Orthodox Readings

Thursday, October 30, 2025

Hieromartyr Zenobius and His Sister Zenobia; Holy Apostle Cleopas; St Joseph I, Patriarch of Constantinople (1283)

Thursday of the 21st week after Pentecost

Tone 3. No fast. What this means

The Epistle

Colossians 1:24–29, 2:1

Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church: 25Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; 26Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: 27To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: 28Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: 29Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.

1For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;

The Gospel

Luke 11:14–23

And he was casting out a devil, and it was dumb. And it came to pass, when the devil was gone out, the dumb spake; and the people wondered. 15But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils. 16And others, tempting him, sought of him a sign from heaven. 17But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth. 18If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub. 19And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges. 20But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you. 21When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace: 22But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils. 23He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.

Commemorated today

  • Hieromartyr Zenobius and His Sister Zenobia
  • Holy Apostle Cleopas
  • St Joseph I, Patriarch of Constantinople (1283)
  • Holy Martyr Hermengild, Prince of the Visigoths (486)
  • Holy Hieromartyr John Kochurov, First Hieromartyr of the Russian Revolution (1917)

Hymns and lives of the saints are on the Online Chapel of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese.

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