2026

On Tuesday | September 15

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The Readings from the Regular Cycle

The Epistle

Tuesday of the 16th Week

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

Gal. 5:11 – 21

Brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? In that case the stumbling block of the cross has been removed. I wish those who unsettle you would mutilate themselves! For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love be servants of one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another take heed that you are not consumed by one another. But I say, walk by the Spirit, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you would. But if you are led by the Spirit you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are plain: adultery, fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger, selfishness, dissension, party spirit, envy, murder, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. [RSV]

The Gospel

Tuesday of the 16th Week of Matthew

The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Mark.

Mk. 7:5 – 15

At that time, the Pharisees and the scribes asked Jesus, “Why do your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with hands defiled?” And he said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.’ You leave the commandment of God, and hold fast the tradition of men.” And he said to them, “You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God, in order to keep your tradition! For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘He who speaks evil of father or mother, let him surely die’; but you say, ‘If a man tells his father or his mother, What you would have gained from me is Corban’ (that is, an offering to God) then you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or mother, thus making void the word of God through your tradition which you hand on. And many such things you do.” And he called the people to him again, and said to them, “Hear me, all of you, and understand: there is nothing outside a man which by going into him can defile him; but the things which come out of a man are what defile him. If any man has ears to hear, let him hear.” [RSV]

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The Readings for the Commemoration

The Epistle

For the Martyr.

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

Col. 1:24 – 29, 2:1

Brethren, now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I complete what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, of which I became a minister according to the divine office which was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now made manifest to his saints. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we proclaim, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man mature in Christ Jesus. For this I toil, striving with all the energy which he mightily inspires within me. For I want you to know how greatly I strive for you. [RSV]

The Gospel

For the Martyr.

The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Matthew.

Mt. 10:16 – 22

The Lord said to his disciples, “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of men; for they will deliver you up to councils, and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear testimony before them and the Gentiles. When they deliver you up, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.” [RSV]

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Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On September 15, we commemorate the holy Great-martyr Nikitas.

On this day we also commemorate our devout father Philotheus the Presbyter and Wonderworker.

On this day we also commemorate Saint Porphyrius who had been a mime.

On this day we also commemorate the finding of the relic of Saint Akakius, Bishop of Melitine.

On this day the holy Martyr Maximus died by the sword.

On this day two holy Maidens died by the sword.

On this day was the finding of the relic of St. Stephen the Protomartyr.

Our father among the saints Bessarion, Archbishop of Larissa, died in peace.

Devout St. Gerasimus, founder of the Holy Trinity Monastery, also called Soubria, near Macrynitsa, Zagora, died in peace.

The holy Neomartyr John the Cretan, who witnessed in New Ephesus in the year 1811, died by the sword.

By the prayers of Your Martyrs, O Christ God, have mercy and save us. Amen.

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Fasting Rule

Fast Free: All foods allowed.