Saturday 13th December 2025
Nativity Fast: wine and oil allowed
Today we commemorate:
Virgin-martyr Lucy of Syracuse (304). Holy Martyrs Eustratius, Auxentius, Eugene, Mardarius, and Orestes, at Sebaste (4th C). Repose of St. Herman of Alaska (1836). St. Arsenios of Latros (9th C). Hieromartyr Gabriel I, patriarch of Serbia (1659).
British Isles and Ireland:
St. Edburgh (Eadburh), abbess of Minster-in-Thanet (751).
Galatians 5:22-6:2; Luke 13:18-29
Readings in bold type are those appointed by the Typikon for use at the Liturgy
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 13:18-29
The Lord told this parable. ‘The Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed that a man took and planted in his own garden. It grew and became a large tree, and the birds of the air perched in its branches.’ Again he said, ‘To what shall I compare the Kingdom of God? It is like the yeast that a woman took and blended into three tubs of flour until it was all leavened.’ He was travelling through towns and villages, teaching and making his way towards Jerusalem. Someone asked him, ‘Lord, are those who are saved, few?’ He said to them, ‘Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for I say to you that many will try to enter but will not be able. Once the master of the house has got up and shut the door you will be standing outside, knocking on the door and saying, “Lord, Lord, open up for us.” But he will say to you in reply, “I do not know where you are from.” Then you will begin to say, “We ate and drank in your company, and you taught in our marketplaces.” But he will reply, “I tell you, I do not know where you are from. Leave me, all you workers of unrighteousness.” In that place there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the Kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrust outside. They will then come from the east and the west, and from the north and the south, and sit down in the Kingdom of God.’