2024

On Saturday | December 14

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The Readings from the Regular Cycle

The Epistle

Saturday of the 25th Week

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

Gal. 1:3 – 10

Brethren, grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father; to whom be the glory for ever and ever. Amen. I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and turning to a different gospel — not that there is another gospel, but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel of heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, If any one is preaching to you a gospel contrary to that which you received, let him be accursed. Am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still pleasing men, I should not be a servant of Christ. [RSV]

The Gospel

Saturday of the 13th Week of Luke

The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Luke.

Lk. 14:1 – 11

At that time, when Jesus went to dine one sabbath at the house of a ruler who belonged to the Pharisees, they were watching him. And behold, there was a man before him who had dropsy. And Jesus spoke to the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, “Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath, or not?” But they were silent. Then he took him and healed him, and let him go. And he said to them, “Which of you, having a son or an ox that has fallen into a well, will not immediately pull him out on a sabbath day?” And they could not reply to this. Now he told a parable to those who were invited, when he marked how they chose the places of honor, saying to them, “When you are invited by any one to a marriage feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest a more eminent man than you be invited by him; and he who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give place to this man,’ and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, go up higher’; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. For every one who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” [RSV]

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The Readings for the Commemoration

The Epistle

For the Martyrs.

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

Eph. 6:10 – 17

Brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand, therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the equipment of the gospel of peace; with all of these, taking the shield of faith, with which you can quench all the flaming darts of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. [RSV]

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Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On December 14 we commemorate the contest of the holy Martyrs Thyrsus, Leucius, and Callinicus.

On this day we commemorate the holy Martyrs Philemon, Apollionos, Arrianos, and those with them.

On this day we we commemorate the four guards who contested together with Arrianos.

On this day we also commemorate the great love which was shown to us when we were delivered from the fearful threat of earthquake by our benevolent Lord.

By the intercessions of Your Saints, O God, have mercy and save us. Amen.

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Fasting Rule

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

It is the Christmas fast.