Wednesday October 7, 2026 / September 24, 2026
19th Week after Pentecost. Tone one.
Fast
Holy Protomartyr and Equal-to-the-Apostles Thecla of Iconium (1st c.).
St. Gabriel, of Pskov-Eleazar Monastery and Kazan (1915).
New Hieromartyr Basil deacon (1918).
New Hieromartyrs Andrew and Paul priests, Hieromartyr Vitaly and Martyrs Basil, Sergius and Spiridon (1937).
New Hieromartyr Nicander priest (1939).
Venerable Nicander, hermit of Pskov (1581).
Martyrdom of St. Galacteon, monk of Vologda (1612).
Venerable Coprius of Palestine (530).
Saint Vladislav of Serbia (1239).
Icons of the Most Holy Theotokos of “Mirozh” and “Of the Myrtle Tree” (1198).
Venerable Abramius, abbot of Mirozh (Pskov) (1158).
Venerables Stephen the First-Crowned (in monasticism Simon) (1224), David, and Vladislav (1239), of Serbia.
Righteous Euphrosyne, daughter of St. Paphnutius of Egypt.
Venerable Dorothea of Kashin (1629).
Arrival in America of the first Orthodox Mission: Sts. Herman, Juvenaly, and others (1794).
St. Isarnus of Marseilles (1043).
The Scripture Readings
12
But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel,
13
so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ;
14
and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
15
Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill:
16
The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains;
17
but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel.
18
What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.
19
For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
20
according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.
Luke 4:1-15
1
Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,
2
being tempted for forty days by the devil. And in those days He ate nothing, and afterward, when they had ended, He was hungry.
3
And the devil said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.”
4
But Jesus answered him, saying, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.’ “
5
Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.
6
And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish.
7
Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours.
8
And Jesus answered and said to him, “Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ “
9
Then he brought Him to Jerusalem, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here.
10
For it is written:’He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you,’
11
and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’ “
12
And Jesus answered and said to him, “It has been said, ‘You shall not tempt the LORD your God.’ “
13
Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time.
14
Then Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and news of Him went out through all the surrounding region.
15
And He taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all.
Thursday Reading
Philippians 1:20-27
20
according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.
21
For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
22
But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell.
23
For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.
24
Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you.
25
And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith,
26
that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again.
27
Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel,
Luke 4:16-22
16
So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read.
17
And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written:
18
The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed;
19
To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.”
20
Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him.
21
And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
22
So all bore witness to Him, and marveled at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth. And they said, “Is this not Joseph’s son?”