Tuesday 16th December 2025
Nativity Fast: strict fast
Today we commemorate:
Prophet Aggaeus (Haggai) (520 BC). Hieromartyr Modestus II, patriarch of Jerusalem (634). Blessed Empress Theophania of Constantinople (894). St. Memnon, archbishop of Ephesus (5th C). St. Nicholas Chrysoberges, patriarch of Constantinople (10th C)
British Isles and Ireland:
St. Beoc of Lough Derg (5th C).
2 Timothy 3:16-4:4; Mark 8:22-26
Readings in bold type are those appointed by the Typikon for use at the Liturgy
2 Timothy 3:16-4:4
Timothy, my son, all Scripture is breathed by God and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, so that the people of God may be complete and fully equipped for every good work. Before God and the Lord Jesus Christ who is to judge the living and the dead, I charge you by his appearing and by his Kingdom to preach the word. Be attentive in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, encourage with much patience and instruction, for the time will come when they will not put up with sound doctrine but will gather to themselves teachers of their own choosing to tickle their ears. They will turn back from listening to the truth and turn aside to fables.
Mark 8:22-26
At that time Jesus arrived in Bethsaida, and they brought a blind man to him, begging him to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village. He then spat into his eyes and laid his hands on him. He asked him if he could see anything. Looking up, he said, ‘I see people like walking trees.’ Then he laid his hands on his eyes once more and made him look up, and he was restored; he saw everything clearly. He sent him away to his home, saying, ‘You are not to go into the village, nor are you to speak to anyone in the village.’