Jesus went up to Jerusalem, to the sheep’s pool which in Hebrew was called Bethesda, having five porches. And there lay a great multitude of the sick; for the angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons and moved the water, granting healing to those who approached in faith. And the Lord saw there a man with a chronic disease, and He said unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? And the sick man replied: I have no man, when the water is moved, to put me into the pool. I have wasted my money on physicians and received no help from anyone. But the Physician of soul and body said unto him, Take up thy bed and walk, proclaiming through the regions My might and the greatness of My mercy. (First Vesperal Doxasticon in Tone 5)

Venerable Stylites Simeon the Younger of the Mountain of Wonders and Nikitas of Pereyaslavl-Zalesski; Martyr Meletios the General ('Stratelates') of Galatia; Vincent of Lerins

"St. Athanasius the Great was a Deacon. He defended the faith when he attended the first Ecumenical Council. He was the center and star of that Ecumenical Council. The Holy Spirit spoke through him. He inspired all the Holy Fathers. No one could disregard his office as a Deacon. On the other hand, the Bishop does not kiss the Deacon’s hand. But, when the Bishop looks at the icon of the Proto-martyr, Archdeacon Stephen, the Bishop himself, the Patriarch himself, bows and kisses the Archdeacon Stephen’s hand. Why am I telling you these two pieces of history? Because the people and everyone will honor your office with respect because of your obedience to the teaching and to Almighty God. Therefore, the more you are the icon of our Lord and holiness comes out in your actions, in your behaviors, in your words, in your relationships at home and everywhere, the more you will earn respect and honor from everyone." -- His Eminence, Archbishop JOSEPH