Saturday 17th January 2026
Our Venerable and God-bearing Father Anthony the Great
Today we commemorate:
St. Anthony the New, ascetic of Berrea in Macedonia (11th C). New-martyr George of Ioannina (1838). St. Theodosius the Great, Emperor of Rome (395)
British Isles and Ireland:
St. Nennius, disciple of St. Ninian (6th C). St. Mildgyth of Lyminge, virgin (676).
1 Thessalonians 5:14-23; Matthew 23:1-12
For the Commemoration: Hebrews 13:17-21; Luke 6:17-23
Readings in bold type are those appointed by the Typikon for use at the Liturgy
1 Thessalonians 5:14-23
Brothers and sisters, we urge you to rebuke the disorderly, encourage the dispirited, care for the sick and be patient with everyone. See that no one repays evil with evil to anyone, but always seek out what is good, both among yourselves and with everyone. Always rejoice; never stop praying; be thankful for everything. For in Christ Jesus this is God’s will for you. Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophecies; test everything; hold on to what is good and keep away from every sort of evil. May the God of peace himself perfect you in holiness, and may every part of your spirit, soul and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Matthew 23:1-12
At that time Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying, ‘The scribes and the Pharisees sit in the chair of Moses, so whatever they tell you to observe, observe it and do it. But do not do as they do, because they talk but do not act. They lash together burdens that are heavy and painful to carry and set them on people’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them. Everything they do is done to be seen by others. That is why they broaden their phylacteries and make much of the fringes of their robes. They love the top table at dinners and the front seats in the synagogues and the greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called, “Rabbi, Rabbi” by the people. But you are not to be called Rabbi, for there is one who is your Teacher, the Christ, and all of you are brothers and sisters. And do not call anyone on earth your Father, for there is one who is your Father, he who is in heaven. And do not be called Master, for there is one who is your Master, the Christ. The greatest among you shall be your servant because those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.’
Hebrews 13:17-21
Brothers and sisters, obey your leaders, for they are watching over your souls as those who will give an account; and submit to them so that they may do this with joy and not with a sigh, for that would be unprofitable for you. Pray for us, for we trust that we have a good conscience and want to live uprightly in every way. I beg you earnestly to do this so that I may be restored to you quickly. Now may the God of peace who by the blood of an everlasting covenant brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep, our Lord Jesus, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you what is pleasing in his sight through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory to the ages of ages. Amen.
Luke 6:17-23
At that time Jesus came down and stopped at a level place. A crowd of his disciples and a great number from all Judaea, Jerusalem, and from the coastal areas of Tyre and Sidon came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases, those too who were troubled by unclean spirits, and they were healed. The whole crowd was trying to touch him because power was coming from him, and he was healing them all. Then he raised his eyes to his disciples and said, ‘Blessed are the poor, for yours is the Kingdom of God. Blessed are those who hunger now, for you will be filled. Blessed are those who weep now, for you will laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude and insult you and drag down your name as evil on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice on that day and leap for joy, for you know that your reward is great in heaven.’