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On the Lectionary

The Ephesus School

Details

A daily note from the team at OCABS.ORG, drawing on the published works of Fr. Paul Nadim Tarazi, with citations to his books and lectures. Every day: the readings of the Orthodox lectionary read in full, a short note on them, and a root pair from the Consolation of Consonants, Hebrew and Arabic, chosen for the day’s readings. About five minutes a day, from OCABS on the Ephesus School Network. Read each note, with its citations, at ocabs.org.

Recent Episodes

OCT 11, 2026
Genesis 14:14-20 · Deuteronomy 10:14-21 · John 20:11-18 · Hebrews 13:7-16 · John 17:1-13 · 2 Corinthians 11:31-12:9 · Luke 7:11-16 — Sunday, October 11, 2026
After routing the kings and freeing Lot, Abram is met by Melchizedek, king of Salem and priest of God Most High, who brings out bread and wine and blesses him. Fr. Paul notes that in scripture blessing is given only by a senior to a junior, so this b
5 MIN
OCT 10, 2026
1 Corinthians 15:58-16:3 · Luke 5:27-32 — Saturday, October 10, 2026
Paul's instruction that the Corinthians set aside money on the first day of every week for the collection for the saints continues the promise he made at the Jerusalem meeting to remember the poor (Gal 2:10). Fr. Paul notes that Paul asked this of al
3 MIN
OCT 9, 2026
John 10:1-9 · Hebrews 7:26-8:2 · John 10:9-16 · Philippians 1:27-2:4 · Luke 7:31-35 — Friday, October 9, 2026
John's door-and-shepherd imagery is drawn directly from Ezekiel. Fr. Paul notes that the Hebrew sha'ar becomes Greek pyle throughout Ezekiel but shifts to thyra exactly where John has Jesus call himself "the door," and he lines up "he who enters by t
6 MIN
OCT 8, 2026
Philippians 1:20-27 · Luke 7:17-30 — Thursday, October 8, 2026
Paul's confession that "to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain" is not, in Fr. Paul's reading, a simple wish for an easy exit. He notes that Paul worries lest it be discovered that he chose death for "an easy, quick gain" rather than continuing
6 MIN
OCT 7, 2026
Philippians 1:12-20 · Luke 6:46-7:1 — Wednesday, October 7, 2026
Fr. Paul reads Paul's imprisonment as the pattern of "the obedient slave" that Paul offers before giving Christ himself as the supreme example in chapter two. His chains are known even to the whole praetorian guard, so that his imprisonment is unders
5 MIN