Nostr notes by orthobot

## [Memorial Saturday - 30 ...

2026-05-30T10:00:22Z

## [Memorial Saturday - 30 May](https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2026/05/30/44-memorial-saturday)

🎶troparion🎶

Only Creator, with wisdom profound, You mercifully order all things,
and give that which is needed to all men:
Give rest, O Lord, to the souls of Your servants who have fallen asleep,
for they have placed their trust in You, our Maker and Fashioner, and our God.

🎶kontakion🎶

With the saints give rest, O Christ, to the souls of Your servants,
where there is neither sickness nor sorrow, and no more sighing,
but life everlasting.

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Orthodox #Orthostr #Saint

## [Martyr Christopher of Lycia, and, with him, the Martyrs ...

2026-05-09T20:00:22Z

## [Martyr Christopher of Lycia, and, with him, the Martyrs Callinika and Aquilina - 09 May](https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2026/05/09/101334-martyr-christopher-of-lycia-and-with-him-the-martyrs-callinika-a)

![Martyr Christopher of Lycia, and, with him, the Martyrs Callinika and Aquilina]( )

🎶troparion🎶

(Podoben: “Go quickly before...”)Adorned with garments woven from the blood of your martyrdom,
you stand before the Lord, the King of Heaven, O revered Christopher;
therefore, with the choirs of Angels and Martyrs,
you sing the Thrice-Holy Hymn with the sweetest melodies;
by your intercessions, save your servants.

🎶kontakion🎶

You were terrifying both in might and countenance:
and willingly suffered temptation from your persecutors;
those men and women who sought to arouse the fire of lust in you,
but they followed you to martyrdom.
Therefore, you are our strong protector, O Great Martyr Christopher.

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Orthodox #Orthostr #Saint

## [“Unfading Flower” Icon of the Mother of God - 03 ...

2026-04-03T20:00:54Z

## [“Unfading Flower” Icon of the Mother of God - 03 April](https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2026/04/03/100983-unfading-flower-icon-of-the-mother-of-god)

![“Unfading Flower” Icon of the Mother of God]( )

🎶troparion🎶

Rejoice, O Bride of God,
rejoice, mystical rod which blossomed the Unfading Flower;1
rejoice, O Sovereign Lady,
through whom we are filled with joy and inherit life.1This is a quotation from the Saturday of the Akathist Hymn, Canon to the Theotokos, Ode 7.

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Orthodox #Orthostr #Saint

# [Scripture Readings for Friday, 03 April 2026 ...

2026-04-03T13:00:54Z

# [Scripture Readings for Friday, 03 April 2026 (OCA)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/04/03)

## [6th Hour reading for Friday of the Sixth Week of Lent (Isaiah 66:10-24)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/04/03/1)

> “Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all you who love her; rejoice for joy with her, all you who mourn for her; That you may feed and be satisfied with the consolation of her bosom, that you may drink deeply and be delighted with the abundance of her glory.” For thus says the Lord: “Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream. Then you shall feed; on her sides shall you be carried, and be dandled on her knees. As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; and you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.” When you see this, your heart shall rejoice, and your bones shall flourish like grass; the hand of the Lord shall be known to His servants, and His indignation to His enemies. For behold, the Lord will come with fire and with His chariots, like a whirlwind, to render His anger with fury, and His rebuke with flames of fire. For by fire and by His sword the Lord will judge all flesh; and the slain of the Lord shall be many. “Those who sanctify themselves and purify themselves, to go to the gardens after an idol in the midst, eating swine’s flesh and the abomination and the mouse, shall be consumed together,” says the Lord. “For I know their works and their thoughts. It shall be that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come and see My glory. “I will set a sign among them; and those among them who escape I will send to the nations: to Tarshish and Pul and Lud, who draw the bow, and Tubal and Javan, to the coastlands afar off who have not heard My fame nor seen My glory. And they shall declare My glory among the Gentiles. “Then they shall bring all your brethren for an offering to the Lord out of all nations, on horses and in chariots and in litters, on mules and on camels, to My holy mountain Jerusalem,” says the Lord, “as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the Lord. “And I will also take some of them for priests and Levites,” says the Lord. “For as the new heavens and the new earth which I will make shall remain before Me,” says the Lord, “so shall your descendants and your name remain. And it shall come to pass that from one New Moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, all flesh shall come to worship before Me,” says the Lord. “And they shall go forth and look upon the corpses of the men Who have transgressed against Me. For their worm does not die, and their fire is not quenched. They shall be an abhorrence to all flesh.”

## [Vespers reading for Friday of the Sixth Week of Lent (Genesis 49:33-50:26)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/04/03/2)

> And when Jacob had finished commanding his sons, he drew his feet up into the bed and breathed his last, and was gathered to his people. Then Joseph fell on his father’s face, and wept over him, and kissed him. And Joseph commanded his servants the physicians to embalm his father. So the physicians embalmed Israel. Forty days were required for him, for such are the days required for those who are embalmed; and the Egyptians mourned for him seventy days. Now when the days of his mourning were past, Joseph spoke to the household of Pharaoh, saying, “If now I have found favor in your eyes, please speak in the hearing of Pharaoh, saying, ‘My father made me swear, saying, “Behold, I am dying; in my grave which I dug for myself in the land of Canaan, there you shall bury me.” Now therefore, please let me go up and bury my father, and I will come back.’” And Pharaoh said, “Go up and bury your father, as he made you swear.” So Joseph went up to bury his father; and with him went up all the servants of Pharaoh, the elders of his house, and all the elders of the land of Egypt, as well as all the house of Joseph, his brothers, and his father’s house. Only their little ones, their flocks, and their herds they left in the land of Goshen. And there went up with him both chariots and horsemen, and it was a very great gathering. Then they came to the threshing floor of Atad, which is beyond the Jordan, and they mourned there with a great and very solemn lamentation. He observed seven days of mourning for his father. And when the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites, saw the mourning at the threshing floor of Atad, they said, “This is a deep mourning of the Egyptians.” Therefore its name was called Abel Mizraim, which is beyond the Jordan. So his sons did for him just as he had commanded them. For his sons carried him to the land of Canaan, and buried him in the cave of the field of Machpelah, before Mamre, which Abraham bought with the field from Ephron the Hittite as property for a burial place. And after he had buried his father, Joseph returned to Egypt, he and his brothers and all who went up with him to bury his father. When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “Perhaps Joseph will hate us, and may actually repay us for all the evil which we did to him.” So they sent messengers to Joseph, saying, “Before your father died he commanded, saying, ‘Thus you shall say to Joseph: “I beg you, please forgive the trespass of your brothers and their sin; for they did evil to you.”’ Now, please, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of your father.” And Joseph wept when they spoke to him. Then his brothers also went and fell down before his face, and they said, “Behold, we are your servants.” Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? “But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. “Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.” And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them. So Joseph dwelt in Egypt, he and his father’s household. And Joseph lived one hundred and ten years. Joseph saw Ephraim’s children to the third generation. The children of Machir, the son of Manasseh, were also brought up on Joseph’s knees. And Joseph said to his brethren, “I am dying; but God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land to the land of which He swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.” Then Joseph took an oath from the children of Israel, saying, “God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here.” So Joseph died, being one hundred and ten years old; and they embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt.

## [Vespers reading for Friday of the Sixth Week of Lent (Proverbs 31:8-31)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/04/03/3)

> Open your mouth for the speechless, in the cause of all who are appointed to die. Open your mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy. Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. The heart of her husband safely trusts her; so he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil all the days of her life. She seeks wool and flax, And willingly works with her hands. She is like the merchant ships, she brings her food from afar. She also rises while it is yet night, and provides food for her household, and a portion for her maidservants. She considers a field and buys it; from her profits she plants a vineyard. She girds herself with strength, and strengthens her arms. She perceives that her merchandise is good, and her lamp does not go out by night. She stretches out her hands to the distaff, and her hand holds the spindle. She extends her hand to the poor, yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household is clothed with scarlet. She makes tapestry for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies sashes for the merchants. Strength and honor are her clothing; she shall rejoice in time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness. She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many daughters have done well, but you excel them all.” Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates.

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Bible #Scripture #Orthodox #Orthostr #Biblestr

## [Venerable Niketas the Confessor, Abbot of Medikion - 03 ...

2026-04-03T10:00:53Z

## [Venerable Niketas the Confessor, Abbot of Medikion - 03 April](https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2026/04/03/100975-venerable-niketas-the-confessor-abbot-of-medikion)

![Venerable Niketas the Confessor, Abbot of Medikion]( )

🎶troparion🎶

You were a firm pillar and an undaunted guardian of sacred tradition, O Nicetas;
you were adorned with holy dispassion and became an illustrious confessor of the Faith.
Accept the prayers of those who cry to you,
interceding for them with Christ our God.

🎶kontakion🎶

You acquired a heavenly mind and life,
shining as brightly as the sun in the splendor of your deeds!
Father Nicetas, you enlighten those in the darkness of life guiding them all to God.
Pray without ceasing for us all!

