2025

On Friday | July 18

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The Readings from the Regular Cycle

The Epistle

Friday of the 6th Week

The reading is from Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians.

1 Cor. 4:5 – 8

Brethren, do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then every man will receive his commendation from God. I have applied all this to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brethren, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another. For who sees anything different in you? What have you that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if it were not a gift? Already you are filled! Already you have become rich! Without us you have become kings! And would that you did reign, so that we might share the rule with you! [RSV]

The Gospel

Friday of the 6th Week of Matthew

The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Matthew.

Mt. 13:44 – 54

The Lord said this parable, “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net which was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind; when it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into vessels but threw away the bad. So it will be at the close of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous, and throw them into the furnace of fire; there men will weep and gnash their teeth.” Jesus said to them, “Have you understood all this?” They said to him, “Yes.” And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.” And when Jesus had finished these parables, he went away from there, and coming to his own country he taught them in their synagogue. [RSV]

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The Readings for the Commemoration

Memory of the Holy Martyr Emilian

The Epistle

For the Saint.

The reading is from Paul’s Letter to the Romans.

Rom. 8:28 – 39

Brethren, we know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the first-born among many brethren. And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified. What then shall we say to this? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, will he not also give us all things with him? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies; who is to condemn? Is it Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us? Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. [RSV]

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Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On July 18, we commemorate the holy Martyr Emilian.

On this day we also commemorate the holy Martyrs Paul, Thea, and Valentina.

We also commemorate the holy Martyr Hyacinth of Amastris.

The holy Martyr Marcellus died after he was stretched out on a burning bed of fire.

The holy Martyrs Dasius and Maron died by the sword.

The devout Pambo reposed in peace.

We also commemorate our Fathers among the saints: Stephen, Patriarch of Constantinople, who was transferred from Amasia; and John the Confessor, Metropolitan of Chalcedon.

On this day we also commemorate the consecration of the church dedicated to the Most Holy Theotokos in Callistratus.

By their holy intercessions, O God, have mercy on us. Amen.

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Fasting Rule

Strict: Refrain from meat, fish, oil, dairy, and eggs.

It is a Wednesday or Friday.