Wednesday December 31, 2025 / December 18, 2025
30th Week after Pentecost. Tone four.
Nativity (St. Philip’s Fast). By Monastic Charter: Strict Fast (Bread, Vegetables, Fruits)
Martyr Sebastian at Rome and his companions: Martyrs Nicostratus, Zoe, Castorius, Tranquillinus, Marcellinus, Mark, Claudius, Symphorian, Victorinus, Tiburtius, and Castulus (287).
Martyr Victor (1937).
New Hieromartyr Thaddeus (Uspensky), archbishop of Tver (1937).
New Hieromartyrs Nicholas archbishop of Velikoustiuzh, James, John, Vladimir, and Nicholas priests (1937).
New Hieromartyr Sergius deacon and Virgin-martyr Vera (1942).
Venerable Sebastian, abbot of Poshekhonye Monastery (Vologda) (1500).
Glorification (1694) of Righteous Simeon, wonderworker of Verkhoturye (1642).
St. Modestus I, archbishop of Jerusalem (4th c.).
Venerable Florus, bishop of Amisus (7th c.).
Venerable Michael the Confessor at Constantinople (845).
Venerable Daniel the Hermit (Romania).
Martyr Eubotius at Cyzicus (318).
Venerable Winnibald, abbot and missionary of England and Heidenheim (Germany) (761) (Celtic & British).
Hieromartyr Zaccheus the Deacon and St. Alpheus the Reader of Caesarea (Greek).
St. Gatianus, first bishop of Tours (3rd c.).
St. Sophia the Wonderworker (Greek).
The Scripture Readings
1
For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect.
2
For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins.
3
But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year.
4
For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.
5
Therefore, when He came into the world, He said:”Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, But a body You have prepared for Me.
6
In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You had no pleasure.
7
Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come- In the volume of the book it is written of Me- To do Your will, O God.’ ”
8
Previously saying, “Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them” (which are offered according to the law),
9
then He said, “Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God.” He takes away the first that He may establish the second.
10
By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
11
And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.
12
But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God,
13
from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool.
14
For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.
15
But the Holy Spirit also witnesses to us; for after He had said before,
16
This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the LORD: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them,
17
then He adds, “Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.”
18
Now where there is remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin.
11
So He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her.
12
And if a woman divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.
13
Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them.
14
But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.
15
Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.
16
And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them.