Readings and saints

Saturday, November 20, 2027

November 7 on the Old Calendar

Forefeast of Entry

Saturday of the 22nd week after Pentecost

Byzantine miniature: St. Gregory of Decapolis standing in prayer before a domed building.
Gregory of Decapolis
Fasting
Fish, wine and oil are allowed (Nativity Fast): no meat, dairy, or eggs.Your priest can tell you how to keep the fast.
Tone
Tone 4This week’s Resurrection hymns are sung in the fourth of the Church’s eight tones.

The readings

Translation

Traditional: the King James Version (1611) for the New Testament. Underlined words are explained in Words of Prayer.

Modern: the World English Bible for the New Testament. Your choice is remembered on this device.

Epistle

2 Corinthians 5:1-10

Traditional

1For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: 3If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. 4For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. 5Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. 6Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: 7(For we walk by faith, not by sight:) 8We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. 9Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. 10For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

Modern

1For we know that if the earthly house of our tent is dissolved, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal, in the heavens. 2For most certainly in this we groan, longing to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, 3if indeed being clothed, we will not be found naked. 4For indeed we who are in this tent do groan, being burdened, not that we desire to be unclothed, but that we desire to be clothed, that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5Now he who made us for this very thing is God, who also gave to us the down payment of the Spirit. 6Therefore we are always confident and know 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 courageous, I say, and are willing rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord. 9Therefore also we make it our aim, whether at home or absent, to be well pleasing to him. 10For we must all be revealed before the judgment seat of Christ that each one may receive the things in the body according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

Gospel

Luke 9:57-62

Traditional

57And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. 58And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. 59And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. 60Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. 61And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. 62And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

Modern

57As they went on the way, a certain man said to him, “I want to follow you wherever you go, Lord.” 58Jesus said to him, “The foxes have holes and the birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” 59He said to another, “Follow me!” But he said, “Lord, allow me first to go and bury my father.” 60But Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead, but you go and announce God’s Kingdom.” 61Another also said, “I want to follow you, Lord, but first allow me to say good-bye to those who are at my house.” 62But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for God’s Kingdom.”

Remembered on this day

Gregory of Decapolis

Gregory was a monk from Isauria in Asia Minor who lived during the eighth and ninth centuries, when the Church faced conflict over holy icons. He traveled widely, seeking the guidance of experienced monks and giving himself to prayer and a simple life. The Church remembers him for his faithfulness and the healings associated with his prayers. His life encourages us to seek good guidance and keep practicing the faith we have received.

How he died
He reposed in peace after a serious illness.

Gregory of Decapolis: the full page

Also remembered today: Our Holy Father Proclus, Archbishop of Constantinople (447).

Calendar: Orthocal, following the Revised Julian (New) Calendar of the Orthodox Church in America. Parishes on the Old Calendar keep each day 13 days later. Check your own parish calendar.