2026

On Thursday | June 25

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The Readings from the Regular Cycle

The Epistle

Thursday of the 4th Week

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

Rom. 11:13 – 24

Brethren, I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry in order to make my own people jealous, and thus save some of them. For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead? If the dough offered as first fruits is holy, so is the whole lump; and if the root is holy, so are the branches. But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, a wild olive shoot, were grafted in their place to share the root and the richness of the olive tree, do not boast over the branches. If you do boast, remember it is not you that support the root, but the root that supports you. You will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” That is true. They were broken off because of unbelief, but you stand fast only through faith. So do not become proud, but stand in awe. For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness; otherwise you too will be cut off. And even the others, if they do not persist in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again. For if you have been cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these natural branches be grafted back into their own olive tree. [RSV]

The Gospel

Thursday of the 4th Week of Matthew

The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Matthew.

Mt. 11:27 – 30

The Lord said to his disciples, “All things have been delivered to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and any one to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” [RSV]

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The Readings for the Commemoration

The Epistle

For the Holy Woman.

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

Heb. 10:32 – 38

Brethren, recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to abuse and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. For you had compassion on the prisoners, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one in heaven. Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that you may do the will of God and receive what is promised. “For yet a little while, and the coming one shall come and shall not tarry; but my righteous one shall live by faith.” [RSV]

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Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On June 25 we commemorate the Holy Monastic Martyr and much-suffering Fevronia.

On this day we also commemorate the Holy Martyr Orentius of Anatolia and his six brotheres by birth, whose names were Pharnacius, Eros, Firmus, Firminus, Kyriakos, and Longinus.

On this day we also remember the help that was given to us against all reason and hope, by our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, through the intercessions of the one who bore Him seedlessly, against those who by land and sea had surrounded our Queen City and who were given over to complete destruction and obliteration.

By the intercessions of the Theotokos and all Your Saints, Christ God, have mercy on us. Amen.

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Fasting Rule

Fish: fish, oil and wine are allowed. Refrain from meat, dairy and eggs.

It is the fast of the holy Apostles.