Two Gospels on Sunday?

If you look at the calendar you will see that on most Sundays there are two gospel readings. The first Gospel reading listed is the Eothinon Gospel which is read following the Katavasia during the Sunday morning Orthros service. These eleven gospel readings follow a repeating eleven-week cycle that begins the first Sunday after Pentecost and continues uninterrupted until Holy Pascha (with the exception of feast days). These readings are taken from the eleven resurrection appearances given by the four Gospel writers. The number eleven also corresponds to the eleven apostles who witnessed the risen Christ. Instead of the Gospel being read at the Ambon, the Priest reads from the Holy Altar, symbolizing Christ in the tomb. After the reading, the Priest enters the nave and presents the Gospel for all to venerate, which is likened to Christ appearing to the disciples after the resurrection. These readings are a feast for Christian joy, and even if we are unable to attend Orthros on a given Sunday we can be edified by reading them at home.

The Sunday Matins Gospels are:

• The Great Commission: Matthew 28:16–20
• The Empty Tomb: Mark 16:1–8
• The Risen Christ Appears: Mark 16:9–20
• The Women Find the Tomb Empty: Luke 24:1–12
• The Road to Emmaus: Luke 24:12–35
• Jesus Appears to the Apostles: Luke 24:36–53
• The Tomb is Empty: John 20:1–10
• Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene: John 20:11–18
• Jesus Appears to the Ten Disciples: John 20:19–31
• Jesus Eats with the Eleven: John 21:1–14
• Jesus Restores & Commissions Peter: John 21:15–25