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Orthodox #Orthostr #Saint

## [Martyr Polycarp of Alexandria - 02 ...

2026-04-02T20:00:53Z

## [Martyr Polycarp of Alexandria - 02 April](https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2026/04/02/100974-martyr-polycarp-of-alexandria)

![Martyr Polycarp of Alexandria]( )

🎶troparion🎶

Your holy martyr Polycarp, O Lord,
through his suffering has received an incorruptible crown from You, our God.
For having Your strength, he laid low his adversaries,
and shattered the powerless boldness of demons.
Through his intercessions, save our souls!

🎶kontakion🎶

(Podoben: “You sought the heights...”)You appeared as a bright star announcing Christ with your radiance,
which is repulsive to this world, O Martyr Polycarp;
extinguishing the allure of false gods,
you enlighten the faithful,
always interceding for us all.

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Orthodox #Orthostr #Saint

# [Scripture Readings for Thursday, 02 April 2026 ...

2026-04-02T13:00:54Z

# [Scripture Readings for Thursday, 02 April 2026 (OCA)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/04/02)

## [6th Hour reading for Thursday of the Sixth Week of Lent (Isaiah 65:8-16)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/04/02/1)

> Thus says the Lord: “As the new wine is found in the cluster, and one says, ‘Do not destroy it, for a blessing is in it,’ so will I do for My servants’ sake, that I may not destroy them all. I will bring forth descendants from Jacob, and from Judah an heir of My mountains; My elect shall inherit it, and My servants shall dwell there. Sharon shall be a fold of flocks, and the Valley of Achor a place for herds to lie down, for My people who have sought Me. “But you are those who forsake the Lord, who forget My holy mountain, who prepare a table for Gad, and who furnish a drink offering for Meni. Therefore I will number you for the sword, and you shall all bow down to the slaughter; because, when I called, you did not answer; when I spoke, you did not hear, but did evil before My eyes, and chose that in which I do not delight.” Therefore thus says the Lord God: “Behold, My servants shall eat, but you shall be hungry; behold, My servants shall drink, but you shall be thirsty; Behold, My servants shall rejoice, but you shall be ashamed; Behold, My servants shall sing for joy of heart, but you shall cry for sorrow of heart, and wail for grief of spirit. You shall leave your name as a curse to My chosen; for the Lord God will slay you, and call His servants by another name; so that he who blesses himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth; and he who swears in the earth shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hidden from My eyes.

## [Vespers reading for Thursday of the Sixth Week of Lent (Genesis 46:1-7)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/04/02/2)

> So Israel took his journey with all that he had, and came to Beersheba, and offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac. Then God spoke to Israel in the visions of the night, and said, “Jacob, Jacob!” And he said, “Here I am.” So He said, “I am God, the God of your father; do not fear to go down to Egypt, for I will make of you a great nation there. “I will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also surely bring you up again; and Joseph will put his hand on your eyes.” Then Jacob arose from Beersheba; and the sons of Israel carried their father Jacob, their little ones, and their wives, in the carts which Pharaoh had sent to carry him. So they took their livestock and their goods, which they had acquired in the land of Canaan, and went to Egypt, Jacob and all his descendants with him. His sons and his sons’ sons, his daughters and his sons’ daughters, and all his descendants he brought with him to Egypt.

## [Vespers reading for Thursday of the Sixth Week of Lent (Proverbs 23:15-24:5)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/04/02/3)

> My son, if your heart is wise, my heart will rejoice – indeed, I myself; yes, my inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak right things. Do not let your heart envy sinners, but be zealous for the fear of the Lord all the day; for surely there is a hereafter, and your hope will not be cut off. Hear, my son, and be wise; and guide your heart in the way. Do not mix with winebibbers, or with gluttonous eaters of meat; for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and drowsiness will clothe a man with rags. Listen to your father who begot you, and do not despise your mother when she is old. Buy the truth, and do not sell it, also wisdom and instruction and understanding. The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice, and he who begets a wise child will delight in him. Let your father and your mother be glad, and let her who bore you rejoice. My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways. For a harlot is a deep pit, and a seductress is a narrow well. She also lies in wait as for a victim, and increases the unfaithful among men. Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaints? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? Those who linger long at the wine, those who go in search of mixed wine. Do not look on the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it swirls around smoothly; at the last it bites like a serpent, and stings like a viper. Your eyes will see strange things, and your heart will utter perverse things. Yes, you will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, or like one who lies at the top of the mast, saying: “They have struck me, but I was not hurt; they have beaten me, but I did not feel it. When shall I awake, that I may seek another drink?” Do not be envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them; For their heart devises violence, and their lips talk of troublemaking. Through wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; By knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches. A wise man is strong, yes, a man of knowledge increases strength;

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Bible #Scripture #Orthodox #Orthostr #Biblestr

## [Venerable Titus the Wonderworker - 02 ...

2026-04-02T10:00:53Z

## [Venerable Titus the Wonderworker - 02 April](https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2026/04/02/100971-venerable-titus-the-wonderworker)

![Venerable Titus the Wonderworker]( )

🎶troparion🎶

(Podoben: “You appeared today...”)You were dedicated to the Lord from childhood,
living in the world as an angel;
and you received from God the grace of working miracles;
therefore, you were a guide of monks and a wise steward, O most blessed Titus.
Do not cease to intercede with God for the world, O Father.

🎶kontakion🎶

(Podoben: “You appeared today...”)You purified yourself through prayer and abstinence
and shone forth with grace and virtue.
Thus, you bring joy to us who sing to you:
“Rejoice, O Titus,
adornment of the Fathers.”

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Orthodox #Orthostr #Saint

## [Martyrs Gerontius and Basilides - 01 ...

2026-04-01T20:00:53Z

## [Martyrs Gerontius and Basilides - 01 April](https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2026/04/01/100968-martyrs-gerontius-and-basilides)

![Martyrs Gerontius and Basilides]( )

🎶troparion🎶

Your holy martyrs Gerontius and Basilides, O Lord,
through their sufferings have received incorruptible crowns from You, our God.
For having Your strength, they laid low their adversaries,
and shattered the powerless boldness of demons.
Through their intercessions, save our souls!

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Orthodox #Orthostr #Saint

# [Scripture Readings for Wednesday, 01 April 2026 ...

2026-04-01T13:00:54Z

# [Scripture Readings for Wednesday, 01 April 2026 (OCA)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/04/01)

## [6th Hour reading for Wednesday of the Sixth Week of Lent (Isaiah 58:1-11)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/04/01/1)

> “Cry aloud, spare not; lift up your voice like a trumpet; tell My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins. Yet they seek Me daily, and delight to know My ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and did not forsake the ordinance of their God. They ask of Me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching God. ‘Why have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and you have not seen? Why have we afflicted our souls, and you take no notice?’ “In fact, in the day of your fast you find pleasure, and exploit all your laborers. Indeed you fast for strife and debate, and to strike with the fist of wickedness. You will not fast as you do this day, to make your voice heard on high. Is it a fast that I have chosen, a day for a man to afflict his soul? Is it to bow down his head like a bulrush, and to spread out sackcloth and ashes? Would you call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the Lord? “Is this not the fast that I have chosen: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; when you see the naked, that you cover him, and not hide yourself from your own flesh? Then your light shall break forth like the morning, your healing shall spring forth speedily, and your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’ “If you take away the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness, If you extend your soul to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted soul, then your light shall dawn in the darkness, and your darkness shall be as the noonday. The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bones; you shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.

## [Vespers reading for Wednesday of the Sixth Week of Lent (Genesis 43:26-31, 45:1-16)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/04/01/2)

> And when Joseph came home, they brought him the present which was in their hand into the house, and bowed down before him to the earth. Then he asked them about their well-being, and said, “Is your father well, the old man of whom you spoke? Is he still alive?” And they answered, “Your servant our father is in good health; he is still alive.” And they bowed their heads down and prostrated themselves. Then he lifted his eyes and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother’s son, and said, “Is this your younger brother of whom you spoke to me?” And he said, “God be gracious to you, my son.” Now his heart yearned for his brother; so Joseph made haste and sought somewhere to weep. And he went into his chamber and wept there. Then he washed his face and came out; and he restrained himself, and said, “Serve the bread.” Then Joseph could not restrain himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried out, “Make everyone go out from me!” So no one stood with him while Joseph made himself known to his brothers. And he wept aloud, and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard it. Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph; does my father still live?” But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed in his presence. And Joseph said to his brothers, “Please come near to me.” So they came near. Then he said: “I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt. “But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life. “For these two years the famine has been in the land, and there are still five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvesting. “And God sent me before you to preserve a posterity for you in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. “So now it was not you who sent me here, but God; and He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt. “Hurry and go up to my father, and say to him, ‘Thus says your son Joseph: “God has made me lord of all Egypt; come down to me, do not tarry. “You shall dwell in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near to me, you and your children, your children’s children, your flocks and your herds, and all that you have. “There I will provide for you, lest you and your household, and all that you have, come to poverty; for there are still five years of famine.”’ “And behold, your eyes and the eyes of my brother Benjamin see that it is my mouth that speaks to you. “So you shall tell my father of all my glory in Egypt, and of all that you have seen; and you shall hurry and bring my father down here.” Then he fell on his brother Benjamin’s neck and wept, and Benjamin wept on his neck. Moreover he kissed all his brothers and wept over them, and after that his brothers talked with him. Now the report of it was heard in Pharaoh’s house, saying, “Joseph’s brothers have come.” So it pleased Pharaoh and his servants well.

