|
2025 |
|
On Tuesday | December 9 |
|
|
|
---------- |
|
|
|
The Readings from the Regular Cycle |
|
The Epistle |
|
Tuesday of the 27th Week |
The reading is from Paul’s First Letter to Timothy. |
|
1 Tim. 5:11 – 21 |
Timothy, my son, refuse to enroll younger widows; for when they grow wanton against Christ they desire to marry, and so they incur condemnation for having violated their first pledge. Besides that, they learn to be idlers, gadding about from house to house, and not only idlers but gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not. So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, rule their households, and give the enemy no occasion to revile us. For some have already strayed after Satan. If any believing man or woman has relatives who are widows, let them assist them; let the church not be burdened, so that it may assist those who are real widows. Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double compensation, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching; for the scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.” Never admit any charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear. In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without favor, doing nothing from partiality. [RSV] |
|
The Gospel |
|
Tuesday of the 12th Week of Luke |
The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Luke. |
|
Lk. 21:12 – 19 |
The Lord said to his disciples, “Beware of men; for they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake. This will be a time for you to bear testimony. Settle it therefore in your minds, not to meditate beforehand how to answer; for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and kinsmen and friends, and some of you they will put to death; you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your souls.” [RSV] |
|
__________ |
|
|
|
The Readings for the Commemoration |
|
The Epistle |
|
For the Holy Woman. |
The reading is from Paul’s Letter to the Galatians. |
|
Gal. 4:22 – 27 |
Brethren, Abraham had two sons, one by a slave and one by a free woman. But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, the son of the free woman through promise. Now this is an allegory: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar. Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. For it is written, “Rejoice, O barren one who does not bear; break forth and shout, you who are not in travail; for the children of the desolate one are many more than the children of her that is married.” [RSV] |
|
The Gospel |
|
For the Holy Woman. |
The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Luke. |
|
Lk. 8:16 – 21 |
The Lord said, “No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a vessel, or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, that those who enter may see the light. For nothing is hid that shall not be made manifest, nor anything secret that shall not be known and come to light. Take heed then how you hear; for to him who has will more be given, and from him who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away.” Then his mother and his brothers came to him, but they could not reach him for the crowd. And he was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see you.” But he said to them, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.” [RSV] |
|
__________ |
|
|
Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion. |
|
Synaxarion |
|
From the Menaion. |
On December 9 we celebrate Saint Anna’s Conception of the most-holy Theotokos. |
On this day we also commemorate the holy Prophetess Hannah, mother of Samuel the Prophet. |
On this day we also commemorate our devout father Stephen the newly appeared, who lies in the church of Saint Antipas. |
On this day we also commemorate the holy Martyrs Sositheos, Narsos, and Isaac, who died by the sword. |
By their holy intercessions, O God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen. |
|
__________ |
|
|
Fasting Rule |
Fish: fish, oil and wine are allowed. Refrain from meat, dairy and eggs. |
It is the Christmas fast. |