The Morning Offering

The Orthodox Church is evangelical, but not Protestant. It is orthodox, but not Jewish. It is catholic, but not Roman. It isn't non-denominational - it is pre-denominational. It has believed, taught, preserved, defended and died for the Faith of the Apostles since the Day of Pentecost 2000 years ago.

Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory to Him forever!

The Morning Offering
Thursday, July 9 / June 26 (Church Calendar)

Saints of the Day:

June 26 / July 9. St. David of Thessalonica. St. John, Bishop of the Goths in Crimea. St. Dionysius, Archbishop Suzdal. Translation of the Relics of St.Tikhon of Luchov. New-Martyr David of St. Annes Skete, martyred in Thessalonica. St. Serapion of Kozha Lake. (Greek Calendar: St. Anthion, monk.) Appearance of the Tikhvin Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos; Kazan Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos Of the Seven Lakes.

Photo of the Day:

The newly installed serpentine pillars, gracing the sides of the Royal Doors in our monastery's temple, have greatly enhanced the beauty and serenity of our church, thanks to the generosity and skilled labor of our friend, Doctor Robert Fouty.
(Click to enlarge)

Thought for the Day:

"Life is the union and conjuncture between intellect, soul and body, while death is not the destruction of these elements so conjoined, but the dissolution of their inter-relationship; for they are all saved through and in God, even after this dissolution."

St. Antony the Great

 Scripture Readings for the Day:

Romans 15:17-29

¹⁷ Therefore I have reason to glory in Christ Jesus in the things which pertain to God. ¹⁸ For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not accomplished through me, in word and deed, to make the Gentiles obedient— ¹⁹ in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. ²⁰ And so I have made it my aim to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build on another man's foundation, ²¹ but as it is written:


      " To whom He was not announced, they shall see;
      And those who have not heard shall understand."

Plan to Visit Rome

 ²² For this reason I also have been much hindered from coming to you. ²³ But now no longer having a place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come to you, ²⁴ whenever I journey to Spain, I shall come to you. For I hope to see you on my journey, and to be helped on my way there by you, if first I may enjoy your company for a while. ²⁵ But now I am going to Jerusalem to minister to the saints. ²⁶ For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem. ²⁷ It pleased them indeed, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in material things. ²⁸ Therefore, when I have performed this and have sealed to them this fruit, I shall go by way of you to Spain. ²⁹ But I know that when I come to you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.

Matthew 12:46-13:3

Jesus' Mother and Brothers Send for Him

⁴⁶ While He was still talking to the multitudes, behold, His mother and brothers stood outside, seeking to speak with Him. ⁴⁷ Then one said to Him, "Look, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, seeking to speak with You."
⁴⁸ But He answered and said to the one who told Him, "Who is My mother and who are My brothers?" ⁴⁹ And He stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said, "Here are My mother and My brothers! ⁵⁰ For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother."

Matthew 13

The Parable of the Sower

 ¹ On the same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the sea. ² And great multitudes were gathered together to Him, so that He got into a boat and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.
³ Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: "Behold, a sower went out to sow.