Tuesday 13th January 2026
Afterfeast of The Theophany
Today we commemorate:
Holy martyrs Hermylus and Stratonicus of Belgrade (315). St. James, bishop of Nisibis (350). St. Hilary, bishop of Poitiers (369). St. Maximus the Righteous of Kapsokalyvia Skete (1364). St. Eleazar of Anzersk Island at Solovki (1656). Holy martyrs Pachomios and Papyrinos of Greece
British Isles and Ireland:
St. Kentigern (Mungo), 1st bishop of Glasgow and Strathclyde (603). St. Erbin of Cornwall (6th C). St. Elian (6th C).
James 3:1-10; Mark 4:24-34
Readings in bold type are those appointed by the Typikon for use at the Liturgy
James 3:1-10
Brothers and sisters, not many should become teachers because we know that we shall receive a stricter judgement, and we all take many a false step. If someone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man and is able to bridle the whole body. Consider the bits we put into horses’ mouths so that they obey us; then we turn their whole body around. And look at the ships, so vast and being driven by fierce winds. They are turned about by a very small rudder wherever the helmsman’s thrust decides. And it is the same with the tongue: it is a little member, but it boasts great things. Look at how large a forest is set ablaze by a small fire, and the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness, for the tongue, placed among our members, defiles the whole body. It sets on fire the course of nature, while it is set on fire by hell. The whole of nature, whether beast or bird or reptile or what is from the sea, is being tamed or has been tamed by human nature, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is an uncontrollable evil full of deadly venom. With it we bless God the Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come a blessing and a curse. My brothers and sisters, there is no need for this to happen.
Mark 4:24-34
The Lord said to his disciples, ‘Pay attention to what you hear; with the measure you deal out it will be dealt to you, and even more will be given to those who listen. Those who have, will receive; but for those who do not have, even what they have will be taken from them.’ And he said, ‘The Kingdom of God is like this. It is as if someone were to cast seed upon the earth, then sleep and rise, night and day, as the seed germinates and sprouts without that person knowing how. For the earth bears fruit of its own accord: first the blade, then the ear, then the grain filling the ear. As soon as the crop is ready, the sickle is put in because the harvest has come.’ He said, ‘How may we portray the Kingdom of God? Or what parable may we suggest? It is like a mustard seed sown in the ground. It is the smallest of all the seeds on earth, but when it is sown it springs up and becomes bigger than any of the garden herbs. It produces branches large enough for the birds of the air to rest in its shade.’ With many such parables he would preach the word to them as long as they were able to listen. He did not preach the word to them except in parables, but privately to his disciples he would explain everything.