The Morning Offering

Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory to Him forever!

The Morning Offering
Sunday, May 31 / May 18 (Church Calendar)

Ancient Faith Radio:

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Saints of the Day:

May 18 / 31. Martyr Theodotus of Ancyra, and with him the seven Virgin Martyrs Alexandra, Tecusa, Claudia, Phaine, Euphraisa, Matrona and Julia. Martyrs Peter, Dionysius, and those who suffered under Decius Andrew, Paul, Christina, Heraclius, Paulinus, and Benedimus. Martyrs Symeon, Isaac and Bachtisius of Persia. Martyr Euphrasia of Nicaea. Martyr Theodota at Ancyra. Martyrs David and Tarechan of Georgia. (Greek Calendar: Martyr Julian. St. Stephen the New, Patriarch of Constantinople. Hieromartyr Theodore, Pope of Rome. St. Anastaso of Lukada. St. Martinian of Areovinthus, monk.) Repose of Archimandrite Macarius, missionary to the Altai, Siberia (1847), and Blessed Philip, founder of the Gethsemane Caves Skete of St. Sergius Lavra (1869).

Photo of the Day:

Archimandrite Dimitry of Santa Rosa, of blessed memory, my beloved spiritual father,

Thought for the Day:

Of course it would be easier to get to paradise with full stomach, all snuggled up in a soft feather-bed, but what is required is to carry one's cross. Elder Anthony of Optina

Scripture Readings for the Day:

Acts 20:16-18

¹⁶ For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he would not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hurrying to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the Day of Pentecost.

The Ephesian Elders Exhorted

¹⁷ From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church. ¹⁸ And when they had come to him, he said to them: "You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you,

John 17:1-13

Jesus Prays for Himself

 ¹ Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: "Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, ² as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. ³ And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. ⁴ I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. ⁵ And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.

Jesus Prays for His Disciples

⁶ "I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. ⁷ Now they have known that all things which You have given Me are from You. ⁸ For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and they have believed that You sent Me.
⁹ "I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours. ¹⁰ And all Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them. ¹¹ Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are. ¹² While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. ¹³ But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves.

Video of the Day:

Saint John the Wonderworker of Shanghai and San Francisco

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJLiNOLz8uw&feature=related