'Daily Bread'
Wednesday, February 21, 2024
Daily Scripture Reading for Wednesday, February 21, 2024
Epistle Reading: 1 Peter 4:1-11
1 Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,
2 that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.
3 For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles – when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries.
4 In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you.
5 They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.
6 For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.
7 But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.
8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”
9 Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.
10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Gospel Reading: Mark 12:28-37
28 Then one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, perceiving that He had answered them well, asked Him, “Which is the first commandment of all?”
29 Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one.
30 And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment.
31 And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
32 So the scribe said to Him, “Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth, for there is one God, and there is no other but He.
33 And to love Him with all the heart, with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, is more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
34 Now when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, He said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” But after that no one dared question Him.
35 Then Jesus answered and said, while He taught in the temple, “How is it that the scribes say that the Christ is the Son of David?
36 For David himself said by the Holy Spirit: ‘The LORD said to my Lord, sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool.’
37 Therefore David himself calls Him ‘Lord’; how is He then his Son?” And the common people heard Him gladly.
St. George, Bishop of Amastris on the Black Sea (802-811)
Saint George was born at Kromne near Amastris in Paphlagonia on the Black Sea in 750. He was the son of pious parents, Theodosios and Megethousa. After completing his primary studies in his homeland, he left for the mountain of Syrikēs, or Sērikḗs (Συρίκης ή Σηρικής). There he found an old ascetic who taught him about the solitary life and tonsured him.
After the repose of his Elder, George went to Vonitsa in Akarnania, where he continued his ascetic struggles.
In 788, the Bishop of Amastris fell asleep in the Lord, and the Church rewarded George's virtues. Against his will, he was elected as the Bishop of that city, but in the end he submitted to this as God's will. He was consecrated at Constantinople by Patriarch Tarasios (February 25).
Elizaveta Feodorovna and The Martha-Mary Convent
After her husband's assassination by a terrorist in 1905, Grand Duchess Elizaveta Feodorovna sold her jewels and used the proceeds to found a unique convent in Moscow - the Martha and Mary Community of Mercy. Learn about the life and tragic fate of the convent and its founder, Elizaveta Feodorovna, granddaughter of Queen Victoria and sister of the last Russian empress. In this "Second Saturday" online lecture, Dr. Louise Hardiman explores the rich artistic history of the convent church and its cultural contexts, encompassing the national artistic revival in late imperial Russian art and the history of British-Russian relations. The presentation features unique artifacts from the Russian History Museum collection.
This week’s calendar reminders:
Monday 2/19: Matins 8:30 a.m.; Steward Meeting 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday 2/20: no services or events
Wednesday 2/21: no services or events
Thursday 2/22: Matins 8:30 a.m.
Friday 2/23: Matins 8:30 a.m.
Saturday 2/24: Great Vespers 6 p.m.
Sunday 2/25: Divine Liturgy 9:15 a.m.
