Thursday 22nd January 2026
Apostle Timothy of the Seventy
Today we commemorate:
St. Vincent the deacon, Protomartyr of Spain (4th C). Monk-Martyr Anastasius the Persian (628). St. Joseph Samakus the Sanctified of Crete.
British Isles and Ireland:
St. Brithwald of Ramsbury (1045).
1 Peter 4:12-5:5; Mark 6:30-45
For the Commemoration: 2 Timothy 1:3-8; Matthew 10:32-33,37-38,19:27-30
Readings in bold type are those appointed by the Typikon for use at the Liturgy
1 Peter 4:12-5:5
Beloved, do not be bewildered by the fiery trial that is coming upon you, to test you, as if something strange were happening to you, but rejoice in so far as you have a share in the sufferings of Christ so that you may also rejoice with greater joy at the revelation of his glory. If you are insulted in Christ’s name, you are blessed because the Spirit of glory and of power and of God rests upon you. Although he is blasphemed by them, he is glorified by you. Let none of you suffer for being a murderer or a thief or a villain or a busybody, but if it is for being a Christian, you should not be ashamed but glorify God for this, because the time has come for the judgement to begin with the household of God. And if it begins with us first, how is it going to end for those who refuse to believe the Gospel of God? ‘For if it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?’ Let those who suffer in accordance with the will of God therefore commit their souls to the faithful Creator by doing good. I, as a fellow presbyter and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and as one who has a share in the glory about to be revealed, exhort the presbyters among you to shepherd the flock of God under you, exercising oversight, not with reluctance but willingly, not for sordid gain but gladly. Do not lord it over those assigned to you, but be examples to the flock. Then, when the High Shepherd appears, you will receive the imperishable crown of glory. In the same way you younger ones are to be obedient to your elders, with all of you being obedient to one another. Clothe yourselves with humility because ‘God resists the proud but gives grace to the lowly.’
Mark 6:30-45
At that time the Apostles came together to Jesus and told him everything, all that they had done and all that they had taught, and he said to them, ‘Come away by yourselves to a solitary place and rest for a while.’ For great numbers were coming and going, and they had no opportunity even to eat. And so they went off in a boat by themselves to a deserted place. But they were seen leaving, and many recognised them; and from all the towns they ran together on foot and got there before them and gathered around him. When Jesus disembarked, he saw a great crowd and had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he began to teach them many things. When the hour was well advanced, his disciples came to him and said, ‘This place is a wilderness and it is late. Send them away so that they may go into the surrounding countryside and villages to buy bread for themselves, for they have nothing to eat.’ But in reply he told them, ‘You give them something to eat.’ And they responded, ‘Are we to go and buy two hundred denarii worth of loaves to give them to eat?’ He asked them, ‘How many loaves do you have? Go and see.’ When they had found out, they said, ‘Five, and two fish.’ He then ordered them to get everyone to sit down in companies on the green grass; and they sat down, rank upon rank, by hundreds and by fifties. He took the five loaves and the two fish, looked up to heaven and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples to set before them; and the two fish he distributed to all. And everyone ate and was satisfied. The disciples then gathered up the fragments, twelve baskets full, and also the fish. Those eating the loaves were five thousand men. He made his disciples get into the boat immediately, to go on ahead to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd.
2 Timothy 1:3-8
Timothy, my son, with a clear conscience I give thanks to God whom I worship as my ancestors did. Unceasingly night and day I make mention of you in my prayers, remembering your tears, longing to see you so that I may be filled with joy. I remember the sincere faith that is in you. It resided first in your grandmother Lois, then in your mother Eunice and, I am convinced, it is also in you. This is why I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and self-control. Do not be ashamed then of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in the hardships of the Gospel through the power of God who saved us.
Matthew 10:32-33,37-38,19:27-30
The Lord said to his disciples, ‘Everyone who acknowledges me in the presence of others, I too will acknowledge in the presence of my Father who is in heaven. But whoever disowns me in the presence of others, I too will disown in the presence of my Father who is in heaven. … Anyone who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and anyone who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not accept the cross and follow after me is not worthy of me.’ … Then Peter spoke. He said to him, ‘You know that we have left everything and followed you. What will there be for us?’ Jesus said to them, ‘Truly I tell you that in the new beginning when the Son of Man is seated on his throne of glory, you who followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands for my name’s sake will be recompensed a hundred times over, and will inherit everlasting life. But many who are first will be last, and those who are last, first.’