Aug. 20, 2031
Wednesday of the 12nd week after Pentecost

Fast

Commemorations

Prophet Samuel
Hieromartyr Philip, Bishop of Heraklion, and those with him (2nd c.)

Scripture Readings (KJV)

2 Corinthians 6.11-16 (Epistle)

11O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged. 12Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels. 13Now for a recompence in the same, (I speak as unto my children,) be ye also enlarged. 14Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Mark 1.23-28 (Gospel)

23And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, 24Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God. 25And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. 26And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him. 27And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him. 28And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee.

Commemorations

Holy Prophet Samuel (11th c. BC)

He was the last of the Judges of Israel, and was appointed by God to anoint the first two kings of Israel, Saul and David. Read the Old Testament book 1 Samuel for his story. Many believe that he is the author of the books of Judges, Ruth and the first 24 chapters of I Samuel.

Hieromartyr Philip, Bishop of Heraklion, and those with him (2nd c.)

He served in Thrace in the time of Diocletian’s persecutions. When the pagans were about to burn a Christian church, he came forward and said to them: ‘Do you think that God is shut within walls? He lives in men’s hearts.’ The church was burned and all its clergy were taken to Jedrene where, after long imprisonment and torture, they were drowned in the river Maritsa. The holy bishop Philip, his priest Severus, his deacon Hermes, and thirty-eight other Christians all received the martyr’s crown.