2026

On Saturday | October 24

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The Readings from the Regular Cycle

The Epistle

Saturday of the 21st Week

The reading is from Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians.

2 Cor. 3:12 – 18

Brethren, since we have such a hope, we are very bold, not like Moses, who put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not see the end of what was being set aside. But their minds were hardened; for to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their heart; but when a man turns to the Lord the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another, for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit. [RSV]

The Gospel

Saturday of the 5th Week of Luke

The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Luke.

Lk. 7:1 – 10

At that time, Jesus entered Capernaum. Now a centurion had a slave who was dear to him, who was sick and at the point of death. When he heard of Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and heal his slave. And when they came to Jesus, they besought him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy to have you do this for him, for he loves our nation, and he built us our synagogue.” And Jesus went with them. When he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying to him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; therefore I did not presume to come to you. But say the word, and let my servant be healed. For I am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me: and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard this he marveled at him, and turned and said to the multitude that followed him, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave well. [RSV]

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The Readings for the Commemoration

The Epistle

For the Martyr.

The reading is from Paul’s Letter to the Hebrews.

Heb. 11:33 – 40; 12:1 – 2

Brethren, all the saints through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were killed with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated — of whom the world was not worthy — wandering over deserts and mountains and in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had foreseen something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect. Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin that easily distracts, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of faith. [RSV]

The Gospel

For the Martyr.

The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Luke.

Lk. 12:32 – 40

The Lord said, “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give alms; provide yourselves with purses that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Let your loins be girded and your lamps burning, and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the marriage feast, so that they may open to him at once when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes; truly, I say to you, he will gird himself and have them sit at table, and he will come and serve them. If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them so, blessed are those servants! But know this, that if the householder had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would have watched and would not have left his house to be broken into. You also must be ready; for the Son of man is coming at an unexpected hour.” [RSV]

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Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On October 24, we commemorate the holy Great-martyr Arethas and those with him.

On this day we commemorate a mother and her infant who saw his mother in the fire and threw himself in the fire and both died.

On this day we commemorate the holy martyr Sebastiana.

The holy martyrs Mark, Sotirichos and Valentinos died when they were dragged on the ground.

By the intercessions of Your Saints, O God, have mercy on us. Amen.

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Fasting Rule

Fast Free: All foods allowed.