## [Martyr Boniface at Tarsus in Cilicia, and Righteous Aglaϊa of Rome - 19 December](
Martyr Boniface at Tarsus in Cilicia, and Righteous Aglaϊa of Rome
The Holy Martyr Boniface was the slave of a rich young Roman woman named Aglaϊa, and he lived with her in iniquitous cohabitation. Both, however, ...
)
🎶troparion🎶
Fervently, you followed the renowned Martyrs
steadfastly confessing Christ before unbelievers, O wise Boniface.
You returned your relics to the august Aglaϊa
as an imperishable treasure;
from them flow healing and mercy for the world.
🎶kontakion🎶
You offered yourself voluntarily as a blameless sacrifice
to Him Who is about to be born of the Virgin for your sake,
O Saint, and wise crown-bearer Boniface.
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# [Scripture Readings for Friday, 19 December 2025 (OCA)](oca.org/readings/daily/2025/12/19)
## [Epistle reading for the 28th Friday after Pentecost (Titus 1:15-2:10)](oca.org/readings/daily/2025/12/19/1)
>To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work. But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine: that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience; the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things – that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed. Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded, in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you. Exhort bondservants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back, not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.
## [Gospel reading for the 13th Friday of Luke (Mark 9:33-41)](oca.org/readings/daily/2025/12/19/2)
>Then He came to Capernaum. And when He was in the house He asked them, “What was it you disputed among yourselves on the road?” But they kept silent, for on the road they had disputed among themselves who would be the greatest. And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.” Then He took a little child and set him in the midst of them. And when He had taken him in His arms, He said to them, “Whoever receives one of these little children in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me, receives not Me but Him who sent Me.” Now John answered Him, saying, “Teacher, we saw someone who does not follow us casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow us.” But Jesus said, “Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in My name can soon afterward speak evil of Me. For he who is not against us is on our side. For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.
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## [Martyr Sebastian at Rome, and his companions - 18 December](
Martyr Sebastian at Rome, and his companions
The Holy Martyr Sebastian was born in the city of Narbonum in Gaul (modern France), and he received his education at Mediolanum (now Milan). Under ...
)
🎶troparion🎶
O Sebastian, spurning the assemblies of the wicked,
you gathered the wise martyrs
who with you cast down the enemy;
and standing worthily before the throne of God,
you gladden those who cry to you:
Glory to him who has strengthened you!
Glory to him who has granted you a crown!
Glory to him who through you works healing for all!
🎶kontakion🎶
Excelling in godly zeal,
you gathered a band of martyrs from which you shone as a star.
The arrows that wounded your body, O Sebastian,
pierced the hearts of the enemy.
Therefore Christ has glorified you!
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# [Scripture Readings for Thursday, 18 December 2025 (OCA)](oca.org/readings/daily/2025/12/18)
## [Epistle reading for the 28th Thursday after Pentecost (Titus 1:5-2:1)](oca.org/readings/daily/2025/12/18/1)
>For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you – if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination. For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict. For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain. One of them, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth. To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work. But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine:
## [Gospel reading for the 13th Thursday of Luke (Mark 9:10-16)](oca.org/readings/daily/2025/12/18/2)
>So they kept this word to themselves, questioning what the rising from the dead meant. And they asked Him, saying, “Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” Then He answered and told them, “Indeed, Elijah is coming first and restores all things. And how is it written concerning the Son of Man, that He must suffer many things and be treated with contempt? But I say to you that Elijah has also come, and they did to him whatever they wished, as it is written of him.” And when He came to the disciples, He saw a great multitude around them, and scribes disputing with them. Immediately, when they saw Him, all the people were greatly amazed, and running to Him, greeted Him. And He asked the scribes, “What are you discussing with them?”
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## [Prophet Daniel - 17 December](
Prophet Daniel
The Holy Prophet Daniel is the fourth of the major prophets. In the years following 600 B.C. Jerusalem was conquered by the Babylonians, the Temple...
