June 18, 2026. Gospel: Matt 5:13-19. St Ephrem, Deacon, Confessor, Doctor of the Church

13 You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt lose its savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is good for nothing any more but to be cast out, and to be trodden on by men. 14 You are the light of the world. A city seated on a mountain cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but upon a candlestick, that it may shine to all that are in the house.16 So let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. 17 Do not think that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets. I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. 18 For amen I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot, or one tittle shall not pass of the law, till all be fulfilled. 19 He therefore that shall break one of these least commandments, and shall so teach men, shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven. But he that shall do and teach, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heavenSt Ephrem of Nisibis in Mesopotamia was cast forth from his home by his father, a pagan priest. At first he lived as a hermit; he was later ordained a Deacon of Odessa and became renowned as a poet, an orator and a holy monk. He died A.D. 379z