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2026 |
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On Wednesday | December 23 |
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The Readings from the Regular Cycle |
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The Epistle |
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Wednesday of the 30th Week |
The reading is from Paul’s Letter to the Hebrews. |
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Heb. 10:1 – 18 |
Brethren, since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices which are continually offered year after year, make perfect those who draw near. Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered? If the worshipers had once been cleansed, they would no longer have any consciousness of sin. But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sin year after year. For it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins. Consequently, when he came into the world, he said, “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body you have prepared for me; in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure. Then I said, ‘Lo, I have come to do your will, O God,’ as it is written of me in the roll of the book.” When he said above, “You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings” (these are offered according to the law), then he added, “Lo, I have come to do your will.” He abolishes the first in order to establish the second. And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this one had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, then to wait until his enemies should be made a stool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are sanctified. And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying, “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds,” then he adds, “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.” Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin. [RSV] |
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The Gospel |
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Wednesday of the 14th Week of Luke |
The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Mark. |
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Mk. 10:11 – 16 |
The Lord said, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another, commits adultery against her; and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.” And they were bringing children to him, that he might touch them; and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it he was indignant, and said to them, “Let the children come to me, do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands upon them. [RSV] |
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Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion. |
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Synaxarion |
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From the Menaion. |
On December 23, we commemorate the holy Ten Martyrs who witnessed in Crete. |
On this day we also commemorate our devout father Paul, Archbishop of Neocesaria, one of the 318 holy fathers of the First Council in Nicea. |
On this day was the consecration of the holy Great Church of Christ. |
On this day we commemorate our holy and God-bearing father Nahum the wonder-worker, the enlightener and preacher of Bulgaria. |
St. Schinon the Martyr died by the sword. |
By the intercessions of Your Saints, O God, have mercy on us. Amen. |
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Fasting Rule |
Strict: Refrain from meat, fish, oil, dairy, and eggs. |
It is the Christmas fast. |