Tuesday 3rd February 2026
Fast free week
Righteous Symeon and Prophetess Anna
Afterfeast of the Entrance of the Lord to the Temple
Today we commemorate:
John, Nicholas and Stamatios, New Martyrs of Spetsae (Cesme) (1822). St. Nicholas, archbishop and Enlightener of Japan (1912). St. James, archbishop of Serbia (1292).
British Isles and Ireland:
St. Caellainn of Roscommon (6th C). Holy Martyr Ia (Ives) of Cornwall (450). St. Werburgh of Chester, abbess of Hanbury (700). St. Werburgh, abbess of Bardney (c.785). St. Anatoolius, Scots bishop (9th C).
2 Peter 2:9-22; Mark 13:14-23
For the Commemoration: Hebrews 9:11-14; Luke 2:25-38
Readings in bold type are those appointed by the Typikon for use at the Liturgy
2 Peter 2:9-22
Beloved, the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to detain the unrighteous to be punished on the Day of Judgement, especially those who go after the flesh with a lust for filthiness and who despise authority. Being presumptuous and arrogant, they are not afraid to revile the glorious ones, while angels, who are greater in might and power, bring before the Lord no slanderous accusation against them. These people are like irrational brute beasts, born to be captured and destroyed. They revile what they do not understand. In their corruption they will perish, receiving the wages of unrighteousness. They regard debauchery as a daytime delicacy. They are blots and blemishes, revelling in their delusions while feasting with you. With eyes brimful of adultery, they are unable to stop sinning. They beguile unstable souls with a heart practised in greed. They are children of a curse. They abandon the straight road and wander off to follow the path of Balaam son of Bosor who loved the reward of unrighteousness. But he was rebuked for his own trangression: a dumb donkey spoke with a human voice and restrained the prophet’s madness. These people are waterless wells, clouds driven away by a gale, for whom the shroud of everlasting darkness has been reserved. Braying useless bombast, they entrap in the lusts of the flesh and in depravity any who manage to escape from those living in error. They promise them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption, because anyone who has been defeated by something has become enslaved by it. And if they escape the defilements of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, but then get entangled in them again, they are defeated. For them their last state is worse than the first, because it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness than, having known it, to turn back from the holy commandment committed to them. The truth of the proverb has fallen upon them: the dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing, to wallowing in the mire.
Mark 13:14-23
The Lord said to his disciples, ‘When you see the desolating abomination spoken of by the prophet Daniel set up where it ought not to be – let the reader understand – then those in Judaea should flee to the mountains. Those on the housetop should not go down to the house nor go inside to remove anything from the house, and those in the field should not turn back to pick up their clothes. Pity those who are with child and those breastfeeding in those days. And pray that your retreat may not be in winter, for in those days there will be anguish such as there has not been since the beginning of the creation that God created, not until now and never will be. If the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would be saved; but for the sake of the chosen, those whom he chose for himself, he has cut short the days. And then if anyone says to you, “Look, here is the Christ,” or, “Look, there,” do not believe it, for false christs and false prophets will arise and they will provide signs and wonders to lead astray, if possible, even the chosen. You are to keep watch; understand that I have told you everything beforehand.’
Hebrews 9:11-14
Brothers and sisters, when Christ came as the High Priest of the good things to come, it was through the greater and more perfect Tent not made by human hands, that is, not of this creation, and it was not with the blood of goats and bullocks but with his own blood that he entered the Holy Place once and for all having obtained everlasting redemption. For if sprinkling the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer sanctifies, purifying the flesh of those who are defiled, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself blameless to God, purify your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
Luke 2:25-38
At that time there was in Jerusalem a man whose name was Simeon. This righteous and devout man was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had looked upon the Lord’s Anointed. He came in the Spirit into the temple when the parents were bringing in the child Jesus to do for him what was customary according to the Law, and he took him in his arms and praised God, and said, ‘Now, Master, you allow your servant to depart in peace according to your word. For my eyes have seen your salvation that you prepared in the presence of all peoples: a light to enlighten the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.’ Both Joseph and the child’s mother were amazed by what was said about him. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, ‘Know that this child is set apart for the downfall and the rising again of many in Israel and as a sign to be disputed – and a sword will go right through your own soul too – so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.’ Then there was Anna, a prophetess and a daughter of Phanuel of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age; after living with her husband for seven years from her virginity, she had been a widow for about eighty-four years. She did not leave the temple, but worshipped with fasting and prayer, night and day. She was there at that time, giving thanks to the Lord, and she spoke of him to all who were in Jerusalem waiting patiently for redemption.