Monday 2nd February 2026
Fast free week
Presentation of the Lord in the Temple
Today we commemorate:
New Martyr Jordanes at Galata (1650). New Martyr Gabriel at Constantinople (1676). Holy Martyr Agathodoros of Cappadocia.
British Isles and Ireland:
St. Columbanus the Hermit (959). S St. Laurence, 2nd archbishop of Canterbury (619). St. Feock of Cornwall. St. Ronan, 3rd bishop of Man (6th C).
2 Peter 1:20-2:9; Mark 13:9-13
For the Commemoration: Hebrews 7:7-17; Luke 2:22-40
Readings in bold type are those appointed by the Typikon for use at the Liturgy
2 Peter 1:20-2:9
Beloved, above all understand this, that no prophecy of Scripture turns on one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy of old came by the will of a human being because God’s holy ones spoke when moved by the Holy Spirit. False prophets arose among the people, and there will also be false teachers among you. They will insinuate destructive heresies and deny the Master who redeemed them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction; and many will imitate their depravities. Because of them, the way of the truth will be reviled, and in their greed they will exploit you with slippery words. Their condemnation of long standing is not deferred, nor will their destruction sleep. For if God did not spare fallen angels, but cast them down to hell in chains of darkness and committed them to be held for judgement; and if he did not spare the ancient world, though he saved Noah, one of eight, a herald of righteousness, when he brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly; and if he overthrew the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by turning them to ashes, condemning them as an example to those bent on being ungodly, but rescued righteous Lot who was oppressed by the depraved behaviour of the immoral, for that righteous man who lived among them was tormented day by day in his righteous soul by the sight and sound of lawless deeds; then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to detain the unrighteous to be punished on the Day of Judgement.
Mark 13:9-13
The Lord said to his disciples, ‘Watch out for yourselves because they will hand you over to their councils and synagogues. You will be beaten and brought before governors and kings because of me, to be a witness to them. But first, the Gospel must be preached to all the nations. When they lead you away to put you in prison, do not be anxious beforehand about what you should say; do not think about it in advance, but say whatever is given you at that moment because it is not you who will be speaking but the Holy Spirit. Brother will hand over brother to death, and a father a child, and children will rise up against parents and put them to death. You will be hated by everyone because of my name, but those who stand firm to the end will be saved.’
Hebrews 7:7-17
Brothers and sisters, unquestionably the lesser is blessed by the greater. Tithes are now collected by human beings who die, but then it was by someone of whom it is testified that he lives. One might say that through Abraham even Levi, who receives the tithes, has paid tithes; for he was still in the loins of his forefather when Melchizedek met him. Now if perfection were through the Levitical priesthood, because the people under it had received the law, what further need would there be to speak of another priest arising according to the order of Melchizedek, and not according to the order of Aaron? And with the priesthood being changed, of necessity a change in the law happens as well, because the one of whom these things are said belongs to a different tribe from which no one has been in attendance at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord has arisen from Judah, and of that tribe Moses said nothing about priesthood. And it is even more evident if it is another priest in the likeness of Melchizedek who arises, one who has come, not in conformity with the physical requirements of the law, but with the power of an indestructible life. For he testifies that ‘you are a priest for ever according to the order of Melchizedek.’
Luke 2:22-40
At that time the parents brought the child Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, for it is written in the Law of the Lord that ‘every male opening a womb shall be called holy to the Lord,’ and to offer a sacrifice of what is prescribed in the Law of the Lord: a brace of turtle-doves or two young pigeons. Now there was in Jerusalem a man whose name was Simeon. This righteous and devout man was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had looked upon the Lord’s Anointed. He came in the Spirit into the temple when the parents were bringing in the child Jesus to do for him what was customary according to the Law, and he took him in his arms and praised God, and said, ‘Now, Master, you allow your servant to depart in peace according to your word. For my eyes have seen your salvation that you prepared in the presence of all peoples: a light to enlighten the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.’ Both Joseph and the child’s mother were amazed by what was said about him. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, ‘Know that this child is set apart for the downfall and the rising again of many in Israel and as a sign to be disputed – and a sword will go right through your own soul too – so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.’ Then there was Anna, a prophetess and a daughter of Phanuel of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age; after living with her husband for seven years from her virginity, she had been a widow for about eighty-four years. She did not leave the temple, but worshipped with fasting and prayer, night and day. She was there at that time, giving thanks to the Lord, and she spoke of him to all who were in Jerusalem waiting patiently for redemption. When they had completed everything in accordance with the Law of the Lord they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong in spirit, full of wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.