## [Monastic Martyr Procopius of the Ivḗron Monastery on Mount Athos - 25 June](
https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2026/06/25/101815-monastic-martyr-procopius-of-the-ivron-monastery-on-mount-athos)
🎶troparion🎶
The image of God was truly preserved in you, O Father,
for you took up the Cross and followed Christ.
By so doing you taught us to disregard the flesh for it passes away
but to care instead for the soul, since it is immortal.
Therefore your spirit, venerable Procopius, rejoices with the angels.
🎶kontakion🎶
As a venerable and proven ascetic, as an honorable and renowned martyr,
and as a model of the desert life, O most exalted Procopius,
we sing hymns of praise to you,
for you have trampled upon serpents.
#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Orthodox #Orthostr #Saint
# [Scripture Readings for Thursday, 25 June 2026 (OCA)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/06/25)
## [Epistle reading for the 4th Thursday after Pentecost (Romans 11:13-24)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/06/25/1)
> For I speak to you Gentiles; inasmuch as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry, if by any means I may provoke to jealousy those who are my flesh and save some of them. For if their being cast away is the reconciling of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? For if the firstfruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches. And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree, do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you. You will say then, “Branches were broken off that I might be grafted in.” Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either. Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off. And they also, if they do not continue in unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. For if you were cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, who are natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?
## [Gospel reading for the 4th Thursday after Pentecost (Matthew 11:27-30)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/06/25/2)
> All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Bible #Scripture #Orthodox #Orthostr #Biblestr
## [Virgin Martyr Febronia of Nisibis - 25 June](
https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2026/06/25/101812-virgin-martyr-febronia-of-nisibis)
🎶troparion🎶
Like a fragrant rose in the ascetic life,
you breathed forth the myrrh of Christ.
Therefore he has glorified you as a righteous martyr, O Febronia.
Now intercede with him for those who cry:
“Rejoice, O noble and blessed martyr!”
🎶kontakion🎶
You were adorned with the grace of virginity and the beauty of martyrdom,
O Febronia, bride of Christ.
You wisely carried your lamp and ran to your Bridegroom
receiving an incorruptible crown.
Pray for those who faithfully sing hymns of praise to you!
#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Orthodox #Orthostr #Saint
## [Venerable Anthony, Abbot of Dymsk, Novgorod - 24 June](
Venerable Anthony, Abbot of Dymsk, Novgorod
Saint Anthony of Dymsk was born at Novgorod about the year 1157. Once in church he heard the words of Christ: “If anyone would come after Me,...
🎶troparion🎶
You were a zealot of virtue, a desert dweller, and ascetic of faith in Christ our God,
and by fasting and labors you deadened carnal lusts.
O namesake of Anthony the Great,
you emulated his life and built a divine church in his name;
now together with the venerable Anthony,
beseech the Savior of all,
that He may make us victorious over the lusts of the flesh,
and temples of the Holy Spirit,
according to His great mercy.
🎶kontakion🎶
You were a peer and emulator of Venerable Barlaam,
and when you attained true obedience to him, you were shown to be worthy of him,
and you shepherded his flock until the time,
when having been zealous for his virtues, you attained the same age;
and loving silence, you were shown to be pleasing to the Lord,
and became the first Superior in the wilderness at Lake Dymsk;
therefore, we cry out to you:
“With Saint Barlaam, O Father Anthony,
entreat God for us, so He may grant us to please Him as you did,
an image of obedience and a zealot for stillness.”
#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Orthodox #Orthostr #Saint
# [Scripture Readings for Wednesday, 24 June 2026 (OCA)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/06/24)
## [Vespers reading for the 4th Wednesday after Pentecost (Composite 10 - Genesis 17:15-17, 19; 18:11-14; 21:1-8)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/06/24/1)
> God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai thy wife, her name shall not be called Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. And I will bless her, and give thee a child by her; and I will bless him, and he shall become nations, and kings of nations shall come from him.” And Abraham fell on his face and said to himself, “Shall there be born a son to one who is a hundred years old? And shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, give birth?” And God said to Abraham, “Yes. Behold, Sarah thy wife shall bear you a son, and thou shalt call his name Isaac. I will establish My covenant with him, for an everlasting covenant.” Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in days. Sarah laughed to herself saying, “This has not as yet happened to me, even until now, and my lord is old.” And the Lord God said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh to herself, saying, ‘Shall I then indeed bear? but I am old’? Shall anything be impossible that is spoken by God?” And the Lord visited Sarah as He had said. And she conceived, and bore Abraham a son in old age as the Lord God had spoken to him. And Abraham circumcised him on the eighth day, as the Lord God had commanded him. And Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. And Sarah said, “The Lord God has made laughter for me; for every one who hears shall rejoice with me.” And she said, “Who shall say to Abraham that Sarah suckles a child? Yet I have borne him a child in my old age.” And the child grew, and was weaned; and Abraham made a feast on the day that Isaac was weaned.
