|
2026 |
|
On Thursday | December 10 |
|
|
|
---------- |
|
|
|
The Readings from the Regular Cycle |
|
The Epistle |
|
Thursday of the 28th Week |
The reading is from Paul’s Letter to Titus. |
|
Tit. 1:5 – 14 |
Titus, my son, appoint elders in every town as I directed you, if any man is blameless, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of being profligate or insubordinate. For a bishop, as God’s steward, must be blameless; he must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of goodness, master of himself, upright, holy, and self-controlled; he must hold firm to the sure word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to confute those who contradict it. For there are many insubordinate men, empty talkers and deceivers especially the circumcision party; they must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for base gain what they have no right to teach. One of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, instead of giving heed to Jewish myths or to commands of men who reject the truth. [RSV] |
|
The Gospel |
|
Thursday of the 12th Week of Luke |
The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Luke. |
|
Lk. 21:28 – 33 |
The Lord said to his disciples, “Look up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” And he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees; as soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away till all has taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” [RSV] |
|
__________ |
|
|
|
The Readings for the Commemoration |
|
The Epistle |
|
For the Martyrs. |
The reading is from Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians. |
|
Eph. 6:10 – 17 |
Brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand, therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the equipment of the gospel of peace; with all of these, taking the shield of faith, with which you can quench all the flaming darts of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. [RSV] |
|
__________ |
|
|
Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion. |
|
Synaxarion |
|
From the Menaion. |
On December 10, we commemorate the contest of the holy Martyrs of Christ, Menas “Kallikelados” (i.e. mellifluous), Hermogenes, and Evgraphos. |
On this day we also commemorate St. Gemellos who was crucified. |
On this day we also commemorate our devout father Thomas Dephurcinos |
By their holy intercessions, O God, have mercy on us. Amen. |
|
__________ |
|
|
Fasting Rule |
Fish: fish, oil and wine are allowed. Refrain from meat, dairy and eggs. |
It is the Christmas fast. |