Epistle Reading: Hebrews 2:2-10
For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and
every transgression and disobedience received a just reward,
how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which
at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by
those who heard Him,
God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with
various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?
For He has not put the world to come, of which we speak, in
subjection to angels.
But one testified in a certain place, saying: "What is man
that You are mindful of him, or the son of man that You take care of him?
You made him a little lower than the angels; You crowned him
with glory and honor, and set him over the works of Your hands.
You have put all things in subjection under his feet." For in
that He put all in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put
under him. But now we do not yet see all things put under him.
But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels,
for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the
grace of God, might taste death for everyone.
For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by
whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the author of
their salvation perfect through sufferings.
Gospel Reading: John 15:17-16:2
"These things I command you, that you love one another.
"If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it
hated you.
"If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet
because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world,
therefore the world hates you.
"Remember the word that I said to you, 'A servant is not
greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute
you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.
"But all these things they will do to you for My name's sake,
because they do not know Him who sent Me.
"If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin,
but now they have no excuse for their sin.
"He who hates Me hates My Father also.
"If I had not done among them the works which no one else did,
they would have no sin; but now they have seen and also hated both Me and
My Father.
"But this happened that the word might be fulfilled which is
written in their law, 'They hated Me without a cause.'
"But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the
Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify
of Me.
"And you also will bear witness, because you have been with
Me from the beginning.
"These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be
made to stumble.
"They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is
coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service.
Saints and Feasts
33 Martyrs of Melitene; Lazarus the Wonderworker; Martyr Athenodorus; Alexander the Martyr of Thessaloniki
