Wednesday 11th February 2026
Fast day: wine and oil allowed
Hieromartyr Blaise, bishop of Sebaste (c.316).
Today we commemorate:
Righteous Theodora, wife of Emperor Theophilus the Iconoclast (c.867). St. Demetrius, Wonderworker of Priluk, Vologda (1392). St. Vsevolod (in Holy Baptism, Gabriel), Wonderworker of Pskov (1138). New Martyr George of Kratovo and Sofia (1515).
British Isles and Ireland:
St. Cædmon of Whitby, monk and hymnographer (c.680). St. Gobnait, abbess of Ballyrourney, Cork (5th C).
1 John 3:21-4:11; Mark 14:43-15:1
For the Commemoration: Hebrews 4:14-5:6; Matthew 10:1,5-8
Readings in bold type are those appointed by the Typikon for use at the Liturgy
1 John 3:21-4:11
Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and whatever we ask, we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what is pleasing in his sight. And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another in accordance with the commandment he gave. Those who keep his commandments live in him and he in them; and this is how we know that he lives in us: from the Spirit he gave us. Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you recognise the Spirit of God: every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not acknowledge that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not from God, but is of the Antichrist whom you heard was coming, and now he is already in the world. You are of God, little children, and you have overcome them because the one who is in you is greater than those who are in the world. They are of the world and therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. We are of God. Those who know God listen to us; those who are not of God do not listen to us. From this we recognise the Spirit of Truth and the spirit of falsehood. Beloved, let us love one another because love is from God. Everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Those who do not love do not know God, because God is love. This is how the love of God was revealed among us: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. This is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son, an atonement for our sins. Beloved, if this is how God loved us, we too ought to love one another.
Mark 14:43-15:1
At that time while Jesus was still speaking, Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd with swords and staves sent by the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. Now the betrayer had given them a signal. He had said, ‘The one whom I kiss is he; seize him and take him away into custody.’ When he arrived, he immediately went up to him and said, ‘Greetings, Rabbi,’ and kissed him. They then took hold of him and arrested him. One of those present drew a sword and struck the chief priest’s servant, cutting off his ear. But Jesus said to them, ‘Have you come out to capture me with swords and staves as though I were a bandit? Day by day I was with you, teaching in the temple, and you did not lay a hand on me. But this is so that the Scriptures may be fulfilled.’ Then they all fled, abandoning him. One youth who followed him had wrapped a linen cloth over his undergarments. The young men caught hold of him, but he, leaving the linen cloth, fled from them almost naked. They then led Jesus away to the High Priest, and all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes gathered. Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the High Priest. He sat with the officials and warmed himself by the fire. Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus to put him to death, but they could not find it, for although many were giving false evidence against him, their testimonies did not agree. Some of those who came forward to give false evidence against him were saying, ‘We heard him say, “I shall throw down this sanctuary made by human hands, and within three days I shall build another, made without hands.”’ But not even in this did their evidence agree. Then the High Priest stood up in the centre and questioned Jesus. He said, ‘Have you no answer? Of what are these people accusing you?’ But he remained silent, saying nothing. Once more the High Priest questioned him. He asked him, ‘Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?’ Jesus replied, ‘I am; and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.’ The high priest tore his robe and said, ‘Why do we still need witnesses? You have surely heard the blasphemy. What does that show you?’ And they all found him guilty and condemned him to death. Some began to spit at him. They blindfolded him, punched him, and said, ‘Prophesy for us. Who is it who hit you?’ And the officials were hitting him. Meanwhile Peter was in the courtyard below. One of the High Priest’s servant girls came by and saw Peter warming himself. She looked closely at him and said, ‘You too were with Jesus of Nazareth.’ But he denied it, saying, ‘I neither know nor understand what you are saying.’ Then he went out into the porch and a cock crowed. When the servant girl saw him again she began telling those standing around, ‘This is one of them,’ and again he denied it. But a little while later the bystanders said to Peter, ‘Surely you are one of them, for you too are a Galilean; the way you speak is the same.’ He began to curse and swear, ‘I do not know this man of whom you speak.’ Then, a second time, a cock crowed. And Peter remembered what Jesus told him: ‘Before the cock crows twice you will disown me three times.’ When he thought about it, he wept. As soon as it was light the chief priests with the elders and scribes and the whole Sanhedrin held a council. They bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate.
Hebrews 4:14-5:6
Brothers and sisters, since we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tested in the same way in every respect, though without sin. Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with confidence so that we may receive mercy and find grace for support at the proper time. Every High Priest taken from among mortals is appointed on behalf of the people in matters relating to God so that he may offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He is able to bear with those who are ignorant and wayward since he himself is also beset by weakness, and because of this he is obliged to make offerings for sins on his own behalf as well as on behalf of the people. No one takes the honour for himself but is called by God, just as Aaron was. And in this manner it was not Christ who glorified himself to become High Priest, but the one who said to him, ‘You are my Son. Today I have begotten you.’ And as he says elsewhere, ‘You are a priest for ever according to the order of Melchizedek.’
Matthew 10:1,5-8
At that time Jesus called together his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every kind of disease and illness. … These twelve Jesus sent out, giving them this charge. ‘Do not go among the Gentiles, and do not enter any town of the Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, preach and say, “The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” Heal the sick, make the lepers clean, raise the dead, and cast out demons. You received freely, give freely.’