The holy apostle Quadratus of Magnesia of Greece, was a disciple of the Apostles. It is told that he, by his faith and diligence, gathered together the Church, which had been scattered by terror in the persecution of Hadrian the emperor. He also presented a book in defense of the Christian religion, worthy of the apostolic teaching, to that same emperor.
O holy Apostle Quadratus, intercede with the merciful God that He may grant our souls forgiveness of sin.
O Lord, the world offers You the apostle Quadratus, a precious hierarch and a courageous sufferer. The world honors his honorable memory with hymns, asking always remission for its sins through his intercession, O merciful Lord.
Galatians 2: 16-20
Brothers and sisters: Knowing that a man is not justified by legal observance but by faith in Jesus Christ, we too have believed in him in order to be justified by faith in Christ, not by observance of the law; for by works of the law no one will be justified. But if, in seeking to be justified in Christ, we are shown to be sinners, does that mean that Christ is encouraging sin? Unthinkable! If, however, I were to build up the very things I had demolished, I should then indeed be a transgressor. It was through the law that I died to the law, to live for God. I have been crucified with Christ, and the life I live now is not my own; Christ is living in me. I still live my human life, but it is a life of faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Mark 8: 34b-38, 9:1
The Lord said, “If a man wishes to come after me, he must deny his very self, take up his cross and follow in my steps. Whoever would preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will preserve it. What profit does a man show who gains the whole world and destroys himself in the process? What can a man offer in exchange for his life? If anyone in this faithless and corrupt age is ashamed of me and my doctrine, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes with the holy angels in his Father’s glory.”
He also said to them: “I assure you, among those standing here there are some who will not taste death until they see the reign of God established in power.”
Icon courtesy of Jack Figel, Eastern Christian Publications – ecpubs.com
Saturday, September 20 –
