January 05
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2025-01-05
Bulletin Contents
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church
General Information
Contact Information
Past Bulletins
- Publish Date:
- 2026-04-26
- Publish Date:
- 2026-04-19
- Publish Date:
- 2026-04-05
- Publish Date:
- 2026-03-29
- Publish Date:
- 2026-03-22
- Publish Date:
- 2026-03-15
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Epistle Reading
Prokeimenon. 6th Mode. Psalm 27.9,1.
O Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance.
Verse: To you, O Lord, I have cried, O my God.
The reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to Timothy 4:5-8.
TIMOTHY, my son, always be steady, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil your ministry.
For I am already on the point of being sacrificed; the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.
Gospel Reading
Sunday before Epiphany
The Reading is from Mark 1:1-8
The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the prophets, 'Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who shall prepare your way; the voice of one crying in the wilderness: prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.' John was baptizing in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And there went out to him all the country of Judea, and all the people of Jerusalem; and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel's hair, and had a leather girdle around his waist, and ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached, saying, "After me comes he who is mightier than I, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."
Hymns of the Day
Resurrectional Apolytikion in the 3rd Mode
Let the heavens rejoice and the earth be glad, for the Lord has shown the mighty power of his arm. He has trampled down death by death, becoming the first born of the dead. He has delivered us from the depths of hell and has granted to all the world his great mercy.
Apolytikion for Eve of Epiphany in the 4th Mode
Be thou ready, Zabulon; prepare thyself, O Nephthalim. River Jordan, stay thy course and skip for gladness to receive the Sov'reign Master, Who cometh now to be baptized. O Adam, be thou glad with our first mother, Eve; hide not as ye did of old in Paradise. Seeing you naked, He hath appeared now to clothe you in the first robe again. Christ hath appeared for He truly willeth to renew all creation.
Seasonal Kontakion in the 4th Mode
In the running waters of the Jordan River, on this day the Lord of all crieth to John: Be not afraid and hesitate not to baptize Me, for I am come to save Adam, the first formed man.
Saints and Feasts
January 05
The Holy Martyrs Theopemptus and Theonas
When the persecution of Diocletian broke out in 290, Saint Theopemptus, a bishop, was taken for his confession of Christ, and convicted Diocletian to his face for his error and ungodliness. Remaining unhurt after cruel tortures, he was given poison to drink, which had been prepared by a sorcerer named Theonas. Protected by divine grace from this also, he drew Theonas to Christ, and after other torments, was beheaded. Saint Theonas was cast into a pit and buried alive.
Wisdom of the Fathers
Repentance is the renewal of baptism and is a contract with God for a fresh start in life.
Ladder of Divine Ascent Step 5:On Penitence, Paulist Press pg. 121, 6th century
It was for that reason that Joshua, son of Nun, removed his sandals (Cf. Jos. 5:15), in order that he also could preserve the gift of so great a function for Him who was to come. It is for that reason that John says, 'A man is coming after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to loose,' ...
Seven Exegetical Works, 4.22, 4th Century