## [Vespers reading for the 4th Wednesday after Pentecost (Composite 11 - Judges 13:2-8, 13-14, 17-18, 21)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/06/24/2)
> In those days, there was a certain man of the tribe of Dan, whose name was Manoah; and his wife was barren and bore not. And the angel of the Lord appeared to the woman and said to her, “Behold, you are barren. But you shall conceive and bear a son. And now beware and drink no wine or strong drink, and eat nothing unclean, for lo, you shall conceive and bear a son. And no razor shall come upon his head, for the child shall be consecrated to God from the womb.” And the woman went and spoke to her husband, saying, “A man of God came to me, and his countenance was like the countenance of an angel of God, very bright. And he said to me, ‘Behold, you shall conceive and bear a son; and now, drink no wine or strong drink, and eat nothing unclean, for the boy shall be consecrated to God from the womb, even until the day of his death.” Then Manoah prayed to God and said, “O Lord, let the man of God whom Thou didst send come again to us, and teach us what we are to do with the child that will be born.” And the angel of the Lord came to Manoah, and said, “Of all things that I said to your wife, let her keep. Let her eat nothing that comes from the vine, neither let her drink wine or strong drink.” And Manoah said to the angel of the Lord, “What is your name, that, when your words come to pass, we may glorify you?” And the angel of the Lord said to him, “Why do you ask concerning my name, whereas it is wonderful?” And the angel of the Lord appeared no more to Manoah and his wife.
## [Vespers reading for the 4th Wednesday after Pentecost (Composite 8 - Isaiah 40, 41, 45, 48, 54)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/06/24/3)
> Thus saith the Lord: “Comfort, comfort My people,” says God. “Speak to the heart of Jerusalem, you Priests, comfort her, for her humiliation is increased, her iniquity is pardoned; for she has received from the Lord’s hand double for her sins. The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make straight the paths of our God.’ “Go up to a high mountain, you who are proclaiming glad tidings to Zion, lift up your voice with strength, O herald of good tidings to Jerusalem. Lift it up, fear not! I the Lord God, I have heard the poor of Israel and will not forsake them. I will open rivers on the mountains, and fountains in the midst of the valleys; I will make the deserts pools of water, and the thirsty land springs of water. Let the heavens rejoice from above, and let the clouds rain down righteousness; let the earth bring forth, and let it sprout forth mercy and cause righteousness to shine forth also. “Declare this with a shout of joy, and let this be known, proclaim it to the end of the earth. Say, ‘The Lord hath redeemed His servant Jacob!’ And if they thirst, he shall lead them through the desert, He shall bring forth water for them out of the rock. Rejoice, O barren one who did not bear; break forth into singing and cry loud, you who have not been in travail! For more are the children of the desolate one than of her who has a husband.”
## [Epistle reading for the Nativity of the Holy Glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist, John (Romans 13:11-14:4)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/06/24/5)
> And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts. Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him. Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.
## [Gospel reading for the Nativity of the Holy Glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist, John (Luke 1:1-25, 57-68, 76, 80)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/06/24/6)
> Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus, that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed. There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years. So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division, according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense. Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. And Zacharias said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.” And the angel answered and said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings. But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time.” And the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he lingered so long in the temple. But when he came out, he could not speak to them; and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple, for he beckoned to them and remained speechless. So it was, as soon as the days of his service were completed, that he departed to his own house. Now after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived; and she hid herself five months, saying, “Thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.” Now Elizabeth’s full time came for her to be delivered, and she brought forth a son. When her neighbors and relatives heard how the Lord had shown great mercy to her, they rejoiced with her. So it was, on the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him by the name of his father, Zacharias. His mother answered and said, “No; he shall be called John.” But they said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name.” So they made signs to his father – what he would have him called. And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying, “His name is John.” So they all marveled. Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, praising God. Then fear came on all who dwelt around them; and all these sayings were discussed throughout all the hill country of Judea. And all those who heard them kept them in their hearts, saying, “What kind of child will this be?” And the hand of the Lord was with him. Now his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying: “Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited and redeemed His people, and you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest; for you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways.” So the child grew and became strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his manifestation to Israel.
