Orthocalendar

Wednesday, May 4, 2061

Midfeast of Pentecost

Wednesday of the 4th Sunday of Pascha

Tone 3. Fast day: fish, wine and oil allowed. What this means

The Epistle for Blessing of Waters

Hebrews 2:11–18

For both he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one, for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brothers, 12saying, “I will declare your name to my brothers. Among the congregation I will sing your praise.”

13Again, “I will put my trust in him.” Again, “Behold, here I am with the children whom God has given me.” 14Since then the children have shared in flesh and blood, he also himself in the same way partook of the same, that through death he might bring to nothing him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15and might deliver all of them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 16For most certainly, he doesn’t give help to angels, but he gives help to the offspring of Abraham. 17Therefore he was obligated in all things to be made like his brothers, that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people. 18For in that he himself has suffered being tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.

The Gospel for Blessing of Waters

John 5:1–4

After these things, there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2Now in Jerusalem by the sheep gate, there is a pool, which is called in Hebrew, “Bethesda”, having five porches. 3In these lay a great multitude of those who were sick, blind, lame, or paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water; 4for an angel went down at certain times into the pool and stirred up the water. Whoever stepped in first after the stirring of the water was healed of whatever disease he had.

Commemorated today

  • Virgin Martyr Pelagia of Tarsus
  • Hilary the Wonderworker
  • Athanasios, Bishop of Corinth
  • Our Holy Father Nikephoros the Hesychast (14th c.)
  • St Monica, mother of Blessed Augustine (388)

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

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