"And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.  But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.      (Matt 6:5-6)

 They said to the woman, "It is no longer because of your words that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.    (John 4:42)

For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you;  but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.      (Matt 6:14-15)

"For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?    For whoever is ashamed of Me and of My words, of him will the Son of man be ashamed when He comes in His glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels."     (lLuke 9:25-27)

Great Vespers with Litya for Ascension.  -  "Thou hast ascended in glory, O Christ our God, granting joy to Thy disciples by the promise of the Holy Spirit.  Through the blessing they were assured that Thou art the Son of God, the Redeemer of the world."

Thou hast ascended in glory, O Christ our God, granting joy to Thy disciples by the promise of the Holy Spirit.  Through the blessing they were assured that Thou art the Son of God, the Redeemer of the world!  (Third Antiphon)

But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,  that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.     (Matt 6:17-18)

Most glorious art Thou, O Christ our God!  Thou hast established the Holy Fathers as lights on the earth!  Through them Thou hast guided us to the true faith!  O greatly Compassionate One, glory to thee!  (Troparion)

Judge not, that you be not judged.  For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get.     (Matt 7:1-3)

 If Thou, O LORD , shouldst mark iniquities, Lord, who could stand?   But there is forgiveness with Thee, that Thou mayest be feared. (Ps 130:3-4)

. The Church observes the Nativity of St. John the Baptist as a feast day, an honor only shared by the Holy Virgin Mary whose birth is celebrated on September 8. Christ Himself said that St. John is greatest “among those that are born of women…” He prepared the way for the coming of the Lord and, at the Jordan River, Baptized Christ. He is also a Martyr and Prophet, telling us all, “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” In his icon, he is portrayed with the wings of an Angel, not only because he was the unique messenger of God preparing the way for Christ, but also because of the sanctity of his life.

Great Vespers with Litya. - "O Lord, I love the beauty of Your house, and the place where Your glory dwells."  (Psalm 25:8)

Divine Liturgy for the Feast of Ss. Peter and Paul - "O Lord, You have taken up to eternal rest,  and to the enjoyments of your blessings, the two divinely inspired preachers, the leaders of the Apostles, for You have accepted their labors and deaths as a sweet-smelling sacrifice, for You alone know what lies in the hearts of men."  (Kontakion - Tone 2)

So whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them; for this is the law and the prophets. (Matt 7:12)

Do not be misled about when life begins. In Jeremiah 1:4-5 we hear: “Now the word of the LORD came to me saying, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you;”