1. Saint Martyrs Esper, Zoë, Kiryak and Theodoul. During the reign of Emperor Hadrian (117-138), a pagan named Katal bought as slaves Esper, his wife Zoë, and their sons Kiryak and Theodoul. As these were devout Christians, they refused to participate in idolatrous sacrifices, instead throwing what was given to them to the dogs, while they themselves endured hunger and suffering. When Katal found out about this, he became very angry and began to torture his slaves severely. He first tortured the children, but they remained unwavering in their faith and even asked for more severe torments. Finally, all four of them were thrown into a fiery furnace, where, after offering a thankful prayer, they gave up their spirits to the Lord. Their bodies remained whole and unharmed by the fire.

2. Saint Athanasius the Great, Archbishop of Alexandria. Today, the translation of his relics and miracles is celebrated. The life and work of this great saint is described under January 18th.

3. Saint Martyrs Boris and Hleb. Sons of the great prince Vladimir, the baptizer of the Russian people. Before his baptism, Vladimir had many wives and children from them. Boris and Hleb were brothers from the same mother. Before his death, Vladimir divided the state among all his sons. However, Svyatopolk, his oldest son and the prince of Kiev, desired to take the portions intended for Boris and Hleb. Therefore, he sent people who killed Boris in one place and Hleb in another. These two brothers were unusually pious and pleasing to God in all things, and they met death with prayer and lifting up their hearts to God. Their bodies remained untouched and fragrant, and they were buried in the city of Vyshhorod, where to this day, the power of grace emanates from them, healing people from various diseases and afflictions.

4. Saint Michael (Boris), Bulgarian Tsar. Born and raised as a pagan, Boris converted under the influence of his uncle Boyan and his sister. At his baptism, he received the name Michael. Patriarch Photius sent priests to him, who gradually baptized the entire Bulgarian people. Many nobles in Bulgaria opposed the new faith, but the new faith triumphed, and the cross shone on many churches, as the pious Tsar Michael elevated them. The faith was established among the Bulgarians, just as it was among the Serbs, by the especially gifted Disciples of Cyril and Methodius, who preached to the people in their native Slavic language, the teachings of Christ. In his old age, Michael became a monk and withdrew to a monastery. However, when his son Vladimir began to undermine his father's work and suppress Christianity, Michael once again dressed in the garb of a warrior, took up a sword, removed Vladimir from the throne, and installed his younger son Simeon. Afterwards, he again put on the monastic robe, withdrew into silence, and peacefully died in the struggle and prayer, "in the true confession of our Lord Jesus Christ, great, honorable, and faithful," and passed into the heavenly life on May 2, 906.

Michael the Bulgarian baptized the people with the cross,
In Christ's flock, he united the pagans.
And with his example, touched human hearts,
To love the saving faith of mankind.
So he built churches, abolished idolatry,
And glorified the Holy Spirit within him.
Yet he renounced glory and vain pursuits,
And taught people the truth and justice.
He did not spare himself for the sake of God's name,
And for the salvation of the Bulgarian people.
Crowned he was on earth with the crown of rule,
And in heaven with the crown of eternal joy.

EXPLANATION
Blessed Maximus, for the sake of Christ, walked naked along the streets of Moscow in winter. When people advised him to dress and protect himself from the cold, he replied, "Yes, it is a harsh winter, but Paradise is sweet!" And he also said, "Through patience, God gives salvation." If our Lord Jesus Christ did not spare Himself to suffer and die for us, why should we pity ourselves for our own sake? He has given us one recipe, one diet for our spiritual healing, and He called it the "easy yoke." The yoke we ourselves burden ourselves with is much heavier, for it weighs us down with ever-increasing spiritual illness. The earth demands much greater sacrifices from us, offering no reward after death. The earth demands that we sacrifice to it God, and our soul, and our conscience, and our mind and our human and divine nature, and therefore it reveals to us a dark and foul-smelling grave as the end of everything and the payment for everything. Christ only asks us to sacrifice the earth itself, and our bestial nature, and sin, and vice, and every wickedness, and therefore, He promises us resurrection and immortal life in Heaven. Yes, it is a harsh winter, but Paradise is sweet!

MEDITATION
May I contemplate the ascension of the Lord Jesus:
1. How His disciples adored Him,
2. How they returned to Jerusalem with great joy.

SERMON
On the Living Water and the Dry Well
Be astonished, O heavens!... says the Lord, for two evils have My people done: they have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, and dug for themselves cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water. (Jeremiah 2:12-13)
Was this said only for then, or also for today? Certainly, it is also for today. Was this said only for the Jewish people, or also for our people? Certainly, it is also for our people. Just as it was said, "You shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not bear false witness," not only for that time but for all times, not only for the Jewish people but for all peoples, so it is with this. This applies today and always, to every nation and every person who turns their back on the fountain of living water in their courtyard and digs a well to drink stagnant water from it.
The fountain of living water is the Lord Himself, inexhaustible, abundant, and sweet. The well is every human endeavor that is done in opposition to God and His law, and from which people expect progress, happiness, and quenching of their thirst. Such a well is idolatry, greed, gluttony, debauchery, love of power, vanity, idol worship, fortune-telling, and everything else that has the devil for an advisor, sin for a digger, and false hope for a water-carrier. Be astonished, O heavens! Be horrified and utterly dismayed! says the Lord (Jeremiah 2:12), at how man was stupefied and began to forsake the living water, digging a well in hot coals that only increases their thirst!
O brethren, our people also committed two evils when they forgot the Lord as the source of all good and began to seek good through evil and amidst evil. Can water be found in fire? Can wheat be found in sand? No, no, brethren. Much less can peace, happiness, satisfaction, joy, life, or any good be found in the wells of sin and godlessness.
O Lord, immortal source of all good that human hearts can desire and human minds can conceive, have mercy on us sinners and unworthy ones. Turn us away by the power of Your right hand from ungodly and futile affairs, and give us to drink of Your sweet and living water. To You be glory and thanks forever. Amen.