Ss Peter, Aleksy, Jonah, Philip, Germogen, Metrs. Moscow; Holy Martyr Charitina of Amissos (304); Our Holy Mother Methodia of Kimolos (1865)

Now we, brothers, as Isaac was, are children of promise. ²⁹But as then, he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now. ³⁰However, what does the Scripture say? “Throw out the servant and her son, for the son of the servant will not inherit with the son of the free woman.” ³¹So then, brothers, we are not children of a servant, but of the free woman.

¹Stand firm therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and don’t be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.

²Behold, I, Paul, tell you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will profit you nothing. ³Yes, I testify again to every man who receives circumcision that he is a debtor to do the whole law. ⁴You are alienated from Christ, you who desire to be justified by the law. You have fallen away from grace. ⁵For we through the Spirit, by faith wait for the hope of righteousness. ⁶For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision amounts to anything, but faith working through love.

⁷You were running well! Who interfered with you that you should not obey the truth? ⁸This persuasion is not from him who calls you. ⁹A little yeast grows through the whole lump. ¹⁰I have confidence toward you in the Lord that you will think no other way. But he who troubles you will bear his judgment, whoever he is.

“But woe to you who are rich! For you have received your consolation. ²⁵Woe to you, you who are full now, for you will be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep. ²⁶Woe, when men speak well of you, for their fathers did the same thing to the false prophets.

²⁷“But I tell you who hear: love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, ²⁸bless those who curse you, and pray for those who mistreat you. ²⁹To him who strikes you on the cheek, offer also the other; and from him who takes away your cloak, don’t withhold your coat also. ³⁰Give to everyone who asks you, and don’t ask him who takes away your goods to give them back again.