Sunday, 21 December 2025

Sunday before Nativity

28th Sunday after Pentecost

245 days after Pascha · Tone 3 · Liturgy · Nativity Fast (Wine and Oil are Allowed)

Saints commemorated

Holy martyr Themistocles of Myra

Saint Themistocles lived in the city of Myra in Lycia during the reign of the persecutor Decius, around the year 251. As a young man he tended sheep in the fields outside Myra. When the persecution against the Christians arose, a fellow believer named Dioscorus fled into the hills to escape arrest and took refuge among the rocks where Themistocles was pasturing his flock. The soldiers, seeking the fugitive, came to the shepherd and demanded to know where Dioscorus was hiding. To save his brother in Christ, Themistocles confessed himself to be the Christian they sought. He was led to the tribunal, where he firmly declared his faith. The governor commanded him to be cruelly beaten, scraped with iron hooks, and dragged over a path strewn with sharp thorns and stones. Throughout these torments the saint glorified God. He was at last pierced through with a sword and so received the crown of martyrdom.

Holy virgin martyr Juliana of Nicomedia

She was the daughter of a prominent family in Nicomedia during the reign of the persecutor Maximian (286-305). Her parents betrothed her to a nobleman named Eleusius, but without his knowledge, or that of her parents, she had already committed her life to Christ, and consecrated her virginity to him. To put off her suitor, she told him that she would not marry him until he became Prefect. Eleusius went to work using his fortune to bribe and influence those in power, and succeeded in being appointed Prefect of Nicomedia. When he went to Juliana to claim her as his wife, she was forced to confess herself a Christian, saying that she would never marry him unless he gave up the worship of idols and embraced the faith of Christ. For her confession, she was arrested and taken before the Prefect: Eleusius, her once-ardent suitor. He was now filled with an ardent rage toward her and, when she would not renounce her faith, had her subjected to the most sadistic tortures imaginable. Miraculously, she endured these without harm. Witnessing this wonder, 500 men and 130 women from among the pagans confessed Christ. The enraged Prefect had all of them beheaded immediately, followed by Juliana herself. She was eighteen years old when she won the Martyr’s crown.

Saint Peter, metropolitan of Moscow, wonderworker

“Saint Peter was born in Volhynia in 1260 and entered a monastery there at the age of thirteen. Making the Ladder of Saint John Climacus his guide in the monastic life, his obedience, meekness and willingness to undertake tasks that were repugnant to his brethren made him beloved of them all. He also painted icons and was the originator of the Muscovite style of Russian iconography. After some years, he left for the small Monastery of the Transfiguration in order to find the quiet favourable to prayer. Saint Maximus, the metropolitan of Kiev (6 Dec.) visited this monastery and was greatly edified by the virtues of Peter, whom he decided should be his successor as head of the Russian Church. He was confirmed in this resolve by an apparition of the Mother of God, and he made the request to the Patriarch of Constantinople on whom the Russian Church depended. In 1325 therefore Saint Peter was consecrated Metropolitan of Kiev, of which the see had been transferred to Vladimir by Saint Maximus, after the sack of Kiev by the Tatars. Peter’s election was confirmed by a Council, but he immediately encountered opposition from the Russian princes, who were vying with one another for influence over the leader of the Church. Peter’s meekness and charity towards his enemies won him their respect; but although conciliatory in all that concerned himself personally, he was nonetheless strict as regards the faith and moral uprightness. He energetically opposed intense Muslim propaganda, and travelled throughout Russia to confirm the faith. He did not hesitate to risk his life for the sake of making peace among the princes and, foreseeing that Russia would reunite around the principality of Moscow, he transferred his Metropolitanate see to that city and began the construction of the renowned Cathedral of the Dormition in the Kremlin. He gave up his soul to God while at prayer on 21 December 1326, and many miracles of healing were wrought at his tomb.” (Synaxarion)

Sunday of the Holy Forefathers

When 21 December falls on the Sunday before the Nativity of Christ, the Orthodox Church commemorates the holy Forefathers and Foremothers of the Lord, that is, the genealogy of Christ "according to the flesh" reaching from Adam through Abraham, the patriarchs, kings and prophets, to Joseph the betrothed, the all-holy Theotokos and the Lord Jesus Christ. The Gospel reading for the day is the genealogy from the first chapter of Saint Matthew, and the hymns of the day praise Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Moses, David, Daniel and the three holy youths in the furnace, together with all the righteous men and women of the Old Covenant who looked forward in faith to the coming of the Saviour. This commemoration is also observed on the second Sunday before Christmas as the Sunday of the Forefathers, but when it falls on this date it carries the title "Sunday before the Nativity" and continues the preparation begun in the Forefeast.

