Greatmartyr Artemius at Antioch; St Gerasimus the New, ascetic of Cephalonia (1579); St Jonah, Bishop of Manchuria (1925) (October 7 OC)

You therefore, my child, be strengthened in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. ²The things which you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit the same things to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. ³You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. ⁴No soldier on duty entangles himself in the affairs of life, that he may please him who enrolled him as a soldier. ⁵Also, if anyone competes in athletics, he isn’t crowned unless he has competed by the rules. ⁶The farmer who labors must be the first to get a share of the crops. ⁷Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things.

⁸Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, of the offspring of David, according to my Good News, ⁹in which I suffer hardship to the point of chains as a criminal. But God’s word isn’t chained. ¹⁰Therefore I endure all things for the chosen ones’ sake, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

After he had finished speaking in the hearing of the people, he entered into Capernaum. ²A certain centurion’s servant, who was dear to him, was sick and at the point of death. ³When he heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and save his servant. ⁴When they came to Jesus, they begged him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy for you to do this for him, ⁵for he loves our nation, and he built our synagogue for us.” ⁶Jesus went with them. When he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying to him, “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I am not worthy for you to come under my roof. ⁷Therefore I didn’t even think myself worthy to come to you; but say the word, and my servant will be healed. ⁸For I also am a man placed under authority, having under myself soldiers. I tell this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

⁹When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turned and said to the multitude who followed him, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith, no, not in Israel.” ¹⁰Those who were sent, returning to the house, found that the servant who had been sick was well.