## [Vespers reading for Wednesday of the Sixth Week of Lent (Proverbs 21:23-22:4)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/04/01/3)

> Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles. A proud and haughty man – “Scoffer” is his name; he acts with arrogant pride. The desire of the lazy man kills him, for his hands refuse to labor. He covets greedily all day long, but the righteous gives and does not spare. The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; how much more when he brings it with wicked intent! A false witness shall perish, but the man who hears him will speak endlessly. A wicked man hardens his face, but as for the upright, he establishes his way. There is no wisdom or understanding or counsel against the Lord. The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but deliverance is of the Lord. A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, loving favor rather than silver and gold. The rich and the poor have this in common, the Lord is the maker of them all. A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself, but the simple pass on and are punished. By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honor and life.

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Bible #Scripture #Orthodox #Orthostr #Biblestr

## [Venerable Mary of Egypt - 01 ...

2026-04-01T10:00:53Z

## [Venerable Mary of Egypt - 01 April](https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2026/04/01/100963-venerable-mary-of-egypt)

![Venerable Mary of Egypt]( )

🎶troparion🎶

In you, O Mother, was preserved with exactness what was according to the image;
for you took up the Cross and followed Christ.
By so doing, you taught us to disregard the flesh, for it passes away;
but to care for the soul, since it is immortal.
Therefore, O Venerable Mary, your spirit rejoices with the Angels.

🎶kontakion🎶

Having been a sinful woman,
you became a Bride of Christ through repentance.
Having attained the angelic life,
you defeated demons by the weapon of the Cross;
therefore, O most glorious Mary you are a Bride of the Kingdom.

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Orthodox #Orthostr #Saint

## [Repose of Saint Jonah, Metropolitan of Moscow and All Russia ...

2026-03-31T20:00:53Z

## [Repose of Saint Jonah, Metropolitan of Moscow and All Russia - 31 March](https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2026/03/31/100955-repose-of-saint-jonah-metropolitan-of-moscow-and-all-russia)

![Repose of Saint Jonah, Metropolitan of Moscow and All Russia]( )

🎶troparion🎶

In truth you were revealed to your flock as a rule of faith,
an image of humility and a teacher of abstinence;
your humility exalted you;
your poverty enriched you.
Hierarch Father Jonah,
entreat Christ our God
that our souls may be saved.

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Orthodox #Orthostr #Saint

# [Scripture Readings for Tuesday, 31 March 2026 ...

2026-03-31T13:00:56Z

# [Scripture Readings for Tuesday, 31 March 2026 (OCA)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/31)

## [6th Hour reading for Tuesday of the Sixth Week of Lent (Isaiah 49:6-10)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/31/1)

> Indeed He says, ‘It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also give You as a light to the Gentiles, that You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth. Thus says the Lord, the Redeemer of Israel, their Holy One, to Him whom man despises, to Him Whom the nation abhors, to the servant of rulers: “Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the Lord Who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, Who has chosen You.” Thus says the Lord: “In an acceptable time I have heard You, and in the day of salvation I have helped You; I will preserve You and give You as a covenant to the people, to restore the earth, to cause them to inherit the desolate heritages; that You may say to the prisoners, ‘Go forth,’ to those who are in darkness, ‘Show yourselves.’ “They shall feed along the roads, and their pastures shall be on all desolate heights. They shall neither hunger nor thirst, neither heat nor sun shall strike them; for He who has mercy on them will lead them, even by the springs of water He will guide them.

## [Vespers reading for Tuesday of the Sixth Week of Lent (Genesis 31:3-16)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/31/2)

> Then the Lord said to Jacob, “Return to the land of your fathers and to your family, and I will be with you.” So Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to the field, to his flock, and said to them, “I see your father’s countenance, that it is not favorable toward me as before; but the God of my father has been with me. “And you know that with all my might I have served your father. “Yet your father has deceived me and changed my wages ten times, but God did not allow him to hurt me. “If he said thus: ‘The speckled shall be your wages,’ then all the flocks bore speckled. And if he said thus: ‘The streaked shall be your wages,’ then all the flocks bore streaked. “So God has taken away the livestock of your father and given them to me. “And it happened, at the time when the flocks conceived, that I lifted my eyes and saw in a dream, and behold, the rams which leaped upon the flocks were streaked, speckled, and gray-spotted. “Then the Angel of God spoke to me in a dream, saying, ‘Jacob.’ And I said, ‘Here I am.’ “And He said, ‘Lift your eyes now and see, all the rams which leap on the flocks are streaked, speckled, and gray-spotted; for I have seen all that Laban is doing to you. ‘I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed the pillar and where you made a vow to Me. Now arise, get out of this land, and return to the land of your family.’” Then Rachel and Leah answered and said to him, “Is there still any portion or inheritance for us in our father’s house? “Are we not considered strangers by him? For he has sold us, and also completely consumed our money. “For all these riches which God has taken from our father are really ours and our children’s; now then, whatever God has said to you, do it.”

## [Vespers reading for Tuesday of the Sixth Week of Lent (Proverbs 21:3-21)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/31/3)

> To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. A haughty look, a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked are sin. The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, but those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty. Getting treasures by a lying tongue is the fleeting fantasy of those who seek death. The violence of the wicked will destroy them, because they refuse to do justice. The way of a guilty man is perverse; but as for the pure, his work is right. Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, than in a house shared with a contentious woman. The soul of the wicked desires evil; his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes. When the scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise; but when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge. The righteous God wisely considers the house of the wicked, overthrowing the wicked for their wickedness. Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor will also cry himself and not be heard. A gift in secret pacifies anger, and a bribe behind the back, strong wrath. It is a joy for the just to do justice, but destruction will come to the workers of iniquity. A man who wanders from the way of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead. He who loves pleasure will be a poor man; he who loves wine and oil will not be rich. The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the unfaithful for the upright. Better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and angry woman. There is desirable treasure, and oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man squanders it. He who follows righteousness and mercy finds life, righteousness, and honor.

## [Vespers reading for the 3rd reading, Saint (Composite 2)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/31/4)

> The memory of the righteous is with praise and the blessing of the Lord is upon his head. Blessed is the man who has found wisdom and the mortal who has understanding. For it is better to purchase her than treasuries of gold and silver. She is more precious than precious stones and all that is precious is unworthy of her. For length of days and years of life are in her right hand; and in her left hand are riches and glory. Out of her mouth proceeds righteousness and she bears law and mercy upon her tongue. Hear me, O child, for I will speak noble things. Blessed is the man who keeps my ways, for my ways are the ways of life, and in them is prepared favor from the Lord. Therefore, I pray thee, and utter my voice to the sons of men: For I, wisdom, have dwelt with counsel and knowledge and I have called upon understanding. Counsel and safety are mine, understanding and strength are mine. I love those who love me and those seeking me shall find grace. Understand craftiness, O you who are simple, and imbibe knowledge, you who are untaught. Hear me again, for I will speak noble things: I will open my mouth and from my lips shall come what is right. For my throat shall meditate truth; false lips are an abomination before me. All the words of my mouth are righteous; there is nothing in them that is twisted or perverse. They are all straight to him who understands and right to those who find knowledge. I shall instruct you in truth, so that your hope will be in the Lord and you shall be filled with the Spirit.

## [Vespers reading for the 4th reading, Saint (Composite 3)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/31/5)

> The righteous man, though he die early, will be at rest. The righteous man who has died will judge the ungodly who are living. For they will see the end of the righteous, and will not understand what was said about him; for the Lord will cast down the ungodly speechless to the ground and shake them from the foundations; they shall become desolate to the end; they will be in sorrows, and their memory will perish. For they will come with fear at the thought of their sins, and their iniquities shall stand against them to convict them. Then the righteous man will stand with great boldness before those who have afflicted him, and those who have made of no account his labors. Having seen it, they shall be troubled with much fear and they will be amazed at his most-glorious salvation. They will say within themselves in repentance, in anguish of spirit they will groan and say: “This was he whom we had sometimes in derision and a proverb of reproach – we fools! We accounted his life as madness, and his end to be without honor. How is he numbered among the sons of God? And why is his lot among the Saints? “Therefore, we have erred from the way of truth, and the light of righteousness did not illumine us, nor did the sun shine on us. We took our fill of the paths of lawlessness and destruction, and we walked impassable pathways, but the way of the Lord we have not known.”

## [Vespers reading for the 5th reading, Saint (Composite 4)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/31/6)

> The mouth of the righteous bringeth forth wisdom; the lips of the wise man know grace. The mouth of the wise speaketh wisdom, and the truth delivereth them from death. If a righteous man dies, hope doth not, for the son of the righteous is born to life, and in his own good things he acquireth the fruit of righteousness. There is always light for the righteous and they obtain grace and glory from the Lord. The tongue of the wise is a good sister-in-law, and in their hearts resteth wisdom. The Lord loveth the hearts of the holy, and acceptable to Him are all the undefiled in the way. The wisdom of the Lord illumineth the faces of the wise. For she takes hold of those desiring her by making herself first known to them. She is easily seen by those who love her. He who rises early to seek her shall have no difficulty, and those keeping vigil for the sake of her shall quickly be without sorrows. For she goeth about seeking those worthy of her, and graciously revealeth herself in the pathways. Against wisdom evil doth not prevail. Therefore I was a lover of her beauty; I loved her and sought her out from my youth. I desired to make her my bride, and even the Master of All loved her. For she is an initiate in the knowledge of God, and a discoverer of His works. Her labors are virtues, for she teaches temperance and prudence, justice and courage; nothing in life is more necessary for men than these. And if anyone desireth much knowledge, she knoweth the things of old, and beholdeth things to come; she understandeth turns of speech and the solution of riddles; she has foreknowledge of signs and wonders and the outcome of times and seasons. She is a mediator of good things for all, for immortality is in her, and glory in the company of her words. Therefore I appealed to the Lord and prayed to Him, and said to Him with all my heart: “O God of my fathers and Lord of mercy, Who hast made all things by Thy word, and by Thy wisdom hast fashioned man that he should have dominion over the creatures made by Thee, that he should rule the world in holiness and righteousness: Give me wisdom that sits by Thy throne, and cast me not away from among Thy children, for I am Thy servant and the son of Thy handmaid. Send her forth from the heavens, from Thy holy abode, and from the throne of Thy glory, that she may be with me, and instruct me in what is pleasing to Thee. And she shall guide me in understanding, and preserve me in her glory. For the thoughts of mortals are miserable, and their intentions likely to fail.”

## [Epistle reading for the Repose of Saint Innocent, Metropolitan of Moscow, Enlightener of the Aleuts and Apostle to the Americas (Hebrews 7:26-8:2)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/31/8)

> For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens; who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for his own sins and then for the people’s, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. For the law appoints as high priests men who have weakness, but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints the Son who has been perfected forever. Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a Minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle which the Lord erected, and not man.

## [Gospel reading for the Repose of Saint Innocent, Metropolitan of Moscow, Enlightener of the Aleuts and Apostle to the Americas (John 10:9-16)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/31/9)

> I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Bible #Scripture #Orthodox #Orthostr #Biblestr

## [Repose of Saint Innocent, Metropolitan of Moscow, Enlightener ...

2026-03-31T10:00:53Z

## [Repose of Saint Innocent, Metropolitan of Moscow, Enlightener of the Aleuts, Apostle to the Americas - 31 March](https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2026/03/31/100954-repose-of-saint-innocent-metropolitan-of-moscow-enlightener-of-t)

![Repose of Saint Innocent, Metropolitan of Moscow, Enlightener of the Aleuts, Apostle to the Americas]( )

🎶troparion🎶

O holy father Innocent
in obedience to the will of God
you accepted dangers and tribulations
bringing many peoples to the knowledge of truth.
You showed us the way,
now by your prayers help lead us into the Kingdom of Heaven.

🎶kontakion🎶

A true celebration of the providence and grace of God
is your life, O holy father Innocent, Apostle to our land.
In hardships and dangers you toiled for the Gospel’s sake
and God delivered and preserved you unharmed.
From obscurity He highly exalted you as an example
that the Lord truly guides a man in the way he should go.

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Orthodox #Orthostr #Saint

## [Apostle Cephas of the Seventy - 30 ...

2026-03-30T20:00:53Z

## [Apostle Cephas of the Seventy - 30 March](https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2026/03/30/100948-apostle-cephas-of-the-seventy)

🎶troparion🎶

Holy Apostle Cephas,
entreat the merciful God,
to grant our souls forgiveness of transgressions.

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Orthodox #Orthostr #Saint

# [Scripture Readings for Monday, 30 March 2026 ...

2026-03-30T13:00:54Z

# [Scripture Readings for Monday, 30 March 2026 (OCA)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/30)

## [6th Hour reading for Monday of the Sixth Week of Lent (Isaiah 48:17-49:4)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/30/1)

> Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, Who teaches you to profit, Who leads you by the way you should go. Oh, that you had heeded My commandments! Then your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea. Your descendants also would have been like the sand, and the offspring of your body like the grains of sand; his name would not have been cut off nor destroyed from before Me.” Go forth from Babylon! Flee from the Chaldeans! With a voice of singing, declare, proclaim this, utter it to the end of the earth; say, “The Lord has redeemed His servant, Jacob!” And they did not thirst when He led them through the deserts; He caused the waters to flow from the rock for them; He also split the rock, and the waters gushed out. “There is no peace,” says the Lord, “for the wicked.” “Listen, O coastlands, to me, and take heed, you peoples from afar! The Lord has called me from the womb; from the matrix of my mother he has made mention of my name. And He has made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of His hand He has hidden me, and made me a polished shaft; in His quiver He has hidden me.” “And He said to me, ‘You are My servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified.’ Then I said, ‘I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nothing and in vain; yet surely my just reward is with the Lord, and my work with my God.’”

## [Vespers reading for Monday of the Sixth Week of Lent (Genesis 27:1-41)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/30/2)

> Now it came to pass, when Isaac was old and his eyes were so dim that he could not see, that he called Esau his older son and said to him, “My son.” And he answered him, “Here I am.” Then he said, “Behold now, I am old. I do not know the day of my death. “Now therefore, please take your weapons, your quiver and your bow, and go out to the field and hunt game for me. “And make me savory food, such as I love, and bring it to me that I may eat, that my soul may bless you before I die.” Now Rebekah was listening when Isaac spoke to Esau his son. And Esau went to the field to hunt game and to bring it. So Rebekah spoke to Jacob her son, saying, “Indeed I heard your father speak to Esau your brother, saying, ‘Bring me game and make savory food for me, that I may eat it and bless you in the presence of the Lord before my death.’ “Now therefore, my son, obey my voice according to what I command you. “Go now to the flock and bring me from there two choice kids of the goats, and I will make savory food from them for your father, such as he loves. “Then you shall take it to your father, that he may eat it, and that he may bless you before his death.” And Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, “Look, Esau my brother is a hairy man, and I am a smooth-skinned man. “Perhaps my father will feel me, and I shall seem to be a deceiver to him; and I shall bring a curse on myself and not a blessing.” But his mother said to him, “Let your curse be on me, my son; only obey my voice, and go, get them for me.” And he went and got them and brought them to his mother, and his mother made savory food, such as his father loved. Then Rebekah took the choice clothes of her elder son Esau, which were with her in the house, and put them on Jacob her younger son. And she put the skins of the kids of the goats on his hands and on the smooth part of his neck. Then she gave the savory food and the bread, which she had prepared, into the hand of her son Jacob. So he went to his father and said, “My father.” And he said, “Here I am. Who are you, my son?” Jacob said to his father, “I am Esau your firstborn; I have done just as you told me; please arise, sit and eat of my game, that your soul may bless me.” But Isaac said to his son, “How is it that you have found it so quickly, my son?” And he said, “Because the Lord your God brought it to me.” Then Isaac said to Jacob, “Please come near, that I may feel you, my son, whether you are really my son Esau or not.” So Jacob went near to Isaac his father, and he felt him and said, “The voice is Jacob’s voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau.” And he did not recognize him, because his hands were hairy like his brother Esau’s hands; so he blessed him. Then he said, “Are you really my son Esau?” He said, “I am.” He said, “Bring it near to me, and I will eat of my son’s game, so that my soul may bless you.” So he brought it near to him, and he ate; and he brought him wine, and he drank. Then his father Isaac said to him, “Come near now and kiss me, my son.” And he came near and kissed him; and he smelled the smell of his clothing, and blessed him and said: “Surely, the smell of my son is like the smell of a field which the Lord has blessed. Therefore may God give you of the dew of heaven, of the fatness of the earth, and plenty of grain and wine. Let peoples serve you, and nations bow down to you. Be master over your brethren, and let your mother’s sons bow down to you. Cursed be everyone who curses you, and blessed be those who bless you!” Now it happened, as soon as Isaac had finished blessing Jacob, and Jacob had scarcely gone out from the presence of Isaac his father, that Esau his brother came in from his hunting. He also had made savory food, and brought it to his father, and said to his father, “Let my father arise and eat of his son’s game, that your soul may bless me.” And his father Isaac said to him, “Who are you?” So he said, “I am your son, your firstborn, Esau.” Then Isaac trembled exceedingly, and said, “Who? Where is the one who hunted game and brought it to me? I ate all of it before you came, and I have blessed him – and indeed he shall be blessed.” When Esau heard the words of his father, he cried with an exceedingly great and bitter cry, and said to his father, “Bless me – me also, O my father!” But he said, “Your brother came with deceit and has taken away your blessing.” And Esau said, “Is he not rightly named Jacob? For he has supplanted me these two times. He took away my birthright, and now look, he has taken away my blessing!” And he said, “Have you not reserved a blessing for me?” Then Isaac answered and said to Esau, “Indeed I have made him your master, and all his brethren I have given to him as servants; with grain and wine I have sustained him. What shall I do now for you, my son?” And Esau said to his father, “Have you only one blessing, my father? Bless me – me also, O my father!” And Esau lifted up his voice and wept. Then Isaac his father answered and said to him: “Behold, your dwelling shall be of the fatness of the earth, and of the dew of heaven from above. By your sword you shall live, and you shall serve your brother; and it shall come to pass, when you become restless, that you shall break his yoke from your neck.” So Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing with which his father blessed him, and Esau said in his heart, “The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then I will kill my brother Jacob.”

