The Morning Offering

Living the evangelical life of Orthodox monasticism in witness to the salvific truth of the Gospels of Our Lord, God, and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory to Him forever!

The Morning Offering

Sunday, April 18  / 5 (Church Calendar)
Holy Myrrhbearers

Saints of the Day:

April 5 / 18. Martyrs Theodulus, reader, and Agathapodes, deacon, and those with them at Thessalonica. St. Publius of Egypt, monk. Saints Theonas, Symeon, and Phorbinus, of Egypt. St. Theodora, nun of Thessalonica. St. Mark the Anchorite of Athens. St. Plato, abbot of the Studion. New-Martyr George of New Ephesus. (Greek Calendar: Martyrs Claudius, Diodorus, Victor, Victorinus, Pappias, Serapion, and Nicephorus. Five girl martyrs of Nenidor of Lesbos.) Repose of Blessed Theodore of Svir (1822), Righteous Symeon Klimych (1837), and Elder Philemon of Valaam and Jordanville (1953).

Photo of the Day:

Study in black and white.

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Quote of the Day: 

"...For He became man, not as showing favour to some and not to others, but out of compassion for our whole fallen nature. But this bond of kinship will avail nothing to those who offend Him through disobedience and pride; but a special reward will be given to those who love Him. For just as the motive of resurrection extends to all men, because of the Resurrection of our Saviour, who together with Himself has raised up the nature of all men, yet this will avail nothing to those who love sin."

 

St. Cyril of Alexandria

(Commentary on John 10, 11-13)

Scripture Readings for the Day:

Acts 6:1-7

Seven Chosen to Serve

 ¹ Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. ² Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. ³ Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; ⁴ but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word."
⁵ And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, ⁶ whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them.
⁷ Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.

Mark 15:43-16:8

⁴³ Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent council member, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, coming and taking courage, went in to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. ⁴⁴ Pilate marveled that He was already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him if He had been dead for some time. ⁴⁵ So when he found out from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph. ⁴⁶ Then he bought fine linen, took Him down, and wrapped Him in the linen. And he laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock, and rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. ⁴⁷ And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses observed where He was laid.

Mark 16

He Is Risen

 ¹ Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him. ² Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. ³ And they said among themselves, "Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?" ⁴ But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away—for it was very large. ⁵ And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed.
⁶ But he said to them, "Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. ⁷ But go, tell His disciples—and Peter—that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you."
⁸ So they went out quickly and fled from the tomb, for they trembled and were amazed. And they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.