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| Old Style
December 30
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Friday |
New Style
January 12
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| 32nd Week after Pentecost. Tone 6. |  No fast.
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Afterfeast of the Nativity of Christ. Virginmartyr Anysia at Thessalonica (298). Hieromartyr Zoticus the Priest, of Constantinople, feeder of orphans (ca. 340). St. Macarius, metropolitan of Moscow (1563).
Apostle Timon the Deacon, of the Seventy (1st c.). Martyr Philoterus of Nicomedia, and with him six soldiers and one count (311). St. Theodora, nun, of Caesaria in Cappadocia (755). St. Theodora, nun, of Constantinople (940). St. Tryphon, bishop of Rostov (1468). Uncovering of the relics of St. Daniel of Pereyaslavl, founder of St. Daniel Monastery (1625).
Martyrs Magistrianus, Paulinus, Umbrius, Verus, Severus, Callistratus, Florentius, Arianus, Anthimus, Ubricius, Isidore, Euculus, Sampson, Studius, and Thespesius, who suffered under Julian the Apostate (361-363). St. Egwin, bishop of Worcester (717). New Monk-martyr Gideon of Karakallou Monastery, Mt. Athos, at Turnovo (1818).
Commemoration of the martyrdom by the Poles of 11 monks and 43 laymen at the Theophany Monastery in Kostroma (1608).
Thoughts for Each Day of the Year
According to the Daily Church Readings from the Word of God
By St. Theophan the Recluse
Friday. [Eph. 4:17-25; Mark 12:1-12]
In the parable about the vineyard is depicted the Old Testament Church and God’s care for it. The New Testament Church succeeded the Old, and so this parable can be applied to it as well. Since each Christian is also a living church of God, it can be applied to him as well. The latter is more needful for us. What is the vineyard? It is the soul that has received remission of sins, the grace of rebirth, the gift of the Holy Spirit as a promise of the heritage of the eternal kingdom, the word of God, the holy mysteries, a guardian angel. Who are the husbandmen? Consciousness and freedom. They receive the gifts and give a commitment to cultivate them and bear fruit to the Lord. Who are the careless husbandmen? Those who want to use the advantages of being a Christian as befits the external order of their lives, but do not bring worthy spiritual fruits to the Lord. Who are those sent from the Lord? The conscience and the fear of God, the word of God, teachers and pastors by whom the Lord wants to give understanding to the careless. Those who do not want to change themselves do not heed them; some drive them away and try to muffle their voice. Others even start to war against the Lord Himself, when they reject faith in Him in various forms. In the end, they will be miserably destroyed (cf. Mt. 21:41).
Articles
 Virgin Martyr Anysia at ThessalonicaThe Holy Virgin Martyr Anysia lived in the city of Thessalonica during the reign of the the co-Emperor Maximian (286-305). |
 Apostle Timon the Deacon of the SeventyThe Holy Apostle Timon was one of the seven deacons appointed by the Apostles (Acts 6:5) to minister to destitute Christian widows. |
 Venerable Daniel the Abbot of Pereslavl-ZalesskySaint Daniel of Pereslavl (in the world Demetrius) was born around 1460 in the city of Pereslavl-Zalessky. |
