2023

On Wednesday | August 23

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The Readings from the Regular Cycle

The Epistle

Wednesday of the 12th Week

The reading is from Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians.

2 Cor. 6:11-16

Brethren, our mouth is open to you, Corinthians; our heart is wide. You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections. In return—I speak as to children—widen your hearts also. Do not be mismated with unbelievers. For what partnership have righteousness and iniquity? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God, as God said. [RSV]

The Gospel

Wednesday of the 12th Week of Matthew

The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Mark.

Mk. 1:23-28

At that time, there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, "What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God." But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be silent, and come out of him!" And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, "What is this? A new teaching! With authority he commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him." And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee. [RSV]

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The Readings for the Commemoration

The Epistle

For the Feast.

The reading is from Paul's Letter to the Philippians.

Phil. 2:5-11

Brethren, have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. [RSV]

The Gospel

For the Feast.

The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Luke.

Lk. 10:38-42; 11:27-28

At that time, Jesus entered a village; and a woman called Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving; and she went to him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve you alone? Tell her then to help me." But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; one thing is needful. Mary has chosen the good portion, which shall not be taken away from her." As he said this, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, "Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts that you sucked!" But he said, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!" [RSV]

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Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On August 23 we commemorate the holy Martyr Loupos.

On this day we also commemorate the holy priest-Martyr Irineos, Bishop of Sirmio.

On this day we also commemorate the holy priest-Martyr Irineos, Bishop of Lugdunum (modern day Lyon).

On this day we also commemorate our devout Father St. Kallinikos, Patriarch of Constantinople.

On this day, the Holy 38 Martyrs from Thrace died by the sword.

The memory of our Devout Father St. Nicholas the Sicilian who struggled in asceticism on the mountain of Neotakos in Evia.

By the intercessions of Your Saints, O God, have mercy on us. Amen.

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Fasting Rule

Strict: Refrain from meat, fish, oil, dairy, and eggs.

It is a Wednesday or Friday.