--- title: "January 2, 2020 — Hieromartyr Ignatius the God-bearer" description: "Thursday, January 2, 2020. 20 December (Old Style). Hieromartyr Ignatius the God-bearer; Righteous John of Kronstadt. Fast day" url: "https://spas.life/en/orthodoxy/calendar/2020-01-02" language: "en" --- Thursday # January 2, 2020 20 December (Old Style) · 29th week after Pentecost Russian Orthodox Church (Old Calendar) [Old Style](https://spas.life/en/orthodoxy/calendar/2020-01-02) [New Style](https://spas.life/en/orthodoxy/calendar/new-style/2020-01-02) [Month calendar](https://spas.life/en/orthodoxy/calendar/2020-01) [← January 1](https://spas.life/en/orthodoxy/calendar/2020-01-01) [January 3 →](https://spas.life/en/orthodoxy/calendar/2020-01-03) ## Events of the day - Hieromartyr Ignatius the God-bearer; Righteous John of Kronstadt Polyeleos rank - Forefeast: Nativity of our Lord, God and Saviour Jesus Christ ## Fasting Fast day · Nativity Fast Nativity Fast (from 20 Dec Old Style), Tuesday and Thursday: cooked food without oil. - Meat: not allowed - Dairy & eggs: not allowed - Fish: not allowed - Oil: not allowed - Wine: not allowed 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 7:1–6 **Show the text** 1 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of God Most High, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 2 to whom also Abraham divided a tenth part of all (being first, by interpretation, “king of righteousness”, and then also “king of Salem”, which means “king of peace”, 3 without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God), remains a priest continually. 4 Now consider how great this man was, to whom even Abraham, the patriarch, gave a tenth out of the best plunder. 5 They indeed of the sons of Levi who receive the priest’s office have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brothers, though these have come out of the body of Abraham, 6 but he whose genealogy is not counted from them has accepted tithes from Abraham, and has blessed him who has the promises. - Gospel Mark 10:17–27 **Show the text** 17 As he was going out into the way, one ran to him, knelt before him, and asked him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” 18 Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except one—God. 19 You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not give false testimony,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and mother.’ ” 20 He said to him, “Teacher, I have observed all these things from my youth.” 21 Jesus looking at him loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack. Go, sell whatever you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me, taking up the cross.” 22 But his face fell at that saying, and he went away sorrowful, for he was one who had great possessions. 23 Jesus looked around, and said to his disciples, “How difficult it is for those who have riches to enter into God’s Kingdom!” 24 The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus answered again, “Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter into God’s Kingdom! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye than for a rich man to enter into God’s Kingdom.” 26 They were exceedingly astonished, saying to him, “Then who can be saved?” 27 Jesus, looking at them, said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God, for all things are possible with God.” Source: Orthocal: lectionary data — Slavic tradition, Julian calendar. Text: World English Bible. ## Saints and icons - Prayer of the day: [Prayer to the Holy Spirit “O Heavenly King”](https://spas.life/en/orthodoxy/prayers/heavenly-king)