Wednesday Dec 25 2025 / Jan 7 ns 2026 † The Nativity of our Savior ~ No Fasting ~ Gospel at Matins: St. Matt. 1:18-25 Feast: Gal. 4:4-7; St. Matt. 2:1-12

The Glorious Nativity of our

Lord, God and Savior

Jesus Christ

Wednesday Dec 25 2025

Jan 7 new style 2026  

~ No Fasting ~

PHOTOS: THE ORTHODOX CHURCH

OF THE NATIVITY

OF OUR LORD IN BETHLEHEM.

{Julian Calendar}

Nativity Message of

St. John The Wonderworker

(Delivered in Shanghai in 1935)

Christ is born, praise Him! Christ from heaven, respond to Him! Christ on earth, exalt Him!
He who sits on a cherub comes to earth!
Born in a sinful world is the eternally begotten of God the Father!
The King of the Universe is coming from heavenly heights to man who has fallen deep into the pit of sin and unbelief!
Cheer up, all you who live on earth! The Son of God is coming to you and for you!
He comes to us not for punishment and judgment, but for our salvation.
He is already here, in little Bethlehem, in a miserable manger. Why this squalor?
Why did He come to the small earth, to the small city, Whom the heavens cannot contain?
To gain being created "a little lower than the angels", in the image of God's man.
Just as a good shepherd, leaving 99 sheep in the mountains, goes to look for only one lost sheep, so the unceasing praises of countless hosts of angels are not enough for the Lord, and He goes to call those who are "a little lower than the angels", the lost human race.
Just as a woman who has lost a drachma carefully sweeps the floor in order to find it, so the Lord goes around the sinful earth in order to cleanse it.
In the midst of angelic chants, God heard the groan of suffering humanity, and from the fullness of the glory of heaven He sees the blackness of the earth.
And the Lord comes, goes to give heavenly glory to the earth, and angelic blessedness to people.
With what gratitude our hearts should be filled towards Him! With what a loud salutation from the depths of our souls we must greet Christ. Indeed, His love extends to each of us, and He wants to raise each of us to heaven.
With what shall we meet Him? What worthy gifts shall we bring to Him?
“What shall we bring Thee, O Christ, as thou hast appeared on earth, as a man, for our sake?”
The whole creation of God hastens to bow to the newborn King, its Creator. Angels bring Him singing, the sky - a star, the Magi - gifts, the shepherds - reverent amazement, the earth - a cave, the desert - a manger, the human race - the Virgin Mother.
What will each of us bring especially from ourselves?
“With what shall I stand before the Lord, bow down before the God of Heaven? Should I stand before Him with a burnt offering, with one-year-old calves?” (Micah 6:6), the Moabite king Balak once asked.
"Oh man! It has been told you what is good and what the Lord requires of you: only act justly, love the deeds of mercy, and walk humbly before your God” (Micah 6:8). "Offer the sacrifice of God's praise and fulfill your vows to the Most High" (Ps. 49:14).
Therefore, let us continually offer God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of a mouth that glorifies His name. “But at the same time, let us not forget doing good and sharing, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God” (Heb. 13:15-16).
The Lord opened the heavens for us on earth.
Let us open our souls and our hearts to the Lord. Let our lips proclaim to Him singing and praise, but let our hands do works of mercy.
To the Lord lying in the manger, together with doxology and praise, let us each bring from our hearts some kind of good deed.
May the joy of the whole world fill the heart of everyone, driving away the sorrows of life around us and raising our minds and aspirations to heaven. For from there a joyful angelic gospel is heard:
 
“Today there is born to you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord”
(Saint Luke 2:11).

CHRIST IS BORN!  GLORIFY HIM!

Tuesday Dec. 24, 2025 / Jan. 6 ns 2026 ~ Great and Royal Hours & Vesperal Liturgy for the Nativity • Holy Virgin-Martyr Evgenía and those with her; St. Antiochos, author of the Pandects ~ Fast day Eve of Nativity: Heb. 1:1-12; St. Luke 2:1-20

Rejoice, Depth hard to fathom,

even for the eyes of Angels

Tuesday

December 24, 2025

January 6 new style

2026

NATIVITY FAST

~ Fast day Eve of Nativity ~

Great Royal Hours &  Vesperal Liturgy
for the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ

• Holy Virgin-Martyr Evgenía and those with her
• Saint Antiochos

THE PROLOGUE FROM OCHRID

Saint Nikolai Velimirovich

EVGENIA was the daughter of Philip the Eparch of all Egypt and was born in Rome. At that time the Christians had been driven out of Alexandria and lived outside the city. The virgin Evgenia visited the Christians and accepted their Faith with her whole heart. Fleeing from her parents with two of her faithful eunuchs, she was baptized by Bishop Elias. Disguised in men's clothing, she entered a men's monastery where she received the monastic habit. So much did she cleanse her heart by voluntary asceticism that she received from God the grace of healing the sick. Thus, she healed a wealthy woman, Melanthia. 