)
🎶troparion🎶
Great are the accomplishments of faith,
for the Three Holy Youths rejoiced in the source of the flame, as if by restful waters,
and the Prophet Daniel appeared as a shepherd of lions as of sheep.
By their prayers, O Christ God, save our souls.
🎶kontakion🎶
Cleansed by the Spirit
your pure heart became a vessel of clearest prophecy;
you saw things far away as if they were near. When cast into the den you tamed the lions.
Therefore we honor you, O blessed Prophet, glorious Daniel.
#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Orthodox #Orthostr #Saint
# [Scripture Readings for Tuesday, 17 December 2025 (OCA)](oca.org/readings/daily/2025/12/17)
## [Epistle reading for the 28th Tuesday after Pentecost (2 Timothy 4:9-22)](oca.org/readings/daily/2025/12/17/1)
>Be diligent to come to me quickly; for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica – Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry. And Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas when you come – and the books, especially the parchments. Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. May the Lord repay him according to his works. You also must beware of him, for he has greatly resisted our words. At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them. But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen! Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. Erastus stayed in Corinth, but Trophimus I have left in Miletus sick. Do your utmost to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, as well as Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brethren. The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.
## [Gospel reading for the 13th Tuesday of Luke (Mark 8:30-34)](oca.org/readings/daily/2025/12/17/2)
>Then He strictly warned them that they should tell no one about Him. And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. He spoke this word openly. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. But when He had turned around and looked at His disciples, He rebuked Peter, saying, “Get behind Me, Satan! For you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.” When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.
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It's pretty cringe how much time people spend ricing their desktops. It's embarrassingly cringe how much time I've spent ricing my Windows desktop
## [Saint Mardarije (Uskokovic) of Libertyville - 12 December](
Saint Mardarije (Uskokovic) of Libertyville
No information available at this time.
)
🎶troparion🎶
The truth of things revealed you to your flock as a rule of faith,
a model of meekness, and a teacher of temperance.
Therefore, through humility, you attained the heights;
and through poverty, riches.
O Hierarch Mardarije* our Father, entreat Christ God that our souls may be saved.
🎶kontakion🎶
O Hierarch Mardarije,
divine thunder, spiritual trumpet,
planter of faith, and pruner of heresies,
great favorite of the Trinity,
as you stand before God with the Angels,
pray unceasingly for all of us.
Tireless preacher of Christ the Lord, leader on the path of Saint Savva for your people in diaspora,
labor-loving practitioner and teacher of repentance,
Saint Mardarije* of Libertyville and America, together with all the Enlighteners of the American lands, / entreat the only Lover of mankind, to grant peace and unity to all Orthodox Christians.
#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Orthodox #Orthostr #Saint
# [Scripture Readings for Friday, 12 December 2025 (OCA)](oca.org/readings/daily/2025/12/12)
## [Epistle reading for the 27th Friday after Pentecost (2 Timothy 1:1-2, 8-18)](oca.org/readings/daily/2025/12/12/1)
>Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus, to Timothy, a beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day. Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. This you know, that all those in Asia have turned away from me, among whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes. The Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain; but when he arrived in Rome, he sought me out very zealously and found me. The Lord grant to him that he may find mercy from the Lord in that Day – and you know very well how many ways he ministered to me at Ephesus.
## [Gospel reading for the 12th Friday of Luke (Luke 21:37-22:8)](oca.org/readings/daily/2025/12/12/2)
>And in the daytime He was teaching in the temple, but at night He went out and stayed on the mountain called Olivet. Then early in the morning all the people came to Him in the temple to hear Him. Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called Passover. And the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might kill Him, for they feared the people. Then Satan entered Judas, surnamed Iscariot, who was numbered among the twelve. So he went his way and conferred with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray Him to them. And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. So he promised and sought opportunity to betray Him to them in the absence of the multitude. Then came the Day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb must be killed. And He sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat.”
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