☦ Orthodox Calendar — Julian calendar
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☦ Saints of the day
- Ven. Theodora of Alexandria
📜 Life of the saint
Saint Theodora of Alexandria and her husband lived in Alexandria. Love and harmony ruled in their family, and this was hateful to the Enemy of salvation. Goaded on by the devil, a certain rich man was captivated by the youthful beauty of Theodora and began with all his abilities to lead her into… - St Euphrosynos the Cook of Alexandria (9th c.)
📜 Life of the saint
Our Holy Father Euphrosynos (Euphrósynos)1 the Cook was born into a peasant family, and had no schooling, but he was truly devout and faithful. As an adult, he became a cook, and was able to save money out of his expenses by depriving himself, but only for the sake of almsgiving. His position as… - St Paphnutius the Confessor (4th c.)
📜 Life of the saint
St. Paphnutius the Confessor was a monk and ascetic of the Thebaid in Egypt during the fourth century. He is commemorated as a confessor, having steadfastly defended the Orthodox faith against the Arian heresy. During the reign of Emperor Constantius II, who promoted Arianism, St. Paphnutius was imprisoned for his unwavering opposition to the heretical teachings. His imprisonment was a direct result of his public confession of faith in the consubstantiality of the Son with the Father, as defined by the First Council of Nicaea (325). He endured imprisonment and persecution for his fidelity to the Nicene Creed. St. Paphnutius is believed to have died in prison or shortly after his release, having suffered for the truth of the Gospel. His feast day is celebrated on December 1st in the Orthodox Church. - Canonization of St Xenia of St Petersburg (1978)
📜 Life of the saint
Saint Xenia of St. Petersburg, also known as Xenia of the Holy Cross, lived as a humble widow in St. Petersburg following the death of her husband, a military officer, in 1764. She renounced her former life of comfort, adopting the garb of a peasant woman and living in poverty, often wandering the streets of the city. Known for her deep humility, constant prayer, and prophetic words, she became a familiar figure to the people of St. Petersburg, offering counsel and comfort. She died on January 1st, 1797 (December 21st, 1796, Old Style), in a humble dwelling near the Church of the Holy Cross. Her relics were discovered in 1803 and enshrined in the Church of the Holy Cross. She was officially canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church on May 26th, 1909 (May 13th, Old Style), by Patriarch Tikhon of Moscow, recognizing her life of faith and service. Her feast day is celebrated on January 1st (December 21st, Old Style).
📖 Readings of the day
Epistle — Ephesians 4.14-19
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:
19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
Gospel — Mark 11.27-33
27 And they come again to Jerusalem: and as he was walking in the temple, there come to him the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders,
28 And say unto him, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority to do these things?
29 And Jesus answered and said unto them, I will also ask of you one question, and answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things.
30 The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? answer me.
31 And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then did ye not believe him?
32 But if we shall say, Of men; they feared the people: for all men counted John, that he was a prophet indeed.
33 And they answered and said unto Jesus, We cannot tell. And Jesus answering saith unto them, Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.
✠ Continuous Gospel reading
John 21 KJV
1 After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he {himself}.
2 There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the {sons} of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples.
3 Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.
4 But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.
5 Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No. {Children: or, Sirs}
6 And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.
7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt {his} fisher's coat {unto him}, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea.
8 And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes.
9 As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread.
10 Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught.
11 Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken.
12 Jesus saith unto them, Come {and} dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.
13 Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise.
14 This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead.
15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, {son} of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, {son} of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, {son} of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
18 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry {thee} whither thou wouldest not.
19 This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.
20 Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee?
21 Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what {shall} this man {do}?
22 Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what {is that} to thee? follow thou me.
23 Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what {is that} to thee?
24 This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true.
25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.
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