From the calendar 2026

Saturday, December 12

St Spyridon the Wonderworker

Appointed readings

2 passages

Epistle

Ephesians 1:16–23

16do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers:

17that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him,

18the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,

19and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power

20which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,

21far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.

22And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church,

23which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

Gospel

Luke 13:18–29

Open Reader ↗

18Then He said, 'What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it?

19It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and put in his garden; and it grew and became a large tree, and the birds of the air nested in its branches.'

20And again He said, 'To what shall I liken the kingdom of God?

21It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened.'

22And He went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem.

23Then one said to Him, 'Lord, are there few who are saved?'

24And He said to them, 'Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able.

25When once the Master of the house has risen up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock at the door, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open for us,' and He will answer and say to you, 'I do not know you, where you are from,'

26then you will begin to say, 'We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets.'

27But He will say, 'I tell you I do not know you, where you are from. Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity.'

28There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and yourselves thrust out.

29They will come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and sit down in the kingdom of God.

The rhythm of the day

Fasting: Fish allowed
Weekly tone: Tone 2

In remembrance

The saints commemorated this day

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)