Tuesday, 12 January 2027

Tuesday of the 33rd week after Pentecost

275 days after Pascha · Tone 7 · Red squigg (doxology typikon symbol) · No Fast

Saints commemorated

Holy Martyr Tatiana

c. 230

She was the daughter of a wealthy Roman consul. She became a deaconess in Rome, and was seized as a Christian during the reign of Alexander Severus. Before the tribunal she fearlessly confessed Christ and, when she was taken to the temple in an effort to force her to make sacrifice, she cast down the idols by the power of her prayer. At this, the soldiers seized her and subjected her to many indignities and tortures, finally throwing her into a raging furnace. When this did not harm her, she was thrown to the wild beasts, but they refused to harm her. At last she was beheaded and thus gained her crown.

Martyr Mertios

Martyr Mertios was an early Christian saint of the patristic period who suffered martyrdom for the faith during the era of imperial persecutions against Christians. Little is known of his specific biographical details, though he is commemorated in the Orthodox Church as a witness to Christ who refused to renounce his faith despite torture and imprisonment. His steadfast devotion and ultimate sacrifice for the Gospel stand as a testimony to the courage of the early Christian martyrs. His feast day is celebrated on 12 January in the Eastern Orthodox Church, where he is venerated alongside other witnesses of the faith who demonstrated unwavering commitment to Christ during times of persecution.

Martyr Peter Apselamus

Martyr Peter Apselamus was an early Christian martyr of the first centuries of the Church who endured persecution and imprisonment for his faith in Christ. His life reflects the courage and constancy of the early martyrs who stood firm against the demands to renounce Christianity and participate in pagan worship. Though details of his specific trials and martyrdom are limited in surviving historical sources, his name is preserved in the Orthodox synaxarion as a faithful witness to the Gospel. He is commemorated on 12 January in the Eastern Orthodox Church calendar, where he is honoured amongst those who gave their lives as a testimony to Christ and the faith of the Apostles.

Virgin Martyr Tatiana of Rome

Virgin Martyr Tatiana of Rome was born into an illustrious Roman family around the third century. Her father was elected consul three times and was a secret believer in Christ. He raised his daughter in the Christian faith and she devoted herself entirely to God, vowing virginity and betrothing herself to Christ. Appointed a deaconess in one of the Roman churches, Tatiana devoted herself to a life of fasting, prayer, and service to the poor and sick, tending to those in need with apostolic charity. During the persecutions of Christians, she was arrested for her faith and endured torture for refusing to renounce Christ and offer worship to pagan idols. Through her steadfast confession and endurance under torture, she became a martyr for Christ, numbered amongst the holy witnesses of the early Church. She is commemorated on 12 January in the Orthodox Church calendar as a virgin martyr and faithful servant of the Lord.

Venerable Benedict Biscop, Abbot of Wearmouth

c. 690

He came from a noble Northumbrian family in Britain, and was tonsured a monk in 653 at Lerins in Gaul. In 669 he was made Abbot of the Monastery of Saints Peter and Paul in Canterbury. He traveled to Rome in 671 to be instructed in monastic practice according to the Rule of Saint Benedict (of Nursia). Returning to Northumbria he established two new monasteries, the first to follow St Benedict’s Rule in the British Isles. He went to Rome once again in 678-679, this time bringing back the archcantor of St Peter’s, who taught the monks of St Benedict’s monasteries the chant and liturgical practices used in Rome. Under the holy abbot’s guidance, these monasteries became flourishing centers of Christian worship, scholarship and art. The Venerable Bede (May 26) was one of his disciples. Saint Benedict reposed in peace in 689 or 690, having greatly strengthened the Church and the Christian faith in Britain.

Also commemorated: St Sava, Archbishop of Serbia

Daily readings

Epistle

weekly cycle

2 Timothy — 2 Timothy 3.16-4.4

¹⁶Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness: ¹⁶All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: ¹⁷that the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work. ¹⁷That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

¹I charge thee in the sight of God, and of Christ Jesus, who shall judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom:

¹I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; ²preach the word; be urgent in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. ²Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. ³For the time will come when they will not endure the sound doctrine; but, having itching ears, will heap to themselves teachers after their own lusts; ³For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; ⁴and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside unto fables. ⁴And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

Gospel

weekly cycle

Luke — Luke 19.45-48

⁴⁵And he went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought;

⁴⁵And he entered into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold, ⁴⁶saying unto them, It is written, And my house shall be a house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of robbers. ⁴⁶Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves. ⁴⁷And he taught daily in the temple. But the chief priests and the scribes and the chief of the people sought to destroy him,

⁴⁷And he was teaching daily in the temple. But the chief priests and the scribes and the principal men of the people sought to destroy him: ⁴⁸And could not find what they might do: for all the people were very attentive to hear him. ⁴⁸and they could not find what they might do; for the people all hung upon him, listening.