Scripture Readings

Thursday, October 2, 2025

• Ephesians 4:14-19
• Luke 6:12-19

Today’s commemorated feasts and saints

Hieromartyr Cyprian, Virgin Martyr Justina, and Martyr Theoctistus, of Nicomedia (304). Bl. Andrew, Fool-for-Christ, at Constantinople (936). Repose of Rt. Blv. Princess Anna of Kashin (1338). Ven. Cassian of Uglich (1504). Martyrs David and Constantine, Princes of Georgia (740). Righteous Warrior Theodore Ushakóv (1817).

Prayer Before Reading the Holy Scripture

Illumine our hearts, O Master Who lovest mankind, with the pure light of Thy divine knowledge. Open the eyes of our mind to the understanding of Thy gospel teachings. Implant also in us the fear of Thy blessed commandments, that trampling down all carnal desires, we may enter upon a spiritual manner of living, both thinking and doing such things as are well-pleasing unto Thee. For Thou art the illumination of our souls and bodies, O Christ our God, and unto Thee we ascribe glory, together with Thy Father, Who is from everlasting, and Thine all-holy, good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Ephesians 4:14-19

     14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. 17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, 18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: 19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

Luke 6:12-19

     12 And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. 13 And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles; 14 Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew, 15 Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes, 16 And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor. 17 And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judaea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases; 18 And they that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed. 19 And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all.

The Refuge: Anchoring the Soul in God

Joseph: An Edifying Story Taken from the Book of Genesis – Part 25 of 37

Papa Demetrios

Oct 01, 2025

“Joseph gave the secret command to fill the bags of his brothers with wheat and to return the money they had paid into each bag, and even to give them extra money for the return journey. … At the first stop, one of them, intending to feed his donkey, took off the bag from its back. Somehow, it came untied; and he saw his bundle of money lying on the top of the bag of wheat. He called to his brothers: ‘My money has been returned to me …’ Their hearts were horrified. They were disturbed, and said to one another: ‘What is God doing with us?’ Having arrived in the land of Canaan, they recounted to their father everything that had occurred to them… When they poured the wheat out of their bags, each one of them found the bundle of money with which he had paid for the wheat, … and they were afraid. Their father was also afraid. ‘You,’ he said to them, ‘have made me completely childless: Joseph is no more; Simeon is no more; and now, you want to take Benjamin from me? Because of you, all these troubles have fallen on my head.’ Reuben answered him: ‘You may kill both of my sons, if I do not bring Benjamin back to you.’ But the elder said: ‘My son will not go with you! His brother died, he alone remans. If any evil were to befall him on the road, then you will send me — sorrowfully, in my old age, into hell.’”

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In Christ,
Sdn. Daniel Rudder

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