Orthodox Study
From the calendar 2026

Saturday, October 31

Holy Apostles Stachys, Apelles, Amplias, Urban, Narcissus and Aristobolus.

Appointed readings

4 passages

Epistle

2 Corinthians 5:1–10

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1For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

2For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven,

3if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked.

4For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life.

5Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.

6So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord.

7For we walk by faith, not by sight.

8We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.

9Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.

10For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

Epistle

Hebrews 13:7–16

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7Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct.

8Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

9Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them.

10We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat.

11For the bodies of those animals, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned outside the camp.

12Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate.

13Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach.

14For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come.

15Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.

16But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

Gospel

Luke 8:16–21

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16'No one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a vessel or puts it under a bed, but sets it on a lampstand, that those who enter may see the light.

17For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light.

18Therefore take heed how you hear. For whoever has, to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he seems to have will be taken from him.'

19Then His mother and brothers came to Him, and could not approach Him because of the crowd.

20And it was told Him by some, who said, 'Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see You.'

21But He answered and said to them, 'My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it.'

Gospel

Luke 12:32–40

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32'Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

33Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys.

34For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

35'Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning;

36and you yourselves be like men who wait for their master, when he will return from the wedding, that when he comes and knocks they may open to him immediately.

37Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them.

38And if he should come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.

39But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into.

40Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.'

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