Orthodox Study
From the calendar 2026

Tuesday, May 5

Great Martyr Irene of Thessalonica

Appointed readings

2 passages

Epistle

Acts 10:21–33

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21Then Peter went down to the men who had been sent to him from Cornelius, and said, 'Yes, I am he whom you seek. For what reason have you come?'

22And they said, 'Cornelius the centurion, a just man, one who fears God and has a good reputation among all the nation of the Jews, was divinely instructed by a holy angel to summon you to his house, and to hear words from you.'

23Then he invited them in and lodged them.

24On the next day Peter went away with them, and some brethren from Joppa accompanied him. And the following day they entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was waiting for them, and had called together his relatives and close friends.

25As Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him.

26But Peter lifted him up, saying, 'Stand up; I myself am also a man.'

27And as he talked with him, he went in and found many who had come together.

28Then he said to them, 'You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean.

29Therefore I came without objection as soon as I was sent for. I ask, then, for what reason have you sent for me?'

30So Cornelius said, 'Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in right clothing,

31and said, 'Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your alms are remembered in the sight of God.

32Send therefore to Joppa and call Simon here, whose surname is Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea. When he comes, he will speak to you.'

33So I sent to you immediately, and you have done well to come. Now therefore, we are all present before God, to hear all the things commanded you by God.'

Gospel

John 7:1–13

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1After these things Jesus walked in Galilee; for He did not want to walk in Judea, because the Jews sought to kill Him.

2Now the Jews' Feast of Tabernacles was at hand.

3His brothers therefore said to Him, 'Depart from here and go into Judea, that Your disciples also may see the works that You are doing.

4For no one does anything in secret while he himself seeks to be known openly. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world.'

5For even His brothers did not believe in Him.

6Then Jesus said to them, 'My time has not yet come, but your time is always ready.

7The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it that its works are evil.

8You go up to this feast. I am not yet going up to this feast, for My time has not yet fully come.'

9When He had said these things to them, He remained in Galilee.

10But when His brothers had gone up, then He also went up to the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret.

11Then the Jews sought Him at the feast, and said, 'Where is He?'

12And there was much complaining among the people concerning Him. Some said, 'He is good'; others said, 'No, on the contrary, He deceives the people.'

13However, no one spoke openly of Him for fear of the Jews.

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