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Sunday, 16 November 2025

Holy Apostle and Evangelist Mathew

23rd Sunday after Pentecost

210 days after Pascha · Tone 6 · Red cross circle (great feast typikon symbol) · Nativity Fast (Fish, Wine and Oil are Allowed)

Saints commemorated

Holy Apostle and Evangelist Matthew

Saint Matthew, also called Levi son of Alphaeus, was a Galilean tax-collector at Capernaum on the lake of Gennesaret when the Lord, passing by the place of toll, said to him, Follow me, and forthwith he rose up, left all and went after him, becoming one of the Twelve Apostles. After the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost he preached the Gospel for some years among the Hebrews of Palestine, for whose sake he composed in his own tongue, about the year 42, the Gospel that bears his name, the first of the four written records of the saving teaching of Christ. Sent thereafter to distant nations, he proclaimed the word of life among the Parthians, the Medes and especially among the Ethiopians of Africa, where he converted the king Aeglippus and his daughter, drove out idols, raised the dead and established the Church. According to the tradition received by the Greek Church, he was at length put to martyrdom by the king Hyrtacus, who had succeeded Aeglippus and whom Matthew had reproved for an unlawful design upon the king's daughter; he was either burned upon a pyre or run through with the spear, the manner being given variously, and so received the unfading crown about the year 60. The Church honours him on this day as the first of the evangelists, the witness of the Lord's genealogy according to the flesh and the converter of nations.

Holy Hieromartyr Ipatius, Bishop of Gangra

Although Saint Ipatius of Gangra is principally remembered on 31 March, his memory is also kept on this day in some calendars together with the holy hieromartyrs of Tiberiopolis in Macedonia, who suffered under the emperor Julian the Apostate about the year 362. Bishop Theodore of Tiberiopolis with his clergy Peter, John, Sergius, Theodore, Nicephorus, Basil, Thomas, Hierotheus, Daniel, Chariton, Socrates, Comasius and Eusebius, having fled to Tiberiopolis from the persecution then raging at Constantinople, were arrested by the local governor and, refusing to offer sacrifice to the idols, were beheaded outside the city. Their relics, hidden by the Christians, were afterwards revealed in the days of the Bulgarian prince Boris-Michael, who built over them the celebrated church and monastery of the Fifteen Martyrs at Strumica, and from these relics flowed many healings, by which the Slavic peoples of the Balkans were drawn to the Orthodox faith. Their memory is principally kept on 28 November, but they are also remembered on this day in many local churches.

Saint Fulvianus, called Matthew in baptism, King of Ethiopia

Saint Fulvianus is named in the ancient acts of the holy Apostle Matthew as the prince or king of the Ethiopians who at first persecuted the apostle and afterwards became his disciple. When Matthew had been bound and cast into a great fire by the king's command and the flames, instead of consuming him, took on the form of a serpent and pursued his persecutors, Fulvianus, terrified and convicted in conscience, fell at the apostle's feet and received holy baptism, taking the name Matthew in remembrance of his teacher. Forsaking his royal pomp, he was afterwards ordained presbyter and then bishop in the place of his master, and ruled the Church of the Ethiopians with such piety and zeal that the people who once had set him on against the saints were brought through his preaching to the knowledge of the true God. Having lived out his days in apostolic labours, he reposed in peace, and is honoured together with the apostle whose name and ministry he had received.

Venerable Sergius of Malopinega

Saint Sergius of Malopinega lived in the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries in the northern lands of Russia, in the wooded country along the river Pinega in the diocese of Kholmogory. The son of a poor peasant, he was from his youth given to prayer and the singing of the divine offices, and was at length ordained priest of the parish church of Saint Nicholas in the village of Malopinega, where for some sixty-two years he served the people with such gentleness, sobriety and zeal that he was looked upon as a father by all the surrounding country. He fed the hungry, clothed the naked, instructed the young in the faith, and was given by God the gift of foreseeing things to come. Reposing in deep old age about the year 1585, he was buried beside his church, and at his grave many were healed of fevers, blindness and the bodily passions, so that his memory has been kept among the local saints of the Russian north.

Daily readings

Vespers

1 Peter — 1 Peter 1.1-2.6

1Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,

1Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the elect who are sojourners of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. 2according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.

3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy begat us again unto a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4unto an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 4To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5who by the power of God are guarded through faith unto a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 5Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 6Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, ye have been put to grief in manifold trials, 7That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 7that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold that perisheth though it is proved by fire, may be found unto praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ: 8whom not having seen ye love; on whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice greatly with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 8Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 9Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. 9receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. 10Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: 10Concerning which salvation the prophets sought and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: 11Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. 11searching what time or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did point unto, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glories that should follow them. 12Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into. 12To whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto you, did they minister these things, which now have been announced unto you through them that preached the gospel unto you by the Holy Spirit sent forth from heaven; which things angels desire to look into.

13Wherefore girding up the loins of your mind, be sober and set your hope perfectly on the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 13Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: 14as children of obedience, not fashioning yourselves according to your former lusts in the time of your ignorance: 15But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 15but like as he who called you is holy, be ye yourselves also holy in all manner of living; 16Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 16because it is written, Ye shall be holy; for I am holy. 17And if ye call on him as Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to each man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning in fear: 17And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: 18Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 18knowing that ye were redeemed, not with corruptible things, with silver or gold, from your vain manner of life handed down from your fathers; 19But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 19but with precious blood, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot, even the blood of Christ: 20who was foreknown indeed before the foundation of the world, but was manifested at the end of the times for your sake, 20Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, 21Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. 21who through him are believers in God, that raised him from the dead, and gave him glory; so that your faith and hope might be in God. 22Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: 22Seeing ye have purified your souls in your obedience to the truth unto unfeigned love of the brethren, love one another from the heart fervently: 23having been begotten again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, through the word of God, which liveth and abideth. 23Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. 24For, All flesh is as grass, And all the glory thereof as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower falleth: 24For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: 25But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

25But the word of the Lord abideth for ever. And this is the word of good tidings which was preached unto you.

