Holy Fathers

17/06/2026

17/06/2026

Today's Gospel Thursday 18 June 2026

* For 3rd Thursday of Matthew

The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew (10:23-31)

The Lord said to his disciples, "When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next; for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of man comes.

A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master; it is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household.

So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. What I tell you in the dark, utter in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim upon the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father's will. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows."

Glory to Thee, O Lord, glory to Thee.

17/06/2026

The Saint of the day 18 June

† Martyr Leontius, and with him Martyrs Hypatius and Theodoulos, at Tripoli in Syria (73)

https://media.ancientfaith.com/sotd/06_18_leontius_pc.mp3

An honoured Roman commander in Tripoli of Phoenicia, he was described as being 'of great physical stature, powerful, strong and bold in battle'. When it was learned that he was a Christian and had given grain to the poor from the imperial storehouse, the governor Hadrian, a great persecutor of Christians, sent Hypatius, a military commander, and Theodoulus, a soldier, along with some others to arrest him.

On the way Hypatius fell gravely ill with a fever, and the company had to delay its mission. One night an angel of the Lord appeared to Hypatius and said, 'If you desire to be healed, you and your soldiers must cry to heaven three times: "O God of Leontius, help me!"'. Hypatius told his comrades of his vision, and when they all cried out as instructed Hypatius was instantly healed.

Hypatius and Theodoulos then went on ahead of the other soldiers and found Leontius. Leontius received them hospitably and offered them refreshment. As they rested in his house, he proclaimed his faith in Christ and their hearts began to burn within them. While Leontius was still speaking, a bright cloud descended upon the two soldiers and shed dew on them while Leontius said 'In the name of the All-holy Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.' Thus were they baptized by the Holy Spirit Himself.

When the cruel Hadrian discovered this, he had the two soldiers beaten fiercely, then beheaded; he then subjected Leontius to the cruellest tortures, under which he finally died, unwavering in his faith. This was during the reign of Vespasian.

Troparion — Tone 3

Girded with divine strength you triumphed in your contest, / O Leontius, the Savior’s trophy-bearer. / You sprang into the contest like a lion, / and destroyed the enemy’s might. / O glorious martyr, entreat Christ our God to grant us his great mercy!

Troparion — Tone 4

Your holy martyr Leontius and his companions, O Lord, / through their sufferings have received incorruptible crowns from You, our God. / For having Your strength, they laid low their adversaries, / and shattered the powerless boldness of demons. / Through their intercessions, save our souls!

Kontakion — Tone 3

You confounded the wicked plans of tyrants / and exposed the godless worship of the pagan Greeks. / You illumined all mankind with the knowledge of God by your teachings of true piety, divinely-wise martyr. / Therefore, Leontius, we lovingly honor your memory.

16/06/2026

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

The Lord arranges everything for our benefit and spiritual instruction, according to His mercy and wisdom; but we, due to our weakness and passionate habit, understand poorly – like infants.

† St. Leo of Optina

16/06/2026

Today's Gospel Wednesday 17 June 2026

For 3rd Wednesday of Matthew

The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew . (Matthew 10:16-22)

Jesus said to his disciples: I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues. On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

“Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.

Glory to Thee, O Lord, glory to Thee.

16/06/2026

The Saint of the day 17 June (2)

† Martyrs Manuel, Sabael, and Ismael of Persia (362)

https://media.ancientfaith.com/sotd/06_17_manuel_pc.mp3

"The holy Martyrs Manuel, Sabel, and Ishmael, Persians by race and brethren according to the flesh, were sent by the Persian King as ambassadors to Julian the Apostate to negotiate a peace treaty.

While with him at a place near Chalcedon, they refused to join him in offering sacrifice to his idols. Scorning the immunity universally accorded ambassadors, he had them slain in the year 362.

This was a cause of the war with Persia in which Julian perished miserably the following year." (Great Horologion)

Troparion — Tone 3

Your holy martyrs Manuel, Sabel, and Ismael, O Lord, / through their sufferings have received incorruptible crowns from You, our God. / For having Your strength, they laid low their adversaries, / and shattered the powerless boldness of demons. / Through their intercessions, save our souls!

Kontakion — Tone 2
(Podoben: “Seeking the highest...”)

Because of your perfect faith in Christ, all-blessed ones, / you drank the cup of His sufferings with generous hearts. / Three in number, you renounced the idols of Persia / and proclaimed your belief in the Holy Trinity. / We beseech you to pray for us all.

