2026

October 28

Memory of the Holy Martyrs Terence and Neonilla and their Children

The Readings from Vespers the Previous Evening

2026

On Wednesday | October 28

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The Readings from the Regular Cycle

The Epistle

Wednesday of the 22nd Week

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

Col. 3:17 – 25; 4:1

Brethren, whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. Slaves, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever your task, work heartily, as serving the Lord and not men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward; you are serving the Lord Christ. For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality. Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven. [RSV]

The Gospel

Wednesday of the 6th Week of Luke

The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Luke.

Lk. 11:9 – 13

The Lord said to his disciples, “Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the good Spirit to those who ask him!” [RSV]

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The Readings for the Commemoration

The Epistle

For the Theotokos.

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

Heb. 9:1 – 7

Brethren, the first tent had regulations for worship and an earthly sanctuary. For a tent was prepared, the first one, in which were the lamp stand and the table and the bread of the Presence; it is called the Holy Place. Behind the second curtain stood a tent called the Holy of Holies, having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, which contained a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail. These preparations having thus been made, the priests go continually into the outer tent, performing their ritual duties; but into the second only the high priest goes, and he but once a year, and not without taking blood which he offers for himself and for the sins committed unintentionally by the people. [RSV]

The Gospel

For the Theotokos.

The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Luke.

Lk. 10:38 – 42; 11:27 – 28

At that time, Jesus entered a village; and a woman called Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving; and she went to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve you alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; one thing is needful. Mary has chosen the good portion, which shall not be taken away from her.” As he said this, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts that nursed you!” But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” [RSV]

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Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On October 28 we commemorate the holy Martyrs Terence and Neonillia, and their children: Nitas, Sarvilos, Jerakos, Theodoulos, Fokas, Vela, and Eunice.

On this day we also commemorate our devout Father Stephen of St. Savas Monastery who became a Bishop.

On this day we also commemorate the holy Martyrs Terence, Africanus, Maximus, Pompios, and the other 36.

On this day we also commemorate our devout Father St. Firmlian, Bishop of Caesarea, and Melchianos the Wise and priest of Antioch, who deposed Paul of Samosata.

On this day we also commemorate St. Fevronia, daughter of Emperor Heraclius; and the holy priest-Martyr Kyriakos who showed the Precious Cross to Emperor Constantine the Great and his mother Helen.

On this day St. Anna, the mother of St. Kyriakos, died by being burned with torches and hewn.

The memory of our devout Father St. Athanasios Patriarch of Constantinople who struggled in asceticism on Athos.

The memory of the holy four New Martyrs Angelos, Emmanuel, George, and Nicholas who witnessed in Lambis of Rethymno, Crete.

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

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Fasting Rule

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

It is a minor feast.