Daily Readings | October 25, 2026
Today’s Readings
- Gospel: Luke 8:26-39
- Epistle: St. Paul’s Letter to the Galatians 2:16-20
- Saint of the Day: Holy Martyrs Marcian and Martyrius
Epistle of the Day
Brethren, knowing that a man is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ, and not by works of the law, because by works of the law shall no one be justified. But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we ourselves were found to be sinners, is Christ then an agent of sin? Certainly not! But if I build up again those things which I tore down, then I prove myself a transgressor. For I through the law died to the law, that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Gospel of the Day
At that time, as Jesus arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, there met Him a man from the city who had demons; for a long time he had worn no clothes and he lived not in a house but among the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before Him, and said with a loud voice, “What have You to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beseech You, do not torment me.” For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. (For many a time it had seized him; he was kept under guard, and bound with chains and fetters, but he broke the bonds and was driven by the demon into the desert.) Jesus then asked him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion”; for many demons had entered him. And they begged Him not to command them to depart into the abyss. Now a large herd of swine was feeding there on the hillside; and they begged Him to let them enter these. So He gave them leave. Then the demons came out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned. When the herdsmen saw what happened, they fled, and told it in the city and in the country. Then people went out to see what had happened, and they came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had gone, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. And those who had seen it told them how he who had been possessed with demons was healed. Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gadarenes asked Him to depart from them; for they were seized with great fear; so He got into the boat and returned. The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with Him; but He sent him away, saying, “Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.” And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him.
Gospel Reflection
In this Gospel, Jesus meets a man who has been suffering for a long time because he is possessed by many demons. The man lives among the tombs, separated from everyone, and no one is able to help him. But when Jesus approaches, the demons recognize His divine power and authority. With His command, Jesus frees the man from the demons and restores him to a peaceful and healthy life.
When the people see the man healed, instead of rejoicing, they become afraid and ask Jesus to leave. This shows how fear can sometimes prevent us from recognizing God’s goodness. The man who was healed, however, wants to follow Jesus. Instead, Jesus tells him to return home and share what God has done for him. Through his testimony, others can come to know God’s mercy and power.
The main message is that Christ has the power to free us from evil and transform our lives. No matter how lost or troubled someone may be, God’s mercy is greater than their suffering. We are also reminded not to let fear push us away from Christ, but to trust Him and share His goodness with others through our words and actions.
Saint of the Day
Holy Martyrs Marcian and Martyrius
Saint Marcian and Saint Martyrius were two faithful Christians of noble birth who lived in Constantinople during the reign of the Arian Emperor Constantius (337–361). They were known for their learning, kindness, and devotion to God. Both served the Church as notaries, or secretaries, to Saint Paul the Confessor, Patriarch of Constantinople, whom the Arians persecuted and eventually had killed in exile.
During this time, the Arian heresy caused great suffering within the Church. The Arians opposed the Orthodox teaching that the Son of God is of one essence with the Father and is truly God by nature. Saint Marcian and Saint Martyrius remained faithful to this teaching, refusing to abandon the truth even when surrounded by persecution.
Because of their loyalty to the Orthodox faith, the two saints became targets of the Arians. They faced the threat of death but remained steadfast in their confession of Christ. Neither fear nor the possibility of suffering could persuade them to betray their faith.
Saint Marcian and Saint Martyrius courageously accepted martyrdom rather than deny the divinity of Christ. Through their sacrifice, they bore witness to the truth of the Orthodox faith and received the crown of eternal life.
After peace was restored to the Church, Saint John Chrysostom built a church over their tomb in Constantinople, honouring their memory and their faithful witness to Christ.
Their lives remind us that true faith requires courage, loyalty, and perseverance, especially when we face difficulties or opposition. Like these holy martyrs, we are called to remain faithful to Christ and His Church, trusting that eternal life awaits those who endure with Him.
