2025

On Thursday | April 24

__________

The Readings from the Regular Cycle

The Epistle

Thursday of Renewal Week

The reading is from the Acts of the Apostles.

Acts 2:38 – 43

In those days, Peter said to the people, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children and to all that are far off, every one whom the Lord our God calls to him.” And he testified with many other words and exhorted them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And fear came upon every soul; and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. [RSV]

The Gospel

Thursday of Renewal Week

The reading is from the holy Gospel according to John.

Jn. 3:1 – 15

At that time, there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nikodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do, unless God is with him.” Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nikodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’ The Spirit blows where it wills, and you hear the sound of it, and you do not know whence it comes or whither it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Nikodemus said to him, “How can this be?” Jesus answered him, “Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand this? Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen; but you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the Son of man who is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.” [RSV]

__________

Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On April 24 we commemorate devout St. Elizabeth the Wonder-worker.

On this day we also commemorate the holy Martyr Savas the Commander.

On this day we also commemorate the holy Martyrs, the 70 soldiers who believed through St. Savas and who died by the sword.

On this day we also commemorate the holy Martyrs Pasicrates and Valentine.

On this day we also commemorate the holy Martyrs Efsevios, Neon, Leontios, Longinos, and four others.

On this day the holy Neo-martyr Dukas of Mytilene, a tailor, who witnessed in Constantinople in 1564, died after being flayed alive.

The holy Neo-martyr Nicholas, who witnessed in Magnesia in 1776, died after being severely beaten.

By the intercessions of Your saints, O Christ God, have mercy on us. Amen.

__________

Fasting Rule

Fast Free: All foods allowed.

It is Pascha and Bright Week.