From the calendar, 2025.

Friday, December 12

St Spyridon the Wonderworker

Strict fastNo meat, dairy, eggs, fish, wine or oil.

Appointed to be read.

At the
1. Epistle2 Timothy 1:1–2, 8–18
2. GospelLuke 21:37–22:8

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Epistle.

2 Timothy 1:1–2, 8–18

2 min read

1Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,

2To Timothy, a beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

8Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God,

9who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,

10but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,

11to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.

12For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.

13Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.

14That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.

15This you know, that all those in Asia have turned away from me, among whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.

16The Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain;

17but when he arrived in Rome, he sought me out very zealously and found me.

18The Lord grant to him that he may find mercy from the Lord in that Day—and you know very well how many ways he ministered to me at Ephesus.

Open in the Reader

Gospel.

Luke 21:37–22:8

1 min read

37And in the daytime He was teaching in the temple, but at night He went out and stayed on the mountain called Olivet.

38Then early in the morning all the people came to Him in the temple to hear Him.

22:1Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called Passover.

2And the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might kill Him, for they feared the people.

3Then Satan entered Judas, surnamed Iscariot, who was numbered among the twelve.

4So he went his way and conferred with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray Him to them.

5And they were glad, and agreed to give him money.

6So he promised and sought opportunity to betray Him to them in the absence of the multitude.

7Then came the Day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover must be killed.

8And He sent Peter and John, saying, 'Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat.'

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In remembrance.

St Spyridon the WonderworkerRead the life

He was a humble shepherd who lived on the island of Cyprus with his wife and his one child, a daughter named Irene. Though he was poor himself, his house and table were always open to travelers and those in need. He kept his money in a box which he left open and available to all, not concerning himself with who took from it or whether they were deserving or not. In time, his wife died and, with less worldly cares, he redoubled his prayers and his almsgiving.

Read the full life

St Finian of Clonard (549)Read the life

“St Finian, known as the ‘Tutor of the Saints of Ireland,’ stands with St Enda of Aran at the head of the patriarchs of Irish monasticism. He showed great zeal and piety for God from his youth. He had already founded three churches before he set off for Wales to study at the feet of St Cadoc at Llancarfan (September 25, †577). In Llancarfan he became close friends with St Gildas (January 29, †570), another of St Cadoc’s disciples. Upon his return to Ireland, he founded the great Monastery of Clonard during the same year the great St Enda (March 21, †530) reposed in Aran. A multitude of illustrious and holy men studied under St Finian, including the famous ‘Twelve Apostles of Ireland.’ St Finian founded many other monasteries during his lifetime, including the famous island monastery of Skellig Michael off the southwest coast of Ireland.” (Saint Herman Calendar 2003)

Further.

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What this is.

The Scripture the Orthodox Church reads each day, the saints it remembers, and a study aid that answers from Scripture and the Fathers and shows its sources.

Divine Liturgy. The Church's main service, at which Holy Communion is given. Its Epistle and Gospel are what most people mean by the day's readings.

Matins. The morning service of praise. On Sundays and feasts it has a Gospel of its own.

Vespers. The evening service. The Church's day begins at sunset, so a feast's Vespers is served the evening before.

Hours. Short services of psalms and prayer at set times of the day: the First, Third, Sixth and Ninth Hours.

Tone. The hymns of the week are sung in one of eight tones, or melodies, which follow each other week by week.

New Calendar. Fixed feasts are kept on the civil date, as in the OCA and the Antiochian Archdiocese. Churches on the Old Calendar keep them 13 days later. Pascha is the same for both.