Friday December 26, 2025 / December 13, 2025
29th Week after Pentecost. Tone three.
Nativity (St. Philip’s Fast). Food with Oil
Martyrs Eustratius, Auxentius, Eugene, Mardarius, and Orestes at Sebaste (284).
Venerable Herman, Wonderworker of Alaska (1836).
Virgin-martyr Lucy of Syracuse (304).
New Hieromartyr Alexander priest and Martyr John (1920).
New Hieromartyrs Vladimir, Alexander, Jacob, Alexis, Gregory priests (1937).
New Hieromartyr Nicholas priest (1938).
New Hieromartyra Emilian and Basil priests (1941).
Venerable Arcadius, monk of Novotorsk (11th c.).
Venerable Mardarius, recluse of the Kiev Caves (13th c.).
Venerable Arsenius of Latros (8-10th c.).
St. Dositheus metropolitan of Moldavia (1693) (Romania).
Venerable Nicodemus of Romania (Romania).
St. Gabriel, patriarch of Serbia (1659) (Serbia).
St. Odilia, virgin of Alsace (720) (France).
Venerable Innocent, bishop of Cherson (1857).
St. Gabriel, bishop of Imereti, (1896) (Georgia).
St. Columba of Terryglass (549) (Celtic & British).
St. Judoc, hermit of Ponthieu.
St. Ares, monk (Greek).
The Scripture Readings
Matthew 10:16-22 Matins Gospel
16
Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.
17
But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues.
18
You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles.
19
But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak;
20
for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.
21
Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death.
22
And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.
18
For on the one hand there is an annulling of the former commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness,
19
for the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.
20
And inasmuch as He was not made priest without an oath
21
(for they have become priests without an oath, but He with an oath by Him who said to Him: “The LORD has sworn And will not relent, ‘You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek’ “),
22
by so much more Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant.
23
Also there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing.
24
But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood.
25
Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.
33
Then He came to Capernaum. And when He was in the house He asked them, “What was it you disputed among yourselves on the road?”
34
But they kept silent, for on the road they had disputed among themselves who would be the greatest.
35
And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.”
36
Then He took a little child and set him in the midst of them. And when He had taken him in His arms, He said to them,
37
Whoever receives one of these little children in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me, receives not Me but Him who sent Me.
38
Now John answered Him, saying, “Teacher, we saw someone who does not follow us casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow us.”
39
But Jesus said, “Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in My name can soon afterward speak evil of Me.
40
For he who is not against us is on our side.
41
For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.
Ephesians 6:10-17 Martyrs
10
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
11
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
13
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14
Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
15
and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16
above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
17
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;
Luke 21:12-19 Martyrs
12
But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake.
13
But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony.
14
Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer;
15
for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist.
16
You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death.
17
And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake.
18
But not a hair of your head shall be lost.
19
By your patience possess your souls.