## [Epistle reading for the 4th Wednesday after Pentecost (Romans 11:2-12)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/06/24/7)
> God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel, saying, LORD, they have killed Your prophets and torn down Your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life? But what does the divine response say to him? “I have reserved for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace. And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work. What then? Israel has not obtained what it seeks; but the elect have obtained it, and the rest were blinded. Just as it is written: “God has given them a spirit of stupor, eyes that they should not see and ears that they should not hear, to this very day.” And David says: “Let their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a recompense to them. Let their eyes be darkened, so that they do not see, and bow down their back always.” I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not! But through their fall, to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles. Now if their fall is riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more their fullness!
## [Gospel reading for the 4th Wednesday after Pentecost (Matthew 11:20-26)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/06/24/8)
> Then He began to rebuke the cities in which most of His mighty works had been done, because they did not repent: “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you. And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades; for if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I say to you that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you.” At that time Jesus answered and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight.
#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Bible #Scripture #Orthodox #Orthostr #Biblestr
## [Nativity of the Holy Glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist, John - 24 June](
Nativity of the Holy Glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist, John
The Nativity of the Holy Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord, John: The Gospel (Luke. 1: 5) relates that the righteous parents of Saint John the Bap...
🎶troparion🎶
Prophet and Forerunner of the coming of Christ,
although we cannot praise you worthily,
we honor you in love at your nativity,
for by it you ended your father’s silence and your mother’s barrenness,
proclaiming to the world the incarnation of the Son of God!
🎶kontakion🎶
Today the formerly barren woman gives birth to Christ’s Forerunner,
who is the fulfillment of every prophecy;
for in the Jordan,
when he laid his hand on the One foretold by the prophets,
he was revealed as Prophet, Herald, and Forerunner of God the Word.
#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Orthodox #Orthostr #Saint
## [Saint Etheldreda of Ely - 23 June](
https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2026/06/23/100477-saint-etheldreda-of-ely)
🎶troparion🎶
In you, O Mother, was preserved with exactness what is according to the image;
for you took up the Cross and followed Christ.
By so doing, you taught us to disregard the flesh, for it passes away;
but to care for the soul, since it is immortal.
Therefore, O Venerable Etheldreda, your spirit rejoices with the Angels.
🎶kontakion🎶
(Podoben: “Having received the grace of healing...”)1Having discarded a bed for rest, for the sake of your love for God, O Mother Etheldreda,
and illuminating your spirit with fasting,
you have completely vanquished your enemies;
and by your intercessions you destroyed the evil schemes of our adversaries.1See Nov. 1 (Holy Unmercenaries)
#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Orthodox #Orthostr #Saint
# [Scripture Readings for Tuesday, 23 June 2026 (OCA)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/06/23)
## [Epistle reading for the 4th Tuesday after Pentecost (Romans 10:11-11:2)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/06/23/1)
> For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For “whoever calls on the Name of the LORD shall be saved.” How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!” But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “LORD, who has believed our report?” So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. But I say, have they not heard? Yes indeed: “Their sound has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.” But I say, did Israel not know? First Moses says: “I will provoke you to jealousy by those who are not a nation, I will move you to anger by a foolish nation.” But Isaiah is very bold and says: “I was found by those who did not seek Me; I was made manifest to those who did not ask for Me.” But to Israel he says: “All day long I have stretched out My hands to a disobedient and contrary people.” I say then, has God cast away His people? Certainly not! For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel, saying,
## [Gospel reading for the 4th Tuesday after Pentecost (Matthew 11:16-20)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/06/23/2)
> But to what shall I liken this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their companions, and saying: ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we mourned to you, and you did not lament.’ For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is justified by her children.” Then He began to rebuke the cities in which most of His mighty works had been done, because they did not repent:
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## [Martyr Agrippina of Rome - 23 June](
https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2026/06/23/101788-martyr-agrippina-of-rome)
🎶troparion🎶
Your lamb Agrippina calls out to You, O Jesus, in a loud voice:
"I love You, my Bridegroom, and in seeking You I endure suffering.
In baptism I was crucified so that I might reign in You,
and I died so that I might live with You.
Accept me as a pure sacrifice,
for I have offered myself in love."
Through her prayers save our souls, since You are merciful.
🎶kontakion🎶
(Podoben: “Today You have shown forth...”)The day has come on which the Church commemorates your radiant contest and martyrdom.
She calls upon all to cry to you with gladness:
“Rejoice, all-honored virgin-martyr Agrippina.”
#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Orthodox #Orthostr #Saint
## [Martyrs Galacteon, Juliana, and Saturninus, of Constantinople - 22 June](
https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2026/06/22/101782-martyrs-galacteon-juliana-and-saturninus-of-constantinople)
🎶troparion🎶
Your holy martyrs Galacteon, Juliana, and Saturninus, O Lord,
through their sufferings have received incorruptible crowns from You, our God.
