From the calendar 2027

Monday, November 29

Martyr Paramon and Companions

Appointed readings

2 passages

Epistle

1 Thessalonians 2:20–3:8

Open Reader ↗

20For you are our glory and joy.

1Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it good to be left in Athens alone,

2and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith,

3that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this.

4For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened, and you know.

5For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor might be in vain.

6But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always have good remembrance of us, greatly desiring to see us, as we also to see you—

7therefore, brethren, in all our affliction and distress we were comforted concerning you by your faith.

8For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord.

Gospel

Luke 19:37–44

Open Reader ↗

37Then, as He was now drawing near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen,

38saying: ''Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the LORD!' Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!'

39And some of the Pharisees called to Him from the crowd, 'Teacher, rebuke Your disciples.'

40But He answered and said to them, 'I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out.'

41Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it,

42saying, 'If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.

43For days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side,

44and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of your visitation.'

The rhythm of the day

Fasting: Strict fast
Weekly tone: Tone 6

In remembrance

The saints commemorated this day

Martyr Paramon and CompanionsRead the life

“Akylinus, the Governor of Bithynia in the reign of the Emperor Decius (249-51), was leaving for the hot springs at Bisaltia, when he decided to make 370 Christians from Nicomedia, who had been imprisoned on his orders, worship in the temple of Isis. On their refusal to do so, they were all beheaded. Seeing this massacre, the righteous Paramon cried out: ‘What a wicked deed to slaughter so many righteous men, and strangers moreover, as if they were animals.’ The Governor heard these words and had Paramon seized and taken with him under guard. On the road he was mistreated in various ways by the soldiers. Some of them struck him with their spears, others excised his tongue and other members, and he was finally put to death in the presence of the Governor.”

Read the full life

Our Holy Father Pitirim of Egypt (4th c.)Read the life

“Abba Pitirim directed a group of ascetics who led a very austere life in the arid mountains of the Thebaid. He was himself a disciple and third successor of Saint Anthony the Great (17 Jan.) in his hermitage. He ate no more than a little flour mixed with water twice a week, and so persevered in spiritual labours that he gained abundant graces from the Holy Spirit. Among other things, he taught that to each passion there corresponds a demon who tries to stir up that passion within us through different temptations. In order to get rid of these demons and of evil thoughts, Abba Pitirim said that we must first free our hearts from passions.” (Synaxarion)