September 18, 2023 
Martyr Ariadne of Phrygia (2nd)
Venerable Hilarion of Optina
St Eumenes, bishop of Gortyna (7th)
Martyrs Sophia and Irene of Egypt (3rd)
Martyr Castor of Alexandria
St Arkady, bishop of Novgorod
Greatmartyr Prince Bidzini (Cholokashvili) and the martyred princes Shalva and Elizbar of Ksani, Georgia (1660)
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Monday of the 16th week after Pentecost
Gal 4.28-5.10 (Epistle)
Brethren, we, as was Isaac, are children of promise. But, as he who was born according to the flesh then persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, even so it is now. Nevertheless what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the bondwoman and her son, for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.” So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman but of the free. Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love. You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion does not come from Him who calls you. A little leaven leavens the whole lump. I have confidence in you, in the Lord, that you will have no other mind; but he who troubles you shall bear his judgment, whoever he is.
Luke 3.19-22 (Gospel)
At that time, Herod the tetrarch, being rebuked by John concerning Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done, also added this, above all, that he shut John up in prison. When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened. And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.”