Monday, 8 September 2025

Nativity of the Most-Holy Theotokos

Monday of the 14th week after Pentecost

141 days after Pascha · Tone 4 · Major feast Theotokos · No Fast (Fish, Wine and Oil are Allowed)

Saints commemorated

★ Nativity of our most holy Lady the Theotokos and ever-Virgin Mary

The Nativity of the Theotokos is one of the Twelve Great Feasts of the Orthodox Church and opens the liturgical year, which begins on 1 September. It celebrates the birth of the Virgin Mary to the righteous Joachim and Anna, an aged and childless couple of the tribe of Judah and the priestly line of Aaron. According to the tradition preserved in the Protoevangelium of James and in the hymnography of the feast, Joachim was rebuked in the Temple for his childlessness, and he and Anna devoted themselves to fervent prayer and fasting, vowing to dedicate any child born to them to God. An angel appeared to each of them, announcing the conception of a daughter who would be the joy of all the earth. Mary was born in Jerusalem (or, in another tradition, in Nazareth) and was prepared from her infancy to become the dwelling place of the Word of God. The Church sees in her birth the lifting of the curse of barrenness from the human race and the dawn of salvation: she is the "ladder of Jacob" by which God descended to mankind, and the gate through which Christ entered the world. The feast is kept with a forefeast on 7 September and an apodosis on 12 September, and the dismissal hymn proclaims, "Thy Nativity, O Theotokos, hath proclaimed joy to all the world."

★ The Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos

The Theotokos was born to aged and barren parents, Joachim and Anna. (For their story, see tomorrow’s listing). She was born about the year 16 or 17 before the birth of her Son, the Christ.

Holy Apostles of the Seventy Rufus and his companions

Among those commemorated on this day are the Holy Apostles of the Seventy who, with Saint Paul, laboured for the spread of the Gospel in the first generation of the Church. Tradition lists Rufus, mentioned by the Apostle Paul in the Epistle to the Romans (Romans 16:13), who is identified as the son of Simon of Cyrene who carried the Cross of the Lord. He is said to have served as bishop of Thebes in Greece. With him are remembered Apostles whose names appear in the local synaxaria for this day, who completed their course in martyrdom or in confession of the faith. The Orthodox Church honours the wider company of the Seventy not because they walked with the Lord during His earthly ministry as the Twelve did, but because they were chosen and sent out by Him (Luke 10:1) and because they carried His preaching to every quarter of the Roman world. Their feast on this day is observed alongside the Nativity of the Theotokos in the synaxaria of several Greek churches.

Holy Martyr Sozon of Cilicia

Saint Sozon was a young shepherd from the region of Lycaonia in Asia Minor who lived during the reign of the emperor Maximian, around the year 304. From his youth he was a Christian and tended his flock in the open country, often gathering travellers and fellow shepherds to teach them the faith. According to his life, he had a vision in which he was called to confess Christ openly, and entering the city of Pompeiopolis in Cilicia, he found a great golden idol set up for public veneration. Taking off one of its arms, he broke it into pieces and distributed the gold to the poor. When the people raised an outcry and innocent men were arrested for the deed, Sozon came forward and presented himself to the governor Maximian, declaring that he alone had destroyed the idol because it was a lifeless work of human hands. He was beaten with rods, his feet shod with iron sandals studded with nails, and finally he was cast into a fire, in which he gave up his soul to God. Christians later recovered his relics, and a church was built in his honour where many healings were reported. He is venerated as a patron of shepherds.

Holy Martyrs of Nicomedia who suffered by the sword

The synaxaria for 8 September commemorate a group of holy martyrs of Nicomedia who, during the persecutions of the late third and early fourth centuries, were brought before the imperial tribunal and there confessed Christ. After enduring scourging and imprisonment they were beheaded by the sword for their refusal to offer sacrifice to the idols. Nicomedia, the eastern capital of the empire under Diocletian, was one of the principal centres of the Great Persecution, and many thousands of Christians, both clergy and laity, gave up their lives there for the faith. Their names are not all preserved, but the Church honours them collectively in this commemoration. Their witness sealed the testimony of the Christians of Bithynia and helped prepare the soil from which, within a generation, the faith would emerge openly under Saint Constantine.

New Martyr Athanasius of Thessalonika

1774

He was born to a distinguished and pious Christian family in Thessalonika. After acquiring an unusually good education he spent a few years in Constantinople, then returned to his native city. He spoke both Turkish and Arabic well, and often conversed with Muslims. Once, while speaking with an emir, Athanasius pronounced the Muslim confession of faith to illustrate a point. The emir, seeing an opportunity, immediately reported Athanasius to the Islamic judge, claiming that he had converted to Islam. The judge found no merit in the case and would have dismissed Athanasius; but the emir and other officials were insistent, and the judge pressured Athanasius to convert. When Athanasius answered that he knew no truth but that of Christ, he was thrown in prison. When he appeared before the judge several days later, he was still firm in his confession, and was sentenced to death. He was hanged outside the city in 1774, at the age of twenty-five.

