Orthodox Daily Devotional
Orthodox Daily Devotional
Saturday, February 14, 2026
Today’s Commemorations
Saturday of Meatfare Week — Memorial Saturday
- Venerable Auxentius of Bithynia (ca. 470)
- Repose of St. Cyril, Equal-to-the-Apostles and Teacher of the Slavs (869)
- Venerable Isaac, Recluse, of the Kiev Caves (Near Caves—ca. 1190)
- The Twelve Greeks who built the Dormition Cathedral in the Lavra of the Kiev Caves (11th c.)
- Translation of the Relics of Martyrs Michael and his councilor, Theodore, of Chernígov (1578)
- Venerable Maron, Hermit, of Syria (4th c.)
- St. Abraham, Bishop of Charres, Mesopotamia (5th c.)
Scripture Readings
First Reading: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17
Who Will Participate in Christ’s Return
¹³But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. ¹⁴For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.
¹⁵For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. ¹⁶For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. ¹⁷Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
Reflection: On this Memorial Saturday, St. Paul reminds us that death is not the end for those who sleep in Christ. The Church prays for the departed, not in despair, but with hope in the resurrection. Our loved ones who have fallen asleep await the Lord’s return, when all—living and departed—will be united with Christ forever. This is the Christian’s true hope.
Gospel: John 5:24-30
Life and Judgment Through the Son
²⁴“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. ²⁵Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live. ²⁶For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, ²⁷and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man.
²⁸Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice ²⁹and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation. ³⁰I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.“
Reflection: Christ declares His authority over life and death. Those who hear His word and believe pass from death to life even now. The promise is clear: the dead will hear the Son’s voice and rise—some to life, some to judgment. This is why the Church remembers the departed today, praying they may be numbered among those who rise to eternal life.
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 10:23-28
Christian Freedom and Conscience
²³All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify. ²⁴Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being.
²⁵Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience’ sake; ²⁶for “the earth is the LORD’s, and all its fullness.”
²⁷If any of those who do not believe invites you to dinner, and you desire to go, eat whatever is set before you, asking no question for conscience’ sake. ²⁸But if anyone says to you, “This was offered to idols,” do not eat it for the sake of the one who told you, and for conscience’ sake; for “the earth is the LORD’s, and all its fullness.”
Reflection: St. Paul teaches that our freedom in Christ must always be exercised with love for our neighbor. Everything belongs to God, and we may partake with thanksgiving. Yet when our actions might cause another to stumble, we willingly limit our freedom. True Christian liberty is not license—it’s the freedom to choose love over self.
Gospel Reading: Luke 21:8-9, 25-27, 33-36
The Coming of the Son of Man
⁸And He said: “Take heed that you not be deceived. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time has drawn near.’ Therefore do not go after them. ⁹But when you hear of wars and commotions, do not be terrified; for these things must come to pass first, but the end will not come immediately.”
²⁵“And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; ²⁶men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. ²⁷Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.“
³³“Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.
³⁴But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. ³⁵For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. ³⁶Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.“
Reflection: As we approach Great Lent, Christ calls us to watchfulness. The world will see turmoil, but we must not be deceived or terrified. Instead, we prepare ourselves through prayer and vigilance. The cares and pleasures of this life can weigh down our hearts—this is why we fast, pray, and watch. Christ’s words will never pass away. We must be ready.
Prayer for Memorial Saturday
O God of spirits and of all flesh, who have trampled down death and overthrown the devil, and given life to Your world: Do You, the same Lord, give rest to the souls of Your departed servants in a place of brightness, a place of refreshment, a place of repose, where all sickness, sighing, and sorrow have fled away. Pardon every transgression which they have committed, whether by word or deed or thought. For You are a good God and love mankind; because there is no man who lives yet does not sin, for You only are without sin, Your righteousness is an eternal righteousness, and Your Word is truth.
Memory Eternal! Вечная память! Αιωνία η μνήμη!
Scripture texts from The Orthodox Study Bible Readings and commemorations from the Orthodox Church in America (OCA)
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