From the calendar, 2026.
Thursday, August 20
Prophet Samuel
Fast-free
Appointed to be read.
Epistle.
2 Corinthians 7:1–10
1 min read
1Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
2Open your hearts to us. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have cheated no one.
3I do not say this to condemn; for I have said before that you are in our hearts, to die together and to live together.
4Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my boasting on your behalf. I am filled with comfort. I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation.
5For indeed, when we came to Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were troubled on every side. Outside were conflicts, inside were fears.
6Nevertheless God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus,
7and not only by his coming, but also by the consolation with which he was comforted in you, when he told us of your earnest desire, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced even more.
8For even if I made you sorry with my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret it. For I perceive that the same epistle made you sorry, though only for a while.
9Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing.
10For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.
Gospel.
Mark 1:29–35
1 min read
29Now as soon as they had come out of the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.
30But Simon's wife's mother lay sick with a fever, and they told Him about her at once.
31So He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and immediately the fever left her. And she served them.
32At evening, when the sun had set, they brought to Him all who were sick and those who were demon-possessed.
33And the whole city was gathered together at the door.
34Then He healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He did not allow the demons to speak, because they knew Him.
35Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.
What this is.
The Scripture the Orthodox Church reads each day, the saints it remembers, and a study aid that answers from Scripture and the Fathers and shows its sources.
Divine Liturgy. The Church's main service, at which Holy Communion is given. Its Epistle and Gospel are what most people mean by the day's readings.
Matins. The morning service of praise. On Sundays and feasts it has a Gospel of its own.
Vespers. The evening service. The Church's day begins at sunset, so a feast's Vespers is served the evening before.
Hours. Short services of psalms and prayer at set times of the day: the First, Third, Sixth and Ninth Hours.
Tone. The hymns of the week are sung in one of eight tones, or melodies, which follow each other week by week.
New Calendar. Fixed feasts are kept on the civil date, as in the OCA and the Antiochian Archdiocese. Churches on the Old Calendar keep them 13 days later. Pascha is the same for both.