Friday 23rd January 2026
Fast day: strict fast
Hieromartyr Clement, bishop of Ancyra
Today we commemorate:
Martyr Agathangelus (312). St. Paulinus the Merciful, bishop of Nola (431). St. Eusebius the Recluse of Mt Coryphe near Antioch (5th C). St. Mausimas the Syrian (4th C). St. Salamanes the Hesychast of the Euphrates (390). Commemoration of the Holy Fathers of the Sixth Ecumenical Council (680-681). St. Dionysius of Olympus (1540)
British Isles and Ireland:
St. Colman of Lismore (c.702). Holy Martyr Maimbod (c.880).
2 Peter 1:1-10; Mark 6:45-53
For the Commemoration: Philippians 3:20-4:3; Mark 2:23-3:5
Readings in bold type are those appointed by the Typikon for use at the Liturgy
2 Peter 1:1-10
Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have been granted a faith just as precious as ours through the righteousness of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ. Grace to you, and may peace prevail through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. It is through knowing him who has called us with glory and goodness that he, by his divine might, has bestowed upon us everything we need for life and godliness. The precious and mighty promises have been given to us in this way so that through them you may become sharers of the divine nature when you have escaped the corruption that is in the world because of lust. For this very reason make every effort to add virtue to your faith; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, holiness; and to holiness, brotherly and sisterly affection; and to brotherly and sisterly affection, love. Because these things are yours, and are increasing, they make you neither useless nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But those who lack these things are short-sighted and blind, and they forget the past cleansing of their sins. Strive instead, brothers and sisters, to consolidate your calling and election, because by doing this you will never stumble.
Mark 6:45-53
At that time Jesus made his disciples get into the boat immediately, to go on ahead to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. Having taken his leave of them, he went on to the mountain to pray. When evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea and he was alone on the shore. He saw them toiling at the oars because the wind was against them, and at about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. He intended to pass them by, but they saw him walking on the sea and thought it was an apparition. They cried out, for they all saw him and were disturbed, and at once he spoke to them. He said to them, ‘Courage, it is I. Do not be afraid.’ Then he got into the boat with them, and the wind dropped. They were beside themselves with wonder, and they were amazed because they had not understood about the loaves, and their hearts were hardened. When they had crossed over they touched land at Gennesaret and pulled in to the shore.
Philippians 3:20-4:3
Brothers and sisters, our citizenship is in the heavens, and from there we await a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our humble body so that it becomes conformed to the body of his glory by the working of his power that brings everything under his authority. Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters for whom I yearn, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord, beloved. I beg Euodia, and I beg Syntyche, to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I am asking you too, Syzygus, to come to the aid of these women. They laboured alongside me in the Gospel, with Clement as well, and my other fellow workers whose names are in the book of life.
Mark 2:23-3:5
At that time Jesus was passing through the cornfields, and as they went along his disciples began to pluck ears of grain. The Pharisees said to him, ‘Do you see that? Why are they doing on the Sabbath what is not permitted?’ And he asked them, ‘Have you never read what David did, and those with him, when he was in need and hungry? He entered the house of God in the time of Abiathar the High Priest and ate the shewbread that only the priests are permitted to eat, and even gave it to those with him.’ He told them, ‘The Sabbath was made for human beings, not human beings for the Sabbath. The Son of Man is therefore Lord even of the Sabbath.’ He went back again into the synagogue, and a man was there who had a withered hand. They were watching whether he would heal him on the Sabbath so that they might accuse him. He said to the man with the withered hand, ‘Stand out in the middle.’ He then asked them, ‘On the Sabbath is it right to do good or to do evil? To save a life or to kill?’ But they were saying nothing. He looked around angrily at them, grieved at the hardness of their hearts, and he told the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ He stretched it out, and his hand was restored as healthy as the other.