Sunday, August 1, 1948
6th Sunday of Matthew
Procession of the Lifegiving Cross
Tone 5. Dormition Fast: wine and oil allowed. What this means
The Epistle for At the Blessing of Waters
Hebrews 2:11–18
For both he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one, for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brothers, 12saying, “I will declare your name to my brothers. Among the congregation I will sing your praise.”
13Again, “I will put my trust in him.” Again, “Behold, here I am with the children whom God has given me.” 14Since then the children have shared in flesh and blood, he also himself in the same way partook of the same, that through death he might bring to nothing him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15and might deliver all of them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 16For most certainly, he doesn’t give help to angels, but he gives help to the offspring of Abraham. 17Therefore he was obligated in all things to be made like his brothers, that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people. 18For in that he himself has suffered being tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.
The Gospel
Matthew 9:1–8
He entered into a boat and crossed over, and came into his own city. 2Behold, they brought to him a man who was paralyzed, lying on a bed. Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the paralytic, “Son, cheer up! Your sins are forgiven you.”
3Behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man blasphemes.”
4Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? 5For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven;’ or to say, ‘Get up, and walk’? 6But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins—” (then he said to the paralytic), “Get up, and take up your mat, and go to your house.”
7He arose and departed to his house. 8But when the multitudes saw it, they marveled and glorified God, who had given such authority to men.
Commemorated today
- Begin Dormition Fast
- Holy Seven Maccabees, their mother Solomonia, and their teacher Eleazar (168 BC)
- Timothy the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Priconissus
- Elesa the Righteous-Martyr of Kythira
- St Nicholas, enlightener of Japan (1912)
Hymns and lives of the saints are on the Online Chapel of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese.