The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Pericope \Pe*ric"o*pe\, n. [L., section of a book, Gr. ?; peri`
   around + ? to cut.]
   A selection or extract from a book; especially (Theol.), a
   selection from the Bible, appointed to be read in the
   churches or used as a text for a sermon.
   [1913 Webster]