2024

On Saturday | February 3

__________

__________

The Readings for the Commemoration

The Epistle

For the Saint.

The reading is from Paul’s Letter to the Hebrews.

Heb. 9:11-14

Brethren, when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the Holy Place, taking not the blood of goats and calves but his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. For if the sprinkling of defiled persons with the blood of goats and bulls and with the ashes of a heifer sanctifies for the purification of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify your conscience from dead works to serve the living God. [RSV]

The Gospel

For the Saint.

The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Luke.

Lk. 2:25-38

At that time, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Symeon and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And inspired by the Spirit he came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, “Lord, now let your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.” And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him; and Symeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed.” And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher; she was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years from her virginity, and as a widow till she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour she gave thanks to God, and spoke of him to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. [RSV]

__________

Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On February 3 we commemorate the holy and just Symeon the God-receiver and Anna the Prophetess. The services in their honor were held in the august church of the Apostle Iakovos the brother of God, which is in the venerable church of the Holy Theotokos near the most holy Great Church.

On this day we also commemorate the holy martyrs Adrian and Evoulos.

On this day we also commemorate the holy martyr Blaise the cow herder.

On this day the Prophet Azariah, son of Addo, reposed in peace.

On this day the martyrs Paul and Simon died by the sword.

On this day St. Cladius reposed in peace.

The holy new martyrs and brothers Stamatios and John from Spetses, and Nicholas their companion, died by the sword in Chios in the year 1822.

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

__________

Fasting Rule

Fast Free: All foods allowed.