December 31, 2026

Events of the day

No commemorations in the content package for this day yet

• Leave-taking of the feast: Nativity of our Lord, God and Saviour Jesus Christ

Fasting

No fast

Christmastide (25 Dec – 4 Jan Old Style) is fast-free: no fasting.

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

  James 1:19–27

• Gospel

  Mark 11:27–33

  Show the text

  ²⁷They came again to Jerusalem, and as he was walking in the temple, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders came to him,

  ²⁸and they began saying to him, “By what authority do you do these things? Or who gave you this authority to do these things?”

  ²⁹Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things.

  ³⁰The baptism of John—was it from heaven, or from men? Answer me.”

  ³¹They reasoned with themselves, saying, “If we should say, ‘From heaven;’ he will say, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’

  ³²If we should say, ‘From men’ ”—they feared the people, for all held John to really be a prophet.

  ³³They answered Jesus, “We don’t know.” Jesus said to them, “Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

Source: Orthocal: lectionary data — Slavic tradition, New Calendar (OCA practice). Text: World English Bible.

Saints and icons

• Prayer of the day: Prayer to the Holy Spirit “O Heavenly King”