Sunday September 7, 2025 / August 25, 2025
13th Sunday after Pentecost. Tone four.
Synaxis of all saints of Moscow (movable holiday on the Sunday before August 26th, Russian Orthodox Church – the Moscow Patriarchate).
Return of the relics of the Apostle Bartholomew from Anastasiopolis to Lipari (6th c.).
Holy Apostle Titus of the Seventy (1st c.).
Hieromartyr Moses (1931).
New Hieromartyr priest Vladimir Moschansky (1938).
Sts. Barses and Eulogius (386), bishops of Edessa, and St. Protogenes, bishop of Carrhae (4th c.), confessors.
St. Menas, patriarch of Constantinople (6th c.).
St. John the Cappadocian (520) and St. Epiphanius (535), patriarchs of Constantinople.
Synaxis of Hierarchs of Crete: Andrew the Wonderworker; Cyril, bishop of Gortyna; and Eumenius, bishop of Rome. (Greek).
St. Aredius of Limousin (591) (Gaul).
St. Gregory of Utrecht (775) (Neth.).
Translation of the relics of St. Hilda of Whitby (680) (Celtic & British).
St. Ebba the Elder, abbess of Coldingham, Northumbria, England (683) (Celtic & British).
The Scripture Readings
Mark 16:1-8 (2nd Matins Gospel)
1
Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him.
2
Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen.
3
And they said among themselves, “Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?”
4
But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away-for it was very large.
5
And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed.
6
But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him.
7
But go, tell His disciples-and Peter-that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you.
8
So they went out quickly and fled from the tomb, for they trembled and were amazed. And they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
13
Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.
14
Let all that you do be done with love.
15
I urge you, brethren-you know the household of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints-
16
that you also submit to such, and to everyone who works and labors with us.
17
I am glad about the coming of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, for what was lacking on your part they supplied.
18
For they refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge such men.
19
The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Priscilla greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.
20
All the brethren greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss.
21
The salutation with my own hand-Paul’s.
22
If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed. O Lord, come!
23
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
24
My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.
33
Hear another parable: There was a certain landowner who planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a winepress in it and built a tower. And he leased it to vinedressers and went into a far country.
34
Now when vintage-time drew near, he sent his servants to the vinedressers, that they might receive its fruit.
35
And the vinedressers took his servants, beat one, killed one, and stoned another.
36
Again he sent other servants, more than the first, and they did likewise to them.
37
Then last of all he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’
38
But when the vinedressers saw the son, they said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and seize his inheritance.’
39
So they took him and cast him out of the vineyard and killed him.
40
Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vinedressers?
41
They said to Him, “He will destroy those wicked men miserably, and lease his vineyard to other vinedressers who will render to him the fruits in their seasons.”
42
Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. This was the LORD’s doing, And it is marvelous in our eyes’?
Titus 1:1-4;2:15-3:3,12-13,15 Apostles
1
Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect and the acknowledgment of the truth which accords with godliness,
2
in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began,
3
but has in due time manifested His word through preaching, which was committed to me according to the commandment of God our Savior;
4
To Titus, a true son in our common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior.
15
Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.
1
Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work,
2
to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.
3
For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.
12
When I send Artemas to you, or Tychicus, be diligent to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there.
13
Send Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey with haste, that they may lack nothing.
15
All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.
Matthew 5:14-19 Apostles
14
You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.
15
Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.
16
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
17
Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.
18
For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.
19
Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.