Tuesday 21st January 2025
Holy and Venerable Maximus the Confessor (662)
Today we commemorate:
Holy Martyrs Zosimos and Neophytos (305).
Venerable Maxim the Greek (1556).
Virgin-Martyr Agnes of Rome (304).
Holy martyr Anastasius, disciple of St. Maximus the Confessor (662)
British Isles and Ireland:
St. Brigid of Kilbride (6th C).
St. Wynnin, bishop and abbot of Holywood (6th C).
St. Lawdog of Wales (6th C).
St. Macallan, hermit and abbot (978).
Philippians 1:12-20; Luke 12:8-12
Readings in bold type are those appointed by the Typikon for use at the Liturgy
Epistle
Philippians 1:12-20
I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that my situation has become an advantage for the furtherance of the Gospel in that my chains have come to be seen throughout the Praetorium and everywhere else as being for Christ, and most of the brothers and sisters in the Lord have taken confidence from my chains and are fearlessly speaking the word with far greater boldness. It is true that some are preaching Christ from envy and rivalry, but others also from goodwill. Those who proclaim Christ from rivalry, without sincerity, imagine that they are adding suffering to my chains, but the others who do so from love know that I am here for the defence of the Gospel. What of it? In every way, whether as a pretence or for the truth, Christ is being proclaimed. I rejoice in this, and I shall continue to rejoice because I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will lead to salvation for me. It is my eager expectation and hope that I shall in no way be disgraced, and I have complete confidence that as always, so now, Christ will be exalted in my body, whether in life or in death.
Gospel
Luke 12:8-12
The Lord said to his disciples, ‘Everyone who acknowledges me in the presence of others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge in the presence of the angels of God. But those who disown me in the presence of others will be disowned in the presence of the angels of God. If anyone should utter a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven. But those who blaspheme against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. When they bring you before the synagogues or the rulers or the authorities, do not be anxious about how or with what to defend yourselves or what you should say, for at that time the Holy Spirit will teach you what you must say.’