Tuesday, August 4, 2026

The Orthodox liturgical day, its saint, its tone, and its fast.

On Tuesday, August 4, 2026, Orthodox Christians on the New Calendar remember Seven Youths of Ephesus. It is a strict fast day. On the Old Calendar the same day remembers St Mary Magdalene, Equal-to-the-Apostles. It is not a fast day.

New Calendar

Commemorated today

This day is a strict fast, no meat, dairy, fish, wine, or oil.

Old Calendar

St Mary Magdalene, Equal-to-the-ApostlesFirst to behold the empty tomb · 1st c.

This day is not a fast day, all foods are permitted.

The saints of the day

On the New Calendar

  • Tone 8 of the Octoechos
  • 9th Week after Pentecost

The day’s readings

Epistle1 Corinthians 15.29-38

15:29Or else what will they do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead aren’t raised at all, why then are they baptized for the dead? 30Why do we also stand in jeopardy every hour? 31I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. 32If I fought with animals at Ephesus for human purposes, what does it profit me? If the dead are not raised, then “let’s eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” 33Don’t be deceived! “Evil companionships corrupt good morals.”

34Wake up righteously and don’t sin, for some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame. 35But someone will say, “How are the dead raised?” and, “With what kind of body do they come?” 36You foolish one, that which you yourself sow is not made alive unless it dies. 37That which you sow, you don’t sow the body that will be, but a bare grain, maybe of wheat, or of some other kind. 38But God gives it a body even as it pleased him, and to each seed a body of its own.

WEB, public domain

GospelMatthew 21.23-27

21:23When he had come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority do you do these things? Who gave you this authority?” 24Jesus answered them, “I also will ask you one question, which if you tell me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things. 25The baptism of John, where was it from? From heaven or from men?” They reasoned with themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’

26But if we say, ‘From men,’ we fear the multitude, for all hold John as a prophet.” 27They answered Jesus, and said, “We don’t know.” He also said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.

WEB, public domain

The order and appointment of the readings follow the Orthodox lectionary. Come to the Liturgy to hear them proclaimed.

Questions

What does the Orthodox Church remember on Tuesday, August 4, 2026?

  • On the New Calendar, Seven Youths of Ephesus.
  • On the Old Calendar, St Mary Magdalene, Equal-to-the-Apostles.

Is Tuesday, August 4, 2026 a fast day in the Orthodox Church?

  • On the New Calendar it is a strict fast day.
  • On the Old Calendar it is not a fast day.

What are the Orthodox readings for Tuesday, August 4, 2026?

On both calendars:

At the Liturgy, the Epistle is 1 Corinthians 15.29-38 and the Gospel is Matthew 21.23-27.

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