Tuesday, December 16, 2025

The Orthodox liturgical day, its saint, its tone, and its fast.

On Tuesday, December 16, 2025, Orthodox Christians on the New Calendar remember St Haggai and St Theophano the Empress. It is a fast day, with wine and oil. On the Old Calendar the same day remembers St Zephaniah and St Savva of Zvenigorod. It is a fast day, with wine and oil.

New Calendar

This day is a fast day, but wine and oil are permitted, no meat, dairy, or fish.

Old Calendar

This day is a fast day, but wine and oil are permitted, no meat, dairy, or fish.

The saints of the day

  • Tone 2 of the Octoechos
  • 27th Week after Pentecost

Readings, New Calendar

Epistle2 Timothy 3.16-4.4

3:16Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, 17that each person who belongs to God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 4:1I command you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at his appearing and his Kingdom: 2preach the word; be urgent in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort with all patience and teaching. 3For the time will come when they will not listen to the sound doctrine, but having itching ears, will heap up for themselves teachers after their own lusts, 4and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn away to fables.

WEB, public domain

GospelMark 8.22-26

8:22He came to Bethsaida. They brought a blind man to him and begged him to touch him. 23He took hold of the blind man by the hand, and brought him out of the village. When he had spat on his eyes, and laid his hands on him, he asked him if he saw anything. 24He looked up, and said, “I see men, but I see them like walking trees.” 25Then again he laid his hands on his eyes. He looked intently, and was restored, and saw everyone clearly. 26He sent him away to his house, saying, “Don’t enter into the village, nor tell anyone in the village.”

WEB, public domain

The order and appointment of the readings follow the Orthodox lectionary. Come to the Liturgy to hear them proclaimed.

Readings, Old Calendar

Epistle2 Timothy 3.16-4.4

3:16Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, 17that each person who belongs to God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 4:1I command you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at his appearing and his Kingdom: 2preach the word; be urgent in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort with all patience and teaching. 3For the time will come when they will not listen to the sound doctrine, but having itching ears, will heap up for themselves teachers after their own lusts, 4and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn away to fables.

WEB, public domain

GospelLuke 21.12-19

21:12But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, delivering you up to synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors for my name’s sake. 13It will turn out as a testimony for you. 14Settle it therefore in your hearts not to meditate beforehand how to answer, 15for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to withstand or to contradict. 16You will be handed over even by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends. They will cause some of you to be put to death. 17You will be hated by all men for my name’s sake. 18And not a hair of your head will perish. 19“By your endurance you will win your lives.

WEB, public domain

The order and appointment of the readings follow the Orthodox lectionary. Come to the Liturgy to hear them proclaimed.

Questions

What does the Orthodox Church remember on Tuesday, December 16, 2025?

  • On the New Calendar, St Haggai and St Theophano the Empress.
  • On the Old Calendar, St Zephaniah and St Savva of Zvenigorod.

Is Tuesday, December 16, 2025 a fast day in the Orthodox Church?

Yes.

  • On the New Calendar it is a fast day, with wine and oil.
  • On the Old Calendar it is a fast day, with wine and oil.

What are the Orthodox readings for Tuesday, December 16, 2025?

On the New Calendar:

At the Liturgy, the Epistle is 2 Timothy 3.16-4.4 and the Gospel is Mark 8.22-26.

On the Old Calendar:

At the Liturgy, the Epistle is 2 Timothy 3.16-4.4 and the Gospel is Luke 21.12-19.

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