Tuesday 9th December 2025
Nativity Fast: fish, wine and oil allowed
The Conception by the Righteous Anna of the Most Holy Mother of God
Today we commemorate:
Prophetess Anna (Hannah), mother of the Prophet Samuel (1100 BC). Holy Martyr Narses of Persia. St. Stephen the ‘New Light’ of Constantinople (912).
British Isles and Ireland:
St. Budoc, abbot of Youghal (7th C). St. Ethelgif (Æthelgifu), abbess of Shaftesbury (896). St. Wolfeius, hermit of St. Benet Hulme, Norfolk (1000).
1 Timothy 5:11-21; Luke 21:12-19
For the Commemoration: Galatians 4:22-27; Luke 8:16-21
Readings in bold type are those appointed by the Typikon for use at the Liturgy
1 Timothy 5:11-21
Timothy, my son, do not enrol younger widows because in time they may turn against Christ through sensual desires, wish to marry, and incur condemnation because they have set aside their first profession of faith. And at the same time they learn to be idle, going from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies who say what they should not. I therefore prefer that the younger ones marry, and have children and manage the home, to give the adversary no opportunity for slander. For already some have turned away, back to Satan. If any believer, man or woman, has widowed relatives, he or she should support them. Relieve the church of the burden so that it may support those who are truly widows. Presbyters who have presided well should be accounted worthy of double honour, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. As the Scripture says, ‘You shall not muzzle the ox threshing the grain’ and, ‘The worker is worth his wages.’ Do not accept an accusation against a presbyter unless there are two or three witnesses. Rebuke in the presence of everyone those who transgress, so that others may also be afraid. I am charging you before God and Christ Jesus and the chosen angels that you should observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing through favouritism.
Luke 21:12-19
The Lord told his disciples, ‘You will be seized and persecuted, delivered up to the synagogues and prisons, brought before kings and governors on account of my name. You will be called upon to testify, but make up your minds not to rehearse your defence in advance because I shall give you a voice and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to refute or resist. You will be betrayed, even by parents and relatives and friends and brothers and sisters, and they will put some of you to death. Yes, you will be hated by everyone because of my name, but not a hair on your head will perish. Through your endurance you will take possession of your souls.’
Galatians 4:22-27
Brothers and sisters, Abraham had two sons, one by the slave girl and one by the free woman. But the one by the slave girl had been conceived according to the flesh, and the one by the free woman as a result of the promise. These things are an allegory, for these are the two covenants. One represents Mount Sinai giving birth into slavery: this is Hagar, because Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, enslaved with her children. And the other, the Jerusalem above, is the free woman who is mother of us all. For it is written, ‘Rejoice, you barren who are not giving birth; burst out and shout aloud, you who are not in labour. For the desolate woman has many children, more than the one who has a husband.’
Luke 8:16-21
The Lord said, ‘Having lit a lamp no one covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed, but places it on a stand so that those coming in may see the light. And there is nothing hidden that will not become visible, nothing secret that will not be made known and revealed. Pay attention then to what you are hearing, because those who have will receive, but for those who do not have, even what they think they have will be taken from them.’ His mother and his brothers came to him but they could not reach him because of the crowd, and they told him. They said, ‘Your mother and your brothers are standing outside wanting to see you.’ And in reply he said to them, ‘My mother and my brothers are those who listen to the word of God and do it.’