Orthodox Readings

Wednesday, December 16, 2020

Prophet Haggai; Holy Empress and Wonderworker Theophano (893); Modestos, Archbishop of Jerusalem

Wednesday of the 28th week after Pentecost

Tone 2. Nativity Fast: strict. What this means

The Epistle

2 Timothy 4:9–22

Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me: 10For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. 11Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry. 12And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus. 13The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments. 14Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works: 15Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words. 16At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. 17Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. 18And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

19Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. 20Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick. 21Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren. 22The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.

The Gospel

Mark 8:30–34

And he charged them that they should tell no man of him. 31And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32And he spake that saying openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him. 33But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.

34And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Commemorated today

  • Prophet Haggai
  • Modestos, Archbishop of Jerusalem
  • Nicholas Chrysoberges, Patriarch of Constantinople
  • Memnonus, Archbishop of Ephesus
  • Holy Empress and Wonderworker Theophano (893)

Hymns and lives of the saints are on the Online Chapel of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese.

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