2025

On Sunday | September 7

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The Readings from the Regular Cycle

The Epistle

Sunday Before the Elevation of the Cross

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

Gal. 6:11 – 18

Brethren, see with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that would compel you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For even those who receive circumcision do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may glory in your flesh. But far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. Peace and mercy be upon all who walk by this rule, upon the Israel of God. Henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen. [RSV]

The Gospel

Sunday Before the Elevation of the Cross

The reading is from the holy Gospel according to John.

Jn. 3:13 – 17

The Lord said, “No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the Son of man who is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.” [RSV]

The Epistle

Thirteenth Sunday

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

1 Cor. 16:13 – 24

Brethren, be watchful, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love. Now, brethren, you know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints; I urge you to be subject to such men and to every fellow worker and laborer. I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have made up for your absence; for they refreshed my spirit as well as yours. Give recognition to such men. The churches of Asia send greetings. Aquila and Prisca, together with the church in their house, send you hearty greetings in the Lord. All the brethren send greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss. I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. If any one has no love for the Lord, let him be anathema. Maranatha! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen. [RSV]

The Gospel

Thirteenth Sunday of Matthew

The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Matthew.

Mt. 21:33 – 42

The Lord said this parable, “There was a householder who planted a vineyard, and set a hedge around it, and dug a wine press in it, and built a tower, and let it out to tenants, and went into another country. When the season of fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants, to get his fruit; and the tenants took his servants and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. Again he sent other servants, more than the first; and they did the same to them. Afterward he sent his son to them, saying ‘They will respect my son.’ But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir; come, let us kill him and have his inheritance.’ And they took him and cast him out of the vineyard and killed him. When therefore the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?” They said to him, “He will put those wretches to a miserable death, and let out the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the fruits in their seasons.” Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the scriptures: ‘The very stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner; this was the Lord’s doing, and it was marvelous in our eyes?’” [RSV]

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The Readings for the Commemoration

Memory of the Holy Martyr Sozon

The Gospel

For the Martyr.

The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Luke.

Lk. 21:12 – 19

The Lord said to his disciples, “Beware of men; for they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake. This will be a time for you to bear testimony. Settle it therefore in your minds, not to meditate beforehand how to answer; for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and kinsmen and friends, and some of you they will put to death; you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your souls.” [RSV]

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The Readings for the Commemoration

2025

September 7

Devout St. Kassiane the Hymnographer

The Readings from Vespers the Previous Evening

Menaion Supplement - - -

Pr 25:2 – 14

The Glory of God hides a word, and the glory of the king honors deeds. Heaven is high, and earth is deep, but he heart of the king is incapable of disproof. Beat drossy silver, and it will be made entirely clean. Slay the ungodly from before the kings, and his throne shall be established in righteousness. Do not brag on yourself in the presence of the king, neither stand in the places of princes; for it is better that it be said to you, “Come up to me,” than for you to be humbled in the presence of the prince. Speak the things your eyes see. Do not enter into a quarrel quickly, that you may not be sorry in the end. When your frined reproaches you, retreat and do not despise him, lest your friend continue to reproach you, and your quarrel and enmity shall not depart, but be equal to death for you. Grace and friendship free a man; keep these for yourself, that you may not be reproached, but guard your ways peaceably. As a golden apple in a small necklace of sardius stone, thus it is to speak a wise word. As a very expensive sardius stone set in a golden earring, so is a wise word to an obedient ear. [SAAS]

Pr 31:10, 12 – 19, 25

Who will find a courageous [woman]? For such a one is more valuable than precious stones. She weaves wool and linen cloth and is productive with her hands. She is like a ship trading afar off, so she procures her livelihood. She also rises before dawn and gives food to her household, and appoints tasks for her maidservants. Seeing a farm, she buys it, and from the fruits of her hands she plants her plot of land. Strongly girding her loins, she strengthens her arms for work. She experiences work as a good thing, and her lamp is not quenched all night. She extends her arms to do profitable things, and she applies her hands to the spindle. She opens her hands to the poor and reaches out with her fruit to the needy. She clothes herself with strength and dignity and rejoices in the last days. [SAAS]

WSol 4:7 – 15

Though a righteous man may die before his time, he shall be at rest. For old age is not honored for its length of existence, nor measured by its number of years; but discernment is gray hair for mankind, and a spotless life is the maturity of old age. There was once a man pleasing to God and loved by Him, and while living among sinners he was taken up. He was caught up lest evil change his understanding or deceit deceive his soul. For envy arising from lack of judgment obscures what is good, and a whirling of desire undermines an innocent heart. He was made perfect, for in a short time he fulfilled long years, for his soul was pleasing to the Lord; therefore, He took him early from the midst of evil. Yet peoples saw this but did not understand, nor take such a thing to heart, that the Lord’s grace and mercy are with His elect and that He watches over His holy ones. [SAAS]

The Epistle

For the Holy Woman.

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

Gal. 3:23 – 29; 4:1 – 5

Brethren, before faith came, we were confined under the law, kept under restraint until faith should be revealed. So that the law was our custodian until Christ came, that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a custodian; for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise. I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no better than a slave, though he is the owner of all the estate; but he is under guardians and trustees until the date set by the father. So with us; when we were children, we were slaves to the elemental principles of the universe. But when the time had fully come, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. [RSV]

The Gospel

For the Devout Woman.

The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Mark.

Mk. 5:24 – 34

At that time, a great crowd followed Jesus and thronged about him. And there was a woman who had had a flow of blood for twelve years, and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. She had heard the reports about Jesus, and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. For she said, “If I touch even his garments, I shall be made well.” And immediately the hemorrhage ceased; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone forth from him, immediately turned about in the crowd, and said, “Who touched my garments?” And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, ‘Who touched me?’” And he looked around to see who had done it. But the woman, knowing what had been done to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him, and told him the whole truth. And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.” [RSV]

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Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On September 7, we commemorate the holy Martyr Sozon.

On this day we also commemorate the holy Apostles Evodos and Onisiphoros.

St. Efpsichios died by the sword.

On this day is celebrated the dormition of devout St. Luke, from the eparchy of Lycaonia, the third abbot of the Monastery of the Savior, which is called Deep Stream.

On this day we also commemorate devout St. Kassiane the Poet.

By the intercessions of Your Saints, O God, have mercy on us. Amen.

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Fasting Rule

Fast Free: All foods allowed.