Saint Procopius of Vyatka, Fool for Christ

1627

“Saint Procopius, the son of devout peasants, first feigned madness to escape a marriage that was being urged on him. He spent his life in the streets half-naked, slept wherever night overtook him and would never accept the shelter of a house. He used signs to make himself understood and never spoke a word, except to his spiritual father, with whom he would converse normally as a man in possession of all his faculties. When he was given an article of clothing, he wore it for a while out of obedience and then give it away to someone poor. When he visited the sick, he set fire to the beds of those who were going to get better, and rolled up in their sheets those who were going to die. He made many predictions, often by means of disconcerting prophetic signs, whose meaning became clear with the event. He spent thirty years in foolishness for Christ and, having foretold his death, fell asleep in peace in 1627.” (Synaxarion)

Daily readings

Vespers

Genesis — Genesis 14.14-20

¹⁴And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan. ¹⁴And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he led forth his trained men, born in his house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued as far as Dan. ¹⁵And he divided himself against them, he and his servants, by night, and smote them, and pursued them unto Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus. ¹⁵And he divided himself against them by night, he and his servants, and smote them, and pursued them unto Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus. ¹⁶And he brought back all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people. ¹⁶And he brought back all the goods, and also brought back his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people.

¹⁷And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that were with him, at the valley of Shaveh, which is the king’s dale.

¹⁷And the king of Sodom went out to meet him, after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer and the kings that were with him, at the vale of Shaveh (the same is the King’s Vale). ¹⁸And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. ¹⁸And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was priest of God Most High. ¹⁹And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: ¹⁹And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth: ²⁰And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all. ²⁰and blessed be God Most High, who hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him a tenth of all.

Vespers

Deuteronomy — Deuteronomy 1.8-11, 15-17

⁸Behold, I have set the land before you: go in and possess the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give unto them and to their seed after them. ⁸Behold, I have set the land before you: go in and possess the land which Jehovah sware unto your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give unto them and to their seed after them.

⁹And I spake unto you at that time, saying, I am not able to bear you myself alone:

⁹And I spake unto you at that time, saying, I am not able to bear you myself alone: ¹⁰The LORD your God hath multiplied you, and, behold, ye are this day as the stars of heaven for multitude. ¹⁰Jehovah your God hath multiplied you, and, behold, ye are this day as the stars of heaven for multitude. ¹¹(The LORD God of your fathers make you a thousand times so many more as ye are, and bless you, as he hath promised you!) ¹¹Jehovah, the God of your fathers, make you a thousand times as many as ye are, and bless you, as he hath promised you! ¹⁵So I took the chief of your tribes, wise men, and known, and made them heads over you, captains over thousands, and captains over hundreds, and captains over fifties, and captains over tens, and officers among your tribes. ¹⁵So I took the heads of your tribes, wise men, and known, and made them heads over you, captains of thousands, and captains of hundreds, and captains of fifties, and captains of tens, and officers, according to your tribes. ¹⁶And I charged your judges at that time, saying, Hear the causes between your brethren, and judge righteously between every man and his brother, and the stranger that is with him. ¹⁶And I charged your judges at that time, saying, Hear the causes between your brethren, and judge righteously between a man and his brother, and the sojourner that is with him. ¹⁷Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; but ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is God’s: and the cause that is too hard for you, bring it unto me, and I will hear it. ¹⁷Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; ye shall hear the small and the great alike; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is God’s: and the cause that is too hard for you ye shall bring unto me, and I will hear it.

Vespers

Deuteronomy — Deuteronomy 10.14-21

¹⁴Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the LORD’s thy God, the earth also, with all that therein is. ¹⁴Behold, unto Jehovah thy God belongeth heaven and the heaven of heavens, the earth, with all that is therein. ¹⁵Only the LORD had a delight in thy fathers to love them, and he chose their seed after them, even you above all people, as it is this day. ¹⁵Only Jehovah had a delight in thy fathers to love them, and he chose their seed after them, even you above all peoples, as at this day. ¹⁶Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked. ¹⁶Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked. ¹⁷For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward: ¹⁷For Jehovah your God, he is God of gods, and Lord of lords, the great God, the mighty, and the terrible, who regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward. ¹⁸He doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment. ¹⁸He doth execute justice for the fatherless and widow, and loveth the sojourner, in giving him food and raiment. ¹⁹Love ye therefore the stranger: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt. ¹⁹Love ye therefore the sojourner; for ye were sojourners in the land of Egypt. ²⁰Thou shalt fear Jehovah thy God; him shalt thou serve; and to him shalt thou cleave, and by his name shalt thou swear. ²⁰Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God; him shalt thou serve, and to him shalt thou cleave, and swear by his name. ²¹He is thy praise, and he is thy God, that hath done for thee these great and terrible things, which thine eyes have seen. ²¹He is thy praise, and he is thy God, that hath done for thee these great and terrible things, which thine eyes have seen.

6th Matins Gospel

Luke — Luke 24.36-53

³⁶And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

³⁶And as they spake these things, he himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. ³⁷But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they beheld a spirit. ³⁷But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. ³⁸And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and wherefore do questionings arise in your heart? ³⁸And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? ³⁹Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. ³⁹See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye behold me having. ⁴⁰And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet. ⁴⁰And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. ⁴¹And while they still disbelieved for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here anything to eat? ⁴¹And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? ⁴²And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. ⁴²And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish. ⁴³And he took it, and did eat before them. ⁴³And he took it, and ate before them.