Our Venerable Father Serapion of Pskov

1481

He wss born in (what is now) Lithuania, but entered monastic life in the Pskov district. His spiritual father was St Euphrosynus (May 15), under whose care he lived for more than fifty-five years. He became known for his exceptional humility and asceticism. He tried never to be idle, giving any free moment to prayer and reading of Scripture. He emphasized the importance of the common prayer of the Church, saying that reciting the entire Twelve Psalm rule in one’s cell was not worth one Kyrie Eleison chanted by the brethren assembled together in church. His knowledge of Lithuanian and Finnish allowed him to strengthen the faith among the peoples of those lands. When he died, at the age of ninety, his clothing was so threadbare that no one wanted it. Soon after his repose, a blind man recovered his sight at St Serapion’s tomb, which has been the site of many miracles ever since.

Daily readings

Vespers

Genesis — Genesis 28.10-17

¹⁰And Jacob went out from Beer-sheba, and went toward Haran.

¹⁰And Jacob went out from Beer-sheba, and went toward Haran. ¹¹And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took one of the stones of the place, and put it under his head, and lay down in that place to sleep. ¹¹And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep. ¹²And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it. ¹²And he dreamed; and behold, a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven; and behold, the angels of God ascending and descending on it. ¹³And, behold, Jehovah stood above it, and said, I am Jehovah, the God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed; ¹³And, behold, the LORD stood above it, and said, I am the LORD God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed; ¹⁴And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed. ¹⁴and thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed. ¹⁵And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of. ¹⁵And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee whithersoever thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.

¹⁶And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew it not. ¹⁶And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely Jehovah is in this place; and I knew it not. ¹⁷And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven. ¹⁷And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.

Vespers

Ezekiel — Ezekiel 43.27-44.4

²⁷And when these days are expired, it shall be, that upon the eighth day, and so forward, the priests shall make your burnt offerings upon the altar, and your peace offerings; and I will accept you, saith the Lord GOD. ²⁷And when they have accomplished the days, it shall be that upon the eighth day, and forward, the priests shall make your burnt-offerings upon the altar, and your peace-offerings; and I will accept you, saith the Lord Jehovah.

¹Then he brought me back the way of the gate of the outward sanctuary which looketh toward the east; and it was shut.

¹Then he brought me back by the way of the outer gate of the sanctuary, which looketh toward the east; and it was shut. ²Then said the LORD unto me; This gate shall be shut, it shall not be opened, and no man shall enter in by it; because the LORD, the God of Israel, hath entered in by it, therefore it shall be shut. ²And Jehovah said unto me, This gate shall be shut; it shall not be opened, neither shall any man enter in by it; for Jehovah, the God of Israel, hath entered in by it; therefore it shall be shut. ³As for the prince, he shall sit therein as prince to eat bread before Jehovah; he shall enter by the way of the porch of the gate, and shall go out by the way of the same. ³It is for the prince; the prince, he shall sit in it to eat bread before the LORD; he shall enter by the way of the porch of that gate, and shall go out by the way of the same.

⁴Then brought he me the way of the north gate before the house: and I looked, and, behold, the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD: and I fell upon my face.

⁴Then he brought me by the way of the north gate before the house; and I looked, and, behold, the glory of Jehovah filled the house of Jehovah: and I fell upon my face.

Vespers

Proverbs — Proverbs 9.1-11

¹Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars: ¹Wisdom hath builded her house; She hath hewn out her seven pillars: ²She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table. ²She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; She hath also furnished her table: ³She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city, ³She hath sent forth her maidens; She crieth upon the highest places of the city: ⁴Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, ⁴Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: As for him that is void of understanding, she saith to him, ⁵Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled. ⁵Come, eat ye of my bread, And drink of the wine which I have mingled. ⁶Leave off, ye simple ones, and live; And walk in the way of understanding. ⁶Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding. ⁷He that correcteth a scoffer getteth to himself reviling; And he that reproveth a wicked man getteth himself a blot. ⁷He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot. ⁸Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. ⁸Reprove not a scoffer, lest he hate thee: Reprove a wise man, and he will love thee. ⁹Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. ⁹Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: Teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning. ¹⁰The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. ¹⁰The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom; And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. ¹¹For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased. ¹¹For by me thy days shall be multiplied, And the years of thy life shall be increased.

