Wednesday 3rd December 2025
Nativity Fast: strict fast
Today we commemorate:
Prophet Sophonias (Zephaniah) (635 BC). St. John the Silent of St. Sabbas’ Monastery (558). Hieromartyr Theodore, archbishop of Alexandria (606). Holy Martyrs Agapius and Seleucius. St. Theodoulos, eparch of Constantinople (c.440). New Martyr Angelos of Chios (1813). Monk-martyr Cosmas of St. Anne’s Skete. St. Sabbas, abbot of Zvenigorod, disciple of St. Sergius of Radonezh (1406).
British Isles and Ireland:
St. Birinus, bishop of Dorchester and Apostle of Wessex (650). St. Lucius of Britain (c.200). St. Ethernan (c.699). St. Sola, disciple of St. Boniface (794).
1 Timothy 1:18-20,2:8-15; Luke 20:1-8
Readings in bold type are those appointed by the Typikon for use at the Liturgy
1 Timothy 1:18-20,2:8-15
Timothy, my son, I am setting this charge before you in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that in them you may fight the good fight and have faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and made shipwreck of their faith. Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander whom I delivered to Satan so that they may learn not to blaspheme. … I therefore want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or argument; and in the same way I want the women to dress appropriately, adorning themselves with modesty and moderation, not with braids or gold or pearls or in expensive garments, but through good works that are becoming for women who profess godliness. Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. I do not allow a woman to teach or to have authority over a husband, but she is to hold her peace because Adam was formed first, then Eve. And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman. She was deceived and fell into transgression, but she will be saved through bearing children if they continue in faith and love and holiness with self-control.
Luke 20:1-8
At that time, when Jesus was teaching the people in the temple and proclaiming the Gospel, the priests and the scribes were there with the elders. They said to him, ‘Tell us on what authority you are doing this. Who gave you this authority?’ He answered them by saying, ‘I shall also ask you one question. Tell me about the baptism of John. Was it from heaven or of human origin?’ They discussed it among themselves. ‘If we say it was from heaven, he will reply, “Why then did you not believe him?” But if we say it was of human origin, all the people will stone us because they are convinced that John was a prophet.’ They therefore replied that they did not know where it was from. And Jesus said to them, ‘Neither will I tell you on what authority I am doing this.’