/ Resources / Saints & Scripture
Saints & Scripture

Before Reading the Holy Scripture

"Illumine our hearts, O Master Who lovest mankind, with the pure light of Thy divine knowledge. Open the eyes of our mind to the understanding of Thy gospel teachings. Implant also in us the fear of Thy blessed commandments, that trampling down all carnal desires, we may enter upon a spiritual manner of living, both thinking and doing such things as are well-pleasing unto Thee. For Thou art the illumination of our souls and bodies, O Christ our God, and unto Thee we ascribe glory, together with Thy Father, Who is from everlasting, and Thine all-holy, good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen."

Scripture Readings
ST. PAUL'S LETTER TO THE HEBREWS 4:14-16; 5:1-6
BRETHREN, since we have a high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. Because of this he is bound to offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. And one does not take the honor upon himself, but he is called by God, just as Aaron was. So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, 'Thou art my Son, today I have begotten thee'; as he says also in another place, 'Thou art a priest for ever, after the order of Melchizedek.'
MARK 8:34-38; 9:1
The Lord said: "If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? For what can a man give in return for his life? For whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." And he said to them, "Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power.
Lives of the Saints
3rd Sunday of Great Lent: Veneration of the Cross
3rd Sunday of Great Lent: Veneration of the Cross

The Third Sunday of Lent is that of the Veneration of the Cross. The cross stands in the midst of the church in the middle of the lenten season not merely to remind men of Christ’s redemption and to keep before them the goal of their efforts, but also to be venerated as that reality by which…

Read the Life
Troparion & Kontakion
Martyr Nikon and 199 disciples with him in Sicily
Martyr Nikon and 199 disciples with him in Sicily

The Monk Martyr Nikon was born at Neapolis (Naples). His father was a pagan, and his mother a Christian. He was not baptized, but his mother secretly instructed him in the tenets of Christianity. Nikon was still a pagan when he reached adulthood. He served as a soldier, and showed unusual courage…

Read the Life
Troparion & Kontakion
Venerable Nikon, Abbot of the Kiev Far Caves
Venerable Nikon, Abbot of the Kiev Far Caves

Saint Nikon of the Kiev Caves was the first disciple and fellow-ascetic of Saint Anthony (July 10), the founder of the Kiev Caves monastery, to which he came as a priest. At the monastery he tonsured all the new monks, and among their number was Saint Theodosius of the Caves (May 3 and August 14).…

Read the Life
Troparion & Kontakion
Martyr Philetus the Senator, his wife and sons, and those with them in Illyria
Martyr Philetus the Senator, his wife and sons, and those with them in Illyria

Saint Philetus was a dignitary at the court of the emperor Hadrian (117-138), a persecutor of Christians. For openly confessing his faith in Christ the Savior, Saint Philetus was brought to trial with his wife Saint Lydia and their sons Macedonius and Theoprepius. By Hadrian’s order, Saint…

Read the Life
Troparion & Kontakion
Righteous Basil of Mangazea in Siberia

Righteous Basil of Mangazea: Saint Basil was born in the town of Yaroslavl around 1587. His father was a merchant, but the family was very poor. As a child, Basil spent much of his time in church, praying fervently and participating in the divine services. When he was twelve, the boy set out to…

Read the Life
Troparion & Kontakion
Monastic Martyr Luke of Saint Anne’s Skete on Mount Athos and Odrin

No information available at this time.

Read the Life
Troparion & Kontakion
Venerable Sergius (Srebryansky), the New Confessor of Tver
Venerable Sergius (Srebryansky), the New Confessor of Tver

No information available at this time.

Read the Life
Troparion & Kontakion

Photo Galleries
Calendar
Mailing List

If you would like to join our mailing list, please fill out the following form.

Diocese of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania

Our Diocese | Contact

" data-"1500"]; ?>" data-offset="150"><"fas fa-chevron-up"n']; ?>" style="line-height: 48px;">