2025

On Friday | May 16

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The Readings from the Regular Cycle

The Epistle

Friday of the 4th Week

The reading is from the Acts of the Apostles.

Acts 10:44 – 48; 11:1 – 10

In those days, while Peter was still saying this, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. And the believers from among the circumcised who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, “Can any one forbid water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days. Now the apostles and the brethren who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him, saying, “Why did you go to uncircumcised men and eat with them?” But Peter began and explained to them in order: “I was in the city of Joppa praying; and in a trance I saw a vision, something descending, like a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came down to me. Looking at it closely I observed animals and beasts of prey and reptiles and birds of the air. And I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat.’ But I said, ‘No, Lord; for nothing common or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’ But the voice answered a second time from heaven, ‘What God has cleansed you must not call common.’ This happened three times, and all was drawn up again into heaven.” [RSV]

The Gospel

Friday of the 4th Week

The reading is from the holy Gospel according to John.

Jn. 8:21 – 30

The Lord said to the Jews who came to him, “I go away, and you will seek me and die in your sin; where I am going, you cannot come.” Then said the Jews, “Will he kill himself, since he says, ‘Where I am going, you can not come’?” He said to them, “You are from below, I am from above; you are of this world, I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins, for you will die in your sins unless you believe that I am he.” They said to him, “Who are you?” Jesus said to them, “Even what I have told you from the beginning. I have much to say about you and much to judge; but he who sent me is true, and I declare to the world what I have heard from him.” They did not understand that he spoke to them of the Father. So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority but speak thus as my Father taught me. And he who sent me is with me; the Father has not left me alone, for I always do what is pleasing to him.” As he spoke thus, many believed in him. [RSV]

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Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On May 16 we commemorate our devout Father Theodore the Sanctified.

On this day we commemorate our Father among the Saints Alexander, Archbishop of Jerusalem.

We also commemorate the holy Martyrs Abdas and Abdiesus the Bishops, and the thirty-eight with them: sixteen priests, nine deacons, six monks, and seven virgins.

The holy Martyrs Isaakius, Symeon, and Bachthisoes died by fire.

The holy Fathers of the Monastery of Saint Savas were died by the sword at the hands of the Bedouins.

The holy Martyr Papylinus died by the sword.

The holy Martyr Peter of Blachernae, died after being lashed with ox-thongs.

Saint Nicholas, Patriarch of Constantinople, reposed in peace.

We also commemorate Saint Euphemia at the Church of the Holy Power near the shipyard harbor.

The holy Neo-martyr Nicholas of Metsovo, who witnessed in Trikkala in 1617, died by fire.

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.