Hieromartyr Phocas, Bishop of Sinope; Venerable Cosmas, desert-dweller of Zographou, Mt Athos (1323); Phocas the Gardener

“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are profitable. “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things build up. ²⁴Let no one seek his own, but each one his neighbor’s good. ²⁵Whatever is sold in the butcher shop, eat, asking no question for the sake of conscience, ²⁶for “the earth is the Lord’s, and its fullness.” ²⁷But if one of those who don’t believe invites you to a meal, and you are inclined to go, eat whatever is set before you, asking no questions for the sake of conscience. ²⁸But if anyone says to you, “This was offered to idols,” don’t eat it for the sake of the one who told you, and for the sake of conscience. For “the earth is the Lord’s, with all its fullness.”

He came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee. He was teaching them on the Sabbath day, ³²and they were astonished at his teaching, for his word was with authority. ³³In the synagogue there was a man who had a spirit of an unclean demon; and he cried out with a loud voice, ³⁴saying, “Ah! what have we to do with you, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are: the Holy One of God!”

³⁵Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent and come out of him!” When the demon had thrown him down in the middle of them, he came out of him, having done him no harm.

³⁶Amazement came on all and they spoke together, one with another, saying, “What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!”