2026

On Thursday | November 12

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The Readings from the Regular Cycle

The Epistle

Thursday of the 24th Week

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

1 Th. 4:18 – 5:10

Brethren, comfort one another with these words. But as to the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves know well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. When people say, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as travail comes upon a woman with child, and there will be no escape. But you are not in darkness, brethren, for that day to surprise you like a thief. For you are all sons of light and sons of the day; we are not of the night or of darkness. So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. For those who sleep sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. But, since we belong to the day, let us be sober, and put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we wake or sleep we might live with him. [RSV]

The Gospel

Thursday of the 8th Week of Luke

The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Luke.

Lk. 13:1 – 9

At that time, there were some present who told Jesus of the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered thus? I tell you, No; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen upon whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, No; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” And he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. And he said to the vinedresser, ‘Lo, these three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down; why should it use up the ground?’ And he answered him, ‘Let it alone, sir, this year also, till I dig about it and put on manure. And if it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’” [RSV]

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The Readings for the Commemoration

The Epistle

For the Saint.

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

2 Cor. 9:6 – 11

Brethren, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that you may always have enough of everything and may provide in abundance for every good work. As it is written, “He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures for ever.” He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your resources and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way for great generosity, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. [RSV]

The Gospel

For the Saint.

The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Matthew.

Mt. 5:14 – 19

The Lord said to his disciples, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Think not that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets; I have come not to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Whoever then relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but he who does them and teaches them shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” [RSV]

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Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On November 12 we commemorate our father among the saints John the Merciful (or Almsgiver), Archbishop of Alexandria.

On this day we also commemorate our devout father Nilus the Ascetic.

On this day we also commemorate our devout father Martin the Wonder-worker, Bishop of Tours.

On this day we also commemorate the holy Prophet Achia.

On this day we also commemorate our devout father Martin, Bishop of Tarakin.

On this day we also commemorate the holy Martyrs Anthony and those with him.

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

Devout St. Nilus of Kynuria, who lived as an ascetic near the Monastery of Great Lavra on Mt. Athos, and who after death exuded myrrh and cured many sick people, died in peace.

Saint Leo Styppes, Patriarch of Constantinople, died in peace.

The holy Neo-martyr Savas of Nigdele and Samolada witnessed in Constantinople and died by the sword in the year 1726.

The holy Neo-martyr Nicholas, who was from the parish of the six Marbles and who witnessed in Constantinople in 1732, died by the sword.

By their holy intercessions, O God, have mercy on us. Amen.

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Fasting Rule

Fast Free: All foods allowed.