Special Occasions
Scripture readings for special feast days, commemorations of saints and martyrs, and the celebration of the holy sacraments of the Church.
These readings guide us through the sacred occasions that mark important moments in the life of the Church and the spiritual journey of the faithful.
Feast Days and Commemorations
Memory of St. Mary for Special Feasts
Evening
- St. Luke 8:16-21
Morning
- St. Mark 3:31-35
Before Holy Qurbana
- Judges 13:2-14
- Zechariah 2:10-13, 4:1-7, 8:3
Holy Qurbana
- I John 3:2-17
- Hebrews 2:14-18
- St. Luke 1:26-38
Feast of an Apostle
Evening
- St. Matthew 9:35-10:10
Morning
- St. Matthew 19:27-30
Before Holy Qurbana
- Genesis 12:1-9
- Daniel 1:8-21
- Isaiah 43:1-7
Holy Qurbana
- Acts 1:12-14
- I Corinthians 12:28-13:10
- St. Luke 6:12-23
Feast of St. Thomas
Evening
- St. John 11:5-16
Morning
- St. John 14:1-7
Before Holy Qurbana
- Genesis 9:1-12
- Daniel 1:8-21
- Isaiah 43:1-7
Holy Qurbana
- Acts 1:12-14
- I Corinthians 12:28-13:10
- St. John 20:19-31
Feast of a Martyr
Evening
- St. Matthew 10:16-33
Morning
- St. Luke 12:1-12
Before Holy Qurbana
- Genesis 4:3-12
- Daniel 3:14-30
Holy Qurbana
- Acts 23:11-25
- Romans 8:31-39
- St. Mark 8:34-38, 13:9-13
Feast of a Saint
Evening
- St. John 15:12-21, 16:1-3
Morning
- St. Mark 10:28-31
Before Holy Qurbana
- Genesis 19:15-23
- Job 1:12-22
- Isaiah 38:1-8
Holy Qurbana
- Acts 27:9-26
- Hebrews 10:33-11:7
- St. Matthew 10:34-42
Memory of a Saint Lady
Evening
- St. Luke 10:38-42, 8:1-3
Morning
- St. Luke 8:1-3
Before Holy Qurbana
- Genesis 21:1-8, 24:15-27
- Ecclesiastes 12:1-8
- Isaiah 56:1-5
Holy Qurbana
- Acts 9:36-43
- Romans 16:1-16
- St. Matthew 25:1-13
Memory of Martyrs, Malpans, and Holy Fathers
Evening
- St. John 17:11-26
Morning
- St. Matthew 25:31-46
Before Holy Qurbana
- Numbers 27:1, 5-23
- II Kings 2:1-15
Holy Qurbana
- Acts 12:1-17
- Romans 3:19-26
- St. Luke 18:9-14
Mission Sunday (First Sunday of July)
Before Holy Qurbana
- Jonah 3:1-10
- Ezekiel 37:1-14
Holy Qurbana
- Acts 1:2-8, 2:1-13
- Romans 10:13-21
- I Corinthians 9:15-17
- St. Matthew 28:16-20
During God's Wrath and Punishment
Evening
- St. Luke 13:6-17
Morning
- St. Matthew 7:7-11
Before Holy Qurbana
- Genesis 18:17, 20-33
- Jonah 3:1-10
Holy Qurbana
- St. James 5:7-20
- Hebrews 12:3-11
- St. Mark 11:23-12:13
- St. Luke 11:2-13
Holy Sacraments
Holy Baptism
Readings
- Romans 5:20-6:14
- Colossians 2:1-12
- St. Luke 3:15-16
- St. John 3:1-8
Holy Mooron (Chrismation)
Readings
- Genesis 28:10-20
- Numbers 6:22-7:11
- I Samuel 16:1-13
- Psalms 45:1-17
- I Kings 1:32-40
- Song of Solomon 1:2-11, 3:6, 4:10-15
- II Kings 9:1-6
- Isaiah 61:1-6
- I John 2:21-3:1
- I Corinthians 2:12-17
- St. Matthew 26:6-13
- St. John 12:3-8
Holy Confession
Readings
- Exodus 20:2-17
- Psalms 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, 143
- Deuteronomy 5:6-21
- Job 22:22-30
- St. James 5:12-18
- I Corinthians 6:9-20
- Colossians 3:12-17
- St. Luke 15:1-32
- St. John 20:21-23
Holy Qurbana (Eucharist)
Readings
- Psalms 8, 15, 16, 23, 29, 34, 40, 84, 103, 116, 119:23-40, 119:97-112, 121, 139, 147, 150
Holy Priesthood Ordinations
M'samrono (Reader)
Readings
- Psalms 50
- St. Luke 10:17-24
Qorooyo (Sub-Deacon)
Readings
- Proverbs 1:1-9
- I John 2:12-29
- St. Luke 10:16-25
Youphidakino (Sub-Deacon)
Readings
- Isaiah 44:1-4, 61:1-4
- I Timothy 3:8-13
- St. Luke 10:1-16
M'Shamshono (The Full Deacon)
Readings
- Acts 6:1-8
- I Timothy 3:8-13, 1-7
- St. John 12:24-26, 13:1-15
Kasheesho (Priest)
Readings
- Acts 2:14-21
- I Timothy 1:18-20, 3:1-7
- St. John 20:19-29
Cor-Episcopa
Readings
- II Timothy 2:1-13
- Titus 2:1-9
- St. John 14:1-16
Dayaroyooso (Ramban)
Readings
- Genesis 12:1-9
- Numbers 6:1-9
- Deuteronomy 30:15-20
- Baruch 3:16-21
- Job 22:22-30
- I Peter 1:13-25
- Colossians 3:1-17
- St. Luke 14:25-15:11
Arkhadhayakon
Readings
- Acts 6:1-8
- I Timothy 3:8-13
- St. John 12:24-28
Newly elevated Arkhadhiyakon reads the Holy Gospel standing on the steps of the Holy Sanctuary: St. John 17:3-26 OR St. Luke 10:1-24
Episcopa
Readings
- Acts 1:2-8, 24-26, 2:1-4, 8:14-21, 14:23
- I Peter 1:13-16, 2:1-10, 5:1-4
- I Timothy 1:18, 3:1-7, 13, 4:6-11, 5:17-22
- St. Matthew 16:13-19
New bishop reads the Holy Gospel sitting on the throne: St. Matthew 10:1-16
Holy Matrimony & Anointing of the Sick
Holy Matrimony
Readings
- Ephesians 5:21-6:3
- St. Matthew 19:1-12
The Anointing of the Sick
Readings
- St. James 5:13-16
- Romans 13:11-14
- St. Matthew 10:5-10
Kantheela
First Service
- Acts 3:1-10
- St. Luke 18:35-43
Second Service
- St. James 3:10-18
- St. Luke 10:25-37
Third Service
- II Corinthians 12:7-10
- St. Mark 5:25-34
Fourth Service
- II Corinthians 12:7-10
- St. Matthew 15:21-31
Fifth Service
- Acts 9:32-35
- Ephesians 6:10-20
- St. Matthew 9:36-10:10
Church Sanctification, Dedications & Blessings
Sanctification of a Church Building
Readings
- I Chronicles 29:10-14
- I Kings 8:22-43
- Isaiah 6:1-8
- Acts 7:44-53
- Hebrews 9:1-14
- St. Matthew 16:13-20
- St. John 10:22-30
Laying the Foundation Stone of a Church Building
Readings
- I Peter 2:1-10
- Ephesians 2:11-22
- St. Matthew 16:13-20
Dedication of the Holy Cross
Readings
- Galatians 6:11-18
- St. Matthew 10:34-42
Mooron Sacrament
Readings
- Numbers 7:1-11
- Genesis 28:10-20
- I Samuel 16:1-13
- I John 2:20-3:1
- II Corinthians 2:12-17
- St. Luke 7:36-50
Blessing of the Home
Readings
- Genesis 28:10-22
- Proverbs 3:1-9
- Acts 10:1-8
- Hebrews 13:1-6
- St. Luke 19:1-10
Funeral / Burial
Men
- Genesis 48:21-22, 49:33-50
- Psalms 34
- I Peter 3:8-12
- I Corinthians 15:33-53
- St. John 15:19-29
Women
- Acts 9:36-42
- I Thessalonians 4:13-18
- St. Matthew 25:1-13
Children
- I Kings 17:17-24
- Acts 20:7-12
- I Corinthians 15:12-19
- St. Luke 7:11-17
Bishops & Priests
- Deuteronomy 34:1-12
- Numbers 20:23-29
- II Peter 3:8-18
- I Corinthians 15:33-57
- St. Matthew 24:45-25:30
About Special Occasions
The Church celebrates numerous feast days throughout the year, honoring the memory of saints, martyrs, apostles, and the blessed Mother of God. Each of these occasions has its own appointed scripture readings that reflect the life and witness of those being commemorated.
The readings for the sacraments and ordinations highlight the sacred nature of these holy mysteries through which God's grace is bestowed upon the faithful.