St Abercius, Equal-to-the-Apostles; Venerable Lot of Egypt (5th c.); Holy Seven Youths of Ephesus

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the assembly and gave himself up for her, ²⁶that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, ²⁷that he might present the assembly to himself gloriously, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without defect. ²⁸Even so husbands also ought to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself. ²⁹For no man ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, even as the Lord also does the assembly, ³⁰because we are members of his body, of his flesh and bones. ³¹“For this cause a man will leave his father and mother and will be joined to his wife. Then the two will become one flesh.” ³²This mystery is great, but I speak concerning Christ and the assembly. ³³Nevertheless each of you must also love his own wife even as himself; and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

“Let these words sink into your ears, for the Son of Man will be delivered up into the hands of men.” ⁴⁵But they didn’t understand this saying. It was concealed from them, that they should not perceive it, and they were afraid to ask him about this saying.

⁴⁶An argument arose among them about which of them was the greatest. ⁴⁷Jesus, perceiving the reasoning of their hearts, took a little child, and set him by his side, ⁴⁸and said to them, “Whoever receives this little child in my name receives me. Whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For whoever is least among you all, this one will be great.”

⁴⁹John answered, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we forbade him, because he doesn’t follow with us.”

⁵⁰Jesus said to him, “Don’t forbid him, for he who is not against us is for us.”