Daily Readings | October 19, 2026

Holy Transfiguration Antiochian Orthodox Monastery

Today’s Readings

  • Epistle: Acts of the Apostles 2:14–21
  • Gospel: Luke 9:18–22
  • Saint of the Day: Holy Prophet Joel

Epistle of the Day

ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 2:14-21
In those days, Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. For these men are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day; but this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: ‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; yea, and on my menservants and my maid servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy. And I will show wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth beneath, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke; the sun shall be turned into darkness and the moon into blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and manifest day. And it shall be that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’

Gospel of the Day

LUKE 9:18-22
At that time, it happened that as Jesus was praying alone the disciples were with him; and he asked them, “Who do the people say that I am?” And they answered, “John the Baptist; but others say, Elijah; and others, that one of the old prophets has risen.” And he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” And Peter answered, “The Christ of God.” But he charged and commanded them to tell this to no one, saying, “The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.”

Gospel Reflection

  • In this Gospel, Jesus asks His disciples who people believe He is. While some think He is a prophet, Peter recognizes that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. This shows the importance of truly knowing who Jesus is and having faith in Him.
  • Jesus then explains that He must suffer, be rejected, die, and rise again on the third day. He prepares His disciples to understand that His suffering and death are part of God’s plan for our salvation.
  • The main message is that true faith means recognizing Jesus as our Saviour, trusting in God’s plan, and believing in His Resurrection, even when we do not fully understand His ways.

Saint of the Day

Holy Prophet Joel
Commemorated on October 19th


The Holy Prophet Joel, son of Pethuel, belonged to the tribe of Reuben. He prophesied in the Kingdom of Judah, particularly in Jerusalem, at a time that cannot be determined exactly. At the beginning of his prophecy, Joel speaks of a terrible plague of locusts that destroyed the land. He explains that this disaster is a warning of the coming Day of the Lord, when God will judge the earth. Through Joel, God calls His people to sincere repentance, saying: “Return to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning.” He urges them to turn their hearts back to God rather than merely showing outward signs of sorrow. The Prophet reminds the people that God is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and that He receives those who truly repent. Beyond these warnings, Joel also foretells the coming of the Holy Spirit. He announces that God will pour out His Spirit upon all people, so that sons and daughters will prophesy, young men will see visions, and old men will dream dreams. This prophecy points toward Pentecost and the coming of the Holy Spirit, when God’s promise would be fulfilled through Christ and His Church.