December 29, 2026

Events of the day

• Prophet Haggai

  Commemoration

Fasting

Fast day · Nativity Fast

Nativity Fast, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday: fish is allowed.

• Meat: not allowed
• Dairy & eggs: not allowed
• Fish: allowed
• Oil: allowed
• Wine: allowed

By the Typikon (ch. 33) Tuesday and Thursday of the Apostles' and Nativity Fasts call for oil and wine only, fish only for a saint with a polyeleos; lay practice per the ROC calendar allows fish.

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

• Epistle

  Hebrews 12:25–26, 13:22–25

  Show the text

  ²⁵See that you don’t refuse him who speaks. For if they didn’t escape when they refused him who warned on the earth, how much more will we not escape who turn away from him who warns from heaven,

  ²⁶whose voice shook the earth then, but now he has promised, saying, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also the heavens.”

  ²²But I exhort you, brothers, endure the word of exhortation; for I have written to you in few words.

  ²³Know that our brother Timothy has been freed, with whom, if he comes shortly, I will see you.

  ²⁴Greet all of your leaders and all the saints. The Italians greet you.

  ²⁵Grace be with you all. Amen.

• Gospel

  Mark 8:22–26

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  ²²He came to Bethsaida. They brought a blind man to him, and begged him to touch him.

  ²³He took hold of the blind man by the hand, and brought him out of the village. When he had spat on his eyes, and laid his hands on him, he asked him if he saw anything.

  ²⁴He looked up, and said, “I see men; for I see them like trees walking.”

  ²⁵Then again he laid his hands on his eyes. He looked intently, and was restored, and saw everyone clearly.

  ²⁶He sent him away to his house, saying, “Don’t enter into the village, nor tell anyone in the village.”

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

Saints and icons

• Prayer of the day: The Jesus Prayer