2025

October 28

Memory of the Holy Martyrs Terence and Neonilla and their Children

The Readings from Vespers the Previous Evening

2025

On Tuesday | October 28

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The Readings from the Regular Cycle

The Epistle

Tuesday of the 21st Week

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

Col. 1:1 – 3; 6 – 11

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God and Timothy our brother, to the saints and faithful brethren in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and Lord Jesus Christ. We thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from the day you heard and understood the grace of God in truth, as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf and has made known to us your love in the Spirit. And so, from the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, to lead a life worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy. [RSV]

The Gospel

Tuesday of the 6th Week of Luke

The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Luke.

Lk. 11:1 – 10

At that time, Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he ceased, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” And he said to them, “When you pray, say: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us each day our daily bread; and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive every one who is indebted to us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’” And he said to them, “Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; and he will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything’? I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him whatever he needs. And I tell you, Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For every one who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” [RSV]

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The Readings for the Commemoration

The Epistle

For the Theotokos.

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

Heb. 9:1 – 7

Brethren, the first tent had regulations for worship and an earthly sanctuary. For a tent was prepared, the first one, in which were the lamp stand and the table and the bread of the Presence; it is called the Holy Place. Behind the second curtain stood a tent called the Holy of Holies, having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, which contained a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail. These preparations having thus been made, the priests go continually into the outer tent, performing their ritual duties; but into the second only the high priest goes, and he but once a year, and not without taking blood which he offers for himself and for the sins committed unintentionally by the people. [RSV]

The Gospel

For the Theotokos.

The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Luke.

Lk. 10:38 – 42; 11:27 – 28

At that time, Jesus entered a village; and a woman called Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving; and she went to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve you alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; one thing is needful. Mary has chosen the good portion, which shall not be taken away from her.” As he said this, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts that nursed you!” But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” [RSV]

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Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On October 28 we commemorate the holy Martyrs Terence and Neonillia, and their children: Nitas, Sarvilos, Jerakos, Theodoulos, Fokas, Vela, and Eunice.

On this day we also commemorate our devout Father Stephen of St. Savas Monastery who became a Bishop.

On this day we also commemorate the holy Martyrs Terence, Africanus, Maximus, Pompios, and the other 36.

On this day we also commemorate our devout Father St. Firmlian, Bishop of Caesarea, and Melchianos the Wise and priest of Antioch, who deposed Paul of Samosata.

On this day we also commemorate St. Fevronia, daughter of Emperor Heraclius; and the holy priest-Martyr Kyriakos who showed the Precious Cross to Emperor Constantine the Great and his mother Helen.

On this day St. Anna, the mother of St. Kyriakos, died by being burned with torches and hewn.

The memory of our devout Father St. Athanasios Patriarch of Constantinople who struggled in asceticism on Athos.

The memory of the holy four New Martyrs Angelos, Emmanuel, George, and Nicholas who witnessed in Lambis of Rethymno, Crete.

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

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Fasting Rule

Fast Free: All foods allowed.