'Daily Bread'
Monday, August 19, 2024
“We have within us deeply rooted weaknesses, passions, and defects. This can not all be cut out with one sharp motion, but patience, persistence, care and attention. The path leading to perfection is long. Pray to God so that he will strengthen you. Patiently accept your falls and, having stood up, immediately run to God, not remaining in that place where you have fallen. Do not despair if you keep falling into your old sins. Many of them are strong because they have received the force of habit. Only with the passage of time and with fervor will they be conquered. Don’t let anything deprive you of hope.”
— St. Nektarios of Aegina
Daily Scripture Reading
Epistle: 1 Corinthians 11:31-12:6
31 For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged.
32 But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.
33 Therefore, my brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for one another.
34 But if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, lest you come together for judgment. And the rest I will set in order when I come.
1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant:
2 You know that you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, however you were led.
3 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.
4 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord.
6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.
Gospel: Matthew 18:1-11
1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
2 Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them,
3 and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.
4 Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
5 Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.
6 But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
7 Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!
8 If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the everlasting fire.
9 And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire.
10 Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven.
11 For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.
Saint Pitirim, Bishop of Great Perm (+ 1456) - August 19
Saint Pitirim, Bishop of Great Perm, was chosen and consecrated to the See of Perm after the suffering and death of Saint Gerasim of Perm (Jan. 24). Before becoming bishop, Archimandrite Pitirim was head of the Chudov Monastery. He later became known as the composer of the Canon to Saint Alexis, Metropolitan of Moscow (Feb. 12), and also wrote his Life.
As bishop, Saint Pitirim first occupied himself with establishing friendly relations between the Zyryani and Voguli peoples. He circulated admonitory letters and messages, seeking to defend the Zyryani from pillage. The Voguli leader Asyka however, taking advantage of princely dissension and the remoteness of the bishop from the capital, plundered Christian settlements and killed defenseless people.
Novgorod landowners held lands at the Rivers Vyg and Dvina, suffering death from the constant pillaging. In the year 1445, they marched out against the Voguli and took Asyka captive. The crafty pagan swore friendship to Perm and vowed to harass Christians no longer. Set free, Asyka waited for a convenient moment to attack Ust’-Vym with the aim of killing Saint Pitirim, to whom he attributed his defeat by the Novgorodians.
During this time Saint Pitirim was twice in Moscow: in 1447 to address an encyclical to Prince Demetrius Shemyaka, having broken a treaty (it is supposed that the writer was Saint Pitirim); and again in the year 1448 for the consecration of Saint Jonah, Metropolitan of Moscow (March 31). Taking advantage of Saint Pitirim’s absence, Asyka again made an attack on a Zyryani settlement near the Pechora, robbing and killing the inhabitants. Not only the Zyryani, but also the Voguli living their nomadic life near the Pechora tributary, had become convinced of the truth of the preachings of Saint Pitirim, and they had begun to accept Baptism.
Embittered by this, Asyka committed a new crime. On August 19, 1456 he murdered Saint Pitirim, when he was out blessing the waters at the point of land formed by the confluence of the Rivers Vaga and Vychegda. The body of the Saint remained for 40 days in a grave at the place of his death (since they awaited an answer to the sad news of his death). In spite of the hot weather, decay did not touch him. The Saint was buried in the Ust’-Vym Cathedral Church of the Annunciation next to his predecessor Saint Gerasim. The memory of his repose was already entered into a typikon in the year 1522. In the year 1607 the joint commemoration of the three Great Perm holy Hierarchs: Gerasim, Pitirim and Jonah, was established (Jan. 29). They succeeded one another at the Ust’-Vym cathedral.
A Curious Protestant Tours an Orthodox Church
Fr. John Baker gives a tour of Christ the Savior Orthodox Church in Chicago, Illinois, to a Protestant seeking to learn more about Orthodoxy. Discussion includes icons, incense, why the Orthodox churches don't have pews, and much more.
This week’s calendar reminders:
Monday 8/19: Matins 8:30 a.m.
Tuesday 8/20: no services or events
Wednesday 8/21: no services or events
Thursday 8/22: Matins 8:30 a.m.
Friday 8/23: Matins 8:30 a.m.
Saturday 8/24: Catechumen Class 4:30 p.m; Great Vespers 6 pm
Sunday 8/25: Divine Liturgy 9: 15 a.m.
