August 2: The Finding of the Relics of St Stephen, the Archdeacon and Protomartyr.

Prologue from Ohrid, by St. Nikolai Velimirovic The Finding and Translation of the Relics of St Stephen, the Archdeacon and Protomartyr. The Hieromartyr Stephen, Pope of Rome and others with him. Blessed Basil, the Fool for Christ of Moscow Reflection We must be patient and merciful toward the sinner if we wish that a long-suffering [patient] God be merciful to us. Contemplation To contemplate God's miraculous assistance to the repentant Israelites (Judges 11) Homily About God's grievance against the unfaithful people "Hear, O heavens and listen, O earth, for the Lord speaks: sons have I raised and reared but they have disowned me!" (Isaiah 1:2)