Epistle Reading: Acts 10:44-11:10
While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit
fell upon all those who heard the word.
And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as
many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been
poured out on the Gentiles also.
For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then
Peter answered,
"Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized
who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?"
And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.
Then they asked him to stay a few days.
Now the apostles and brethren who were in Judea heard that the
Gentiles had also received the word of God.
And when Peter came up to Jerusalem, those of the circumcision
contended with him,
saying, "You went in to uncircumcised men and ate with them!"
But Peter explained it to them in order from the beginning,
saying:
"I was in the city of Joppa praying; and in a trance I saw a
vision, an object descending like a great sheet, let down from heaven by
four corners; and it came to me.
"When I observed it intently and considered, I saw four-footed
animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air.
"And I heard a voice saying to me, 'Rise, Peter; kill and eat.'
"But I said, 'Not so, Lord! For nothing common or unclean has
at any time entered my mouth.'
"But the voice answered me again from heaven, 'What God has
cleansed you must not call common.'
"Now this was done three times, and all were drawn up again
into heaven.
Gospel Reading: John 8:21-30
Then Jesus said to them again, "I am going away, and you will
seek Me, and will die in your sin. Where I go you cannot come."
So the Jews said, "Will He kill Himself, because He says, '
Where I go you cannot come'?"
And He said to them, "You are from beneath; I am from above.
You are of this world; I am not of this world.
"Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for
if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins."
Then they said to Him, "Who are You?" And Jesus said to them, "
Just what I have been saying to you from the beginning.
"I have many things to say and to judge concerning you, but He
who sent Me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I heard
from Him."
They did not understand that He spoke to them of the Father.
Then Jesus said to them, "When you lift up the Son of Man, then
you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My
Father taught Me, I speak these things.
"And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me
alone, for I always do those things that please Him."
As He spoke these words, many believed in Him.
Saints and Feasts
Methodius & Cyril, Equal-to-the Apostles Illuminators of the Slavs; Renewal of Constantinople; Hieromartyr Mocius; Theopemptos the Martyr & his Companions; Dioscoros the New Martyr; Argyrios the New-Martyr of Epanomi