## [Vespers reading for Monday of the Sixth Week of Lent (Proverbs 19:16-25)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/30/3)

> He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, but he who is careless of his ways will die. He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord, and He will pay back what he has given. Chasten your son while there is hope, and do not set your heart on his destruction. A man of great wrath will suffer punishment; for if you rescue him, you will have to do it again. Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter days. There are many plans in a man’s heart, nevertheless the Lord’s counsel – that will stand. What is desired in a man is kindness, and a poor man is better than a liar. The fear of the Lord leads to life, and he who has it will abide in satisfaction; he will not be visited with evil. A lazy man buries his hand in the bowl, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again. Strike a scoffer, and the simple will become wary; rebuke one who has understanding, and he will discern knowledge.

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Bible #Scripture #Orthodox #Orthostr #Biblestr

## [Venerable John Climacus of Sinai, Author of “the Ladder” ...

2026-03-30T10:00:53Z

## [Venerable John Climacus of Sinai, Author of “the Ladder” - 30 March](https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2026/03/30/100943-venerable-john-climacus-of-sinai-author-of-the-ladder)

![Venerable John Climacus of Sinai, Author of “the Ladder”]( )

🎶troparion🎶

By a flood of tears you made the desert fertile
and by your longing for God you brought forth fruits in abundance.
By the radiance of miracles you illuminated the whole universe.
O our holy Father John Climacus, pray to Christ our God to save our souls.

🎶kontakion🎶

You offered us your teachings as fruits of everlasting freshness,
to sweeten the hearts of those who receive them with attention.
O blessed and wise John, they are the rungs of a ladder,
leading the souls of those who honor you from earth to Eternal glory in Heaven!

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Orthodox #Orthostr #Saint

## [Saint Nikḗtas of the Roslavl Forests - 29 ...

2026-03-29T20:00:53Z

## [Saint Nikḗtas of the Roslavl Forests - 29 March](https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2026/03/29/105910-saint-niktas-of-the-roslavl-forests)

🎶troparion🎶

By a flood of tears you made the desert fertile,
and your longing for God brought forth fruits in abundance.
By the radiance of miracles you illumined the whole universe!
O our holy father Niketas, pray to Christ our God to save our souls!

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Orthodox #Orthostr #Saint

# [Scripture Readings for Sunday, 29 March 2026 ...

2026-03-29T13:00:54Z

# [Scripture Readings for Sunday, 29 March 2026 (OCA)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/29)

## [Matins Gospel reading (John 20:19-31)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/29/1)

> Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!” Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.

## [Epistle reading for the St Mary of Egypt. (Galatians 3:23-29)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/29/2)

> But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

## [Gospel reading for the St Mary of Egypt. (Luke 7:36-50)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/29/3)

> Then one of the Pharisees asked Him to eat with him. And He went to the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to eat. And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil. Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, “This Man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner.” And Jesus answered and said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” So he said, “Teacher, say it.” “There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?” Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.” And He said to him, “You have rightly judged.” Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.” Then He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” And those who sat at the table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” Then He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”

## [Epistle reading for Fifth Sunday of Lent (Hebrews 9:11-14)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/29/4)

> But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

## [Gospel reading for Fifth Sunday of Lent (Mark 10:32-45)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/29/5)

> Now they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was going before them; and they were amazed. And as they followed they were afraid. Then He took the twelve aside again and began to tell them the things that would happen to Him: “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death and deliver Him to the Gentiles; and they will mock Him, and scourge Him, and spit on Him, and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again.” Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him, saying, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask.” And He said to them, “What do you want Me to do for you?” They said to Him, “Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory.” But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” They said to Him, “We are able.” So Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized with you will be baptized; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared.” And when the ten heard it, they began to be greatly displeased with James and John. But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Bible #Scripture #Orthodox #Orthostr #Biblestr

## [5th Sunday of Great Lent: St Mary of Egypt - 29 ...

2026-03-29T10:00:53Z

## [5th Sunday of Great Lent: St Mary of Egypt - 29 March](https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2026/03/29/18-5th-sunday-of-great-lent-st-mary-of-egypt)

![5th Sunday of Great Lent: St Mary of Egypt]( )

🎶troparion🎶

In you, O Mother, was preserved with exactness what was according to the image;
for you took up the Cross and followed Christ.
By so doing, you taught us to disregard the flesh, for it passes away;
but to care for the soul, since it is immortal.
Therefore, O Venerable Mary, your spirit rejoices with the Angels.

🎶kontakion🎶

Having been a sinful woman,
you became a Bride of Christ through repentance.
Having attained the angelic life,
you defeated demons by the weapon of the Cross;
therefore, O most glorious Mary you are a Bride of the Kingdom.

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Orthodox #Orthostr #Saint

## [Venerable John, Bishop of Manglisi - 28 ...

2026-03-28T20:00:53Z

## [Venerable John, Bishop of Manglisi - 28 March](https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2026/03/28/103831-venerable-john-bishop-of-manglisi)

![Venerable John, Bishop of Manglisi]( )

🎶troparion🎶

In truth you were revealed to your flock as a rule of faith,
an image of humility and a teacher of abstinence;
your humility exalted you;
your poverty enriched you.
Hierarch Father John,
entreat Christ our God
that our souls may be saved.

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Orthodox #Orthostr #Saint

# [Scripture Readings for Saturday, 28 March 2026 ...

2026-03-28T13:00:54Z

# [Scripture Readings for Saturday, 28 March 2026 (OCA)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/28)

## [Epistle reading for the Fifth Saturday of Lent — Saturday of the Akathist to the Most-holy Theotokos. (Hebrews 9:1-7)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/28/1)

> Then indeed, even the first covenant had ordinances of divine service and the earthly sanctuary. For a tabernacle was prepared: the first part, in which was the lampstand, the table, and the showbread, which is called the sanctuary; and behind the second veil, the part of the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of All, which had the golden censer and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which were the golden pot that had the manna, Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant; and above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail. Now when these things had been thus prepared, the priests always went into the first part of the tabernacle, performing the services. But into the second part the high priest went alone once a year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the people’s sins committed in ignorance;

## [Gospel reading for the Fifth Saturday of Lent — Saturday of the Akathist to the Most-holy Theotokos. (Luke 10:38-42; 11:27-28)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/28/2)

> Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.” And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” And it happened, as He spoke these things, that a certain woman from the crowd raised her voice and said to Him, “Blessed is the womb that bore You, and the breasts which nursed You!” But He said, “More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”

## [Epistle reading for Fifth Saturday of Lent (Hebrews 9:24-28)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/28/3)

> For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; not that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another – He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.

## [Gospel reading for Fifth Saturday of Lent (Mark 8:27-31)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/28/4)

> Now Jesus and His disciples went out to the towns of Caesarea Philippi; and on the road He asked His disciples, saying to them, “Who do men say that I am?” So they answered, “John the Baptist; but some say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered and said to Him, “You are the Christ.” Then He strictly warned them that they should tell no one about Him. And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Bible #Scripture #Orthodox #Orthostr #Biblestr

## [5th Saturday of Great Lent: of the Akathist to the Theotokos ...

2026-03-28T10:00:53Z

## [5th Saturday of Great Lent: of the Akathist to the Theotokos - 28 March](https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2026/03/28/17-5th-saturday-of-great-lent-of-the-akathist-to-the-theotokos)

![5th Saturday of Great Lent: of the Akathist to the Theotokos]( )

🎶troparion🎶

When the archangel understood the mysterious command,
he came to the house of Joseph with haste and proclaimed to the unwedded Lady:
The One Who bowed the heavens by His condescension
is contained wholly and without change in you!
As I behold Him in your womb, taking the form of a servant, I am frightened, but cry:
Rejoice, unwedded Bride!

🎶kontakion🎶

Victorious leader of triumphant hosts,
we your servants, delivered from evil, sing our grateful thanks to you, Theotokos!
As you possess invincible might set us free from every calamity,
so that we may sing: Rejoice, unwedded Bride!

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Orthodox #Orthostr #Saint

## [Icon of the Mother of God “of the Akathist” - 27 ...

2026-03-27T20:00:53Z

## [Icon of the Mother of God “of the Akathist” - 27 March](https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2026/03/27/100918-icon-of-the-mother-of-god-of-the-akathist)

![Icon of the Mother of God “of the Akathist”]( )

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Orthodox #Orthostr #Saint

# [Scripture Readings for Friday, 27 March 2026 ...

2026-03-27T13:00:54Z

# [Scripture Readings for Friday, 27 March 2026 (OCA)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/27)

## [6th Hour reading for Friday of the Fifth Week of Lent (Isaiah 45:11-17)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/27/1)

> Thus says the Lord, The Holy One of Israel, and his Maker: “Ask Me of things to come concerning My sons; and concerning the work of My hands, you command Me. I have made the earth, and created man on it. I – My hands – stretched out the heavens, and all their host I have commanded. I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will direct all his ways; He shall build My city and let My exiles go free, not for price nor reward,” says the Lord of hosts. Thus says the Lord: “The labor of Egypt and merchandise of Cush and of the Sabeans, men of stature, shall come over to you, and they shall be yours; they shall walk behind you, they shall come over in chains; and they shall bow down to you. They will make supplication to you, saying, ‘God is with you only, and there is no other; no god besides Him.’ Truly You are God, who hide Yourself, O God of Israel, the Savior! They shall be ashamed and also disgraced, all of them; they shall go in confusion together, who are makers of idols. But Israel shall be saved by the Lord with an everlasting salvation; you shall not be ashamed or disgraced forever and ever.

## [Vespers reading for Friday of the Fifth Week of Lent (Genesis 22:1-18)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/27/2)

> Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” Then He said, “Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” So Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son; and he split the wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. Then on the third day Abraham lifted his eyes and saw the place afar off. And Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; the lad and I will go yonder and worship, and we will come back to you.” So Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife, and the two of them went together. But Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” Then he said, “Look, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” And Abraham said, “My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering.” So the two of them went together. Then they came to the place of which God had told him. And Abraham built an altar there and placed the wood in order; and he bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, upon the wood. And Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the Angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” So he said, “Here I am.” And He said, “Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.” Then Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. So Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son. And Abraham called the name of the place, The-Lord-Will-Provide; as it is said to this day, “In the Mount of the Lord it shall be provided.” Then the Angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time out of heaven, and said: “By Myself I have sworn, says the Lord, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son – “blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies. “In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”

## [Vespers reading for Friday of the Fifth Week of Lent (Proverbs 17:17-18:5)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/27/3)

> A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. A man devoid of understanding shakes hands in a pledge, and becomes surety for his friend. He who loves transgression loves strife, and he who exalts his gate seeks destruction. He who has a deceitful heart finds no good, and he who has a perverse tongue falls into evil. He who begets a scoffer does so to his sorrow, and the father of a fool has no joy. A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones. A wicked man accepts a bribe behind the back to pervert the ways of justice. Wisdom is in the sight of him who has understanding, but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth. A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her who bore him. Also, to punish the righteous is not good, nor to strike princes for their uprightness. He who has knowledge spares his words, and a man of understanding is of a calm spirit. Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; when he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive. A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; he rages against all wise judgment. A fool has no delight in understanding, but in expressing his own heart. When the wicked comes, contempt comes also; and with dishonor comes reproach. The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the wellspring of wisdom is a flowing brook. It is not good to show partiality to the wicked, or to overthrow the righteous in judgment.

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Bible #Scripture #Orthodox #Orthostr #Biblestr

## [Martyr Matrona of Thessalonica - 27 ...

2026-03-27T10:00:53Z

## [Martyr Matrona of Thessalonica - 27 March](https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2026/03/27/100913-martyr-matrona-of-thessalonica)

![Martyr Matrona of Thessalonica]( )

🎶troparion🎶

With undaunted spirit you preserved the Faith,
and your soul, Matrona, was not enslaved by the cruelty of your torturers.
You excelled in contest, slaying the crafty one
and were mystically wedded to the Lord of creation.
Fervently entreat him to deliver us from all harm!

🎶kontakion🎶

Filled with the light of the Spirit, O Matrona,
you regarded your prison cell as a bridal chamber;
and from it you hastened to your radiant dwelling in the heavens, crying out:
“In divine love for You, O Word, I gladly endured scourgings.”

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Orthodox #Orthostr #Saint

## [Synaxis of the Archangel Gabriel - 26 ...

2026-03-26T20:00:53Z

## [Synaxis of the Archangel Gabriel - 26 March](https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2026/03/26/100886-synaxis-of-the-archangel-gabriel)

![Synaxis of the Archangel Gabriel]( )

🎶troparion🎶

Gabriel, commander of the heavenly hosts,
we who are unworthy beseech you,
by your prayers encompass us beneath the wings of your immaterial glory,
and faithfully preserve us who fall down and cry to you:
“Deliver us from all harm, for you are the commander of the powers on high!”

🎶kontakion🎶

Supreme commander Gabriel,
you are the glorious intercessor and servant
before the all-radiant, worthy, all-powerful, infinite and awesome Trinity.
Ever pray now that we may be delivered from all tribulations and torments,
so that we may cry out to you:
“Rejoice, protection of your servants!”

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Orthodox #Orthostr #Saint

# [Scripture Readings for Thursday, 26 March 2026 ...

2026-03-26T13:00:55Z

# [Scripture Readings for Thursday, 26 March 2026 (OCA)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/26)

## [6th Hour reading for Thursday of the Fifth Week of Lent (Isaiah 42:5-16)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/26/1)

> Thus says God the Lord, Who created the heavens and stretched them out, Who spread forth the earth and that which comes from it, Who gives breath to the people on it, and spirit to those who walk on it: “I, the Lord, have called You in righteousness, and will hold Your hand; I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people, as a light to the Gentiles, to open blind eyes, to bring out prisoners from the prison, those who sit in darkness from the prison house. I am the Lord, that is My name; and My glory I will not give to another, nor My praise to carved images. Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them.” Sing to the Lord a new song, and His praise from the ends of the earth, you who go down to the sea, and all that is in it, you coastlands and you inhabitants of them! Let the wilderness and its cities lift up their voice, the villages that Kedar inhabits. Let the inhabitants of Sela sing, let them shout from the top of the mountains. Let them give glory to the Lord, and declare His praise in the coastlands. The Lord shall go forth like a mighty man; He shall stir up His zeal like a man of war. He shall cry out, yes, shout aloud; He shall prevail against His enemies. “I have held My peace a long time, I have been still and restrained Myself. Now I will cry like a woman in labor, I will pant and gasp at once. I will lay waste the mountains and hills, and dry up all their vegetation; I will make the rivers coastlands, and I will dry up the pools. I will bring the blind by a way they did not know; I will lead them in paths they have not known. I will make darkness light before them, and crooked places straight. These things I will do for them, and not forsake them.

## [Vespers reading for Thursday of the Fifth Week of Lent (Genesis 18:20-33)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/26/2)

> And the Lord said, “Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grave, “I will go down now and see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry against it that has come to Me; and if not, I will know.” Then the men turned away from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham still stood before the Lord. And Abraham came near and said, “Would You also destroy the righteous with the wicked? “Suppose there were fifty righteous within the city; would You also destroy the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous that were in it? “Far be it from You to do such a thing as this, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be as the wicked; far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” So the Lord said, “If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes.” Then Abraham answered and said, “Indeed now, I who am but dust and ashes have taken it upon myself to speak to the Lord: “Suppose there were five less than the fifty righteous; would You destroy all of the city for lack of five?” So He said, “If I find there forty-five, I will not destroy it.” And he spoke to Him yet again and said, “Suppose there should be forty found there?” So He said, “I will not do it for the sake of forty.” Then he said, “Let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak: Suppose thirty should be found there?” So He said, “I will not do it if I find thirty there.” And he said, “Indeed now, I have taken it upon myself to speak to the Lord: Suppose twenty should be found there?” So He said, “I will not destroy it for the sake of twenty.” Then he said, “Let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak but once more: Suppose ten should be found there?” And He said, “I will not destroy it for the sake of ten.” So the Lord went His way as soon as He had finished speaking with Abraham; and Abraham returned to his place.

## [Vespers reading for Thursday of the Fifth Week of Lent (Proverbs 16:17-17:17)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/26/3)

> The highway of the upright is to depart from evil; he who keeps his way preserves his soul. Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. He who heeds the word wisely will find good, and whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he. The wise in heart will be called prudent, and sweetness of the lips increases learning. Understanding is a wellspring of life to him who has it. But the correction of fools is folly. The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, and adds learning to his lips. Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones. There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. The person who labors, labors for himself, for his hungry mouth drives him on. An ungodly man digs up evil, and it is on his lips like a burning fire. A perverse man sows strife, and a whisperer separates the best of friends. A violent man entices his neighbor, and leads him in a way that is not good. He winks his eye to devise perverse things; he purses his lips and brings about evil. The silver-haired head is a crown of glory, if it is found in the way of righteousness. He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord. Better is a dry morsel with quietness, than a house full of feasting with strife. A wise servant will rule over a son who causes shame, and will share an inheritance among the brothers. The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the hearts. An evildoer gives heed to false lips; a liar listens eagerly to a spiteful tongue. He who mocks the poor reproaches his Maker; he who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished. Children’s children are the crown of old men, and the glory of children is their father. Excellent speech is not becoming to a fool, much less lying lips to a prince. A present is a precious stone in the eyes of its possessor; wherever he turns, he prospers. He who covers a transgression seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates friends. Rebuke is more effective for a wise man than a hundred blows on a fool. An evil man seeks only rebellion; Therefore a cruel messenger will be sent against him. Let a man meet a bear robbed of her cubs, rather than a fool in his folly. Whoever rewards evil for good, evil will not depart from his house. The beginning of strife is like releasing water; therefore stop contention before a quarrel starts. He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the just, both of them alike are an abomination to the Lord. Why is there in the hand of a fool the purchase price of wisdom, since he has no heart for it? A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

## [Epistle reading for Theotokos (Hebrews 2:11-18)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/26/4)

> For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying: “I will declare Your name to My brethren; in the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You.” And again: “I will put My trust in Him.” And again: “Here am I and the children whom God has given Me.” Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham. Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.

