Thursday 5th February 2026
Fast free week
Afterfeast of the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple
Today we commemorate:
Holy Martyr Agatha of Palermo in Sicily (251). St. Polyeuctos, patriarch of Constantinople (970). Holy New Martyr Anthony of Athens (1774). St. Theodosius of Skopelos in Cilicia (c.421). Repose of St. Theodosius of Chernigov (1696).
British Isles and Ireland:
Holy Martyrs Indract and Dominica of Glastonbury (c.710). St. Buo, missionary (c.900). St. Fingen of Metz (c.1005). St. Vodalus, Irish Hermit in Gaul (c.725).
1 John 1:8-2:6; Mark 13:31-14:2
Readings in bold type are those appointed by the Typikon for use at the Liturgy
1 John 1:8-2:6
Brothers and sisters, if we say we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just in that he forgives us our sins and cleanses us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar and his word is not in us. My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous. He is the atonement for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. And this is how we know that we know him: if we are keeping his commandments. Those who say ‘I know him,’ but do not keep his commandments, are liars and the truth is not in them. But in those who keep his word the love of God has truly been perfected. That is how we know that we are in him. Those who say that they live in him ought themselves to walk as he walked.
Mark 13:31-14:2
The Lord said to his disciples, ‘Heaven and earth will pass away but my words will not pass away. As for that day or hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven nor the Son, only the Father. Take heed, watch and pray, because you do not know when it will be. It is like someone going abroad, leaving home, giving authority to the servants with a task for each of them and instructions for the gatekeeper to keep watch. Be vigilant then, for you do not know when the Lord of the house is coming: in the evening or at midnight or at cockcrow or in the morning, and if he comes unexpectedly he may find you sleeping. What I am saying to you, I say to everyone. Be vigilant.’ Passover and Unleavened Bread were two days away, and the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how they might seize him stealthily and kill him. But they were saying, ‘Not during the feast because the people may riot.’