Epistle Reading: 1 Peter 2:21-3:9
For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered
for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:
"Who committed no sin, nor was guile found in His mouth";
who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He
suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges
righteously;
who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that
we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness; by whose stripes you
were healed.
For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned
to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
Likewise you wives, be submissive to your own husbands, that
even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the
conduct of their wives,
when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear.
Do not let your beauty be that outward adorning of arranging
the hair, of wearing gold, or of putting on fine apparel;
but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the
incorruptible ornament of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious
in the sight of God.
For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who
trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own
husbands,
as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters
you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror.
Likewise you husbands, dwell with them with understanding,
giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs
together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.
Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one
another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous;
not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on
the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may
inherit a blessing.
Gospel Reading: Mark 12:13-17
Then they sent to Him some of the Pharisees and the Herodians,
to catch Him in His words.
When they had come, they said to Him, "Teacher, we know that
You are true, and care about no one; for You do not regard the person of
men, but teach the way of God in truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar,
or not?
"Shall we pay, or shall we not pay?" But He, knowing their
hypocrisy, said to them, "Why do you test Me? Bring Me a denarius that I
may see it."
So they brought it. And He said to them, "Whose image and
inscription is this?" And they said to Him, "Caesar's."
Then Jesus answered and said to them, "Render to Caesar the
things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." And they
marveled at Him.
Saints and Feasts
Agatha the Martyr; Polyeuktos, Partriarch Of Constantinople; Antonios the New Martyr of Athens; Theodosios, Archbishop of Chernigov; Afterfeast of the Presentation of Our Lord and Savior in the Temple