⁴⁴And he said unto them, These are my words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must needs be fulfilled, which are written in the law of Moses, and the prophets, and the psalms, concerning me. ⁴⁴And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. ⁴⁵Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, ⁴⁵Then opened he their mind, that they might understand the scriptures; ⁴⁶And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: ⁴⁶and he said unto them, Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer, and rise again from the dead the third day; ⁴⁷and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name unto all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. ⁴⁷And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. ⁴⁸Ye are witnesses of these things. ⁴⁸And ye are witnesses of these things.

⁴⁹And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. ⁴⁹And behold, I send forth the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city, until ye be clothed with power from on high.

⁵⁰And he led them out until they were over against Bethany: and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.

⁵⁰And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. ⁵¹And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. ⁵¹And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he parted from them, and was carried up into heaven. ⁵²And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: ⁵²And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: ⁵³and were continually in the temple, blessing God. ⁵³And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.

Epistle

— Sunday before Nativity weekly cycle

Hebrews — Hebrews 11.9-10, 17-23, 32-40

⁹By faith he became a sojourner in the land of promise, as in a land not his own, dwelling in tents, with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: ⁹By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: ¹⁰for he looked for the city which hath the foundations, whose builder and maker is God. ¹⁰For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

¹⁷By faith Abraham, being tried, offered up Isaac: yea, he that had gladly received the promises was offering up his only begotten son; ¹⁷By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, ¹⁸even he to whom it was said, In Isaac shall thy seed be called: ¹⁸Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: ¹⁹accounting that God is able to raise up, even from the dead; from whence he did also in a figure receive him back. ¹⁹Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure. ²⁰By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even concerning things to come. ²⁰By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. ²¹By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. ²¹By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. ²²By faith Joseph, when his end was nigh, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones. ²²By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones. ²³By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months by his parents, because they saw he was a goodly child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment. ²³By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment.

³²And what shall I more say? for the time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah; of David and Samuel and the prophets: ³²And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: ³³who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, ³³Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, ³⁴quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, waxed mighty in war, turned to flight armies of aliens. ³⁴Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. ³⁵Women received their dead by a resurrection: and others were tortured, not accepting their deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: ³⁵Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: ³⁶and others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: ³⁶And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: ³⁷They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; ³⁷they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, they were tempted, they were slain with the sword: they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated ³⁸(Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. ³⁸(of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves, and the holes of the earth. ³⁹And these all, having had witness borne to them through their faith, received not the promise, ³⁹And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: ⁴⁰God having provided some better thing concerning us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect. ⁴⁰God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

Gospel

— Sunday before Nativity weekly cycle

Matthew — Matthew 1.1-25

¹The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

¹The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

²Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judah and his brethren; ²Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren; ³and Judah begat Perez and Zerah of Tamar; and Perez begat Hezron; and Hezron begat Ram; ³And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram; ⁴And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon; ⁴and Ram begat Amminadab; and Amminadab begat Nahshon; and Nahshon begat Salmon; ⁵And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; ⁵and Salmon begat Boaz of Rahab; and Boaz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; ⁶And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias;

⁶and Jesse begat David the king. And David begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Uriah; ⁷and Solomon begat Rehoboam; and Rehoboam begat Abijah; and Abijah begat Asa; ⁷And Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa; ⁸and Asa begat Jehoshaphat; and Jehoshaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Uzziah; ⁸And Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias; ⁹and Uzziah begat Jotham; and Jotham begat Ahaz; and Ahaz begat Hezekiah; ⁹And Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias; ¹⁰and Hezekiah begat Manasseh; and Manasseh begat Amon; and Amon begat Josiah; ¹⁰And Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias; ¹¹and Josiah begat Jechoniah and his brethren, at the time of the carrying away to Babylon. ¹¹And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon: ¹²And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel;

¹²And after the carrying away to Babylon, Jechoniah begat Shealtiel; and Shealtiel begat Zerubbabel; ¹³and Zerubbabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor; ¹³And Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor; ¹⁴And Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud; ¹⁴and Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud; ¹⁵and Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob; ¹⁵And Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob; ¹⁶And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. ¹⁶and Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.

¹⁷So all the generations from Abraham unto David are fourteen generations; and from David unto the carrying away to Babylon fourteen generations; and from the carrying away to Babylon unto the Christ fourteen generations. ¹⁷So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations.

¹⁸Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.

¹⁸Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. ¹⁹Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. ¹⁹And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. ²⁰But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. ²⁰But when he thought on these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. ²¹And she shall bring forth a son; and thou shalt call his name JESUS; for it is he that shall save his people from their sins. ²¹And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. ²²Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, ²²Now all this is come to pass, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying,

²³Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, And they shall call his name Immanuel; which is, being interpreted, God with us. ²³Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. ²⁴Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: ²⁴And Joseph arose from his sleep, and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took unto him his wife; ²⁵And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS. ²⁵and knew her not till she had brought forth a son: and he called his name JESUS.