Holy Liturgy – The 11th Sunday after Pentecost

On this day, the following are commemorated: the Holy Martyrs of the Brâncoveanu Family—Constantine Vodă and his four sons, Constantine, Stephen, Radu, and Matthew, and his advisor Ianache; Saint Mary Brâncoveanu; Saint Joseph of Văratec; Saint Gerasimus of Kefalonia; the Transfer of the Holy Veil of the Lord from Edessa to Constantinople, the Holy Venerable Joachim of Osogovo, the Holy Martyr Diomedes, the Veneration of the Holy Icon of the Mother of God at the Monastery of Saint Theodore, and the 11th Sunday after Pentecost (the Parable of the Unmerciful Debtor).

The 11th Sunday after Pentecost presents us with the Gospel of the Parable of the Unmerciful Debtor, through which our Savior Jesus Christ reveals to us the power of forgiveness and our responsibility to show the same mercy toward our neighbor that God shows toward us. The king who forgives his servant a huge debt symbolizes God’s love and long-suffering, while the servant’s lack of forbearance toward his fellow man warns us of the danger of hardening our hearts and forgetting the gifts we have received.

Through this parable, the Gospel teaches us that forgiveness is not merely an act of goodwill, but an essential condition of the Christian life and of attaining salvation. Just as God continually forgives our sins when we repent sincerely, so too are we called to forgive from the heart those who have wronged us, letting go of anger, resentment, and the desire for revenge.

This Sunday calls on us to cultivate mercy, love, and forgiveness in our relationships with those around us, following Christ’s example. Only through a pure, peaceful heart that is open to our neighbor can we fully experience the joy of communion with God and become witnesses to His love in the world.

We warmly welcome you to the Chapel of the Saint Thecla Foundation, in a warm and welcoming setting!