Wednesday 24th December 2025
Nativity Fast: strict fast
Liturgy of St Basil
Eve of the Nativity of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ
Today we commemorate:
Virgin-Martyr Eugenia of Rome, and with her the Martyrs Philip, her father, Protus, Hyacinth, Basilla and Claudia (c.262). New Martyr Achmed (Ahmet) the Calligrapher of Constantinople (1682)
British Isles and Ireland:
St. Caran, missionary (7th C).
Hebrews 5:11-6:8; Mark 10:11-16
For the Commemoration: Hebrews 1:1-12; Luke 2:1-20
Readings in bold type are those appointed by the Typikon for use at the Liturgy
Hebrews 5:11-6:8
Brothers and sisters, of Melchizedek we have much to say, but it is hard to explain because you have become lazy listeners. For although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God. You have developed a need for milk, not solid food, and everyone who drinks milk is but an infant, and is ignorant in the matter of righteousness. Solid food is for the mature who have senses honed by practice for the discernment of good and evil. Let us then leave behind the elementary understanding of Christ; let us move on to perfection instead of laying once again the foundation of repentance from dead works and faith in God, of baptismal teaching and the laying on of hands, of the resurrection of the dead and everlasting judgement. And this we shall do, if God permits. For it is not possible for those once enlightened, who tasted the heavenly gift and became sharers of the Holy Spirit, who tasted the good word of God and the mighty works of the age to come, but who fell away, to be restored to repentance when they are crucifying the Son of God once again for themselves and openly holding him in contempt. For land that soaks up the rain which frequently falls upon it, producing pasture fit for those who farm it, receives a blessing from God, but that which bears thorns and thistles is worthless, ripe for cursing, and is destined to be burnt.
Mark 10:11-16
The Lord said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her, and if a woman divorces the husband and marries another, she commits adultery.’ They were bringing little children to him so that he might touch them. The disciples rebuked those who brought them, but when Jesus saw this he was indignant. He told them, ‘Let the children come to me and do not prevent them, for of such is the Kingdom of God. Truly I tell you that whoever does not accept the Kingdom of God like a little child will not enter it.’ And taking them in his arms, he blessed them, placing his hands upon them.
Hebrews 1:1-12
God, long ago at various times and in many ways, spoke to the ancestors through the prophets. In these final days he has spoken to us through a Son whom he appointed heir of everything, and through whom he created the ages. He is the radiance of the Glory and the exact representation of his essence; he upholds everything by his mighty word. When he himself made a purification for our sins, he took his seat at the right hand of the Majesty on high. He became as much superior to the angels as the name he inherited is more excellent than theirs, for to which of the angels did he ever say, ‘You are my Son. Today I have begotten you’? And again, ‘I shall be Father to him and he will be Son to me.’ And again, when he brought the first-born into the world, he says, ‘Let all the angels of God worship him.’ Of the angels he says, ‘He makes his angels spirits and his ministers a flame of fire,’ but of the Son, ‘Your throne, O God, is to the ages of ages. The sceptre of your Kingdom is a sceptre of righteousness. You love righteousness and hate lawlessness. Because of this, God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness over your companions.’ And, ‘In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundation of the earth and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you continue. Like a garment they will all grow old, and like a cloak you will fold them up. They will be changed but you are the same, and your years will never end.’
Luke 2:1-20
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be registered. This was the first census when Cyrenius was governor of Syria, and everyone was travelling to register, each to his own city. And so Joseph too went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judaea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem because he was of the house and lineage of David, to register himself with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. It happened while they were there that the time came for her to be delivered, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger because there was no place for them in the inn. Now there were shepherds in the same area, encamped in the pastures and guarding their flock through the night. An angel of the Lord stood before them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were gripped by a great fear. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; I am bringing you good news of great joy that is for all the people, for today in the city of David a Saviour was born for you. He is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.’ Suddenly there was with the angel a great company of the Host of Heaven, praising God and proclaiming, ‘Glory to God on high, and on earth peace and goodwill among people.’ When the angels had gone from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this that has happened which the Lord made known to us.’ And so they went with speed and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. As they gazed, they revealed what had been said to them about the child, and all who were listening were amazed by what the shepherds told them. Mary remembered all that was said, piecing it together in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them.