Epistle Reading: Ephesians 6:10-17
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the
power of His might.
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to
stand against the wiles of the devil.
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against
principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this
age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be
able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth,
having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
and having shod your feet with the preparation of the
gospel of peace;
above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will
be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the
Spirit, which is the word of God;
Gospel Reading: Matthew 4:1-11
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be
tempted by the devil.
And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward
He was hungry.
Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, "If You are the
Son of God, command that these stones become bread."
But He answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live
by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.' "
Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the
pinnacle of the temple,
and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself
down. For it is written: 'He shall give His angels charge concerning you,'
and, 'In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot
against a stone.' "
Jesus said to him, "It is written again, 'You shall not tempt
the LORD your God.' "
Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain,
and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.
And he said to Him, "All these things I will give You if You
will fall down and worship me."
Then Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! For it is
written, 'You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.' "
Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and
ministered to Him.
Saints and Feasts
Sunday after Epiphany; Polyeuctus the Martyr of Melitene in Armenia; Eustratios the Wonderworker; Peter, Bishop of Sebaste, brother of Basil the Great and Gregory of Nyssa; Afterfeast of the Theophany of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; Philip, Metropolitan of Moscow