16/06/2026

The Saint of the day 17 June (1)

† Our Holy Father Botolph, Abbot of the Monastery of Ikanhoe (680)

http://audio.ancientfaith.com/sotd/06_17_botolph.mp3

'Saint Botolph was born in Britain about the year 610 and in his youth became a monk in Gaul. The sisters of Ethelmund, King of East Anglia, who were also sent to Gaul to learn the monastic discipline, met Saint Botolph, and learning of his intention to return to Britain, bade their brother the King grant him land on which to found a monastery.

Hearing the King's offer, Saint Botolph asked for land not already in any man's possession, not wishing that his gain should come through another's loss, and chose a certain desolate place called Ikanhoe. At his coming, the demons inhabiting Ikanhoe rose up against him with tumult, threats, and horrible apparitions, but the Saint drove them away with the sign of the Cross and his prayer.

Through his monastery he established in England the rule of monastic life that he had learned in Gaul. He worked signs and wonders, had the gift of prophecy, and "was distinguished for his sweetness of disposition and affability." In the last years of his life he bore a certain painful sickness with great patience, giving thanks like Job and continuing to instruct his spiritual children in the rules of the monastic life.

He fell asleep in peace about the year 680. His relics were later found incorrupt, and giving off a sweet fragrance. The place where he founded his monastery came to be called "Botolphson" (from either "Botolph's stone" or "Botolph's town") which was later contracted to "Boston."' (Great Horologion)

Troparion of Father Botolph, Abt. of the Mon. of Ikanhoe
Plagal of the First Tone

Neither the desolation of the fens, nor the depth of thy humility could hide the light of thy virtues, whereby thou becamest a lamp unto the faithful, O Botolph our righteous Father. Wherefore, we entreat thee: do thou also enlighten us who venerate thy blessed memory.

Kontakion of Father Botolph, Abt. of the Mon. of Ikanhoe
First Tone

The glory of the just, the protector of Boston, the man of mighty prayer, our belov'd Father Botolph, entreateth the Saviour that He show mercy to all of us. Let us honour him with thankful praise, O ye faithful; let us imitate his conversation and virtues, that God hear his prayers for us.

15/06/2026

Today's Gospel Tuesday 16 June 2026

* For 3rd Tuesday of Matthew

The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew. (10:9-15)

Jesus said to his disciples: "Take no gold, nor silver, nor copper in your belts, no bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor a staff; for the laborer deserves his food.

And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it, and stay with him until you depart. As you enter the house, salute it. And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. And if any one will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town.

Truly I say to you, it shall be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of S***m and Gomorrah than for that town."

Glory to Thee, O Lord, glory to Thee.

15/06/2026

The Saint of the day 16 June

† St Tikhon (Tychon), bishop of Amathus in Cyprus (425)

http://audio.ancientfaith.com/sotd/06_16_tikhon.mp3

Saint Tikhon was born to pious Christian parents on Cyprus. Known for his piety and purity of life, he was became a clergyman, then was made Bishop of Amathus by St Epiphanios (May 12). He served faithfully as bishop in Cyprus for many years, finally reposing in peace.

At this time there were still many pagans in Cyprus, and he worked tirelessly as a missionary among them, bringing many to the Faith. He was known as a wonder-worker from his youth. "His father was a baker, and whenever his father left him alone in the shop, he would distribute the bread to the poor without payment. His father reproached him once for doing this, so he prayed to God and their storehouse became so full of grain that they could open the door only with difficulty." (Prologue)

Once he planted a dry slip from a grapevine, and it miraculously turned green and bore fruit. After his repose, on his feast day the vine would be laden with unripe grapes, as usual for this time of year; but during the Divine Liturgy, the grapes would become fully ripened.

Troparion — Tone 3

God called you to the sacred priesthood / as a worthy servant of the Holy Trinity. / You shone forth with the grace of godliness / strengthening the Church by many miracles. / Righteous Tikhon, entreat Christ our God to grant us His great mercy.

Kontakion — Tone 3
(Podoben: “Today the Virgin...”)

Through your ascetic labors, you shone forth, O beloved of God, / and received from on high the power of the Comforter / to destroy the idols of delusion, / and to save people, / to cast out demons and to heal the sick. / Therefore, venerable Tikhon, / we honor you as a friend of God.