Daily Reading

Yet one cannot understand the Orthodox Church merely by reading about it. Just as reading a biography about someone is no substitute for knowing the biography's subject personally, Orthodox Christianity must be experienced firsthand to be understood.

-Readings-

ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 15:35-41

JOHN 10:27-38

-Liturgical Day-

5TH SATURDAY AFTER PASCHA

-Fast Information-

NO FAST

ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 15:35-41

IN THOSE DAYS, Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also. And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, 'Come, let us return and visit the brethren in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.' And Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work. And there arose a sharp contention, so that they separated from each other; Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brethren to the grace of the Lord. And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

- Lives of Saints -

Third Finding of the Precious Head of St John the Baptist (ca. 850)
Holy Hieromartyr Therapon, Bishop of Cyprus (4th c.)
Holy Martyrs Pasicrates, Valentian, Julius and those with them (302)

Third Finding of the Precious Head of St John the Baptist (ca. 850)

In the eighth century, during the iconoclast persecutions, the head of St John the Baptist was taken to Comana (the place of St John Chrysostom’s exile) for safekeeping, and was lost. (The iconoclasts attacked not only the holy icons, but the veneration of relics of the Saints, sometimes destroying the relics themselves.) When the persecutions ended, the location of the head was revealed to a priest, and it was found in a silver vessel, “in a sacred place.” It was returned to Constantinople with great solemnity and celebration. See the First and Second Findings, commemorated February 24.

Where is it now? After several inquiries, we have not been able to learn whether the Head of St John the Baptist is lost again, or whether it rests in some known place. Information welcomed at webmaster@abbamoses.com.

Daily Reading by

Antiochian Archdiocese

Today's Saints by

Orthocal.info

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