## [Gospel reading for Theotokos (Luke 1:24-38)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/26/5)

> Now after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived; and she hid herself five months, saying, “Thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.” Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible.” Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Bible #Scripture #Orthodox #Orthostr #Biblestr

## [Leavetaking of the Annunciation - 26 ...

2026-03-26T10:00:53Z

## [Leavetaking of the Annunciation - 26 March](https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2026/03/26/100885-leavetaking-of-the-annunciation)

![Leavetaking of the Annunciation]( )

🎶troparion🎶

Today is the beginning of our salvation,
the revelation of the eternal mystery!
The Son of God becomes the Son of the Virgin
as Gabriel announces the coming of Grace.
Together with him let us cry to the Theotokos:
Rejoice, O Full of Grace,
the Lord is with You!

🎶kontakion🎶

O Victorious Leader of Triumphant Hosts!
We, your servants, delivered from evil, sing our grateful thanks to you, O Theotokos!
As you possess invincible might, set us free from every calamity
so that we may sing: Rejoice, O unwedded Bride!

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Orthodox #Orthostr #Saint

## [The Annunciation of our Most Holy Lady, the Theotokos and ...

2026-03-25T20:00:53Z

## [The Annunciation of our Most Holy Lady, the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary - 25 March](https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2026/03/25/100884-the-annunciation-of-our-most-holy-lady-the-theotokos-and-ever-vi)

![The Annunciation of our Most Holy Lady, the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary]( )

🎶troparion🎶

Today is the beginning of our salvation,
the revelation of the eternal mystery!
The Son of God becomes the Son of the Virgin
as Gabriel announces the coming of Grace.
Together with him let us cry to the Theotokos:
Hail, O Full of Grace,
the Lord is with You!

🎶kontakion🎶

O Victorious Leader of Triumphant Hosts!
We, your servants, delivered from evil, sing our grateful thanks to you, O Theotokos!
As you possess invincible might, set us free from every calamity
so that we may sing: Hail, O unwedded Bride!

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Orthodox #Orthostr #Saint

# [Scripture Readings for Wednesday, 25 March 2026 ...

2026-03-25T13:00:55Z

# [Scripture Readings for Wednesday, 25 March 2026 (OCA)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/25)

## [6th Hour reading for Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Lent (Isaiah 41:4-14)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/25/1)

> Who has performed and done it, calling the generations from the beginning? ‘I, the Lord, am the first; and with the last I am He.’” The coastlands saw it and feared, the ends of the earth were afraid; they drew near and came. Everyone helped his neighbor, and said to his brother, “Be of good courage!” So the craftsman encouraged the goldsmith; he who smooths with the hammer inspired him who strikes the anvil, Saying, “It is ready for the soldering”; then he fastened it with pegs, that it might not totter. “But you, Israel, are My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the descendants of Abraham My friend. You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called from its farthest regions, and said to you, ‘You are My servant, I have chosen you and have not cast you away: fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ “Behold, all those who were incensed against you shall be ashamed and disgraced; they shall be as nothing, and those who strive with you shall perish. You shall seek them and not find them – those who contended with you. Those who war against you shall be as nothing, as a nonexistent thing. For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’ “Fear not, you worm Jacob, you men of Israel! I will help you, says the Lord and your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.

## [Vespers reading for Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Lent (Genesis 17:1-9)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/25/2)

> When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless. “And I will make My covenant between Me and you, and will multiply you exceedingly.” Then Abram fell on his face, and God talked with him, saying: “As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, and you shall be a father of many nations. “No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you a father of many nations. “I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you. “And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you. “Also I give to you and your descendants after you the land in which you are a stranger, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.” And God said to Abraham: “As for you, you shall keep My covenant, you and your descendants after you throughout their generations.

## [Vespers reading for Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Lent (Proverbs 15:20-16:9)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/25/3)

> A wise son makes a father glad, but a foolish man despises his mother. Folly is joy to him who is destitute of discernment, but a man of understanding walks uprightly. Without counsel, plans go awry, but in the multitude of counselors they are established. A man has joy by the answer of his mouth, and a word spoken in due season, how good it is! The way of life winds upward for the wise, that he may turn away from hell below. The Lord will destroy the house of the proud, but He will establish the boundary of the widow. The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord, but the words of the pure are pleasant. He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, but he who hates bribes will live. The heart of the righteous studies how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil. The Lord is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous. The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, and a good report makes the bones healthy. The ear that hears the rebukes of life will abide among the wise. He who disdains instruction despises his own soul, but he who heeds rebuke gets understanding. The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom, and before honor is humility. The preparations of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirits. Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established. The Lord has made all for Himself, yes, even the wicked for the day of doom. Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord; though they join forces, none will go unpunished. In mercy and truth Atonement is provided for iniquity; and by the fear of the Lord one departs from evil. When a man’s ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. Better is a little with righteousness, than vast revenues without justice. A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.

## [Vespers reading for the 3rd reading, Theotokos (Exodus 3:1-8)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/25/4)

> Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian. And he led the flock to the back of the desert, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire from the midst of a bush. So he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, but the bush was not consumed. Then Moses said, “I will now turn aside and see this great sight, why the bush does not burn.” So when the Lord saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” Then He said, “Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.” Moreover He said, “I am the God of your father – the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look upon God. And the Lord said: “I have surely seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, for I know their sorrows. “So I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a good and large land, to a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites and the Hittites and the Amorites and the Perizzites

## [Vespers reading for the 4th reading, Theotokos (Proverbs 8:22-30)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/25/5)

> “The Lord possessed me at the beginning of His way, before His works of old. I have been established from everlasting, from the beginning, before there was ever an earth. When there were no depths I was brought forth, when there were no fountains abounding with water. Before the mountains were settled, before the hills, I was brought forth; while as yet He had not made the earth or the fields, or the primal dust of the world. When He prepared the heavens, I was there, when He drew a circle on the face of the deep, when He established the clouds above, when He strengthened the fountains of the deep, when He assigned to the sea its limit, so that the waters would not transgress His command, when He marked out the foundations of the earth, then I was beside Him as a master craftsman; and I was daily His delight, rejoicing always before Him,

## [Epistle reading for the Annunciation of our Most Holy Lady, Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary (Hebrews 2:11-18)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/25/7)

> For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying: “I will declare Your name to My brethren; in the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You.” And again: “I will put My trust in Him.” And again: “Here am I and the children whom God has given Me.” Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham. Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.

## [Gospel reading for the Annunciation of our Most Holy Lady, Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary (Luke 1:24-38)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/25/8)

> Now after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived; and she hid herself five months, saying, “Thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.” Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible.” Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Bible #Scripture #Orthodox #Orthostr #Biblestr

## [The Annunciation of our Most Holy Lady, the Theotokos and ...

2026-03-25T10:00:53Z

## [Saint Artemon, Bishop of Seleucia - 24 ...

2026-03-24T20:00:53Z

## [Saint Artemon, Bishop of Seleucia - 24 March](https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2026/03/24/100878-saint-artemon-bishop-of-seleucia)

![Saint Artemon, Bishop of Seleucia]( )

🎶troparion🎶

In truth you were revealed to your flock as a rule of faith,
an image of humility and a teacher of abstinence;
your humility exalted you;
your poverty enriched you.
Hierarch Father Artemon,
entreat Christ our God
that our souls may be saved.

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Orthodox #Orthostr #Saint

# [Scripture Readings for Tuesday, 24 March 2026 ...

2026-03-24T13:00:55Z

# [Scripture Readings for Tuesday, 24 March 2026 (OCA)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/24)

## [6th Hour reading for Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Lent (Isaiah 40:18-31)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/24/1)

> To whom then will you liken God? Or what likeness will you compare to Him? The workman molds an image, the goldsmith overspreads it with gold, and the silversmith casts silver chains. Whoever is too impoverished for such a contribution chooses a tree that will not rot; he seeks for himself a skillful workman to prepare a carved image that will not totter. Have you not known? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth? It is He who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers, Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in. He brings the princes to nothing; He makes the judges of the earth useless. Scarcely shall they be planted, scarcely shall they be sown, scarcely shall their stock take root in the earth, when He will also blow on them, and they will wither, and the whirlwind will take them away like stubble. “To whom then will you liken Me, or to whom shall I be equal?” says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high, and see Who has created these things, Who brings out their host by number; He calls them all by name, by the greatness of His might and the strength of His power; not one is missing. Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel: “My way is hidden from the Lord, and my just claim is passed over by my God”? Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.