Matins Gospel

Luke — Luke 1.39-49, 56

³⁹And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;

³⁹And Mary arose in these days and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Judah; ⁴⁰And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. ⁴⁰and entered into the house of Zacharias and saluted Elisabeth. ⁴¹And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: ⁴¹And it came to pass, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit; ⁴²And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. ⁴²and she lifted up her voice with a loud cry, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. ⁴³And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? ⁴³And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come unto me? ⁴⁴For behold, when the voice of thy salutation came into mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. ⁴⁴For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. ⁴⁵And blessed is she that believed; for there shall be a fulfilment of the things which have been spoken to her from the Lord. ⁴⁵And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord. ⁴⁶And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, ⁴⁶And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, ⁴⁷And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. ⁴⁷And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. ⁴⁸For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. ⁴⁸For he hath looked upon the low estate of his handmaid: For behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. ⁴⁹For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. ⁴⁹For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; And holy is his name. ⁵⁶And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.

⁵⁶And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned unto her house.

Epistle

— Theotokos weekly cycle

Philippians — Philippians 2.5-11

⁵Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: ⁵Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: ⁶Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: ⁶who, existing in the form of God, counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped, ⁷but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men; ⁷But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: ⁸and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient even unto death, yea, the death of the cross. ⁸And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. ⁹Wherefore also God highly exalted him, and gave unto him the name which is above every name; ⁹Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: ¹⁰that in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven and things on earth and things under the earth, ¹⁰That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; ¹¹and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. ¹¹And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Epistle

2 Corinthians — 2 Corinthians 12.10-19

¹⁰Wherefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. ¹⁰Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

¹¹I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing.

¹¹I am become foolish: ye compelled me; for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing was I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I am nothing. ¹²Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, by signs and wonders and mighty works. ¹²Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds. ¹³For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong. ¹³For what is there wherein ye were made inferior to the rest of the churches, except it be that I myself was not a burden to you? forgive me this wrong. ¹⁴Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.

¹⁴Behold, this is the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be a burden to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. ¹⁵And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved. ¹⁵And I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more abundantly, am I loved the less? ¹⁶But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile. ¹⁶But be it so, I did not myself burden you; but, being crafty, I caught you with guile. ¹⁷Did I take advantage of you by any one of them whom I have sent unto you? ¹⁷Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you? ¹⁸I exhorted Titus, and I sent the brother with him. Did Titus take any advantage of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps? ¹⁸I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps?

¹⁹Ye think all this time that we are excusing ourselves unto you. In the sight of God speak we in Christ. But all things, beloved, are for your edifying. ¹⁹Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying.

Gospel

— Theotokos weekly cycle

Luke — Luke 10.38-42, 11.27-28

³⁸Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.

³⁸Now as they went on their way, he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. ³⁹And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. ³⁹And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at the Lord’s feet, and heard his word. ⁴⁰But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. ⁴⁰But Martha was cumbered about much serving; and she came up to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister did leave me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. ⁴¹But the Lord answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art anxious and troubled about many things: ⁴¹And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: ⁴²But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. ⁴²but one thing is needful: for Mary hath chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

²⁷And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked.

²⁷And it came to pass, as he said these things, a certain woman out of the multitude lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the breasts which thou didst suck. ²⁸But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it. ²⁸But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.

Gospel

Mark — Mark 4.10-23

¹⁰And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable.

¹⁰And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parables. ¹¹And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: ¹¹And he said unto them, Unto you is given the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all things are done in parables: ¹²that seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest haply they should turn again, and it should be forgiven them. ¹²That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them. ¹³And he saith unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how shall ye know all the parables? ¹³And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?

¹⁴The sower soweth the word. ¹⁴The sower soweth the word. ¹⁵And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts. ¹⁵And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; and when they have heard, straightway cometh Satan, and taketh away the word which hath been sown in them. ¹⁶And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; ¹⁶And these in like manner are they that are sown upon the rocky places, who, when they have heard the word, straightway receive it with joy; ¹⁷and they have no root in themselves, but endure for a while; then, when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, straightway they stumble. ¹⁷And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended. ¹⁸And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, ¹⁸And others are they that are sown among the thorns; these are they that have heard the word, ¹⁹And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. ¹⁹and the cares of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. ²⁰And those are they that were sown upon the good ground; such as hear the word, and accept it, and bear fruit, thirtyfold, and sixtyfold, and a hundredfold. ²⁰And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.

²¹And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick?

²¹And he said unto them, Is the lamp brought to be put under the bushel, or under the bed, and not to be put on the stand? ²²For there is nothing hid, save that it should be manifested; neither was anything made secret, but that it should come to light. ²²For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad. ²³If any man hath ears to hear, let him hear. ²³If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.