Holy Fathers

29/10/2026

29/10/2026

Today's Gospel Friday 30 October, 2026

* For 6th Friday of Luke

The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke. (11:23-26)

The Lord Said: He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters.

“When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’

And when he comes, he finds it swept and put in order. Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first.”

Glory to Thee, O Lord, glory to Thee.

29/10/2026

The Saint of the day 30 October

† Holy Martyrs Zenobius and his sister Zenobia (~290)

http://audio.ancientfaith.com/sotd/10_30_zenobius_pc.mp3

These two holy ones were brother and sister, living the city of Aegea in Cilicia. When their parents died, they gave all their possessions to the poor.

Zenobius, a physician, gave his healing services for free to all who came to him, often relying more upon the holy Name of Jesus than upon medicines. In time, he became Bishop of Aegea.

During the persecutions under the Emperor Diocletian, Zenobius was arrested and brought before the governor Lysias, who demanded that he deny Christ and worship the idols.
When Zenobius refused, he was subjected to torture.

Zenobia, hearing of this, rushed to be with him and openly rebuked the governor. The two were then tortured together and finally beheaded, faithful to their Lord to the end.

Troparion — Tone 4

Thy Martyrs, O Lord, in their courageous contest for Thee received as the prize the crowns of incorruption and life from Thee, our immortal God. For since they possessed Thy strength, they cast down the tyrants and wholly destroyed the demons' strengthless presumption. O Christ God, by their prayers, save our souls, since Thou art merciful.

Kontakion — Tone 4

With songs inspired by God, let us now render honour, as is due unto Zenobius and wise Zenobia, the pair of siblings in the flesh, who proclaimed true religion; those two martyrs of truth, who, passing their lives as one, also received together through martyrdom crowns that shall not fade.

28/10/2026

Today's Gospel Thursday 29 October, 2026

* For 6th Thursday of Luke

The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke. (11:14-23)

At that time, Jesus was casting out a demon that was dumb; when the demon had gone out, the dumb man spoke, and the people marveled. But some of them said, "He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the prince of demons"; while others, to test him, sought from him a sign from heaven.

But he, knowing their thoughts, said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a divided household falls. And if Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that I cast out demons by Beelzebul. And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they shall be your judges. But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are in peace; but when one stronger than he assails him and overcomes him, he takes away his armor in which he trusted, and divides his spoil.

He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters."

Glory to Thee, O Lord, glory to Thee.

28/10/2026

The Saint of the day 29 October (2)

† Our Holy Father Abramius (366) and his niece Mary (371) of Mesopotamia

http://audio.ancientfaith.com/sotd/10_29_abramius_pc.mp3

Abramius was a Christian of noble birth who, early in life, left all (including a young bride) to live as a solitary monk. This he did for fifty years. When Abramius' brother died, leaving his seven-year-old daughter Mary orphaned and alone, The Saint took her under his care, giving her a monastic cell near his own.

Though Mary devoted herself joyfully to the monastic life, when she was about twenty she fell into sin with a corrupt monk who visited the hermitage. Far worse, she then fell into despair, thinking that she had cast away her salvation, and fled the hermitage to become a harlot in a nearby town. Abramius, unaware of what had happened or where she had gone, prayed constantly for her safety and to be shown where she had fled.

One day a traveler told Abramius what had become of his niece. Immediately he rose up, dressed himself as a soldier and went to the brothel where Mary worked, "for the salvation of a soul meant more to him than hermitage, Habit, ascesis or prayer itself" (Synaxarion). Still disguised, he ordered a meal, his first w**e and meat for fifty years, then went with Mary to her room.

Only then did he reveal himself, and with tears, not accusing her at all, pleaded with her to leave that place and return with him. "Let us go, my child; let us return to our hermitage. Let your fault be mine. I will answer for it before Christ on the day of judgment." She returned with him and, with repentance, prayed so ardently that she was soon granted not only assurance of forgiveness but the power to work miracles.

St Abramius reposed in peace in great old age; Mary followed him into eternal joy five years later.

Troparion — Tone 1

The image of God was truly preserved in you, O Father, / for you took up the Cross and followed Christ. / By so doing you taught us to disregard the flesh for it passes away / but to care instead for the soul, since it is immortal. / Therefore your spirit, venerable Abramius, rejoices with the angels.

