Friday 28th November 2025
Nativity Fast: strict fast
Today we commemorate:
Monk Martyr and Confessor Stephen the New of Mt. St. Auxentius (767). Hieromartyr Auxentius and those with him at Tiberiopolis (767). Holy Martyr Irenarchus and Seven Women Martyrs at Sebaste (303).
British Isles and Ireland:
St. Fionnchu, successor of St. Comgall (6th C).
2 Thessalonians 3:6-18; Luke 19:12-28
Readings in bold type are those appointed by the Typikon for use at the Liturgy
2 Thessalonians 3:6-18
Brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ we instruct you to distance yourselves from every brother or sister whose behaviour is ill-disciplined and does not accord with the tradition you received from us. You yourselves know that it is your duty to imitate us, for we were not ill-disciplined when we were among you, nor did we eat anyone’s bread for nothing, but with toil and labour we worked night and day so as not to be a burden on any of you. This was not because we lack authority, but so that we might give ourselves to you as an example to imitate. For when we were with you, we commanded you that if any were not willing to work, neither should they eat. Yet we hear that there are some among you whose behaviour is ill-disciplined, who do nothing at all except meddle. We instruct and exhort such people in the Lord Jesus Christ that they are to eat their own bread by working quietly. And you, brothers and sisters, are not to grow weary of doing good. If there are any who do not heed what we say in this letter, mark such people and do not associate with them so that they may be shamed. Do not regard them as enemies, but reprove them as brothers and sisters. Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all. The greeting is in my own hand, Paul. It is the signature to every letter; this is how I write. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
Luke 19:12-28
The Lord told this parable. ‘A man of noble birth was going to a distant country to accept for himself a kingdom, and then returning. Summoning ten of his own servants he gave them ten pounds and told them, “Trade with this until I return.” But his subjects hated him, and they sent a delegation after him to say, “We do not want this man to rule over us.” Now on his return, after accepting the kingdom, he ordered these servants to whom he had given the money to be summoned so that he might learn who had gained what by trading. The first appeared, saying, “Lord, your pound made ten more pounds.” And he said to him, “Well done, good servant. Because you have proved trustworthy with a very little, have jurisdiction over ten towns.” Then the second appeared, saying, “Lord, your pound made five pounds.” And he said to this one too, “Be in charge of five towns.” Then another appeared, saying, “Lord, here is your pound. I kept it wrapped in a towel, for I was afraid of you because you are a hard man. You pick up what you did not put down, and you reap what you did not sow, and you gather what you did not thresh.” He told him, “Wicked servant, I shall condemn you out of your own mouth. You knew that I was a hard man, picking up what I did not put down, and reaping what I did not sow, and gathering what I did not thresh. Why then did you not deposit my money in the bank? On my return I should then collect it with interest.” And to those standing there he said, “Take the pound from him and give it to the one who has ten pounds.” They said, “Lord, he has ten pounds!” “I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but from those who have not, even what they have will be taken from them. As for those enemies of mine who did not want me to rule over them, bring them here and slaughter them in front of me.”’ After saying this, Jesus went on ahead on his way up to Jerusalem.