January 17, 2021

Events of the day

• Synaxis of the Seventy Apostles

  Commemoration

• Forefeast: Holy Theophany. The Baptism of the Lord

Fasting

No fast

Christmastide (25 Dec – 4 Jan Old Style) is fast-free: no fasting.

Food rules are reference church information. Agree your personal measure of fasting with a priest; consult a doctor if you are ill.

Readings of the day

• 10th Matins Gospel

  John 21:1–14

  Show the text

  ¹After these things, Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself this way.

  ²Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together.

  ³Simon Peter said to them, “I’m going fishing.” They told him, “We are also coming with you.” They immediately went out, and entered into the boat. That night, they caught nothing.

  ⁴But when day had already come, Jesus stood on the beach, yet the disciples didn’t know that it was Jesus.

  ⁵Jesus therefore said to them, “Children, have you anything to eat?” They answered him, “No.”

  ⁶He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” They cast it therefore, and now they weren’t able to draw it in for the multitude of fish.

  ⁷That disciple therefore whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he wrapped his coat around himself (for he was naked), and threw himself into the sea.

  ⁸But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from the land, but about two hundred cubits away), dragging the net full of fish.

  ⁹So when they got out on the land, they saw a fire of coals there, with fish and bread laid on it.

  ¹⁰Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have just caught.”

  ¹¹Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land, full of one hundred fifty-three great fish. Even though there were so many, the net wasn’t torn.

  ¹²Jesus said to them, “Come and eat breakfast!” None of the disciples dared inquire of him, “Who are you?” knowing that it was the Lord.

  ¹³Then Jesus came and took the bread, gave it to them, and the fish likewise.

  ¹⁴This is now the third time that Jesus was revealed to his disciples after he had risen from the dead.

• Epistle · Sunday before Theophany

  2 Timothy 4:5–8

  Show the text

  ⁵But you be sober in all things, suffer hardship, do the work of an evangelist, and fulfill your ministry.

  ⁶For I am already being offered, and the time of my departure has come.

  ⁷I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith.

  ⁸From now on, the crown of righteousness is stored up for me, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that day; and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved his appearing.

• Gospel · Sunday before Theophany

  Mark 1:1–8

  Show the text

  ¹The beginning of the Good News of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

  ²As it is written in the prophets, “Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you:

  ³the voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make ready the way of the Lord! Make his paths straight!’ ”

  ⁴John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching the baptism of repentance for forgiveness of sins.

  ⁵All the country of Judea and all those of Jerusalem went out to him. They were baptized by him in the Jordan river, confessing their sins.

  ⁶John was clothed with camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist. He ate locusts and wild honey.

  ⁷He preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and loosen.

  ⁸I baptized you in water, but he will baptize you in the Holy Spirit.”

Source: Orthocal: lectionary data — Slavic tradition, Julian calendar. Text: World English Bible.

Saints and icons

• Prayer of the day: The Symbol of Faith (Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed)