Hieromartyr Blaise of Sebaste; Ven. Dimitry of Priluk; St Theodora the Empress (867)

Having then a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let’s hold tightly to our confession. ¹⁵For we don’t have a high priest who can’t be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but one who has been in all points tempted like we are, yet without sin. ¹⁶Let’s therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace for help in time of need.

¹For every high priest, being taken from among men, is appointed for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins. ²The high priest can deal gently with those who are ignorant and going astray, because he himself is also surrounded with weakness. ³Because of this, he must offer sacrifices for sins for the people, as well as for himself. ⁴Nobody takes this honor on himself, but he is called by God, just like Aaron was. ⁵So also Christ didn’t glorify himself to be made a high priest, but it was he who said to him, “You are my Son. Today I have become your father.”

⁶As he says also in another place, “You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.”

He called to himself his twelve disciples, and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every sickness.

⁵Jesus sent these twelve out and commanded them, saying, “Don’t go among the Gentiles, and don’t enter into any city of the Samaritans. ⁶Rather, go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. ⁷As you go, preach, saying, ‘The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!’ ⁸Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, and cast out demons. Freely you received, so freely give.