2026

On Saturday | August 1

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The Readings from the Regular Cycle

The Epistle

Saturday of the 9th Week

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

Rom. 14:6 – 9

Brethren, he who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. He also who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God; while he who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord, and gives thanks to God. None of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living. [RSV]

The Gospel

Saturday of the 9th Week of Matthew

The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Matthew.

Mt. 15:32 – 39

At that time, Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion on the crowd, because they have been with me now three days, and have nothing to eat; and I am unwilling to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way.” And the disciples said to him, “Where are we to get bread enough in the desert to feed so great a crowd?” And Jesus said to them, “How many loaves have you?” They said, “Seven, and a few small fish.” And commanding the crowd to sit down on the ground, he took the seven loaves and the fish, and having given thanks he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And they all ate and were satisfied; and they took up seven baskets full of the broken pieces left over. Those who ate were four thousand men, besides women and children. And sending away the crowds, he got into the boat and went to the region of Magdala. [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

Wine: Wine and oil are allowed. Refrain from meat, fish, dairy, and eggs.

It is the Dormition fast.