The interruption of the reading of the Gospel of Matthew after the Elevation of the Holy Cross is known as the [http://www.orthodox.net/ustav/lukan-jump.html "Lukan Jump"] The jump occurs only in the Gospel readings, there is no corresponding jump in the Epistle. From this point on the Epistle and Gospel readings do not exactly correspond, the Epistles continuing to be determined according to the moveable [[Paschal cycle]] and the Gospels being influenced by the fixed cycle.

The Lukan Jump is related to the chronological proximity of the Elevation of the Cross to the Conception of the Forerunner (St. [[John the Baptist]]), celebrated on September 23rd. In late Antiquity, this feast marked the beginning of the ecclesiastical New Year. Thus, beginning the reading of the Lukan Gospel toward the middle of September can be understood. The reasoning is theological, and is based on a vision of Salvation History: the Conception of the Forerunner constitutes the first step of the New Economy, as mentioned in the [[sticheron|stikhera]] of the matins of this feast. The [[Apostle Luke the Evangelist|Evangelist Luke]] is the only one to mention this Conception (Luke 1:5-24).