From the calendar, 2028.

Thursday, November 2

Martyrs Acindynus, Pegasius, Aphthonius, Elpidophorus, and Anempodistus of Persia

Fast-free

Appointed to be read.

At the
1. EpistleColossians 4:2–9
2. GospelLuke 11:47–12:1

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Epistle.

Colossians 4:2–9

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2Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving;

3meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains,

4that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

5Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.

6Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

7Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me.

8I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts,

9with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you all things which are happening here.

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Gospel.

Luke 11:47–12:1

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47Woe to you! For you build the tombs of the prophets, and your fathers killed them.

48In fact, you bear witness that you approve the deeds of your fathers; for they indeed killed them, and you build their tombs.

49Therefore the wisdom of God also said, 'I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they will kill and persecute,'

50that the blood of all the prophets which was shed from the foundation of the world may be required of this generation,

51from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah who perished between the altar and the temple. Yes, I say to you, it shall be required of this generation.

52'Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge. You did not enter in yourselves, and those who were entering in you hindered.'

53And as He said these things to them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to assail Him vehemently, and to cross-examine Him about many things,

54lying in wait for Him, and seeking to catch Him in something He might say, that they might accuse Him.

12:1In the meantime, when an innumerable multitude of people had gathered together, so that they trampled one another, He began to say to His disciples first of all, 'Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

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In remembrance.

Martyrs Acindynus, Pegasius, Aphthonius, Elpidophorus, and Anempodistus of PersiaRead the life

Acindynus, Pegasius and Anempodistus were courtiers to King Shapur II of Persia. When the king began a fierce persecution of Christians, the three withdrew from court to a private house and, fearless of their own safety, openly exhorted their fellow-Christians to stand firm in their faith. For this they were arrested and brought before their former lord, who subjected them to many cruel tortures, from which they emerged miraculously unscathed. Seeing this, one of the king’s soldiers, named Aphthonius, embraced the Faith and was immediately beheaded. The former courtiers were then put to further tortures, but their only effect was to convince Elpidophorus, a distinguished nobleman, and seven thousand other Persians to faith in Christ. All were beheaded, but not before receiving holy Baptism.

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Further.

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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.