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2025 |
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On Sunday | December 7 |
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The Readings from the Regular Cycle |
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The Epistle |
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Twenty-Sixth Sunday |
The reading is from Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians. |
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Eph. 5:8 – 19 |
Brethren, walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is a shame even to speak of the things that they do in secret; but when anything is exposed by the light it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it is said, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light.” Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart. [RSV] |
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The Gospel |
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Tenth Sunday of Luke |
The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Luke. |
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Lk. 13:10 – 17 |
At that time, Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. And there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity for eighteen years; she was bent over and could not fully straighten herself. And when Jesus saw her, he called her and said to her, “Woman, you are freed from your infirmity.” And he laid his hands upon her, and immediately she was made straight, and she praised God. But the ruler of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had healed on the sabbath, said to the people, “There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be healed, and not on the sabbath day.” Then the Lord answered him, “You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger, and lead it away to water it? And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?” As he said this, all his adversaries were put to shame; and all the people rejoiced at all the glorious things that were done by him. [RSV] |
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The Readings for the Commemoration |
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The Epistle |
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For the Saint. |
The reading is from Paul’s Second Letter to the Thessalonians. |
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2 Th. 2:13 – 17; 3:1 – 5 |
Brethren, we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by letter. Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word. Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed on and triumph, as it did among you, and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men; for not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. And we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things which we command. May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ. [RSV] |
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Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion. |
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Synaxarion |
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From the Menaion. |
On December 7 we commemorate our devout Father St. Ambrose Bishop of Milan. |
On this day we also commemorate the holy Martyr Athenodoros. |
On this day Saint Neophytos died when he was thrown into the sea. |
On this day Saint Dometios died by the sword. |
In this day Saints Isidore, Acepsimas, and Leo died by fire. |
On this day Saint Ammoun, Bishop of Nitria, reposed in peace. |
On this day the holy Martyrs Gaianos and Gaius died by fire. |
On this day the holy 300 Martyrs, who were in Africa, died by the sword. |
On this day devout St. Ignatius, who was near Blachernae, reposed in peace. |
On this day we also commemorate our devout father Paul the Monk, the subordinate. |
On this day we also commemorate the holy Martyrs Priscus, Martin, and Nicholas; the first (Priscus) was starved, the second (Martin) cut to pieces with an axe, and the third (Nicholas) died by fire. The services in their honor were held near the wall of Blachernae. |
On this day was the Consecration of the Church of the Most Holy Theotokos at the Curator. |
By the intercessions of Your Saints, O God, have mercy and save us. Amen. |
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Fasting Rule |
Fish: fish, oil and wine are allowed. Refrain from meat, dairy and eggs. |
It is the Christmas fast. |