Orthodox Study
From the calendar 2026

Sunday, November 15

Begin Nativity Fast

Appointed readings

3 passages

Matins · Gospel

Mark 16:1–8

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1Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him.

2Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen.

3And they said among themselves, 'Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?'

4But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away—for it was very large.

5And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed.

6But he said to them, 'Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him.

7But go, tell His disciples—and Peter—that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you.'

8So they went out quickly and fled from the tomb, for they trembled and were amazed. And they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

Epistle

Ephesians 2:14–22

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14For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation,

15having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace,

16and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.

17And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near.

18For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.

19Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,

20having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone,

21in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord,

22in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

Gospel

Luke 10:25–37

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25And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, 'Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?'

26He said to him, 'What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?'

27So he answered and said, ''You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,' and 'your neighbor as yourself.''

28And He said to him, 'You have answered rightly; do this and you will live.'

29But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, 'And who is my neighbor?'

30Then Jesus answered and said: 'A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.

31Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.

32Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side.

33But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion.

34So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

35On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, 'Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.'

36So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?'

37And he said, 'He who showed mercy on him.' Then Jesus said to him, 'Go and do likewise.'

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