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2025 |
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On Saturday | December 13 |
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The Readings from the Regular Cycle |
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The Epistle |
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Saturday of the 27th Week |
The reading is from Paul’s Letter to the Galatians. |
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Gal. 5:22 – 26; 6:1 – 2 |
Brethren, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us have no self-conceit, no provoking of one another, no envy of one another. Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Look to yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. [RSV] |
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The Gospel |
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Saturday of the 12th Week of Luke |
The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Luke. |
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Lk. 13:19 – 29 |
The Lord said this parable, “The kingdom of God is like a grain of mustard seed which a man took and sowed in his garden; and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches.” And again he said, “To what shall I compare the kingdom of God? It is like leaven which a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened.” He went on his way through towns and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem. And some one said to him, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” And he said to them, “Strive to enter by the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. When once the householder has risen up and shut the door, you will begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us.’ He will answer you, ‘I do not know where you come from.’ Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.’ But he will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you come from; depart from me, all you workers of iniquity!’ There you will weep and gnash your teeth when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God and you yourselves thrust out. And men will come from east and west, and from north and south, and sit at table in the kingdom of God.” [RSV] |
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The Readings for the Commemoration |
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The Epistle |
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For the Martyrs. |
The reading is from Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians. |
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Eph. 6:10 – 17 |
Brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand, therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the equipment of the gospel of peace; with all of these, taking the shield of faith, with which you can quench all the flaming darts of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. [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 13, we commemorate the contest of Christ’s holy martyrs, Efstratios, Afxentios, Eugene, Mardarios, and Orestis. |
On this day we also commemorate the holy martyr Lucia the virgin. |
On this day we also commemorate our devout father Arsenios of Latro. |
We also commemorate the holy new hieromartyr Gabriel, Archbishop of Serbia, who witnessed in Prousa in the year 1659. |
By their holy intercessions, O God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen. |
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Fasting Rule |
Wine: Wine and oil are allowed. Refrain from meat, fish, dairy, and eggs. |
It is the Christmas fast. |