Monday, December 28, 2026
The Orthodox liturgical day, its saint, its tone, and its fast.
New Calendar
Commemorated today
- 20,000 Martyrs of Nicomedia
- The Twenty Thousand Martyrs burned to death in their church in Nicomedia (ca. 304).
- Our Holy Father Simon the Outpourer of Myrrh, Founder of Simonopetra Monastery, Mt Athos (1287)
Today is a fast-free day, all foods are permitted.
Old Calendar
Commemorated today
- Hieromartyr Eleutherius of Illyria
- St Stephen of Surozh
- Holy Martyr Eleutherius the Cubicularius (4th c.)
- Holy Martyr Bacchus the New (787)
- Our Venerable Father Tryphon of Kola, apostle of Laponia (1583), and his disciple the Holy Martyr Jonah (1590)
Today is a strict fast, no meat, dairy, fish, wine, or oil.
- Tone 5 of the Octoechos
- 30th Sunday after Pentecost
Readings, New Calendar
EpistleHebrews 11.17-23, 27-31
11:17By faith, Abraham, being tested, offered up Isaac. Yes, he who had gladly received the promises was offering up his only born son, 18to whom it was said, “Your offspring will be accounted as from Isaac,” 19concluding that God is able to raise up even from the dead. Figuratively speaking, he also did receive him back from the dead. 20By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even concerning things to come. 21By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. 22By faith Joseph, when his end was near, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones. 23By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment. 27By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. 28By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, that the destroyer of the firstborn should not touch them. 29By faith they passed through the Red Sea as on dry land. When the Egyptians tried to do so, they were swallowed up. 30By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. 31By faith Rahab the prostitute didn’t perish with those who were disobedient, having received the spies in peace.
WEB, public domain
GospelMark 10.46-52
10:46They came to Jericho. As he went out from Jericho with his disciples and a great multitude, the son of Timaeus, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the road. 47When he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, you son of David, have mercy on me!” 48Many rebuked him, that he should be quiet, but he cried out much more, “You son of David, have mercy on me!” 49Jesus stood still and said, “Call him.” They called the blind man, saying to him, “Cheer up! Get up. He is calling you!” 50He, casting away his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus. 51Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said to him, “Rabboni, that I may see again.” 52Jesus said to him, “Go your way. Your faith has made you well.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the way.
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
EpistleHebrews 11.17-23, 27-31
11:17By faith, Abraham, being tested, offered up Isaac. Yes, he who had gladly received the promises was offering up his only born son, 18to whom it was said, “Your offspring will be accounted as from Isaac,” 19concluding that God is able to raise up even from the dead. Figuratively speaking, he also did receive him back from the dead. 20By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even concerning things to come. 21By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. 22By faith Joseph, when his end was near, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones. 23By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment. 27By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. 28By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, that the destroyer of the firstborn should not touch them. 29By faith they passed through the Red Sea as on dry land. When the Egyptians tried to do so, they were swallowed up. 30By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. 31By faith Rahab the prostitute didn’t perish with those who were disobedient, having received the spies in peace.
WEB, public domain
GospelMark 8.11-21
8:11The Pharisees came out and began to question him, seeking from him a sign from heaven and testing him. 12He sighed deeply in his spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Most certainly I tell you, no sign will be given to this generation.” 13He left them, and again entering into the boat, departed to the other side. 14They forgot to take bread; and they didn’t have more than one loaf in the boat with them. 15He warned them, saying, “Take heed: beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod.” 16They reasoned with one another, saying, “It’s because we have no bread.” 17Jesus, perceiving it, said to them, “Why do you reason that it’s because you have no bread? Don’t you perceive yet or understand? Is your heart still hardened? 18Having eyes, don’t you see? Having ears, don’t you hear? Don’t you remember? 19When I broke the five loaves among the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” They told him, “Twelve.” 20“When the seven loaves fed the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” They told him, “Seven.” 21He asked them, “Don’t you understand yet?”
WEB, public domain
The order and appointment of the readings follow the Orthodox lectionary. Come to the Liturgy to hear them proclaimed.