Martyr Callistratus and Companions; Ven. Sabbatius of Solovetsk; Holy Apostles Mark, Aristarchus and Zenas of the Seventy

For I am afraid that perhaps when I come, I might find you not the way I want to, and that I might be found by you as you don’t desire, that perhaps there would be strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, whisperings, proud thoughts, or riots, ²¹that again when I come my God would humble me before you, and I would mourn for many of those who have sinned before now, and not repented of the uncleanness, sexual immorality, and lustfulness which they committed.

¹This is the third time I am coming to you. “At the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.” ²I have warned previously, and I warn again, as when I was present the second time, so now, being absent, I write to those who have sinned before now and to all the rest that if I come again, I will not spare,

While he was in one of the cities, behold, there was a man full of leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and begged him, saying, “Lord, if you want to, you can make me clean.”

¹³He stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I want to. Be made clean.” Immediately the leprosy left him. ¹⁴He commanded him to tell no one, “But go your way and show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing according to what Moses commanded, for a testimony to them.”

¹⁵But the report concerning him spread much more, and great multitudes came together to hear and to be healed by him of their infirmities. ¹⁶But he withdrew himself into the desert and prayed.