Wednesday 28th January 2026
Fast day: strict fast
Saint Ephraim the Syrian (373)
Today we commemorate:
St. Palladius the Hermit of Antioch (4th C). St. Isaac the Syrian, bishop of Nineveh (7th C). St. James the Ascetic of Porphyreon in Palestine (6th C). St. Theodosius, abbot of Totma, Vologda (1568). Holy Martyr Grace (Charis)
British Isles and Ireland:
Holy Pilgrim-Martyrs Brigid and Maura (4th C). St. Cannera of Bantry (530). St. Glastian of Kiunglassie (830). St. John the Wise of Malmesbury, monk (8th C).
1 Peter 4:1-11; Mark 12:28-37
For the Commemoration: Galatians 5:22-6:2; Luke 6:17-23
Readings in bold type are those appointed by the Typikon for use at the Liturgy
1 Peter 4:1-11
Beloved, since Christ suffered in the flesh for our sake, you too are to arm yourselves with the same mind; because the one who has suffered in the flesh has done with sin in order to live out the remaining time in the flesh, no longer by human desires, but by the will of God. For you have spent quite enough of your past life in Gentiles pursuits: a life of indecency, lusts, winebibbing, revelling, carousing and idolatries. They find it strange that you are not rushing headlong with them into the same excess of dissipation. They, who revile you, will be answerable to the one who is ready to judge the living and the dead. This is why the Gospel was also preached to the dead, so that although they may have been condemned as human beings in the flesh, they may live with God in the Spirit. The end of everything has drawn near, so be sensible and watch in prayer. Above all, have a fervent love for one another because love will cover a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to each other without grumbling; minister to one another according to the gift each has received, as good stewards of the many forms of God’s grace. If anyone speaks, let it be with the words of God; if anyone ministers, let it be in the strength that God supplies, so that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory and dominion to the ages of ages. Amen.
Mark 12:28-37
At that time one of the scribes came up and heard them debating. He observed that Jesus was answering them well, and he asked him, ‘Which commandment is first of all?’ And to him Jesus replied, ‘The first of all the commandments is “Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God is one Lord, and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” That is the first commandment, and this second one is similar: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” There is no other commandment greater than these.’ And the scribe said to him, ‘That is good, Teacher; you have spoken the truth. He is one, and there is none other but he. And to love him with one’s whole heart and whole mind and whole soul and whole strength and to love one’s neighbour as oneself are more important than all the burnt-offerings and sacrifices.’ When Jesus saw that he spoke with understanding, he said to him, ‘You are not far from the Kingdom of God.’ And no one dared to question him further. While Jesus was teaching in the temple, he asked, ‘How is it that the scribes say that the Christ is the son of David? For David himself said by the Holy Spirit, “The Lord says to my Lord, ‘Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a stool for your feet.’” Therefore David himself calls him Lord. How then is he his son?’ And the large crowd listened to him with delight.
Galatians 5:22-6:2
Brothers and sisters, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, honesty, goodness, faith, humility and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us not become arrogant, irritating one another, envious of one another. Brothers and sisters, if someone has been caught unawares by some lapse, you who are of the Spirit should restore such a person in a spirit of humility, having regard for yourself so that you are not tempted as well. Carry one another’s burdens and so fulfil the law of Christ.
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.’