Thursday November 20, 2025 / November 7, 2025
24th Week after Pentecost. Tone six.
Holy 33 Martyrs of Melitene: Hieron, Hesychius, Nicander, Athanasius, Manias, Barachius, Callinicus, Theogenes, Nicon, Longinus, Theodore, Valerius, Xanthius, Theodulus, Callimachus, Eugene, Theodochus, Ostrychius, Epiphanius, Maximian, Ducitius, Claudian, Theophilus, Gigantius, Dorotheus, Theodotus, Castrychius, Anicletus, Theomelius, Eutychius, Hilarion, Diodotus, and Amonitus (290).
Venerable Lazarus the Wonderworker of Mt. Galesion near Ephesus (1054).
New Hieromartyrs Cyril (Smirnov) metropolitan of Kazan, Michael, Alexander, Aleksander, Michael, Aleksander, Nicholas, Alexis, Paul, Basil, Paulinus priests, John and Benjamin deacons, Martyr Nicholas, Virgin-martyr Elisabeth (1937).
New Hieromartyrs Sergius archbishop of Eletsk, Nicholas priest and Martyr Gregory (1937).
Finding of the relics of priest Constantine Golubev (1995).
New Hieromartyr Joseph (Petrovykh), metropolitan of Petrograd (1938).
Venerable Zosimas, abbot of Vorbozoma (1550).
Translation of the relics of St. Cyril, abbot of New Lake (Vologda) (1649).
Martyr Theodotus of Ancyra (303).
Martyrs Melasippus, Cassina, their son Antoninus, and forty children converted by their martyrdom, at Ancyra (363).
Martyrs Auctus, Taurion, and Thessalonica at Amphipolis in Macedonia.
“Leaping with Joy” (1795) Icon of the Mother of God.
St. Willibrord, archbishop of Utrecht, apostle of Frisia (739) (Neth.).
Martyr Athenodorus (Greek).
Martyr Alexander of Thessalonica (305) (Greek).
St. Gregory, brother of St. Gregory the Wonderworker (3rd c.) (Greek).
The Scripture Readings
1
But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you.
2
For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.
3
For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.
4
But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.
5
You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness.
6
Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober.
7
For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night.
8
But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.
1
There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.
2
And Jesus answered and said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things?
3
I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.
4
Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem?
5
I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.
6
He also spoke this parable: “A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none.
7
Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, ‘Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?’
8
But he answered and said to him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it.
9
‘And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down.’ ”
Friday Reading
1 Thessalonians 5:9-13, 24-28
9
For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
10
who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.
11
Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.
12
And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you,
13
and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves.
24
He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.
25
Brethren, pray for us.
26
Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss.
27
I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read to all the holy brethren.
28
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
31
On that very day some Pharisees came, saying to Him, “Get out and depart from here, for Herod wants to kill You.”
32
And He said to them, “Go, tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.’
33
Nevertheless I must journey today, tomorrow, and the day following; for it cannot be that a prophet should perish outside of Jerusalem.
34
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were not willing!
35
See! Your house is left to you desolate; and assuredly, I say to you, you shall not see Me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!’