The Saint took her under his care, giving her a monastic cell near his own. Though Mary devoted herself joyfully to the monastic life, when she was about twenty she fell into sin with a corrupt monk who visited the hermitage. Far worse, she then fell into despair, thinking that she had cast away her salvation, and fled the hermitage to become a harlot in a nearby town. Abramius, unaware of what had happened or where she had gone, prayed constantly for her safety and to be shown where she had fled.
One day a traveler told Abramius what had become of his niece. Immediately he rose up, dressed himself as a soldier and went to the brothel where Mary worked, “for the salvation of a soul meant more to him than hermitage, Habit, ascesis or prayer itself” (Synaxarion). Still disguised, he ordered a meal, his first wine and meat for fifty years, then went with Mary to her room. Only then did he reveal himself, and with tears, not accusing her at all, pleaded with her to leave that place and return with him. “Let us go, my child; let us return to our hermitage. Let your fault be mine. I will answer for it before Christ on the day of judgment.” She returned with him and, with repentance, prayed so ardently that she was soon granted not only assurance of forgiveness but the power to work miracles. St Abramius reposed in peace in great old age; Mary followed him into eternal joy five years later.
Scripture Readings
☩Epistle
Colossians 4:2-9
2
Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
3
Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:
4
That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
5
Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
6
Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
7
All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord:
8
Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts;
9
With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here.
☩Gospel
Luke 11:14-23
14
And he was casting out a devil, and it was dumb. And it came to pass, when the devil was gone out, the dumb spake; and the people wondered.
15
But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils.
16
And others, tempting him, sought of him a sign from heaven.
17
But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth.
18
If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub.
19
And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges.
20
But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.
21
When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace:
22
But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils.
23
He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.
Liturgical data sourced from OCA.org and orthocal.info