2025

On Sunday | December 28

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The Readings for the Commemoration

The Epistle

Sunday After Christmas

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

Gal. 1:11 – 19

Brethren, I would have you know that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I did not receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ. For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it; and I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. But when God who had set me apart before I was born, and had called me through his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son in me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not confer with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia; and again I returned to Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas, and remained with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord’s brother. [RSV]

The Gospel

Sunday After Christmas

The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Matthew.

Mt. 2:13 – 23

When the magi had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there till I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” And he rose and took the child and his mother by night, and departed to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt have I called my son.” Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the magi, was in a furious rage, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time which he had ascertained from the magi. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: “A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they were no more.” But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.” And he rose and took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus reigned over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee. And he went and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, “He shall be called a Nazarene.” [RSV]

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Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On December 28 we commemorate the Holy 20,000 who burned in Nicomedia.

On this day we also commemorate the holy Martyrs, who were in the Senate, who fled from the fire, died.

St. Indos, died by drowning in the sea.

Sts. Gorgon and Peter, died in the sea.

The holy Martyr Zeno, died by the sword.

The holy Martyr Mardonios, died by fire.

St. Dorotheos, the courtier, died by the sword.

St. Theophilos the Deacon, died by stoning.

St. Mygdonios died by being buried in a pit.

St. Glycerius the Priest, died by fire.

On this day St. Domna, was cut by the sword and died by fire.

The devout St. Simon the Myrrh-Streamer, the founder of the holy Monastery of Simonopetra on Athos reposed in peace.

On this Sunday after Christmas, we also commemorate the holy and righteous Ancestors of God: Joseph the Betrothed of our Lady the holy Theotokos and Virgin Mary; James (or Iakovos) the Brother of the Lord; and David the Prophet and king.

By the intercessions of Your saints, O God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.

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Fasting Rule

Fast Free: All foods allowed.

It is the Twelve Days of Christmas