The relics of the holy apostle Bartholomew were stolen by the Armenians, and then taken to the town of Alipay’s. At the time of Theophilus the Iconoclast, they were translated again, this time to the town of Benevento. From there they were taken to Rome.
The holy apostle Titus is counted as one of the 70 Apostles. Born in Crete, he was baptized by the Apostle Paul. He served Paul in such sincerity of the heart that Paul called him his son (Titus 1:4) as well as his brother (2 Cor. 12:18). He was made the first bishop of Crete, where he widely governed the Church to great old age. He died at the age of ninety-four.
O holy apostles, intercede with the merciful God that he may grant our souls forgiveness of sins.
You appeared to the Church as a brilliant star, O Bartholomew, apostle of the Lord, illuminating those who honor you with the radiance of doctrine and awesome wonders.
As a companion of Paul, you declared the word of divine grace to us. Ever-memorable and truly great Titus, we tender a song of honor to you. Now pray unceasingly for all of us.
2nd Corinthians 1:21 – 2:4
Brothers and sisters: God is one who firmly establishes us along with you in Christ; it is he who anointed us and has sealed us, thereby depositing the first payment, the Spirit, in our hearts. I call on God as my witness that it was out of consideration for you that I did not come to Corinth again. Domineering over your faith is not my purpose. I prefer to work with you toward your happiness. As regards faith, you are standing firm.
I did decide, however, not to visit you again in painful circumstances. For if I cause you pain, who can make me happy again but the ones I grieved? I wrote as I did so that when I come I may not be saddened by those who should rejoice my heart. I know you all well enough to be convinced that my happiness is yours. That is why I wrote you in great sorrow and anguish, with copious tears-not to make you sad but to help you realize the great love I bear you.
Matthew 22: 2-14
The Lord told this parable to the chief priests and the Pharisees: “The reign of God may be likened to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. He dispatched his servants to summon the invited guests to the wedding, but they refused to come. A second time he sent other servants, saying: ‘Tell those who were invited, See, I have my dinner prepared! My bullocks and corn-fed cattle are killed; everything is ready. Come to the feast.’ Some ignored the invitation and went their way, one to his farm, another to his business. The rest laid hold of his servants, insulted them, and killed them. This the king grew furious and sent his army to destroy those murderers and burn their city. Then he said to his servants: ‘The banquet is ready, but those who were invited were unfit to come. That is why you must go out into the by roads and invite to the wedding anyone you come upon.’ The servants then went out into the by roads and rounded up every one they met, bad as well as good. This filled the wedding hall with banqueters.
“When the king came in to meet the guests, however, he caught sight of a man not properly dressed for a wedding feast. ‘My friend,’ he said, ‘how is it you came in here and not properly dressed?’ The man had nothing to say. The king then said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot and throw him out into the night to well and grind his teeth.’ The invited are many, the elect are few.”
Icon courtesy of Jack Figel, Eastern Christian Publications – ecpubs.com
Saturday, August 24 –