After this, however, Melanthia wanted to lure Evgenia into bodily sin, not suspecting that Evgenia was a woman. Since she was adamantly rejected by Evgenia, out of revenge this evil woman went to the eparch and slandered Evgenia in the same manner as Potiphar's wife had once slandered the chaste Joseph. The eparch ordered that all the monks be bound and cast into prison together with Evgenia. But when St. Evgenia was brought before the tribunal, she revealed herself to her father as his daughter. The overjoyed Philip was then baptized with his entire household, and he was chosen as Bishop of Alexandria. Hearing of this, the Roman emperor sent a wicked commander, Terentius, who came to Alexandria and secretly had Philip killed. St. Evgenia moved to Rome with her mother and brothers. In Rome she fearlessly and zealously converted pagans, especially maidens, to the true Faith, and thus she converted a beautiful maiden Basilla to the Faith. Shortly afterward, Basilla was beheaded for Christ as Evgenia had foretold to her. Then both eunuchs, Protus and Hyacinth, were beheaded. 

Finally, a martyr's end came to St. Evgenia, whose presence had caused the collapse and destruction of the Temple of Diana. The torturers threw her first into water and then into fire, but God saved her. The Lord Jesus Himself appeared to her in prison and told her that she would suffer on the day of His Nativity. And so it was. She was beheaded by the sword on December 25, 262, in Rome. After her death, St. Evgenia appeared in great glory to her mother and comforted her.

Hebrews 1:1-12 KJV

1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,

2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:

4 Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

5 For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?

6 And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.

7 And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.

8 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.

9 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

10 And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:

11 They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment;

12 And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.

Saint Luke 2:1-20 KJV

2 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

From

PRAYERS BY THE LAKE

St. Nikolai Velimirovich

The Pure Virgin lights a Heavenly candle in the midst of our darkness and shows the Way. She is clairvoyant, and she knows that which you have forgotten. Alienated from earth, she has been befriended by Heaven. Disrobed of darkness, she is clothed in Light. Through her Heaven peers into us. Through her we can see Heaven. She is cautious with regard to your counsels; righteousness is in her mouth; Heavenly Wisdom is in her womb; a reverend Flame is in her heart. 

Out of her come the Healer and the Cure. From her thighs come the Guide and the Way. She is not a stepmother but a mother, and does not promise her Son more than she can give. Her giving is her promise, while the giving of a stepmother consists of promises.

Monday Dec 23, 2025 / January 5 ns, 2026 • Ten Holy Martyrs of Crete; St. Níphon, Bishop of Constantiané ~ Wine and olive oil are permitted ~ Heb. 11:17-31; St. Mark 10:46-52

Monday

December 23, 2025

January 4 new style

2026

NATIVITY FAST

Ten Holy Martyrs of Crete;

St. Níphon, Bishop of Constantiané

The 10 Holy Martyrs suffered for Christ the Lord during the persecution of Decius in the year 250. Their names were Theodulus, Saturnicus, Euporos, Gelasius, Eunician, Zoticus, Pompeius, Agathopes, Basilides and Evaristus. They were all eminent and honored citizens, the best among the best.

When they were brought to the place of execution they were elated, and they discussed among themselves which of them would be the first to be beheaded, for each one of them wanted to be the first to go to his beloved Christ. Then they prayed: ``O Lord, forgive Thy servants and accept our blood, which is about to be shed, as an offering on our behalf and for our kinsmen and friends and for all of our fatherland, that all may be freed from the darkness of ignorance and may know Thee, the True Light, O Eternal King!'' They were beheaded and entered into the Kingdom of Glory to rejoice eternally.

Hebrews 11:17-31 KJV

17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,

18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:

19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.

20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.

21 By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.

22 By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.

23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment.

24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;

25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.

27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.

28 Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.

29 By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.

30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.

31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.

Saint Mark 10:46-52 KJV

46 And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging.

47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me.

48 And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou son of David, have mercy on me.

49 And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee.

50 And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus.

51 And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight.

52 And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.

Reflection - from St. Nikolai of Zica

While still living in the flesh, the saints had great revelations from God and visions of both heavenly and infernal powers. All of their revelations and visions confirm the Orthodox Faith in all of her teachings. The saints are a joy, a great joy to the faithful. St. Niphon saw the Theotokos and the Lord Christ alive in glory; he saw men's souls leaving the body; and he saw the guardian angels of certain men! He spoke openly with angels and disputed with demons. 

The Church teaches that the sincere repentance of a sinner, even in the last hour, saves the soul of the penitent. St. Niphon saw the soul of one such repentant sinner in the last moment; he saw how the angels defended that soul from the aggressive demons and carried it to Paradise. 

The Church teaches that suicide is a mortal sin. St. Niphon saw the soul of a suicide as the devils were dragging it to hell. The guardian angel of that soul went off and wept bitterly for that soul. This was the soul of a servant who had committed suicide because his master was merciless, and who did not want to endure to the end in order to be saved.

Contemplate:  God's reward to the penitent David:

How God glorified the penitent David and gave him the gift of His Holy Spirit to compile the wondrous Psalter;

How God made the penitent David the ancestor of many good kings and righteous seers;

How God made him the ancestor, according to the flesh, of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.