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

So let a man think of us as Christ’s servants and stewards of God’s mysteries. ²Here, moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. ³But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you, or by a human court. Yes, I don’t even judge my own self. ⁴For I know nothing against myself. Yet I am not justified by this, but he who judges me is the Lord. ⁵Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each man will get his praise from God.

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!”