Monday January 5, 2026 / December 23, 2025
31st Week after Pentecost. Tone five.
Nativity (St. Philip’s Fast). By Monastic Charter: Strict Fast (Bread, Vegetables, Fruits)
Forefeast of the Nativity of Christ.
Holy Ten Martyrs of Crete: Theodulus, Saturninus, Euporus, Gelasius, Eunician, Zoticus, Pompeius, Agathopus, Basilides, and Evaristus (250).
New Hieromartyr Basil priest and Hieromartyrs Macarius and John (1938).
St. Theoctistus, archbishop of Novgorod (1310).
Venerable Niphon bishop of Cyprus (4th c.).
Venerable Paul, bishop of Neo-Caesarea (4th c.).
St. Nahum of Ochrid, enlightener of the Bulgarians (910) (Bulgaria).
New Hieromartyrs John Piankov and Nicholas Yakhontov priests (1918).
Venerable David of Echmiadzin in Armenia (693).
Venerable Niphon, bishop of Cyprus (4th c.).
New Hieromartyr Paul (Kratirov) bishop of Starobelsk.
St. Egbert of Rathmelsigi (729) (Neth.).
The Scripture Readings
17
By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
18
of whom it was said, “In Isaac your seed shall be called,”
19
concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense.
20
By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.
21
By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.
22
By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones.
23
By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s command.
27
By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible.
28
By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them.
29
By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned.
30
By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days.
31
By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace.
46
Now they came to Jericho. As He went out of Jericho with His disciples and a great multitude, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the road begging.
47
And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
48
Then many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
49
So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called. Then they called the blind man, saying to him, “Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you.”
50
And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus.
51
So Jesus answered and said to him, “What do you want Me to do for you?” The blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.”
52
Then Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road.