In those days, when Jesus came to his fatherland, he taught the people in their synagogue, so that they were amazed, and said, "Whence did he get such wisdom and power?" Is He not the son of carpenters? Is not His Mother called Mary, and His brothers James, and Josiah, and Simon, and Judas? and are not His sisters all among us? whence did He get all this? And they were offended in Him. And Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor, except in his own country and in his own house." And he did not perform many miracles there because of their unbelief.

Matthew 13:54–58

Monday of the 7th week.

October 23, To the Apostle James, brother of the Lord.

The Gospel of Matthew, conceived 57

At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the rumor about Jesus and said to those who served with him, "This is John the Baptist; For Herod took John, bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias, the wife of Philip his brother, because John said to him, "It is not lawful for you to have her." And he wanted to kill him, but he was afraid of the people, because he was considered a prophet. During the celebration of Herod's birthday, the daughter of Herodias danced before the assembly and pleased Herod, so he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. And she, at the instigation of her mother, said, "Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist." And the king was grieved, but for the sake of the oath and those who sat at table with him, he commanded that it should be given to her, and sent to cut off John's head in prison. And they brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the damsel, and she took it to her mother. And his disciples came, and took his body, and buried it; And they went and told Jesus. And when Jesus heard this, he departed from there in a boat to a desert place alone; and the people, hearing of this, followed Him out of the cities on foot.

Matthew 14:1–13

Tuesday of the 7th week.

August 29, Beheading of John the Baptist, at Matins.

The Gospel of Matthew, conceived 58

In those days Jesus saw a multitude of people and had compassion on them, and healed their sick. And when evening came, His disciples came to Him and said, "This place is desolate, and the time is already late; let the people go, that they may go to the villages and buy food for themselves. But Jesus said to them, "They need not go, you give them something to eat." And they said to him, "We have only five loaves and two fishes here." He said, "Bring them to Me here." And he commanded the people to sit down on the grass, and having taken five loaves and two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed them, and having broken them, he gave the loaves to the disciples, and the disciples to the people. And they all ate, and were satisfied; and they gathered up the remaining pieces, twelve baskets full; and those who ate were about five thousand people, besides women and children. And immediately Jesus compelled His disciples to enter the boat and go before Him to the other side, until He would let the people go.

Matthew 14:14-22

Week 8.

The Gospel of Matthew, conceived 59