Readings and saints

Wednesday, December 2, 2026

November 19 on the Old Calendar

Holy Prophet Habbakuk (Abbacum) (7th c. BC).

Wednesday of the 27th week after Pentecost

Fasting
Nativity Fast: no meat, fish, dairy, eggs, wine, or oil.Your priest can tell you how to keep the fast.
Tone
Tone 1This week’s Resurrection hymns are sung in the first of the Church’s eight tones.

The readings

Translation

Traditional: the King James Version (1611) for the New Testament. Underlined words are explained in Words of Prayer.

Modern: the World English Bible for the New Testament. Your choice is remembered on this device.

Epistle

1 Timothy 5:22-6:11

Traditional

22Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure. 23Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities. 24Some men’s sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after. 25Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise can not be hid.

1Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed. 2And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.

3If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; 4He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, where of cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, 5Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. 6But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry no thing out. 8And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 9But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 11But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

Modern

22Lay hands hastily on no one. Don’t be a participant in other people’s sins. Keep yourself pure. 23Be no longer a drinker of water only, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities. 24Some men’s sins are evident, preceding them to judgment, and some also follow later. 25In the same way also there are good works that are obvious, and those that are otherwise can’t be hidden.

1Let as many as are bondservants under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and the doctrine not be blasphemed. 2Those who have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brothers, but rather let them serve them, because those who partake of the benefit are believing and beloved. Teach and exhort these things.

3If anyone teaches a different doctrine and doesn’t consent to sound words, the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness, 4he is conceited, knowing nothing, but obsessed with arguments, disputes, and word battles, from which come envy, strife, insulting, evil suspicions, 5constant friction of people of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. Withdraw yourself from such. 6But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7For we brought nothing into the world, and we certainly can’t carry anything out. 8But having food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9But those who are determined to be rich fall into a temptation, a snare, and many foolish and harmful lusts, such as drown men in ruin and destruction. 10For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some have been led astray from the faith in their greed, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 11But you, man of God, flee these things, and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.

Gospel

Luke 20:1-8

Traditional

1And it came to pass, that on one of those days, as he taught the people in the temple, and preached the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes came upon him with the elders, 2And spake unto him, saying, Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this authority? 3And he answered and said unto them, I will also ask you one thing; and answer me: 4The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? 5And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then believed ye him not? 6But and if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was a prophet. 7And they answered, that they could not tell whence it was. 8And Jesus said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.

Modern

1On one of those days, as he was teaching the people in the temple and preaching the Good News, the priests and scribes came to him with the elders. 2They asked him, “Tell us: by what authority do you do these things? Or who is giving you this authority?” 3He answered them, “I also will ask you one question. Tell me: 4the baptism of John, was it from heaven, or from men?” 5They reasoned with themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why didn’t you believe him?’ 6But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us, for they are persuaded that John was a prophet.” 7They answered that they didn’t know where it was from. 8Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

Remembered on this day

The Prophet Habakkuk

Habakkuk was a prophet of Judah in the years before the Babylonian exile. His book asks God why violence and injustice seem to go unanswered. He waits for God’s answer and learns to trust Him even when fields and flocks fail. Little is known with certainty about his personal history. His prayer gives us room to bring our hardest questions to God and to keep listening.

How he died
Tradition holds that he died in his own land and was buried there.

The Prophet Habakkuk: the full page

Also remembered today: Joannicos the Monk of Devich; Holy Martyr Myrope (Myropea) of Chios (251); Our Holy Father Athanasius "the Resurrected," Recluse of the Kiev Caves (1176); Saint (Stephen) Uroš, King of Serbia (1367); Saint Porphyrios of Kavsokalyvia (1991) (Nov. 19 OC).

Calendar: Orthocal, following the Revised Julian (New) Calendar of the Orthodox Church in America. Parishes on the Old Calendar keep each day 13 days later. Check your own parish calendar.