Liturgical Texts
Here you will find the links to texts for various liturgical services.
January 04, 2026
Forefeast of & Sunday before Theophany of Christ
Synaxis of the Seventy Holy Apostles; Venerable Theoktistos of Sicily
SYNAXARION
On January 4 in the Holy Orthodox Church, we prepare to celebrate the Theophany (Epiphany) of our Lord Jesus Christ, and we celebrate the Synaxis of the holy Seventy Apostles.
Verses
It is right to acclaim with songs all together all of the Seventy glorious Apostles.
On the fourth we glorify men of mighty renown.
In addition to the twelve Great Apostles, the Lord chose seventy other, lesser apostles and sent them to preach to the Jews. He sent them out two by two before His face, to each town and place, saying: “Behold, I send you as sheep among wolves” (Luke 10:1-5). But as Judas, one of the Twelve, fell away from the Lord, so some among these Seventy withdrew from Him, not with the intention of betraying Him but from human weakness and lack of faith (John 6:66). The apostles elected new ones to take the fallen apostles’ places. These Seventy labored in the same way as the twelve Great Apostles; they were the assistants of the Twelve in the spreading and strengthening of the Church of God in the world. They suffered much torture and malice, from men and from demons, but their firm faith and burning love for the risen Lord made them conquerors of the world and heirs of the Kingdom of Heaven. On this day, we also commemorate Venerable Theoktistos of Sicily. By the intercessions of Thy saints, O Christ God, have mercy upon us. Amen.
Please visit the Antiochian Archdiocese Website for Up-To-Date Texts of Services, and Choose the Specific Date on the Calendar.
