2024

On Wednesday | December 18

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The Readings from the Regular Cycle

The Epistle

Wednesday of the 26th Week

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

1 Tim. 1:18 – 20; 2:8 – 15

Timothy, my son, this charge I commit to you in accordance with the prophetic utterances which pointed to you, that inspired by them you may wage the good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting conscience, certain persons have made shipwreck of their faith, among them Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme. I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling; also that women should adorn themselves modestly and sensibly in seemly apparel, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly attire but by good deeds, as befits women who profess religion. Let a woman learn in silence with all submissiveness. I permit no woman to teach or to have authority over men; she is to keep silent. For Adam was formed first, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. Yet she will be saved through bearing children, if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with modesty. [RSV]

The Gospel

Wednesday of the 14th Week of Luke

The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Mark.

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.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On December 18, we commemorate the holy martyr Sebastian and those with him: Zoe, Tranquillinus, Nikostratos, Claudius, Castor, Tiburtius, Castulus, Marcellinus, and Mark

By the intercessions of the 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.