Friday 12th December 2025
Nativity Fast: wine and oil allowed
Saint Spyridon the Wonderworker, bishop of Tremithus
Today we commemorate:
St. John, metropolitan of Zichon, founder of the monastery of the Forerunner on Mt. Menikion (1333). Hieromartyr Alexander, bishop of Jerusalem (251). Holy martyr Synesius of Rome (275).
British Isles and Ireland:
St. Finnian, bishop of Clonard and founder of Skellig Michael (c.549). St. Colman of Glendalough (659). St. Columba of Leinster (548). St. Cormac, abbot (6th C). St. Agatha of Wimborne (790).
2 Timothy 1:1-2, 8-18; Luke 21:37-22:8
For the Commemoration: Ephesians 5:8-19; John 10:9-16
Readings in bold type are those appointed by the Typikon for use at the Liturgy
2 Timothy 1:1-2, 8-18
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God for the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus, to Timothy, beloved child. Grace, mercy, peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. … Do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in the hardships of the Gospel through the power of God who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not by our actions, but through his own purpose and the grace that was given to us in Christ Jesus before time everlasting. This has now been revealed by the appearance of our Saviour Jesus Christ who truly abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel for which I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher of the nations. It is for this reason that I suffer these things, but I am not ashamed because I know in whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to keep safe my commitment until that day. With faith and love in Christ Jesus, hold on to the pattern of wholesome doctrine that you heard from me. Keep the noble commitment safe through the Holy Spirit who lives in us. As you know, everyone in Asia turned away from me, including Phygellus and Hermogenes. May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus because he often lifted my spirits and was not embarrassed by my chains, and when he was in Rome he diligently sought and found me. May the Lord grant that he finds mercy from the Lord on that Day, for he ministered at Ephesus in so many ways, as you very well know.
Luke 21:37-22:8
At that time Jesus was teaching in the temple by day, and at night he went out and would remain on the Mount of Olives, but by daybreak all the people would be on the mountain with him, to listen to him. The feast of Unleavened Bread known as Passover was drawing near, and the chief priests and the scribes were looking for a way to put him to death but they were afraid of the people. Then Satan entered into Judas surnamed Iscariot who was numbered among the Twelve, and he went to consult with the chief priests and scribes and temple officers about how he might betray him to them. They were delighted and promised to give him money, and he agreed and began to look for an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of a crowd. Then came the day of Unleavened Bread when the Passover had to be sacrificed, and he sent Peter and John, saying, ‘Go and prepare the Passover for us so that we may eat.’
Ephesians 5:8-19
Brothers and sisters, walk as children of light, for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth, in discerning what is pleasing to the Lord. And do not keep company with the unfruitful works of darkness but rather expose them, for it is shameful even to speak of the things these people do in secret; but everything exposed by the light is revealed, because everything that is revealed is light. This is why it is said, ‘Awake, sleeper. Rise from the dead and Christ will shine upon you.’ Watch carefully how you walk then, not like the unwise but like the wise, and make good use of time because the days are evil. For this reason do not be foolish but understand what the Lord wills. And do not get drunk with wine because that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, conversing in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making music to the Lord in your hearts.
John 10:9-16
The Lord said, ‘I am the Gate. Anyone who enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal, to kill and to destroy. I came so that they may have life and have it in abundance. I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep; but when the hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees a wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf carries the sheep off and scatters them. The hired hand, being a hired hand, runs away and does not care about the sheep. I am the Good Shepherd. I know my own and I am known by those who are mine, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep, not of this fold; I must fetch them too. They will listen to my voice and there will be one flock, one Shepherd.’