2025

April 30

Memory of the Holy Apostle Iakovos (James), the Brother of John the Theologian

The Readings from Vespers the Previous Evening

2025

On Wednesday | April 30

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The Readings from the Regular Cycle

The Epistle

Wednesday of the 2nd Week

The reading is from the Acts of the Apostles.

Acts 4:13 – 22

In those days, when the Jews saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they wondered; and they recognized that they had been with Jesus. But seeing the man that had been healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred with one another, saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is manifest to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to any one in this name.” So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge; for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people; for all men praised God for what had happened. For the man on whom the sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old. [RSV]

The Gospel

Wednesday of the 2nd Week

The reading is from the holy Gospel according to John.

Jn. 5:17 – 24

The Lord said to the Jews who came to him, “My Father is working still, and I am working.” This was why the Jews sought all the more to kill him, because he not only broke the sabbath but also called God his own Father, making himself equal with God. Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing; for whatever he does, that the Son does likewise. For the Father loves the Son, and shows him all that he himself is doing; and greater works than these he will show him, that you may marvel. For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will. The Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears my word and believes him who sent me, has eternal life; he does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.” [RSV]

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The Readings for the Commemoration

Memory of the Holy Apostle Iakovos (James), the Brother of John the Theologian

The Epistle

For the Apostle.

The reading is from the Acts of the Apostles.

Acts 12:1 – 11

About that time, Herod the king laid violent hands upon some who belonged to the church. He killed James the brother of John with the sword; and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread. And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people. So Peter was kept in prison; but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the Church. The very night when Herod was about to bring him out, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison; and behold, an angel of the Lord appeared, and a light shone in the cell; and he struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands. And the angel said to him, “Wrap your mantle around you and follow me.” And he went out and followed him; he did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened to them of its own accord, and they went out and passed on through one street; and immediately the angel left him. And Peter came to himself, and said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.” [RSV]

The Gospel

For the Apostle.

The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Luke.

Lk. 9:1 – 6

At that time, Jesus called his twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal. And he said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics. And whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart. And wherever they do not receive you, when you leave that town shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them.” And they departed and went through the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere. [RSV]

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Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On April 30 we commemorate the holy and glorious Apostle James, the brother of St. John the Theologian.

On this day we also commemorate our devout father Clement the ecclesiastical poet.

On this day we also commemorate the holy Martyr Maximus.

On this day we also commemorate the finding of the relics of the holy Hieromartyr Vasilefs, Bishop of Amasia.

On this day we also commemorate our father among the saints Donatus, Bishop of Euroia.

On this day the holy Neo-martyr Argyri, who confessed Christ in Constantinople and was tortured for it, died in prison in the year 1725.

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

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Fasting Rule

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