Saturday, July 25, 2026
Dormition Righteous Anna, Mother of Theotokos; Commemoration of the holy 165 Fathers of the Fifth Ecumenical Council (553); St Olympias the Deaconess (408)
Saturday of the 8th week after Pentecost
Tone 6. No fast. What this means
The Epistle for St Anna
Galatians 4:22–27
For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. 23But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise. 24Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. 25For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. 26But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. 27For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.
The Gospel for St Anna
Luke 8:16–21
No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light. 17For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad. 18Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.
19Then came to him his mother and his brethren, and could not come at him for the press. 20And it was told him by certain which said, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee. 21And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.
Commemorated today
- Dormition Righteous Anna, Mother of Theotokos
- Eupraxia & Julia the Righteous of Tabenna
- Gregory Kallidis, Metropolitan of Heraclea
- Commemoration of the holy 165 Fathers of the Fifth Ecumenical Council (553)
- St Olympias the Deaconess (408)
Hymns and lives of the saints are on the Online Chapel of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese.