|
2026 |
|
On Wednesday | December 9 |
|
|
|
---------- |
|
|
|
The Readings from the Regular Cycle |
|
The Epistle |
|
Wednesday of the 28th Week |
The reading is from Paul’s Second Letter to Timothy. |
|
2 Tim. 4:9 – 22 |
Timothy, my son, do your best to come to me soon. For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica; Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you; for he is very useful in serving me. Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments. Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will requite him for his deeds. Beware of him yourself, for he strongly opposed our message. At my first defense no one took my part; all deserted me. May it not be charged against them! But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength to proclaim the message fully, that all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil and save me for his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory for ever and ever. Amen. Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. Erastus remained at Corinth; Trophimus I left ill at Miletus. Do your best to come before winter. Eubulus sends greetings to you, as do Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brethren. The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen. [RSV] |
|
The Gospel |
|
Wednesday of the 12th Week of Luke |
The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Luke. |
|
Lk. 21:5 – 8, 10 – 11, 20 – 24 |
At that time, as some spoke to Jesus about the temple how it was adorned with noble stones and offerings, he said, “As for these things, which you see, the days will come when there shall not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” And they asked him, “Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign when this is about to take place?” And he said, “Take heed that you are not led astray. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences; and there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those who are inside the city depart, and let not those who are out in the country enter it; for these are days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written. Alas for those who are with child and for those who give suck in those days! For great distress shall be upon the earth and wrath upon this people; they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led captive among all nations; and Jerusalem will be trodden down by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.” [RSV] |
|
__________ |
|
|
|
The Readings for the Commemoration |
|
The Epistle |
|
For the Holy Woman. |
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 Holy Woman. |
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 December 9 we celebrate Saint Anna’s Conception of the most-holy Theotokos. |
On this day we also commemorate the holy Prophetess Hannah, mother of Samuel the Prophet. |
On this day we also commemorate our devout father Stephen the newly appeared, who lies in the church of Saint Antipas. |
On this day we also commemorate the holy Martyrs Sositheos, Narsos, and Isaac, who died by the sword. |
By their holy intercessions, O God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen. |
|
__________ |
|
|
Fasting Rule |
Wine: Wine and oil are allowed. Refrain from meat, fish, dairy, and eggs. |
It is a minor feast. |