Ven. Daniel the Stylite; Saint Nikon the Dry of the Kiev Caves (1101); Our Venerable Father Luke the New Stylite (979)

But we are bound to always give thanks to God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief in the truth, ¹⁴to which he called you through our Good News, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. ¹⁵So then, brothers, stand firm and hold the traditions which you were taught by us, whether by word or by letter.

¹⁶Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, ¹⁷comfort your hearts and establish you in every good work and word.

¹Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be glorified, even as also with you, ²and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and evil men; for not all have faith. ³But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one. ⁴We have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you both do and will do the things we command. ⁵May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and into the perseverance of Christ.

But when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is near.”

²⁹He told them a parable. “See the fig tree and all the trees. ³⁰When they are already budding, you see it and know by your own selves that the summer is already near. ³¹Even so you also, when you see these things happening, know that God’s Kingdom is near. ³²Most certainly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things are accomplished. ³³Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will by no means pass away.