EPISTLE

2 Timothy 4:5–8

5 As for you, always be steady, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil your ministry.

6 For I am already on the point of being sacrificed; the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 From now on there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

EPISTLE

Colossians 2:8–12

8 See to it that no one makes a prey of you by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the universe, and not according to Christ. 9 For in him the whole fulness of deity dwells bodily, 10  and you have come to fulness of life in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. 11 In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of flesh in the circumcision of Christ; 12 and you were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.

GOSPEL

Mark 1:1–8

1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

2  As it is written in Isaiah the prophet,

“Behold, I send my messenger before your face,

who shall prepare your way;

3  the voice of one crying in the wilderness:

Prepare the way of the Lord,

make his paths straight—”

4  John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And there went out to him all the country of Judea, and all the people of Jerusalem; and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6 Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, and had a leather belt around his waist, and ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

GOSPEL

Luke 2:20–21, 40–52

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

21  And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

40  And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

41  Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom; 43 and when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, 44 but supposing him to be in the company they went a day’s journey, and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintances; 45 and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions; 47 and all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48  And when they saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously.” 49 And he said to them, “How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” 50 And they did not understand the saying which he spoke to them. 51  And he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart.

52  And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and man.

SUNDAY BEFORE THEOPHANY

Bright Vestments

On the same date: Sunday after Nativity; Circumcision of Jesus Christ; Basil the Great

Matins Gospel John 20:1–10 (29th Sunday)

Epistle 2 Timothy 4:5–8

Gospel Mark 1:1–8