2026

On Wednesday | September 9

----------

The Readings from the Regular Cycle

The Epistle

Wednesday of the 15th Week

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

Gal. 3:15 – 22

Brethren, to give a human example: no one annuls even a man’s will, or adds to it, once it has been ratified. Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to your offsprings,” referring to many; but, referring to one, “And to your offspring,” which is Christ. This is what I mean: the law, which came four hundred and thirty years afterward, does not annul a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to make the promise void. For if the inheritance is by the law, it is no longer by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a promise. Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the offspring should come to whom the promise had been made; and it was ordained by angels through an intermediary. Now an intermediary implies more than one; but God is one. Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not; for if a law had been given which could make alive, then righteousness would indeed be by the law. But the scripture consigned all things to sin, that what was promised to faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. [RSV]

The Gospel

Wednesday of the 15th Week of Matthew

The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Mark.

Mk. 6:7 – 13

At that time, Jesus called to him the twelve, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics. And he said to them, “Where you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. And if any place will not receive you and they refuse to hear you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet for a testimony against them. Truly I say to you, it shall be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town.” So they went out and preached that men should repent. And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many that were sick and healed them. [RSV]

__________

The Readings for the Commemoration

The Epistle

For the Saints.

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

Gal. 4:22 – 27

Brethren, Abraham had two sons, one by a slave and one by a free woman. But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, the son of the free woman through promise. Now this is an allegory: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar. Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. For it is written, “Rejoice, O barren one who does not bear; break forth and shout, you who are not in travail; for the children of the desolate one are many more than the children of her that is married.” [RSV]

The Gospel

For the Saints.

The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Luke.

Lk. 8:16 – 21

The Lord said, “No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a vessel, or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, that those who enter may see the light. For nothing is hid that shall not be made manifest, nor anything secret that shall not be known and come to light. Take heed then how you hear; for to him who has will more be given, and from him who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away.” Then his mother and his brothers came to him, but they could not reach him for the crowd. And he was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see you.” But he said to them, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.” [RSV]

__________

Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On September 9 is the Synaxis in honor of righteous Joachim and Anna.

On this day the holy martyr Severian died when he was hanged in the air from a wall with a stone tied to his feet.

On this day we commemorate our devout father Theophanis the Confessor who led an ascetic life before Diocletian’s reign.

On this day St. Chariton died by the sword.

On this day we remember the holy Third Ecumenical Council of the 200 God-bearing fathers who convened in Ephesus during the reign of Theodosius the Younger, and who deposed impious Nestorius.

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

__________

Fasting Rule

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

It is a minor feast.