Friday, 21 November 2025

Entry of the Most-Holy Theotokos into the Temple

Friday of the 24th week after Pentecost

215 days after Pascha · Tone 6 · Major feast Theotokos · Nativity Fast (Fish, Wine and Oil are Allowed)

Saints commemorated

★ Entry of the Most Holy Theotokos into the Temple

When the holy and most pure child Mary (Mariam or Miriam in Hebrew) reached the age of three, her parents, the righteous Joachim and Anna, fulfilled the vow they had made to dedicate her to God. Going in procession with a company of maidens carrying torches, they presented their child at the Temple in Jerusalem, where Zecharias the High Priest took her under his care, blessing her with these words: “The Lord has glorified thy name in every generation; it is in thee that He will reveal the Redemption that he has prepared for his people in the last days.” He then brought the child into the Holy of Holies — something completely unheard-of, for under the Law only the High Priest was allowed to enter the Holy Place, and he only once a year on the Day of Atonement. (In the icon of the feast, the maidens who accompany the Theotokos are shown bare-headed, as was customary for unmarried girls; but the Theotokos herself, though only three years old, wears the head-covering of a married woman to show her consecration to God.) The holy Virgin lived in the Temple for the next nine years, devoting herself entirely to prayer. In this time she attained the utter purity of heart befitting the destined Bearer of the Most High; she became in her own person the fulfilment and condensation of all of Israel’s faithfulness. Saint Gregory Palamas says that, when the Theotokos entered the Holy of Holies, the time of preparation and testing of the Old Covenant came to an end for Israel, which was now ready, in the blessed Virgin, to bring forth the Savior. When Mary approached marriageable age, she was entrusted to the chaste widower Joseph to guard her. (The Prologue says that a life of intentional virginity was unknown among the Hebrews, so the righteous Joseph undertook the forms of marriage so as not to cause scandal among the people.) “Wherefore the Church rejoices and exhorts all the friends of God for their part to enter into the temple of their heart, there to make ready for the coming of the Lord by silence and prayer, withdrawing from the pleasures and cares of this world.” (Synaxarion)

Saint Columbanus, Abbot of Bobbio

Saint Columbanus was born in Leinster in Ireland about the year 543 and from his youth was given to the study of the Scriptures. After a brief period in the world he embraced the monastic life under Saint Sinell on the island of Cluain Inis in Lough Erne, and afterwards under Saint Comgall at the great monastery of Bangor in the north of Ireland, where he remained for many years and became a teacher of the brethren. About the year 590, with twelve companions, he passed over to Gaul to revive the monastic discipline among the Franks, and founded the monasteries of Annegray, Luxeuil and Fontaine in the Vosges, where he composed his famous Rule and his stern Penitential. His rebuke of the immoral life of King Theuderic II of Burgundy and the queen mother Brunhilda brought upon him their wrath, and he was driven from Gaul; but on his way to be deported to Ireland the ship was beached by storm, and he made his way over the Alps to Lombard Italy, where King Agilulf granted him land at Bobbio. There he founded his last and most famous monastery, against which he composed treatises against the Arian heresy then prevailing among the Lombards. Reposing at Bobbio on 23 November 615 and commemorated on this day in many calendars, he is honoured by the Orthodox among the wandering fathers of the West.

Saint Gelasius, Pope of Rome

Saint Gelasius was born in the latter half of the fifth century, of African or Roman parentage, and rose through the ranks of the Roman clergy to be elected pope on 1 March 492. Although he occupied the see of Saint Peter for less than five years, his pontificate was one of the most fruitful of the early Western Church. Living in the painful years of the Acacian schism, when the Greek east was estranged from the west on account of the imperial Henotikon, he wrote with great firmness to the emperor Anastasius I his celebrated letter on the two powers by which the world is governed, the sacred authority of the bishops and the royal power, defending the freedom of the Church from the encroachments of the state. He composed many liturgical prayers and hymns, gathered into the so-called Gelasian Sacramentary, ordered the canon of the Scriptures in his decretal On the Books to be Received, fed the poor of Rome from his own resources during a great famine, abolished the lingering pagan festival of the Lupercalia, and gave a clear teaching on the two natures in the one Christ. Reposing on 19 November 496 and buried in the Vatican basilica, he is honoured by the Orthodox among the holy fathers of the West.

Daily readings

Vespers

OT — Composite 17 - Exodus 40:1-5, 9-10, 16, 34-35

(no verses available)

Vespers

OT — Composite 18 - 3 [1] Kings 7:51-8:1, 8:4-7, 9-11

(no verses available)

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.

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

— Entrance weekly cycle

Hebrews — Hebrews 9.1-7

¹Now even the first covenant had ordinances of divine service, and its sanctuary, a sanctuary of this world.

¹Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. ²For there was a tabernacle prepared, the first, wherein were the candlestick, and the table, and the showbread; which is called the Holy place. ²For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary. ³And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holy of holies; ³And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; ⁴having a golden altar of incense, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was a golden pot holding the manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; ⁴Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; ⁵and above it cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy-seat; of which things we cannot now speak severally. ⁵And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly. ⁶Now these things having been thus prepared, the priests go in continually into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the services; ⁶Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. ⁷but into the second the high priest alone, once in the year, not without blood, which he offereth for himself, and for the errors of the people: ⁷But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:

Epistle

1 Thessalonians — 1 Thessalonians 5.9-13, 24-28

⁹For God appointed us not unto wrath, but unto the obtaining of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, ⁹For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁰who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. ¹⁰Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. ¹¹Wherefore exhort one another, and build each other up, even as also ye do. ¹¹Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

¹²And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;

¹²But we beseech you, brethren, to know them that labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; ¹³and to esteem them exceeding highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves. ¹³And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves. ²⁴Faithful is he that calleth you, who will also do it. ²⁴Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

²⁵Brethren, pray for us. ²⁵Brethren, pray for us.

²⁶Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss.

²⁶Salute all the brethren with a holy kiss. ²⁷I adjure you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the brethren. ²⁷I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren. ²⁸The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

²⁸The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Gospel

— Entrance 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

Luke — Luke 16.15-18, 17.1-4

¹⁵And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God. ¹⁵And he said unto them, Ye are they that justify yourselves in the sight of men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God. ¹⁶The law and the prophets were until John: from that time the gospel of the kingdom of God is preached, and every man entereth violently into it. ¹⁶The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it. ¹⁷And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail. ¹⁷But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away, than for one tittle of the law to fall. ¹⁸Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery.

¹⁸Every one that putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and he that marrieth one that is put away from a husband committeth adultery.

¹Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!

¹And he said unto his disciples, It is impossible but that occasions of stumbling should come; but woe unto him, through whom they come! ²It were well for him if a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, rather than that he should cause one of these little ones to stumble. ²It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.

³Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. ³Take heed to yourselves: if thy brother sin, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. ⁴And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him. ⁴And if he sin against thee seven times in the day, and seven times turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.