The holy apostle Aquila and his wife Prisca or Priscilla, a married couple who were helpers of St. Paul the Apostle. They received the church into their home with hospitality and endangered themselves on St. Paul’s behalf. They are mentioned in 1 Cor. 16:19, in Romans 16: 3-5, and in 2 Tim. 4:19
O holy apostle Aquila, intercede with the all-merciful God that He may grant us forgiveness of our sins.
The Church has acquired you as a brilliant sun, O glorious Aquila. By the brilliance of your teaching, O apostle of the Lord, you enlighten those who faithfully honor you.
1st Corinthians 10: 5-12
Brothers and sisters: We know that God was not pleased with most of [our fathers], for “they were struck down in the desert.”
These things happened as an example to keep us from wicked desires such as theirs. Do not become idolators, as some of them did. Scripture says, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and arose to take their pleasure.” let us not indulge in lewdness as some of them did, so that in one day twenty-three thousand perished. Let us not test the Lord as some of them did, only to be destroyed by snakes. Nor are you to grumble as some of them did, to be killed by the destroying angel. The things that happened to them serve as an example. They have been written as a warning to us, upon whom the end of the ages has come. For all these reasons, let anyone who thinks he is standing upright watch out lest he fall!
Matthew 16: 6-12
The Lord said to his disciples: “Be on the lookout against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” They could think only, “This is because we have brought no bread.” Jesus knew their thoughts and said, “Why do you suppose it is because you have no bread? How weak your faith is! Do you still not understand? Do you not remember the five loaves among the five thousand and how many baskets-full you picked up? Or the seven loaves among the four thousand and how many hampers-full you retrieved? Why is it you do not see that I was not speaking about bread at all but warning you against the yeast of the Pharisees?” They finally realized he was not issuing a warning against yeast used for bread but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
Icon courtesy of Jack Figel, Eastern Christian Publications – ecpubs.com
Monday, July 13 –