1Putting away therefore all wickedness, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,

1Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, 2as newborn babes, long for the spiritual milk which is without guile, that ye may grow thereby unto salvation; 2As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: 3if ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious: 3If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. 4To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, 4unto whom coming, a living stone, rejected indeed of men, but with God elect, precious, 5ye also, as living stones, are built up a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 5Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 6Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. 6Because it is contained in scripture, Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: And he that believeth on him shall not be put to shame.

Vespers

1 Peter — 1 Peter 2.21-3.9

21For hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that ye should follow his steps: 21For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 22Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: 23Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: 24who his own self bare our sins in his body upon the tree, that we, having died unto sins, might live unto righteousness; by whose stripes ye were healed. 24Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 25For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls. 25For ye were going astray like sheep; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

1Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;

1In like manner, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, even if any obey not the word, they may without the word be gained by the behavior of their wives; 2beholding your chaste behavior coupled with fear. 2While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. 3Whose adorning let it not be the outward adorning of braiding the hair, and of wearing jewels of gold, or of putting on apparel; 3Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; 4But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. 4but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in the incorruptible apparel of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. 5For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: 5For after this manner aforetime the holy women also, who hoped in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection to their own husbands: 6Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement. 6as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose children ye now are, if ye do well, and are not put in fear by any terror. 7Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

7Ye husbands, in like manner, dwell with your wives according to knowledge, giving honor unto the woman, as unto the weaker vessel, as being also joint-heirs of the grace of life; to the end that your prayers be not hindered.

8Finally, be ye all likeminded, compassionate, loving as brethren, tenderhearted, humbleminded: 8Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: 9Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. 9not rendering evil for evil, or reviling for reviling; but contrariwise blessing; for hereunto were ye called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

Vespers

1 Peter — 1 Peter 4.1-11

1Forasmuch then as Christ suffered in the flesh, arm ye yourselves also with the same mind; for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;

1Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; 2that ye no longer should live the rest of your time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. 2That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. 3For the time past may suffice to have wrought the desire of the Gentiles, and to have walked in lasciviousness, lusts, winebibbings, revellings, carousings, and abominable idolatries: 3For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: 4wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them into the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: 4Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: 5who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the living and the dead. 5Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead. 6For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. 6For unto this end was the gospel preached even to the dead, that they might be judged indeed according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

7But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.

7But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore of sound mind, and be sober unto prayer: 8above all things being fervent in your love among yourselves; for love covereth a multitude of sins: 8And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. 9using hospitality one to another without murmuring: 9Use hospitality one to another without grudging. 10according as each hath received a gift, ministering it among yourselves, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God; 10As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11if any man speaketh, speaking as it were oracles of God; if any man ministereth, ministering as of the strength which God supplieth: that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, whose is the glory and the dominion for ever and ever. Amen. 11If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

1st Matins Gospel

Matthew — Matthew 28.16-20

16Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.

16But the eleven disciples went into Galilee, unto the mountain where Jesus had appointed them. 17And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. 17And when they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted. 18And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 18And Jesus came to them and spake unto them, saying, All authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth. 19Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit:

19Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. 20teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.

Epistle

weekly cycle

Ephesians — Ephesians 2.4-10

4but God, being rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 4But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace have ye been saved), 5Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6and raised us up with him, and made us to sit with him in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus: 6And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus: 7That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8for by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9not of works, that no man should glory. 9Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God afore prepared that we should walk in them. 10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Epistle

— St Matthew

1 Corinthians — 1 Corinthians 4.9-16

9For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. 9For, I think, God hath set forth us the apostles last of all, as men doomed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, both to angels and men. 10We are fools for Christ’s sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised. 10We are fools for Christ’s sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye have glory, but we have dishonor. 11Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace; 11Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling-place; 12And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: 12and we toil, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; 13Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day. 13being defamed, we entreat: we are made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things, even until now. 14I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.

14I write not these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children. 15For though ye have ten thousand tutors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I begat you through the gospel. 15For though ye have ten thousand instructers in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. 16Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me. 16I beseech you therefore, be ye imitators of me.

Gospel

weekly cycle

Luke — Luke 10.25-37

25And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

25And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and made trial of him, saying, Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 26He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? 26And he said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? 27And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. 27And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself. 28And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. 28And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. 29But he, desiring to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbor? 29But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour? 30Jesus made answer and said, A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho; and he fell among robbers, who both stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 30And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 31And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 31And by chance a certain priest was going down that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. 32And in like manner a Levite also, when he came to the place, and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, 33But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he was moved with compassion, 34and came to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring on them oil and wine; and he set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 34And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35And on the morrow he took out two shillings, and gave them to the host, and said, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, I, when I come back again, will repay thee. 35And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. 36Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? 36Which of these three, thinkest thou, proved neighbor unto him that fell among the robbers? 37And he said, He that showed mercy on him. And Jesus said unto him, Go, and do thou likewise. 37And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

Gospel

— St Matthew

Matthew — Matthew 9.9-13

9And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.

9And as Jesus passed by from thence, he saw a man, called Matthew, sitting at the place of toll: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.

10And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples.

10And it came to pass, as he sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with Jesus and his disciples. 11And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners? 11And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Teacher with the publicans and sinners? 12But when he heard it, he said, They that are whole have no need of a physician, but they that are sick. 12But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. 13But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. 13But go ye and learn what this meaneth, I desire mercy, and not sacrifice: for I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.