Orthodox Readings

Sunday, July 19, 2020

6th Sunday of Matthew

Holy Fathers of the 4th Ecumenical Council

Tone 5. No fast. What this means

The Epistle for St Seraphim

Galatians 5:22–6:2

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

1Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. 2Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

The Gospel

Matthew 9:1–8

And he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city. 2And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee. 3And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth. 4And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts? 5For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk? 6But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house. 7And he arose, and departed to his house. 8But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.

Commemorated today

  • Dius, Abbot of Antioch
  • Saint Theodore, Bishop of Edessa
  • Uncovering of the relics (1903) of St Seraphim of Sarov
  • St Macrina, sister of St Basil the Great and St Gregory of Nyssa (380)

Hymns and lives of the saints are on the Online Chapel of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese.

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