Daily Readings October 20, 2026

Daily Readings | October 20, 2026

Holy Transfiguration Antiochian Orthodox Monastery

Today’s Readings

Epistle: St. Paul’s Second Letter to Timothy 2:1–10
Gospel: Luke 9:23–27
Saint of the Day: Holy Great Martyr Artemius

Epistle of the Day

St. Paul’s Second Letter to Timothy 2:1–10

Timothy, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me before many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier on service gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to satisfy the one who enlisted him. An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. It is the hardworking farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. Think over what I say, for the Lord will grant you understanding in everything. Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descended from David, as preached in my gospel, the gospel for which I am suffering and wearing fetters like a criminal. But the word of God is not fettered. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain salvation in Christ Jesus with its eternal glory.

Gospel of the Day

Luke 9:23–27

The Lord said to His disciples, “If any man would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for My sake, he will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? For whoever is ashamed of Me and of My words, of him will the Son of man be ashamed when He comes in His glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.”

Gospel Reflection

In this Gospel (Luke 9:23–27), Jesus teaches His disciples what it truly means to follow Him. When He says to deny ourselves and take up our cross daily, He means that we must put God before our own desires, make sacrifices, and remain faithful to Him even when life becomes difficult. Following Christ is not always easy, but it requires patience, love, and commitment every day. Jesus also explains that gaining everything in this world means nothing if we lose our souls. Wealth, success, and earthly pleasures are temporary, but our relationship with God has eternal value. When He speaks about losing our lives for His sake, He teaches us to let go of selfishness and worldly attachments so that we may find true life in Him. He also reminds us not to be ashamed of our faith, even when others reject or criticize it. The main message is that following Christ means choosing Him above everything else, carrying our struggles with faith, and living according to His teachings. True life is not found in what we gain in this world, but in remaining faithful to God and seeking His eternal Kingdom.

Saint of the Day

Holy Great Martyr Artemius

The Holy Great Martyr Artemius came from a noble family and was highly respected by Emperor Constantine the Great, who appointed him Military Governor of Alexandria and all of Egypt around the year 330. Despite his high position, Artemius remained devoted to Christ and worked to spread the Christian faith wherever he went. After Constantine’s death, his son Constantius entrusted Artemius with bringing the holy relics of the Apostle Andrew from Patras and Saint Luke from Thebes to Constantinople, where they were placed in the Church of the Holy Apostles. When Julian the Apostate became Emperor, he began restoring pagan worship and persecuting Christians. Artemius was summoned to Antioch, where he witnessed two Christian priests, Eugenius and Macarius, being tortured for refusing to abandon their faith. Unable to remain silent, Artemius boldly confronted the Emperor, declaring that the pagan gods were powerless and that Christ was the true God. Enraged by his words, Julian ordered Artemius to be beaten and imprisoned. The Saint endured terrible suffering, but remained steadfast in his faith. That evening, Christ appeared to him in prison and miraculously healed his wounds. Strengthened by this vision, Artemius spent his days and nights in prayer, neither eating nor drinking. When Artemius was brought before the Emperor again, Julian attempted to persuade him to renounce Christ by offering him wealth and honour. But the Saint refused, declaring that nothing in this world could make him abandon his faith. Julian then ordered Artemius to be crushed beneath a great stone. Although his body was terribly broken, the Saint survived, astonishing everyone who witnessed his suffering. Still refusing to worship idols, Artemius was finally condemned to death by beheading. The Holy Martyr accepted his sentence with joy. He lifted his hands toward heaven, offering thanksgiving and prayers for the Church. At the place of execution, he bowed three times toward the earth and willingly offered his neck to the executioner’s sword. After his martyrdom, a devout woman took his holy body to Constantinople, where his relics were venerated by the faithful and became a source of countless miracles. Holy Great Martyr Artemius, pray to God for us.