Wednesday, December 20, 2028

Forefeast of the Nativity of Christ

On Wednesday, December 20, 2028, Orthodox Christians on the New Calendar remember Forefeast of the Nativity of Christ; St John of Kronstadt; and St Ignatius the Godbearer. It is a strict fast day. On the Old Calendar the same day remembers St Ambrose of Milan and St Nilus of Stolobensk. It is a strict fast day.

New Calendar

Forefeast of the Nativity of Christ

St John of KronstadtPastor of Kronstadt, man of ceaseless prayer · †1908

Also commemorated

This day is a strict fast, no meat, dairy, fish, wine, or oil.

The saints of the day

Name days on the New Calendar: Ignatius

  • Tone 3 of the Octoechos
  • 28th Week after Pentecost

Readings, New Calendar

EpistleHebrews 5.11-6.8

5:11About him we have many words to say, and hard to interpret, seeing you have become dull of hearing. 12For although by this time you should be teachers, you again need to have someone teach you the rudiments of the first principles of the revelations of God. You have come to need milk, and not solid food. 13For everyone who lives on milk is not experienced in the word of righteousness, for he is a baby. 14But solid food is for those who are full grown, who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern good and evil.

6:1Therefore leaving the teaching of the first principles of Christ, let’s press on to perfection—not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works, of faith toward God, 2of the teaching of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3This will we do, if God permits. 4For concerning those who were once enlightened and tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5and tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6and then fell away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance; seeing they crucify the Son of God for themselves again, and put him to open shame.

7For the land which has drunk the rain that comes often on it and produces a crop suitable for them for whose sake it is also tilled, receives blessing from God; 8but if it bears thorns and thistles, it is rejected and near being cursed, whose end is to be burned.

WEB, public domain

GospelMark 10.11-16

10:11He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her. 12If a woman herself divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.” 13They were bringing to him little children, that he should touch them, but the disciples rebuked those who were bringing them. 14But when Jesus saw it, he was moved with indignation and said to them, “Allow the little children to come to me! Don’t forbid them, for God’s Kingdom belongs to such as these. 15Most certainly I tell you, whoever will not receive God’s Kingdom like a little child, he will in no way enter into it.” 16He took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.

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 5.11-6.8

5:11About him we have many words to say, and hard to interpret, seeing you have become dull of hearing. 12For although by this time you should be teachers, you again need to have someone teach you the rudiments of the first principles of the revelations of God. You have come to need milk, and not solid food. 13For everyone who lives on milk is not experienced in the word of righteousness, for he is a baby. 14But solid food is for those who are full grown, who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern good and evil.

6:1Therefore leaving the teaching of the first principles of Christ, let’s press on to perfection—not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works, of faith toward God, 2of the teaching of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3This will we do, if God permits. 4For concerning those who were once enlightened and tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5and tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6and then fell away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance; seeing they crucify the Son of God for themselves again, and put him to open shame.

7For the land which has drunk the rain that comes often on it and produces a crop suitable for them for whose sake it is also tilled, receives blessing from God; 8but if it bears thorns and thistles, it is rejected and near being cursed, whose end is to be burned.

WEB, public domain

GospelLuke 21.5-7, 10-11, 20-24

21:5As some were talking about the temple and how it was decorated with beautiful stones and gifts, he said, 6“As for these things which you see, the days will come in which there will not be left here one stone on another that will not be thrown down.” 7They asked him, “Teacher, so when will these things be? What is the sign that these things are about to happen?” 10Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11There will be great earthquakes, famines, and plagues in various places. There will be terrors and great signs from heaven.

20“But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is at hand. 21Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let those who are in the middle of her depart. Let those who are in the country not enter therein. 22For these are days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. 23Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who nurse infants in those days! For there will be great distress in the land and wrath to this people. 24They will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led captive into all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled down by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

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 Wednesday, December 20, 2028?

  • On the New Calendar, Forefeast of the Nativity of Christ; St John of Kronstadt; and St Ignatius the Godbearer.
  • On the Old Calendar, St Ambrose of Milan and St Nilus of Stolobensk.

Is Wednesday, December 20, 2028 a fast day in the Orthodox Church?

Yes.

  • On the New Calendar it is a strict fast day.
  • On the Old Calendar it is a strict fast day.

What are the Orthodox readings for Wednesday, December 20, 2028?

On the New Calendar:

At the Liturgy, the Epistle is Hebrews 5.11-6.8 and the Gospel is Mark 10.11-16.

On the Old Calendar:

At the Liturgy, the Epistle is Hebrews 5.11-6.8 and the Gospel is Luke 21.5-7, 10-11, 20-24.

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