2026

On Thursday | December 3

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The Readings from the Regular Cycle

The Epistle

Thursday of the 27th Week

The reading is from Paul’s First Letter to Timothy.

1 Tim. 6:17 – 21

Timothy, my son, charge the rich in this world not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on uncertain riches but on the living God who richly furnishes us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good deeds, liberal and generous, thus laying up for themselves a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of eternal life. O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Avoid the godless chatter and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge, for by professing it some have missed the mark as regards the faith. Grace be with you. Amen. [RSV]

The Gospel

Thursday of the 11th Week of Luke

The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Luke.

Lk. 20:9 – 18

The Lord said this parable: “A man planted a vineyard, and let it out to tenants, and went into another country for a long while. When the time came, he sent a servant to the tenants, that they should give him some of the fruit of the vineyard; but the tenants beat him, and sent him away empty-handed. And he sent another servant; him also they beat and treated shamefully, and sent him away empty-handed. And he sent yet a third; this one they wounded and cast out. Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my beloved son; it may be they will respect him.’ But when the tenants saw him, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir; let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours.’ And they cast him out of the vineyard and killed him. What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them? He will come and destroy those tenants, and give the vineyard to others.” When they heard this, they said, “God forbid!” But he looked at them and said, “What then is this that is written: ‘The very stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner’? Every one who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces; but when it falls on any one it will crush him.” [RSV]

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The Readings for the Commemoration

The Epistle

For the Prophet.

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

Rom. 10:11 – 21; 11:1 – 2

Brethren, the scripture says, “No one who believes in God will be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and bestows his riches upon all who call upon him. For, “every one who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved.” But how are men to call upon him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without a preacher? And how can men preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach good news!” But they have not all obeyed the gospel; for Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes by the preaching of Christ. But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have; for “Their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.” Again I ask, did Israel not understand? First Moses says, “I will make you jealous of those who are not a nation; with a foolish nation I will make you angry.” Then Isaiah is so bold as to say, “I have been found by those who did not seek me; I have shown myself to those who did not ask for me.” But of Israel he says, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.” I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. [RSV]

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Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On December 3, we commemorate the holy Prophet Zephaniah.

On this day we also commemorate the holy Hieromartyr Theodore, Archbishop of Alexandria.

On this day we also commemorate our devout father Theodoulos the Eparch.

On this day we also commemorate our devout father John the Hesychast, Bishop of Cologne.

On this day Saints Agapios, Seleukos, and Mamas died by the sword.

Our devout father Theodoulos the Cypriot, the fool for Christ, died in peace.

We also commemorate the holy Hieromartyr Gabriel, formerly Bishop of Ganos, and then of Constantinople, who was martyred in Prousa in the year 1659.

Holy Neo-Martyr Angeles, who competed in Chios in the year 1813, died by the sword.

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

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Fasting Rule

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

It is the Christmas fast.