Epistle Reading: Hebrews 5:11-6:8
of whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you
have become dull of hearing.
For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need
someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and
you have come to need milk and not solid food.
For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the
word of righteousness, for he is a babe.
But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is,
those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good
and evil.
Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary
principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the
foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,
of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of
resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
And this we will do if God permits.
For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and
have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit,
and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the
age to come,
if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since
they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open
shame.
For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon
it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives
blessing from God;
but if it bears thorns and briars, it is rejected and near to
being cursed, whose end is to be burned.
Gospel Reading: Luke 21:5-7,10-11,20-24
Then, as some spoke of the temple, how it was adorned with
beautiful stones and donations, He said,
"As for these things which you see, the days will come in
which not one stone shall be left upon another that shall not be thrown
down."
And they asked Him, saying, "Teacher, but when will these
things be? And what sign will there be when these things are about to take
place?"
Then He said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and
kingdom against kingdom.
"And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and
famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs
from heaven.
"But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know
that its desolation is near.
"Then let those in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who
are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country
enter her.
"For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which
are written may be fulfilled.
"But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are
nursing babies in those days! For there will be great distress in the land
and wrath upon this people.
"And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away
captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until
the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
Saints and Feasts
Gregory of Nyssa; Dometian, Bishop of Melitene; Theosebia the Deaconess, sister of Basil the Great & Gregory of Nyssa; Afterfeast of the Theophany of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ
