THE LECTIONARY 

The Major Feasts Celebrated in the Old Roman Orthodox Rite

December 25 (January 7, NS) CHRISTMAS - FEAST OF THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST.

January 1 (January 14, NS) CIRCUMCISION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.

January 6 (January 19, NS) EPIPHANY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.

February 2 (Feb. 15, NS) CANDLEMAS - PURIFICATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY - "LADY DAY".

March 25 (April 7, NS) THE INCARNATION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST- THE ANNUNCIATION TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY.

Moveable PALM SUNDAY - THE ENTRANCE OF THE LORD INTO JERUSALEM.

Moveable EASTER SUNDAY / HOLY PASCHA - THE FEAST OF THE RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.

Moveable ASCENSION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST (Thursday).

Moveable PENTECOST SUNDAY - DESCENT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT - "WHITSUNDAY".

August 6 (August 19, NS) TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.

August 15 (August 28, NS) ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY.

September 8 (Sept. 21, NS) NATIVITY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY.

September 14 (Sept. 27, NS) EXALTATION OF THE HOLY AND LIFE-GIVING CROSS.

November 1 (Nov. 14, NS) ALL SAINTS DAY - "ALL HALLOWS".

November 21 (Dec.4, NS) ENTRY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY INTO THE TEMPLE.

Readings for Requiem Masses
November 2 (Nov. 15, NS) ALL SOULS DAY (REQUIEM MASSES FOR THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED).
All Souls Day is celebrated on November 3rd / 16th , if the 2nd / 15th of November is a Sunday.

1st Liturgy: Epistle: 1 Corinthians 15:51-57 Gospel: John 5:25-29.

2nd Liturgy: Epistle: 2 Machabees 12:43-46 Gospel: John 6:37-40.

3rd Liturgy: Epistle: Revelation/Apoc. 14:13 Gospel: John 6:51-55.

REQUIEM MASS FOR THE DAY OF DEATH OR THE DAY OF THE BURIAL.
Epistle: I Thessalonians 4:12-17 Gospel: John 11:21-27

REQUIEM MASS FOR THE ANNIVERSARY DAY OF DEATH OR BURIAL.
Epistle: 2 Machabees 12:43-46 Gospel: John 6:37-40.

DAILY REQUIEM MASS FOR THE DEAD.
Epistle: Revelation / Apocalypse 14:13 Gospel: John 6:51-55.

DAILY REQUIEM (FUNERAL) MASS READINGS.

Monday: Epistle: Romans 14:6-9 Gospel: John 5:17-24.

Tuesday: Epistle: 1 Cor. 15:39-57 Gospel: John 5:24-30.

Wednesday: Epistle: 2 Cor. 5:1-10 Gospel: John 6:35-39.

Thursday: Epistle: 1 Cor. 15:20-28 Gospel: John 6:40-44.

Friday: Epistle: 1 Cor. 15:46-57 Gospel: John 6:48-54.

Saturday: Epistle: 1 Thess. 4:13-17 Gospel: John 5:24-30.

Readings for the Holy Sacraments
BAPTISM & CHRISMATION [CONFIRMATION]
Epistle: Romans 6:3-11 Gospel: Matthew 28:16-20.

MARRIAGE Epistle: Ephesians 5:20-33 Gospel: John 2:1-11.

HOLY UNCTION Epistle: James 5:13-16 Gospel: Matthew 8:1-15.

HOLY ORDERS If the Ordination Service is celebrated on a day for which the Proper of the Day does not take precedence, then the following two readings which are prescribed for a Mass of the Holy Spirit are to be used: Epistle: Acts 8:14-17 Gospel: John 14:23-31.

ABSOLUTION & COMMUNION
There are no specified Readings for Absolution/Repentance/Confession, nor for Holy Communion/Holy Eucharist. However, two readings are prescribed for a votive Mass of the Holy Eucharist. They are:
 Epistle: 1 Corinthians 11:23-29 Gospel: John 6:56-59.

Readings for Particular Services
A Service usually is for an individual, while a General Service may be for several individuals.

Service of the Blessed Virgin Mary:
 Epistle: Philippians 2:5-11 (or) Hebrews 9:1-7 Gospel: Luke 10:38-42; 11:27-28.

Service of the Holy Bodiless Powers of Heaven; of the Archangels; of the Holy Angels.
 Epistle: Hebrews 2:2-10 Gospel: Luke 10:16-21 (or) Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43.

General Service of Holy Prophets.
 Epistle: 1 Corinthians 14:20-25 (or) Hebrews 6:13-20 (or) James 5:10-20 Gospel: Matthew 23:29-39 (or) Luke 11:47-54.

Service of the Vigil of an Holy Apostle.
 Epistle: Ecclesiasticus 44:25-45:9 Gospel: John 15:12-16.

