Daily Readings | November 1, 2026

Gospel: Luke 16:19–31

The Lord said, “There was a rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazaros, full of sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table; moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried; and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes, and saw Abraham far off and Lazaros in his bosom. And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy upon me, and send Lazaros to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in anguish in this flame.’ But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazaros in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’ And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house, for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses, and the prophets; let them hear them.’ And he said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if some one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ He said to them, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced if some one should rise from the dead.'”

Holy Wonderworkers and Unmercenaries Cosmas and Damian of Mesopotamia

Saints Cosmas and Damian were brothers from Asia Minor who were raised in the Christian faith by their devout mother, Saint Theodota. From a young age, they grew in virtue, prayer, and love for God. They became skilled physicians and received from the Holy Spirit the gift of healing both physical and spiritual illnesses.

The holy brothers devoted their lives to caring for the sick, healing people and even animals through prayer and the power of God. They never accepted payment for their services, faithfully following Christ’s command: “Freely have you received, freely give.” Because of their generosity and compassion, they became known as the Unmercenary Physicians.

One day, they healed a woman named Palladia who had been suffering from a serious illness. In gratitude, she offered Saint Damian three eggs in the Name of the Holy Trinity. Out of reverence for God’s Name, Damian accepted the gift. When Cosmas learned of this, he feared his brother had broken their vow and requested that they not be buried together.

After both brothers had passed away, a camel they had once healed miraculously spoke with a human voice, explaining that Damian had accepted the gift not as payment, but out of respect for the Holy Trinity. The brothers were then buried together in Thereman, Mesopotamia.

Many miracles continued through their prayers after their deaths. On one occasion, they appeared and rescued a woman from an evil spirit disguised as a friend of her husband. They safely returned her home and revealed themselves as servants of Christ. Because of this miracle, they also became known as protectors of Christian marriage and family harmony.

Through their lives of selfless love, humility, and service, Saints Cosmas and Damian remind us that the gifts God gives us should be used to help others without expecting anything in return.