2025

On Friday | August 1

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The Readings from the Regular Cycle

The Epistle

Friday of the 8th Week

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

1 Cor. 11:8 – 23

Brethren, man was not made from woman, but woman from man. Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. That is why a woman ought to have a veil on her head because of the angels. (Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not dependent of man nor man of woman; for as woman was made from man, so man was now born of woman. And all things are from God.) Judge for yourselves; is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? Does not nature itself teach you that for a man to wear long hair is degrading to him, but if a woman has long hair, it is to her pride? For her hair is given to her for a covering. If anyone is disposed to be contentious, we recognize no other practice, nor do the churches of God. But in the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. For, in the first place, when you assemble as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you; and I partly believe it, for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized. When you meet together, it is not the Lord’s supper that you eat. For in eating, each one goes ahead with his own meal, and one is hungry and another is drunk. What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not. For I have received from the Lord what I also delivered to you. [RSV]

The Gospel

Friday of the 8th Week of Matthew

The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Matthew.

Mt. 17:10 – 18

At that time, the disciples asked Jesus, “Why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?” He replied, “Elijah does come and he is to restore all things; but I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not know him, but did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of man will suffer at their hands.” Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist. And when they came to the crowd, a man came up to him and kneeling before him said, “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and he suffers terribly; for often he falls into the fire, and often into the water. And I brought him to your disciples, and they could not heal him.” And Jesus answered, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him here to me.” And Jesus rebuked him, and the demon came out of him, and the boy was cured instantly. [RSV]

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The Readings for the Commemoration

The Epistle

For the Saints.

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

Heb. 11:33 – 40; 12:1 – 2

Brethren, all the saints through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were killed with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated — of whom the world was not worthy — wandering over deserts and mountains and in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had foreseen something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect. Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin that easily distracts, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of faith. [RSV]

The Gospel

For the Saints.

The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Matthew.

Mt. 10:16 – 22

The Lord said to his disciples, “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of men; for they will deliver you up to councils, and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear testimony before them and the Gentiles. When they deliver you up, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.” [RSV]

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Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On August 1 is the procession of the precious and life-giving Cross. We also commemorate the seven holy Martyrs, the Maccabees: Abim, Anthony, Guria, Eleazar, Eusebona, Achim, and Marcellus; and their mother Solomone; and Eleazar their teacher.

On this day we also commemorate the nine holy Martyrs who contested in Perga, Pamphylia: Leontius, Attus, Alexander, Cindeus, Mnesitheus, Kyriacus, Menaius, Catunus, And Eucleus.

On this day Saint Papas the New died when he was put into a sack, enclosed in a basket, and thrown into the sea.

On this day the holy Martyr Eleazar died when his head was burned with fire.

On this day the holy Martyr Kerycus died by fire.

On this day the holy Martyr Theodore died by the sword.

On this day Saint Polyefktos died after he was buried in manure.

On this day we also commemorate the holy Martyrs Menes, Menaius,and the others in the Quarter of Viglentium, near the Bronze Tetrapylon.

On this day we also commemorate our father among the saints Timothy, Bishop of Proconnesus, the Wonderworker.

We also commemorate the devout Martyr Elesa, who contested on the island of Kythera.

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 the Dormition fast.