The commemoration of the miracle of the Holy Archangel Michael at Colossae in Chionia: the archangel Michael worked a miracle of conversion and healing in Colossae, as well as a miracle of preservation of the site from flood. It is remembered each year on this date.
The holy martyr Eudoxius and his companions Carterius, Styriacus, Tobias, Agapius and companions at Sebaste in Armenia. Under Licinius the emperor they are said to have been soldiers who persisted in the faith of Christ and who were cast into the flames in the early 4th century.
Leaders of the heavenly armies, although we are unworthy, we always beseech you to fortify us through your prayers and to shelter us beneath the wings of your sublime glory. Watch over us who bow to you and cry out fervently: Deliver us from danger, for you are the commanders of the powers on high.
Your martyr, Eudoxius, O Lord our God, in his struggle, received an incorruptible crown from you. With your strength, he brought down the tyrants and broke the cowardly valor of demons. Through his prayers, O Christ our God, save our souls.
Leaders of God’s armies and ministers of divine glory, commanders of angels and guides of mortals, plead on our behalf for what we need and for great mercy; since you are the leaders of heavenly hosts.
You gathered wealth in heaven and showered it upon the earth. You gave bread to the hungry and received a glorious crown. You are resplendent in your confession of Christ. You were brave and died at the hands of the law; thus you have earned the wages of your work. O long-suffering Eudoxius, beg Christ to forgive our sins.
2nd Corinthians 4: 6-15
Brothers and sisters: God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts, that we in turn might make known the glory of God shining on the face of Christ. This treasure we possess in earthen vessels to make it clear that its surpassing power comes from God and not from us. We are afflicted in every way possible, but we are not crushed; full of doubts, we never despair. We are persecuted but never abandoned; we are struck down but never destroyed. Continually, we carry about in our bodies the dying of Jesus, so that in our bodies the life of Jesus may also be revealed. While we live we are constantly being delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may be revealed in our mortal flesh. Death is at work in us, but life in you. We have that spirit of faith which the Scripture says, “Because I believed, I spoke out.” We believe and so we speak, knowing that he who raised up the Lord Jesus will raise us up along with Jesus and place both us and you in his presence. Indeed, everything is ordered to your great benefit, so that the grace bestowed in abundance may bring greater glory to God because they who give thanks are many.
Matthew 22: 35-46
At that time, one of the Pharisees, a lawyer, in an attempt to trip Jesus up, asked him, “Teacher, which commandment of the law is greatest?” Jesus told him: “‘You shall love the Lord your God with your whole heart, with your whole soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. The second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments the whole law is based, and the prophets as well.”
In turn Jesus put a question to the assembled Pharisees, “What is your opinion about the Messiah? Whose son is he?” “David’s” they answered. He said to them, “Then how is it that David under the Spirit’s influence calls him ‘lord’ as he does when he said: ‘The Lord said to my lord, Sit at my right hand, until I humble your enemies beneath your feet’? If David calls him ‘lord,’ how can he be his son?” No one could give him an answer; therefore no one dared, from that day on, to ask him any questions.
Icon courtesy of Jack Figel, Eastern Christian Publications – ecpubs.com
Saturday, September 5 –