For having Your strength, they laid low their adversaries,
and shattered the powerless boldness of demons.
Through their intercessions, save our souls!
#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Orthodox #Orthostr #Saint
# [Scripture Readings for Monday, 22 June 2026 (OCA)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/06/22)
## [Epistle reading for the 4th Monday after Pentecost (Romans 9:18-33)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/06/22/1)
> Therefore He has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills He hardens. You will say to me then, “Why does He still find fault? For who has resisted His will?” But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, “Why have you made me like this?” Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor? What if God, wanting to show His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, and that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand for glory, even us whom He called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles? As He says also in Hosea: “I will call them My people, who were not My people, and her beloved, who was not beloved. And it shall come to pass in the place where it was said to them, ‘You are not My people,’ there they shall be called sons of the living God.” Isaiah also cries out concerning Israel: “Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, the remnant will be saved. For He will finish the work and cut it short in righteousness, because the LORD will make a short work upon the earth.” And as Isaiah said before: “Unless the LORD of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we would have become like Sodom, and we would have been made like Gomorrah.” What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness of faith; but Israel, pursuing the law of righteousness, has not attained to the law of righteousness. Why? Because they did not seek it by faith, but as it were, by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling stone. As it is written: “Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense, and whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.”
## [Gospel reading for the 4th Monday after Pentecost (Matthew 11:2-15)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/06/22/2)
> And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples and said to Him, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.” As they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet. For this is he of whom it is written: ‘Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your way before You.’ Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!
#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Bible #Scripture #Orthodox #Orthostr #Biblestr
## [Hieromartyr Eusebius, Bishop of Samosata - 22 June](
https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2026/06/22/101779-hieromartyr-eusebius-bishop-of-samosata)
🎶troparion🎶
By sharing in the ways of the Apostles,
you became a successor to their throne.
Through the practice of virtue, you found the way to divine contemplation, O divinely-inspired one:
by rightly dividing the Word of truth, you defended the Faith, even to the shedding of your blood.
O Hieromartyr Eusebios, entreat Christ God to save our souls.
🎶kontakion🎶
(Podoben: “You were lifted up...”)As one who lived piously among Hierarchs and who underwent martyrdom,
O divinely-wise one,
you abolished the sacrifices of idolatry and showed yourself as the protector of your flock.
Therefore, we cry fervently to you:
“By your intercessions, deliver us from all misfortunes, O Eusebios our Father.”
#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Orthodox #Orthostr #Saint
## [Venerable Anastasia of Serbia - 21 June](
Venerable Anastasia of Serbia
Saint Anastasia was the mother of Saint Savva of Serbia (January 12). She was the daughter of the Byzantine Emperor Romanus, and received the name...
🎶troparion🎶
Abundant in virtue, and adorned with meekness and piety,
you shone forth through the purity of your life;
therefore, you were granted the grace to be the mother of our people’s Luminary.
Thus, we cry aloud to you: “Rejoice, O venerable mother Anastasia!”
🎶kontakion🎶
Having been blessed by marriage, and living a life of sobriety,
you humbly taught your children to love God above all else.
As you now stand before Him,
intercede for us who cry aloud to you:
“Rejoice, O venerable mother Anastasia!”
#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Orthodox #Orthostr #Saint
# [Scripture Readings for Sunday, 21 June 2026 (OCA)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/06/21)
## [Matins Gospel reading (Mark 16:9-20)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/06/21/1)
> Now when He rose early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven demons. She went and told those who had been with Him, as they mourned and wept. And when they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe. After that, He appeared in another form to two of them as they walked and went into the country. And they went and told it to the rest, but they did not believe them either. Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen. And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.
## [Epistle reading for the 3rd Sunday after Pentecost (Romans 5:1-10)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/06/21/2)
> Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
## [Gospel reading for the 3rd Sunday after Pentecost (Matthew 6:22-33)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/06/21/3)
> The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness! No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
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## [Venerable Ananias the Iconographer - 21 June](
Venerable Ananias the Iconographer
Saint Ananias was born in Russia and was tonsured in the Monastery of Saint Antony the Roman at Novgorod. God endowed him with a gift for painting ...
🎶troparion🎶
In you, O Father, was preserved with exactness what was according to the image;
for you took up the Cross and followed Christ.
By so doing, you taught us to disregard the flesh, for it passes away;
but to care for the soul, since it is immortal.
Therefore, O Venerable Ananias, your spirit rejoices with the Angels.
🎶kontakion🎶
(Podoben: “You sought the heights...”)Having divinely armed yourself with purity of soul
and firmly grasping unceasing prayer as a spear, you slew the hordes of demons.
