2024

On Monday | November 18

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The Readings from the Regular Cycle

The Epistle

Monday of the 22nd Week

The reading is from Paul’s Letter to the Colossians.

Col. 2:13 – 20

Brethren, when you who were dead in trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, Christ made you alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, having canceled the bond which stood against us with its legal demands; this he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the principalities and powers and made a public example of them, triumphing over them in it. Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food or drink or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a sabbath. These are only a shadow of what is to come; but the body belongs to Christ. Let no one disqualify you, insisting on self-abasement and worship of angels, dwelling on things he has not seen, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God. If with Christ you died to the elemental principles of the world, why do you live as if you still belonged to the world? Why do you submit to regulations? [RSV]

The Gospel

Monday of the 10th Week of Luke

The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Luke.

Lk. 17:20 – 25

At that time, when Jesus was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was coming, he answered them, “The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed; nor will they say, ‘Lo, here it is!’ or ‘There!’ for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.” And he said to the disciples, “The days are coming when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and you will not see it. And they will say to you, ‘Lo, there!’ or ‘Lo, here!’ Do not go, do not follow them. For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of man be in his day. But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation.” [RSV]

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The Readings for the Commemoration

The Epistle

For the Martyrs.

The reading is from Paul’s Second Letter to Timothy.

2 Tim. 2:1 – 10

Timothy, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me before many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier on service gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to satisfy the one who enlisted him. An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. Think over what I say, for the Lord will grant you understanding in everything. Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descended from David, as preached in my gospel, the gospel for which I am suffering and wearing fetters like a criminal. But the word of God is not fettered. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain salvation in Christ Jesus with its eternal glory. [RSV]

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Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On November 18, we commemorate the holy Great-martyr Plato.

On this day we also commemorate the holy Martyr Romanos.

On this day the holy infant, who was asked by the governor, “Which God ought one to worship?” and then replied, “Christ,” was killed by the sword.

On this day we also commemorate the holy Martyr and Deacon Romanos of Palestine.

On this day we also commemorate the holy Martyr Zacchaeus, a Deacon of the Church in Gadeira; and also the holy Martyr Alphaeus.

On this day we also commemorate the holy Neo-martyr Anastasios of Paramythia, Epirus. There is also the story about Daniel the Ishmaelite.

By their holy intercessions, O God, have mercy on us. Amen.

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Fasting Rule

Fish: fish, oil and wine are allowed. Refrain from meat, dairy and eggs.

It is the Christmas fast.