2025

On Friday | April 25

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The Readings from the Regular Cycle

The Epistle

Friday of Renewal Week

The reading is from the Acts of the Apostles.

Acts 3:1 – 8

In those days, Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful to ask alms of those who entered the temple. Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked for alms. And Peter directed his gaze at him, with John, and said, “Look at us.” And he fixed his attention upon them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but I give you what I have; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” And he took him by the right hand and raised him up; and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. And leaping up he stood and walked and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. [RSV]

The Gospel

Friday of Renewal Week

The reading is from the holy Gospel according to John.

Jn. 2:12 – 22

At that time, Jesus came to Capernaum with his mother and his brothers and his disciples; and there they stayed for a few days. The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers at their business. And making a whip of cords, he drove them all, with the sheep and oxen, out of the temple; and he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. And he told those who sold the pigeons, “Take these things away; you shall not make my Father’s house a house of trade.” His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.” The Jews then said to him, “What sign have you to show us for doing this?” Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews then said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?” But he spoke of the temple of his body. When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this; and they believed the scripture and the word which Jesus had spoken. [RSV]

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The Readings for the Commemoration

Memory of St. Mark the Evangelist

The Epistle

For the Evangelist.

The reading is from Peter’s First Universal Letter.

1 Pet. 5:6 – 14

Brethren, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that in due time he may exalt you. Cast all your anxieties on him, for he cares about you. Be sober, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking some one to devour. Resist him, first in your faith, knowing that the same experience of suffering is required of your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will himself restore, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To him be the glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. By Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God; stand fast in it. She who is in Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings; and so does my son Mark. Greet one another with the kiss of love. Peace to all of you that are in Christ Jesus. Amen. [RSV]

The Gospel

For the Evangelist.

The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Luke.

Lk. 10:16 – 21

The Lord said to his disciples, “He who hears you hears me, and he who rejects you rejects me, and he who rejects me rejects him who sent me.” The seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you; but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” In that same hour he rejoiced in the spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to babes; yes, Father, for so it was well-pleasing before you.” [RSV]

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Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On April 25 we commemorate the holy Apostle and Evangelist Mark.

On this day we commemorate the consecration of the august shrine of the holy and all-lauded preeminent Apostle Peter.

On this day we also commemorate our father among the saints Macedonios, Patriarch of Constantinople.

On this day we also commemorate the holy woman Martyr Nike.

On this day we also commemorate the holy eight monastic Martyrs who were hermits.

From the Pentecostarion.

On Friday of Bright (i.e. Renewal) Week, we celebrate the dedication of the church of our most-holy Lady Theotokos, namely the church of the Life-bearing Fount. We also remember the ineffable miracles that were performed in it by the Mother of God.

Verses

Everyone sees in your Fount, O Maiden,

Manna, Siloam, and Porch of Solomon.

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

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Fasting Rule

Fast Free: All foods allowed.

It is Pascha and Bright Week.