2024

On Wednesday | November 20

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The Readings from the Regular Cycle

The Epistle

Wednesday of the 22nd Week

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

Col. 3:17 – 25; 4:1

Brethren, whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. Slaves, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever your task, work heartily, as serving the Lord and not men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward; you are serving the Lord Christ. For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality. Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven. [RSV]

The Gospel

Wednesday of the 10th Week of Luke

The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Luke.

Lk. 18:15 – 17, 26 – 30

At that time, they were bringing even infants to Jesus that he might touch them; and when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” His disciples said to him, “Then who can be saved?” And he said, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.” Then Peter said, “Lo, we have left our homes and followed you.” And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there is no man who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who will not receive manifold more in this time, and in the age to come eternal life.” [RSV]

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The Readings for the Commemoration

The Epistle

For the Saint.

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

Heb. 7:26 – 28; 8:1 – 2

Brethren, it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, blameless, unstained, separated from sinners, exalted above the heavens. He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people; he did this once for all when he offered up himself. Indeed, the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect for ever. Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, a minister in the sanctuary and the true tent which is set up not by man but by the Lord. [RSV]

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Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On November 20, we commemorate our devout father Gregory of Decapolis.

On this day, we also commemorate our father among the saints Proklos, Archbishop of Constantinople. He was a student of blessed John Chrysostom and successor to his throne.

On this day also commemorate the contest of the holy martyr Dasios who was in Dorostolos.

On this day we also commemorate the holy martyrs Nirsa the Bishop, and Joseph his student, and others who died with them in Persia.

The holy martyrs Isakios, John, and Saborios died by stoning.

The holy martyrs Geithazet and another three died when they were pierced by spears.

The holy virgins Thecla, Vaoutha, and Denachis died by the sword.

On this day we also commemorate the holy martyrs Eustathius, Thespesios, and Anatolios.

On this day we also commemorate St. Theoktistos. He was a patrician and a eunuch during the reign of Empress Theodora Augusta.

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

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Fasting Rule

Strict: Refrain from meat, fish, oil, dairy, and eggs.

It is the Christmas fast.