The holy martyr Eusebius, bishop of Samosata who, at the time of the Arian emperor, visited the Churches of God in the disguise of a soldier so that he might strengthen them in the Catholic faith. Then, under the emperor Valens, he was exiled to Thrace. When the peace of the Church returned, he was called back from his exile in the time of the emperor Theodosius. Finally, when he was again visiting churches, he was struck on the head by a roof tile thrown at him from above by an Arian woman and died a martyr at Dolicha in Syria in the year 379.
O holy priest-martyr Eusebius, you lent yourself to the apostles’ way of life and succeeded them on their throne. Inspired by God, you found the way to contemplation through the practice of virtue. Therefore, you became a perfect teacher of truth, fighting for the faith unto the shedding of your blood. Intercede with Christ our God that he may save our souls.
You lived your life in holiness and completed it with martyrdom. You extinguished the sacrificial fires of the idols, and now you have found favor with the Lord our God. Pray for our salvation, O father Eusebius.
Romans 2: 10-16
Brothers and sisters: There will be glory, honor, and peace for everyone who has done good, likewise the Jew first, then the Greeks. With God there is no favoritism.
Sinners who do not have the law will perish without reference to it; sinners bound by the law will be judged in accordance with it. For it is not those who hear the law who are just in the sight of God; it is those who keep it who will be declared just. When Gentiles who do not have the law keep it as by instinct, these men although without the law serve as a law for themselves. They show that the demands of the law are written in their hearts. Their conscience bears witness together with that law, and their thoughts will accuse or defend them on the day when, in accordance with the gospel I preach, God will pass judgment on the secrets of men through Christ Jesus.
Matthew 4: 18-23
At that time as Jesus was walking along the Sea of Galilee he watched two brothers, Simon known as Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea. They were fishermen. He said to them, “Come after me and I will make you fishers of men.” They immediately abandoned their nets and became his followers. He walked along farther and caught sight of two brothers, James and John, the sons of Zebedee. They too were in their boat, getting their nets in order with their father, Zebedee. He called them, and immediately they abandoned their boat and father to follow him. Jesus toured all of Galilee. He taught in their synagogues, proclaimed the good news of the kingdom, and cured the people of every disease and illness.
Icon courtesy of Jack Figel, Eastern Christian Publications – ecpubs.com
Saturday, June 21 –