General Service of Holy Apostles.
Epistle: 1 Corinthians 4:9-16 Gospel: Luke 10:1-15 (or) Luke 10:16-21.

Service of a Holy Abbot.
Epistle: Ecclesiasticus 45:1-6 Gospel: Matthew 19:27-29.

Service of a Holy Abbess.
 Epistle: Esther 14:1-4, 18-19 Gospel: Matthew 19:27-29.

Service of a Sainted Hierarch or Prelate.
 Epistle: Hebrews 7:26-8:2 Gospel: John 10:9-16.

General Service of Sainted Hierarchs or Prelates.
 Epistle: Hebrews 13:17-21 Gospel: Matthew 5:14-19 (or) John 10:9-16.

Service of a Sainted Bishop of Rome.
 Epistle: 1 Peter 5:1-4, 10-11 Gospel: Matthew 16:13-19.

Service of a Venerable Saint, Monk, or Fool-for-Christ.
 Epistle: Galatians 5:22-6:2 Gospel: Matthew 11:27-30 (or) Luke 6:17-23.

Service of a Holy Confessor.
Epistle: Ephesians 6:10-17 Gospel: Luke 12:8-12.

Service of a Holy Unmercenary Healer.
 Epistle: 1 Corinthians 12:27 - 13:8 Gospel: Matthew 10:1, 5-8.

Service of a Holy Martyr.
 Epistle: 2 Timothy 2:1-10 Gospel: Luke 12:1-12 (or) John 15:17 - 16:2.

General Service of Holy Martyrs.
 Epistle: Romans 8:28-39 (or) Hebrews 11:33- 40 Gospel: Matthew 10:16-22 (or) Luke 21:12-19.

Service of a Clergy Martyr (Hieromartyr).
 Epistle: Hebrews 13:7-16 Gospel: Luke 12:32-40.

General Service of Clergy Martyrs (Hieromartyrs).
Epistle: Hebrews 5:4-10 (or) Philippians 3:20 - 4:3 Gospel: Luke 6:17-23 (or) Luke 10:22-24 (or) Luke 14:25-35.

Service of a Monk or Nun, Martyr.
 Epistle: 2 Timothy 1:8-18 Gospel: Mark 8:34-9:1.

General Service of Monks or Nuns, Martyrs.
 Epistle: Romans 8:28-39 Gospel: Matthew 10:32-33,37-38;19:27-30 (or) Luke 12:8-12.

General Service of Holy Nuns.
 Epistle: Galatians 3:23-29 Gospel: Matthew 25:1-13 (or) Luke 7:36-50.

General Service of Holy Women, Martyrs.
 Epistle: 2 Corinthians 6:1-10 (or) Galatians 3:23-29 Gospel: Matthew 15:21-28 (or) Mark 5:24-34.

Service of a Holy Woman, Not A Martyr.
 Epistle: Proverbs 31:10-31 Gospel: Matthew 13:44-52.

Service of a Virgin Martyr.
 Epistle: Ecclesiasticus 51:1-8, 12 Gospel: Matthew 25:1-13.

Service of a Virgin, Not a Martyr.
 Epistle: 2 Corinthians 10:17-18; 11:1-2 Gospel: Matthew 25:1-13.

Service of a Bishop Martyr. 
Epistle: James 1:12-18 Gospel: Luke 14:26- 33.

Service of a Confessor Bishop.
Epistle: Ecclesiasticus 43:16-27; 45:3-20 Gospel: Matthew 25:14-23.

Service of a Bishop, Not a Confessor.
 Epistle: Ecclesiasticus 31:8-11 Gospel: Luke 12:35-40.

Service of a Doctor of the Church.
 Epistle: 2 Timothy 4:1-8 Gospel: Matthew 5:13-19.

Readings for Votive Masses
When a Holy Mass is celebrated for a particular purpose, the special Readings listed below may be used. 

Holy Eucharist. 
Epistle: 1 Corinthians 11:23-29 Gospel: John 6:56-59.

The Holy Trinity. 
Epistle: 2 Corinthians 13:11 Gospel: John 15.

The Holy Spirit. 
Epistle: Acts 8:14-17 Gospel: John 14:23-31.

For the Sick.
 Epistle: James 5:13-16 Gospel: Matthew 8:1-15.

Dedication of a Temple. 
Epistle: Revelation/Apocalypse 21:2-5 Gospel: Luke 19:1-10.

The Holy Angels. 
Epistle: Revelation/Apocalypse 5:11-14 Gospel: John 1:45-51.

For Peace. 
Epistle: 2 Machabees 1:1-5 Gospel: John 20:19-23.

Blessing Holy Water.
 Epistle: Hebrews 2:11-18 Gospel: John 5:1-4.