Friday 30th January 2026
Fast day: wine and oil allowed
Synaxis of the Three Great Hierarchs and Ecumenical Teachers: Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom
Today we commemorate:
Hieromartyr Hippolytus, pope of Rome and those with him at Ostia (269). St. Zeno, hermit at Antioch (5th C). New Martyr Chatzi-Theodore in Mytilene (1784). Holy Martyr Theophilus the New in Cyprus (784)
British Isles and Ireland:
St. Tudy, virgin, daughter of King Brychan of Brecknock (5th C). St. Bathild, Queen of France (680). St. Amnichad, hermit (1043).
2 Peter 1:1-10; Mark 13:1-8
For the Commemoration: Hebrews 13:7-16; Matthew 5:14-19
Readings in bold type are those appointed by the Typikon for use at the Liturgy
2 Peter 1:1-10
Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have been granted a faith just as precious as ours through the righteousness of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ. Grace to you, and may peace prevail through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. Through his divine power he has given us everything for life and godliness through the knowledge of him who called us in glory and virtue through which precious and mighty promises have been given to us so that through them you may become sharers of the divine nature when you have escaped the corruption that is in the world because of lust. For this very reason make every effort to add virtue to your faith; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly and sisterly affection; and to brotherly and sisterly affection, love. Because these things are yours, and are increasing, they make you neither useless nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But those who lack these things are blind, shortsighted, forgetting the past cleansing of their sins. Strive instead, brothers and sisters, to consolidate your calling and election, because by doing this you will never stumble.
Mark 13:1-8
At that time, as Jesus was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Look, Teacher. Such stones and such buildings!’ And in reply Jesus told him, ‘You gaze at these great buildings, but there will not remain here a stone on a stone that will not be brought down.’ When he was sitting on the Mount of Olives, facing the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew questioned him privately. ‘Tell us when these things will happen and what sign there will be that everything is about to be brought to an end.’ Jesus began by saying to them, ‘Watch out that no one leads you astray, because many will come in my name saying, “I am he,” and they will lead many astray. And do not be frightened when you hear of wars and news of battles because they are bound to happen, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and disturbances. These are the beginning of the birth pains.’
Hebrews 13:7-16
Brothers and sisters, remember those who lead you, those who spoke the word of God to you. Study what comes from their way of life; imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and into the ages. Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for the heart to be maintained by grace, not by foods from which those so preoccupied gain no benefit. We have an altar from which those who serve in the Tent have no right to eat, for the bodies of the animals whose blood is brought into the Holy Places by the High Priest because of sin are burnt outside the camp. This is why Jesus also suffered outside the gate, so that he might sanctify the people through his own blood. Let us then go to him outside the camp, bearing his disgrace, for here we have no lasting city but we look to the one that is to come. Through him, therefore, let us offer up to God a continual sacrifice of praise, which is the fruit of lips confessing his name. And do not neglect good deeds and fellowship, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
Matthew 5:14-19
The Lord said to his disciples, ‘You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do you light a lamp and put it under a measuring basket, but on a stand so that it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before all in the same way so that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Do not think that I have come to overthrow the law or the prophets. I have not come to overthrow but to fulfil, for truly I tell you that until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one tiny pen-stroke, shall pass from the law until everything is accomplished. Whoever then sets aside one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven, but whoever keeps them and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.’