2025

On Sunday | February 9

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The Readings from the Regular Cycle

The Epistle

Thirty-Third Sunday, of the Publican and Pharisee

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

2 Tim. 3:10 – 15

Timothy, my son, you have observed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions, my sufferings, what befell me at Antioch, at Iconion, and at Lystra, what persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. Indeed all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceivers and deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings which are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. [RSV]

The Gospel

16th Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee

The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Luke.

Lk. 18:10 – 14

The Lord said this parable, “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.” [RSV]

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The Readings for the Commemoration

The Epistle

For the Martyr.

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

Eph. 5:8 – 19

Brethren, walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is a shame even to speak of the things that they do in secret; but when anything is exposed by the light it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it is said, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light.” Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart. [RSV]

The Gospel

For the Martyr.

The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Luke.

Lk. 21:12 – 19

The Lord said to his disciples, “Beware of men; for they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake. This will be a time for you to bear testimony. Settle it therefore in your minds, not to meditate beforehand how to answer; for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and kinsmen and friends, and some of you they will put to death; you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your souls.” [RSV]

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Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On February 9, we commemorate the holy Martyr Nikephoros.

On this day we also commemorate our devout father Romanos of Cilicia.

On this day we also commemorate the holy Martyrs: Marcellus, Bishop fo Sicily; Philagrios, Bishop of Cyprus; and Pancratios, Bishop of Tavromenium.

On this day the holy Hieromartyr Peter of Damascus died by the sword.

From the Triodion.

On this day, we remember the parable of the Publican and the Pharisee from the holy Gospel of the Evangelist Luke (18:10-14).

Verses

Pharisaical man, stay away from the Temple,

for Christ is therein, where He accepts the humble.

For the Triodion

O Creator of all in earth and in heaven,

As You receive the thrice-holy hymn from the Angels,

So also accept the Triodion from us humans.

By the intercessions of all Your Saints, who have done great things, O Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.

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Fasting Rule

Fast Free: All foods allowed.

It is the first week of the Triodion.