2026

On Thursday | August 20

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The Readings from the Regular Cycle

The Epistle

Thursday of the 12th Week

The reading is from Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians.

2 Cor. 7:1 – 10

Brethren, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of flesh and spirit, and make holiness perfect in the fear of God. Make room for us; we have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have taken advantage of no one. I do not say this to condemn you, for I said before that you are in our hearts, to die together and to live together. I have great confidence in you; I have great pride in you; I am filled with comfort. With all our affliction, I am overjoyed. For even when we came into Macedonia, our bodies had no rest but we were afflicted at every turn — fighting without and fear within. But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, and not only by his coming but also by the comfort with which he was comforted in you, as he told us of your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced still more. For even if I made you sorry with my letter, I do not regret it (though I did regret it), for I see that that letter grieved you, though only for a while. As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting; for you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us. For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation and brings no regret, but worldly grief produces death. [RSV]

The Gospel

Thursday of the 12th Week of Matthew

The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Mark.

Mk. 1:29 – 35

At that time, Jesus entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon’s mother-in-law lay sick with a fever, and immediately they told him of her. And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her; and she served them. That evening, at sundown, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. And the whole city was gathered together about the door. And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him. And in the morning, a great while before day, he rose and went out to a lonely place, and there he prayed. [RSV]

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The Readings for the Commemoration

The Epistle

For the Prophet.

The reading is from Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians.

1 Cor. 14:20 – 25

Brethren, do not be children in your thinking; however, in evil be babes, but in thinking be mature. In the law it is written, “By men of strange tongues and by the lips of foreigners will I speak to this people, and even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord.” Thus, tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is not for unbelievers but for believers. If, therefore, the whole church assembles and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are mad? But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all, the secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you. [RSV]

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Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On August 20 we commemorate the holy and glorious Prophet Samuel.

On this day we also commemorate the holy 37 Martyrs who witnessed in Viza of Thrace.

On this day we also commemorate the holy Martyrs Severus and Memnon the Centurion.

On this day we also commemorate the holy Martyr Fotini, outside the gates of Blachernae, and we commemorate the holy Martyr Lucius the Counselor.

On this day we also commemorate the holy Martyrs Hiliodoros and Dosai (or Dosa or Soda).

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

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Fasting Rule

Fast Free: All foods allowed.