Agape and catechesis – The 21st Sunday after Pentecost (Feast of the Holy Fathers of the Seventh Ecumenical Council)

On this day we commemorate: Saint Lev of Optina, Saint Philip the Apostle, one of the Seven Deacons, the Assembly of the Holy Elders of Optina, Saint Theophan the Confessor, Bishop of Nicaea, Saint Philotheos I (Kokkinos), Patriarch of Constantinople, Saint Philonila the Martyr, Saint Zenaida the Martyr, the 21st Sunday after Pentecost—the Parable of the Sower, and the Holy Fathers of the Seventh Ecumenical Council.

The 21st Sunday after Pentecost, also known as the Sunday of the Holy Fathers of the Seventh Ecumenical Council, presents us with the Parable of the Sower. The Savior speaks of the seed that falls in different places, and this is a metaphor for the word of God reaching people’s hearts. Some hearts are like the road, others like the rock or the soil with thorns, while the soul that receives the word with faith and patience becomes good soil and bears fruit.

This Gospel invites us to look honestly into our own hearts and ask ourselves how much room we make for God in our lives. It is not enough to hear the word of the Gospel; we are called to let it bear fruit within us through prayer, patience, and good deeds. The commemoration of the Holy Fathers of the Seventh Ecumenical Council reminds us, at the same time, of the preservation of the true faith and of the Church’s responsibility to bear witness to the truth of Christ.

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