1 Peter 4.12-5.5
(Epistle)
12Beloved, don’t be astonished at the fiery trial which has come upon you to test you, as though a strange thing happened to you.
13But because you are partakers of Christ’s sufferings, rejoice, that at the revelation of his glory you also may rejoice with exceeding joy.
14If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. On their part he is blasphemed, but on your part he is glorified.
15But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evil doer, or a meddler in other men’s matters.
16But if one of you suffers for being a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this matter.
17For the time has come for judgment to begin with the household of God. If it begins first with us, what will happen to those who don’t obey the Good News of God?
18“If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will happen to the ungodly and the sinner?”
19Therefore let them also who suffer according to the will of God in doing good entrust their souls to him, as to a faithful Creator.
1Therefore I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and who will also share in the glory that will be revealed:
2shepherd the flock of God which is among you, exercising the oversight, not under compulsion, but voluntarily; not for dishonest gain, but willingly;
3not as lording it over those entrusted to you, but making yourselves examples to the flock.
4When the chief Shepherd is revealed, you will receive the crown of glory that doesn’t fade away.
5Likewise, you younger ones, be subject to the elder. Yes, all of you clothe yourselves with humility and subject yourselves to one another; for “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
Ephesians 2.4-10
(Epistle, St. Theodore)
4But God, being rich in mercy, for his great love with which he loved us,
5even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—
6and raised us up with him, and made us to sit with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
7that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus;
8for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
9not of works, that no one would boast.
10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before that we would walk in them.
Mark 12.38-44
(Gospel)
38In his teaching he said to them, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk in long robes, and to get greetings in the marketplaces,
39and to get the best seats in the synagogues and the best places at feasts,
40those who devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.”
41Jesus sat down opposite the treasury and saw how the multitude cast money into the treasury. Many who were rich cast in much.
42A poor widow came and she cast in two small brass coins, which equal a quadrans coin.
43He called his disciples to himself and said to them, “Most certainly I tell you, this poor widow gave more than all those who are giving into the treasury,
44for they all gave out of their abundance, but she, out of her poverty, gave all that she had to live on.”
Matthew 10.16-22
(Gospel, St. Theodore)
16“Behold, I send you out as sheep among wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.
17But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils, and in their synagogues they will scourge you.
18Yes, and you will be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony to them and to the nations.
19But when they deliver you up, don’t be anxious how or what you will say, for it will be given you in that hour what you will say.
20For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.
21“Brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father his child. Children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death.
22You will be hated by all men for my name’s sake, but he who endures to the end will be saved.