Therefore, we beseech you, O Father Ananias:
“Always intercede for those who honor you.”
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## [Hieromartyr Methodius, Bishop of Patara - 20 June](
https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2026/06/20/101759-hieromartyr-methodius-bishop-of-patara)
🎶troparion🎶
Your blood cries out to God from the earth like that of Abel,
divinely-wise holy hierarch, Methodius.
You openly preached the Incarnation of God,
putting the heresy of Origen to shame.
You were translated to the heavenly bridal chamber:
Pray to Christ God that our souls may be saved.
🎶kontakion🎶
As a priest of the mysteries of the Holy Trinity,
and a preacher of the commandments of God that surpass understanding,
you were the confirmation of Orthodox Christians, O Methodius!
You denounced the errors of heretics;
for the sake of the True Faith you shed your blood as a hieromartyr.
Now as you stand before Christ with the angels,
pray that we may be saved.
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## [Saint John the Solitary of Jerusalem - 19 June](
https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2026/06/19/101756-saint-john-the-solitary-of-jerusalem)
🎶troparion🎶
By a flood of tears you made the desert fertile,
and your longing for God brought forth fruits in abundance.
By the radiance of miracles you illumined the whole universe!
O our holy father John, pray to Christ our God to save our souls!
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# [Scripture Readings for Friday, 19 June 2026 (OCA)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/06/19)
## [Vespers reading for the Holy Apostle Jude, the brother of the Lord (Jude 1-10)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/06/19/1)
> Jude, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to those who are called, sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ: Mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you. Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ. But I want to remind you, though you once knew this, that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day; as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. Likewise also these dreamers defile the flesh, reject authority, and speak evil of dignitaries. Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” But these speak evil of whatever they do not know; and whatever they know naturally, like brute beasts, in these things they corrupt themselves.
## [Vespers reading for the 3rd Friday after Pentecost (Jude 11-16)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/06/19/2)
> Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah. These are spots in your love feasts, while they feast with you without fear, serving only themselves. They are clouds without water, carried about by the winds; late autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by the roots; raging waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame; wandering stars for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever. Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.” These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage.
## [Vespers reading for the 3rd Friday after Pentecost (Jude 17-25)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/06/19/3)
> But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit. But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And on some have compassion, making a distinction; but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh. Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen.
## [Epistle reading for the Holy Apostle Jude, the brother of the Lord (Jude 1-10)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/06/19/5)
> Jude, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to those who are called, sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ: Mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you. Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ. But I want to remind you, though you once knew this, that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day; as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. Likewise also these dreamers defile the flesh, reject authority, and speak evil of dignitaries. Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” But these speak evil of whatever they do not know; and whatever they know naturally, like brute beasts, in these things they corrupt themselves.
## [Gospel reading for the Holy Apostle Jude, the brother of the Lord (John 14:21-24)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/06/19/6)
> He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, “Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?” Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me.
## [Epistle reading for the 3rd Friday after Pentecost (Romans 9:6-19)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/06/19/7)
> But it is not that the word of God has taken no effect. For they are not all Israel who are of Israel, nor are they all children because they are the seed of Abraham; but, “In Isaac your seed shall be called.” That is, those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted as the seed. For this is the word of promise: “At this time I will come and Sarah shall have a son.” And not only this, but when Rebecca also had conceived by one man, even by our father Isaac (for the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works but of Him who calls), it was said to her, “The older shall serve the younger.” As it is written, “Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated.” What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? Certainly not! For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion.” So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy. For the Scripture says to the Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth.” Therefore He has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills He hardens. You will say to me then, “Why does He still find fault? For who has resisted His will?”
## [Gospel reading for the 3rd Friday after Pentecost (Matthew 10:32-36, 11:1)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/06/19/8)
> Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven. Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’ Now it came to pass, when Jesus finished commanding His twelve disciples, that He departed from there to teach and to preach in their cities.
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## [Apostle Jude the Brother of the Lord - 19 June](
https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2026/06/19/101752-apostle-jude-the-brother-of-the-lord)
🎶troparion🎶
Divinely we praise you, O Jude, as a faithful witness,
knowing you to be the brother of Christ.
You trampled on delusion,
and so preserved the faith.
Today as we celebrate your holy memory,
by your intercessions we receive remission of sins.
🎶kontakion🎶
You were chosen as a disciple for your firmness of mind:
An unshakable pillar of the Church of Christ,
you proclaimed His word to the Gentiles,
telling them to believe in one Godhead.
You were glorified by Him, receiving the grace of healing,
healing the ills of all who came to you,
O most praised Apostle Jude!
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