Wednesday 12th November 2025
Fast day: wine and oil allowed
Saint John the Merciful, patriarch of Alexandria
Today we commemorate:
St. Nilus the Ascetic, of Sinai (5th C). Martin the Merciful, bishop of Tours (397)(or Nov 11th in the West). Blessed John ‘the Hairy’, Fool-for-Christ, at Rostov (1580). St. Nilus, the Myrrh-streaming, of Lavra, Mt Athos (1651). New Martyr Sabbas Nigdelinus of Constantinople (1726). New Martyr Nicholas of Constantinople (1742). Synaxis of the Russian New Martyrs of Optina: Anatole, Barnabas, Dositheus, Nektary, Nikon, Panteleimon, Vincent, and Isaac. New Hieromartyrs Constantine, Vladimir and Alexander, priests (1937).
British Isles and Ireland:
St. Machar, bishop of Aberdeen (6th C). St. Sinnell of Cleenish (6th C). St. Cadwaladr, King of the Welsh (664). St. Cummian Fada, founder of the monastery of Kilcummin (662). St. Liafwine of Deventer, missionary (c.773). Monk-martyr Ymar of Reculver (c.830).
1 Thessalonians 2:1-8; Luke 12:48-59
For the Commemoration: 2 Corinthians 9:6-11; Matthew 5:14-19
Readings in bold type are those appointed by the Typikon for use at the Liturgy
1 Thessalonians 2:1-8
Brothers and sisters, you yourselves know that our visit to you was not in vain. As you know, we had earlier suffered and been treated shamefully at Philippi, but in great danger we had the confidence in our God to preach to you the Gospel of God. For our appeal is not erroneous or improper or deceitful; rather it is because we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the Gospel that we speak in this way, not to please people, but God who examines our hearts. And, as you know, we never came with flattering words, never as a cover for personal gain as God is witness, nor did we seek human approval, not from you or from others, though as Christ’s apostles we are able to make demands. Instead we were gentle in your company, as a nursing mother might cherish her own children. And because we are devoted to you we were pleased to share with you, not only the Gospel of God, but also our own souls; for you have become very dear to us.
Luke 12:48-59
The Lord said, ‘From everyone to whom much is given, much will be required; and from those to whom much is entrusted, far more will be demanded. I came to cast fire upon the earth, and how I wish it were already ablaze. But I have a baptism with which to be baptised, and how constrained I am until it is accomplished. Do you think that I came to bestow peace upon earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. For from now on there will be five in one divided house, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.’ He also said to the crowds, ‘When you see a cloud rising in the west, you say at once, “A shower is coming,” and so it is. And when a southerly wind blows, you say that it will be hot, and it is. Hypocrites, you know how to discern the appearance of the sky and of the earth; how is it that you do not discern this moment? And why too do you not judge for yourselves what is right? Even when you are with your adversary on the road, on your way to the magistrate, do your best to settle with him, or else he may haul you before the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer for the officer to throw you into prison. You will not get out of there, I tell you, until you pay back the very last penny.’
2 Corinthians 9:6-11
Brothers and sisters, the one who sows meanly will also reap meanly. But the one who sows generous blessings will also reap generous blessings, each as the heart prompts, not grudgingly or under obligation, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make his grace overflow in you, so that by always having all you need you may overflow with every good work. As it is written, ‘He was open-handed; he gave to the poor. His righteousness remains for ever.’ Now may he who provides seed for the sower and bread for food, supply and increase your seed for sowing and multiply the produce of your righteousness so that you become enriched in every way towards the complete unselfishness that works within us for thanksgiving to God.
Matthew 5:14-19
The Lord said to his disciples, ‘You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do you light a lamp and put it under a measuring basket, but on a stand so that it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before all in the same way so that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Do not think that I have come to overthrow the law or the prophets. I have not come to overthrow but to fulfil, for truly I tell you that until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one tiny pen-stroke, shall pass from the law until everything is accomplished. Whoever then sets aside one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven, but whoever keeps them and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.’