Troparion — Tone 1

You abandoned all earthly comforts, O Father Abramius, / living righteously in hope of things to come and receiving a sacred anointing. / Initiated into divine mysteries, you enlighten those who cry: / Glory to him who has strengthened you! / Glory to him who has granted you a crown! / Glory to him who through you works healing for all!

Kontakion — Tone 3

You lived in the flesh on earth as an angel, / and through your ascetic life you became like a tree nourished by the waters of abstinence and flourished. / You have washed away stains with the streams of your tears / and so you have been revealed, Abramius, to be a god-like vessel of the Spirit.

28/10/2026

The Saint of the day 29 October (1)

† Holy Virgin Martyr Anastasia of Rome (256)

http://audio.ancientfaith.com/sotd/10_29_anastasia_pc.mp3

She lived in Rome during the reigns of the Emperors Decius and Valerian. At an early age she left all to embrace a life of unceasing prayer, entering a small monastery in Rome, directed by a nun named Sophia.

For her Christian faith, she was seized and brought before the governor Probus and, when she boldly confessed Christ and refused to honor the idols, was subjected to a series of vicious tortures, under which she died. An angel led Sophia to retrieve her holy relics, which are now venerated at the monastery of Grigoriou on Mt Athos.

We are sometimes told that monasticism developed in the Church after Christianity became accepted and grew more worldly. The story of St Anastasia is one of many evidences in the lives of the Saints that what we now call monasticism was present from the earliest days of the Church.

Troparion — Tone 4

Your lamb Anastasia, calls out to You, O Jesus, in a loud voice: / “I love You, my Bridegroom, and in seeking You I endure suffering. / In baptism I was crucified so that I might reign in You, / and I died so that I might live with You. / Accept me as a pure sacrifice, / for I have offered myself in love.” / Through her prayers save our souls, since You are merciful.

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

Cleansed by the waters of virginity, and the blood of martyrdom, Anastasia, / you grant healing of every illness to those in need, / and salvation to those who come with love; / for Christ, the ever-flowing fountain of grace, has given you power.

27/10/2026

"Visit the temple of God more often, especially during tribulation: stand well in some dark corner, pray and cry heartily. And the Lord will certainly comfort you. And you say: Lord, I thought that there was no way out of my grave situation, but You, Lord, helped me! Narrow and sorrowful is the path that leads to eternal life."

† St. Varsonofy of Optina

27/10/2026

Today's Gospel Wednesday 28 October 2026

*For 6th Wednesday of Luke

The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke. (Luke 11:9-13)

The Lord said to his disciples, “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”

Glory to Thee, O Lord, glory to Thee.

27/10/2026

The Holy Protection of the Theotokos
October 28

The Feast of the Protection commemorates the appearance of the most holy Theotokos in the Church of Blachernae in Constantinople in the tenth century, as recorded in the life of Saint Andrew the Fool for Christ's sake. While the multitudes of the faithful were gathered in church, Epiphanius, the friend of Saint Andrew, through the Saint's prayers, beheld the Virgin Mary above the faithful and spreading out her veil over them, signifying her unceasing protection of all Christians. Because of this we keep a yearly feast of gratitude, imploring our Lady never to cease sheltering us in her mighty prayers.

In the Greek tradition, this feast is celebrated on October 28, while in the Slavic tradition, this feast is celebrated on October 1.

Troparion
Fourth Mode

O Virgin, we extol the great grace of thy Protection, which thou didst spread out like a bright cloud beyond all understanding; for thou dost invisibly protect thy people from the foe's every assault. Since we have thee as our shelter and certain help, we cry to thee with our whole soul: Glory to thy great deeds, O most pure Maid. Glory to thy shelter most divine. Glory to thy care and providence for us, O spotless one.

Kontakion
Third Mode

Let us the faithful hasten to the Theotokos now and venerate her sacred veil, as we chant unto her, singing hymns to praise and honour her, as is fitting; for she shelt'reth with her shelter and all her faithful flock and preserveth them unharmed from all calamities, as they cry to her: Rejoice, Protection most radiant.