|
2025 |
|
On Thursday | December 18 |
|
|
|
---------- |
|
|
|
The Readings from the Regular Cycle |
|
The Epistle |
|
Thursday of the 28th Week |
The reading is from Paul’s Letter to Titus. |
|
Tit. 1:5 – 14 |
Titus, my son, appoint elders in every town as I directed you, if any man is blameless, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of being profligate or insubordinate. For a bishop, as God’s steward, must be blameless; he must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of goodness, master of himself, upright, holy, and self-controlled; he must hold firm to the sure word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to confute those who contradict it. For there are many insubordinate men, empty talkers and deceivers especially the circumcision party; they must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for base gain what they have no right to teach. One of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, instead of giving heed to Jewish myths or to commands of men who reject the truth. [RSV] |
|
The Gospel |
|
Thursday of the 13th Week of Luke |
The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Mark. |
|
Mk. 9:10 – 15 |
At that time, the disciples kept Jesus’ word to themselves, questioning what the rising from the dead meant. And they asked him, “Why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?” And he said to them, “Elijah does come first to restore all things; and how is it written of the Son of man, that he should suffer many things and be treated with contempt? But I tell you that Elijah has come, and they did to him whatever they pleased, as it is written of him.” And when they came to the disciples, they saw a great crowd about them, and scribes arguing with them. And immediately all the crowd, when they saw him, were greatly amazed, and ran up to him and greeted him. [RSV] |
|
__________ |
|
|
|
__________ |
|
|
Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion. |
|
Synaxarion |
|
From the Menaion. |
On December 18, we commemorate the holy martyr Sebastian and those with him: Zoe, Tranquillinus, Nikostratos, Claudius, Castor, Tiburtius, Castulus, Marcellinus, and Mark |
On this day we also commemorate the holy martyr Eubiotus. |
On this day we also commemorate our devout father Florus, Bishop of Amisus. |
On this day we also commemorate the holy martyrs Phokas and Hermylus, who died by the sword. |
On this day we also commemorate the holy martyrs Zacchaeus the Deacon and Alfaeus the Reader, who contested in Caesarea. |
On this day we commemorate the holy miracle-worker Sophia. Also, the Consecration of the eminent Church of the Most Holy Theotokos in Chalkoprateia. |
We also commemorate our devout father Michael the Chancellor, the Confessor. |
By the intercessions of the Saints, O God, have mercy on us. Amen. |
|
__________ |
|
|
Fasting Rule |
Strict: Refrain from meat, fish, oil, dairy, and eggs. |
It is the Christmas fast. |