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The iconostasis of Holy Ascension Church

Today’s Commemorations & Readings

Monday, December 15, 2025

Saints of the Day

Sunday of the Forefathers
The Sunday that falls between - is known as the Sunday of the Holy Forefathers. These are the ancestors of Christ according to the flesh, who lived before the Law and under the Law, especially the Patriarch Abraham, to whom God said, &ld
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Righteous Priest Aaron
The Righteous Aaron was the son of Amram and Jochebed, and the elder brother of the Prophet Moses the God-seer, and also of Miriam. He was a direct descendent of Levi by both parents.
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Righteous Benjamin
The youngest son of Jacob, he was called Benoni and then Benjamin (Genesis 35:-). Before his death Jacob blessed him in a seemingly backhanded way, saying that “Benjamin is a ravenous wolf, devouring his prey in the morning, and dividing th
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Righteous Deborah
Information about the holy Prophetess and Judge Deborah be found in the Book of Judges :-, and also chapter .
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Righteous Hezron
The Righteous Hezron (Esrom, or Esron) is mentioned in the Old Testament genealogies: Genesis 46:, Ruth :, and Chronicles : (LXX). He was the son of Perez (Phares) and the father of Aram (or Ioram), and an ancestor of the Prophet-King David.
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Righteous Isaac
The Righteous Isaac was the second of the Old Testament Patriarchs, and the son of Abraham (Genesis :-). God tested Abraham to see if he would sacrifice his son (Genesis :-), and thus Isaac was a type of Christ.
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Righteous Jacob
The Righteous Jacob is mentioned in the book of Genesis, chapters -50. He had a dream of a ladder (Genesis :-). Angels were ascending and descending the ladder, and the Lord was above the ladder (a type of the Mother of God, who united earth
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Righteous Judith
Information about the Righteous Judith be found in the Old Testament book bearing her name. Decem
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Righteous Miriam
Saint Miriam, like her brothers Moses and Aaron, was descended from the tribe of Levi. When Moses was an infant, the Hebrew midwives were ordered to kill any male child when they assisted at childbirths, but they refused to obey.
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Prophet Nathan
The Prophet Nathan was an advisor to King David and King Solomon. He is mentioned in the Prayer of Absolution in the Mystery of Confession: “It was God Who pardoned David through the Prophet Nathan when he had confessed his sin....
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Prophet Nehemiah
The Old Testament book of Nehemiah tells of how he returned from the Captivity in Babylon in the twentieth year of the Persian King Artaxerxes (445/444 B.C.) to rebuild Jerusalem and to govern the province.
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Righteous Noah
The Righteous Noah is mentioned in the Book of Genesis (chapters -). Seeing the wicked deeds of men, God decided to destroy man from the earth, and even cattle, reptiles, and birds.
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Righteous Rebecca
Rebecca was the wife of the Old Testament Patriarch Isaac, and the mother of Jacob and Esau. She is mentioned in Genesis :; Chapters -; and Chapter 49:. Saint Paul also mentions her (Romans :).
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Righteous Sarah
Sarah was the wife of the Old Testament Patriarch Abraham and the mother of Isaac. At first she was called Sarai, and her name was changed to Sarah (Genesis :-).
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Prophet Solomon
The Prophet-King Solomon (ca. 972 - 932 B.C.) was the son of David and Bathsheba. He succeeded his father as King and reigned for forty years. He built the palace and the Temple at Jerusalem, and was renowned for his wisdom.
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Righteous Susanna
The 64-verse story of Susanna is found in the Septuagint Greek as a Preamble to the Book of Daniel. The Latin Vulgate, however, places the story of Susanna at the end of the Book of Daniel, which constitutes the book's thirteenth chapter.
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Righteous Ruth
Information about the Righteous Ruth, the wife of Boaz, be found in the Old Testament book bearing her name. Octob
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Righteous Mary
Saint Mary is the mother of Saint Anna, and the grandmother of the Theotokos.
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Martyrs Thyrsos, Leukios, and Kallinikos
The Holy Martyrs Thyrsos, Leukios, and Kallinikos, suffered for Christ under Emperor Decius (249-251) at Caesarea in Bithynίa.
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Martyrs Philemon, Apollonios, Arrian, and Theonas of Alexandria
These Saints lived during the reign of Emperor Diocletian (ca. 290). Arrian, the ruler of Thebes in Egypt, arrested 37 Christians, including Saints Askalon and Leonidas ( ).
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Saint Hilarion, Metropolitan of Suzdal and Yuriev
Saint Hilarion, Metropolitan of Suzdal and Yuriev (in the world John), was born , 1631 into the family of the lower city priest Ananias.
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Daily Scripture Readings

Luke 24.12-35

12 Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass.

13 And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs.

14 And they talked together of all these things which had happened.

15 And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.

16 But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.

17 And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?

18 And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days?

19 And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people:

20 And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him.

21 But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done.

22 Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre;

23 And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive.

24 And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not.

25 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:

26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?

27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

28 And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further.

29 But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them.

30 And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them.

31 And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.

32 And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?

33 And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them,

34 Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.

35 And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.

Colossians 3.4-11

4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

6 For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.

8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.

9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;

10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.

Luke 14.16-24

16 Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many:

17 And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.

18 And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.

19 And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.

20 And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.

21 So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.

22 And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.

23 And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.

24 For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.

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