Our Holy Father Epiphanius, Bishop of Cyprus (403); Germanus, Patriarch of Constantinople (733)
Abstention from meat and foods that contain meat.
Acts 15:5-34; John 10:17-28.
Read John 10:17-28
Christ is risen! Truly, He is risen!
We should be amazed, uplifted and our hearts renewed in a loving submission to Christ whenever we receive the words of Divine revelation that Jesus shares about himself. Most of the time we accept Jesus on our own terms and not on his. His claims are quite radical even by today’s standards. He claims that he is the only one who knows God, his Father, and comes from Him. That God gave him all power and authority over all creation. That the only way for humanity to know the living God is through Jesus Christ. These claims are either true, or Jesus is a mad man, there is no middle ground—unfortunately so many Christians live in this middle ground. This is why the Jews were divided on how to receive Jesus—his works and words point to his Messiahship, but their hearts do not want to bend in submission to Jesus who is the King of Glory.
St. John Chrysostom says, “Because he spoke as one greater than human beings, they said he had a devil. . .. “Others said, ‘These are not the words of one who has a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?'” Since they they could not silence their opponents by words, they now brought proof from his works. “Certainly neither are the words those of one that has a devil, and yet if you are not persuaded by the words, be persuaded by the works.”… Our Lord, having already given proof of who he was by his works, holds his peace because they were unworthy of an answer. … Indeed, as they disagreed among themselves, an answer was unnecessary. Their opposition only brought out, for our imitation, our Lord’s gentleness and long suffering…” (HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 60.3.35)