Why do the daily scripture readings differ among different jurisdictions?? What are the scripture readings for today (feb. 5th)? I've seen different ones. Do you just follow the readings for your jurisdiction? When they're different, doesn't it sort of take away from the beauty of all of us, being one Church, being unified? Wouldn't part of being truly unified mean reading the same scriptures each day??
NO! The only thing the local Churches have had one of in history is one faith. There are even variations regarding the same liturgical rite. This has always been the case.
There are two main reasons for differences in the appointed readings for a given day: the 13-day calendar difference for fixed feasts, and accepted regional variation in which saint takes precedence on any given day. For instance, the Greek menaion for July 15 lists Sts Cyricus and Julitta for primary veneration, but the Russian menaion lists St Vladimir of Kiev for this day, as he is a saint of great importance in Russian Orthodox history. Similarly, January 14 sees the Serbian church give pre-eminence to St Sava, whereas the Georgians would favor the commemoration of St Nina of Georgia.