## [Vespers reading for Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Lent (Genesis 15:1-15)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/24/2)

> After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.” But Abram said, “Lord God, what will You give me, seeing I go childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” Then Abram said, “Look, You have given me no offspring; indeed one born in my house is my heir!” And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, saying, “This one shall not be your heir, but one who will come from your own body shall be your heir.” Then He brought him outside and said, “Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them.” And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” And he believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness. Then He said to him, “I am the Lord, who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to inherit it.” And he said, “Lord God, how shall I know that I will inherit it?” So He said to him, “Bring Me a three-year-old heifer, a three-year-old female goat, a three-year-old ram, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.” Then he brought all these to Him and cut them in two, down the middle, and placed each piece opposite the other; but he did not cut the birds in two. And when the vultures came down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away. Now when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and behold, horror and great darkness fell upon him. Then He said to Abram: “Know certainly that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, and will serve them, and they will afflict them four hundred years. “And also the nation whom they serve I will judge; afterward they shall come out with great possessions. “Now as for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you shall be buried at a good old age.

## [Vespers reading for Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Lent (Proverbs 15:7-19)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/24/3)

> The lips of the wise disperse knowledge, but the heart of the fool does not do so. The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but the prayer of the upright is His delight. The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but He loves him who follows righteousness. Harsh discipline is for him who forsakes the way, and he who hates correction will die. Hell and Destruction are before the Lord; so how much more the hearts of the sons of men. A scoffer does not love one who corrects him, nor will he go to the wise. A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness. All the days of the afflicted are evil, but he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast. Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, than great treasure with trouble. Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a fatted calf with hatred. A wrathful man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger allays contention. The way of the lazy man is like a hedge of thorns, but the way of the upright is a highway.

## [Vespers reading for the 3rd reading, Theotokos (Genesis 28:10-17)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/24/4)

> Now Jacob went out from Beersheba and went toward Haran. So he came to a certain place and stayed there all night, because the sun had set. And he took one of the stones of that place and put it at his head, and he lay down in that place to sleep. Then he dreamed, and behold, a ladder was set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven; and there the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. And behold, the Lord stood above it and said: “I am the Lord God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and your descendants. “Also your descendants shall be as the dust of the earth; you shall spread abroad to the west and the east, to the north and the south; and in you and in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed. “Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you.” Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it.” And he was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven!”

## [Vespers reading for the 4th reading, Theotokos (Ezekiel 43:27-44:4)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/24/5)

> ‘When these days are over it shall be, on the eighth day and thereafter, that the priests shall offer your burnt offerings and your peace offerings on the altar; and I will accept you,’ says the Lord God.” Then He brought me back to the outer gate of the sanctuary which faces toward the east, but it was shut. And the Lord said to me, “This gate shall be shut; it shall not be opened, and no man shall enter by it, because the Lord God of Israel has entered by it; therefore it shall be shut. “As for the prince, because he is the prince, he may sit in it to eat bread before the Lord; he shall enter by way of the vestibule of the gateway, and go out the same way.” Also He brought me by way of the north gate to the front of the temple; so I looked, and behold, the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord; and I fell on my face.

## [Vespers reading for the 5th reading, Theotokos (Proverbs 9:1-11)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/24/6)

> Wisdom has built her house, she has hewn out her seven pillars; she has slaughtered her meat, she has mixed her wine, she has also furnished her table. She has sent out her maidens, she cries out from the highest places of the city, “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” as for him who lacks understanding, she says to him, “Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed. Forsake foolishness and live, and go in the way of understanding. He who corrects a scoffer gets shame for himself, and he who rebukes a wicked man only harms himself. Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you; give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For by me your days will be multiplied, and years of life will be added to you.”

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Bible #Scripture #Orthodox #Orthostr #Biblestr

## [Forefeast of the Annunciation - 24 ...

2026-03-24T10:00:53Z

## [Forefeast of the Annunciation - 24 March](https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2026/03/24/100876-forefeast-of-the-annunciation)

![Forefeast of the Annunciation]( )

🎶troparion🎶

Today the beginning of universal joy moves us to sing the prefestal hymn;
for Gabriel is coming and will cry to her:
"Rejoice, O Virgin full of grace, the Lord is with you.

🎶kontakion🎶

(Greek)At the great Archangel’s voice, O Theotokos,
the All-holy Spirit came upon thee
and thou didst conceive Him Who is one in essence and co-enthroned with God the Father,
O you who are the recall of Adam.

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Orthodox #Orthostr #Saint

## [Venerable Sergius (Srebryansky), the New Confessor of Tver - ...

2026-03-23T20:00:53Z

## [Venerable Sergius (Srebryansky), the New Confessor of Tver - 23 March](https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2026/03/23/103912-venerable-sergius-srebryansky-the-new-confessor-of-tver)

![Venerable Sergius (Srebryansky), the New Confessor of Tver]( )

🎶troparion🎶

Champion of Orthodoxy, teacher of purity and of true worship,
the enlightener of the universe and the adornment of hierarchs:
all-wise father Sergius, your teachings have gleamed with light upon all things.
Intercede before Christ God to save our souls.

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Orthodox #Orthostr #Saint

# [Scripture Readings for Monday, 23 March 2026 ...

2026-03-23T13:00:54Z

# [Scripture Readings for Monday, 23 March 2026 (OCA)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/23)

## [6th Hour reading for Monday of the Fifth Week of Lent (Isaiah 37:33-38:6)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/23/1)

> “Therefore thus says the Lord concerning the king of Assyria: ‘He shall not come into this city, nor shoot an arrow there, nor come before it with shield, nor build a siege mound against it. By the way that he came, by the same shall he return; and he shall not come into this city,’ says the Lord. ‘For I will defend this city, to save it for My own sake and for My servant David’s sake.’” Then the angel of the Lord went out, and killed in the camp of the Assyrians one hundred and eighty-five thousand; and when people arose early in the morning, there were the corpses – all dead. So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed and went away, returned home, and remained at Nineveh. Now it came to pass, as he was worshiping in the house of Nisroch his god, that his sons Adrammelech and Sharezer struck him down with the sword; and they escaped into the land of Ararat. Then Esarhaddon his son reigned in his place. In those days Hezekiah was sick and near death. And Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, went to him and said to him, “Thus says the Lord: ‘Set your house in order, for you shall die and not live.’” Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed to the Lord, and said, “Remember now, O Lord, I pray, how I have walked before You in truth and with a loyal heart, and have done what is good in Your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly. And the word of the Lord came to Isaiah, saying, “Go and tell Hezekiah, ‘Thus says the Lord, the God of David your father: “I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; surely I will add to your days fifteen years. “I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria, and I will defend this city.”’

## [Vespers reading for Monday of the Fifth Week of Lent (Genesis 13:12-18)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/23/2)

> Abram dwelt in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelt in the cities of the plain and pitched his tent even as far as Sodom. But the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the Lord. And the Lord said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him: “Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are northward, southward, eastward, and westward; “for all the land which you see I give to you and your descendants forever. “And I will make your descendants as the dust of the earth; so that if a man could number the dust of the earth, then your descendants also could be numbered. “Arise, walk in the land through its length and its width, for I give it to you.” Then Abram moved his tent, and went and dwelt by the terebinth trees of Mamre, which are in Hebron, and built an altar there to the Lord.

## [Vespers reading for Monday of the Fifth Week of Lent (Proverbs 14:27-15:4)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/23/3)

> The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to turn one away from the snares of death. In a multitude of people is a king’s honor, but in the lack of people is the downfall of a prince. He who is slow to wrath has great understanding, but he who is impulsive exalts folly. A sound heart is life to the body, but envy is rottenness to the bones. He who oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker, but he who honors Him has mercy on the needy. The wicked is banished in his wickedness, but the righteous has a refuge in his death. Wisdom rests in the heart of him who has understanding, but what is in the heart of fools is made known. Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people. The king’s favor is toward a wise servant, but his wrath is against him who causes shame. A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, but the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness. The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good. A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Bible #Scripture #Orthodox #Orthostr #Biblestr

## [Martyr Nikon and 199 disciples with him in Sicily - 23 ...

2026-03-23T10:00:53Z

## [Martyr Nikon and 199 disciples with him in Sicily - 23 March](https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2026/03/23/100865-martyr-nikon-and-199-disciples-with-him-in-sicily)

![Martyr Nikon and 199 disciples with him in Sicily]( )

🎶troparion🎶

By your ascetic way of life
you conquered the crafty one, Holy Father Nikon.
By virtue of your holy life you became a rule and model to your disciples,
and with them you struggled for the Faith in the West.
You have all attained glory in heaven.

🎶kontakion🎶

Of like discipline with the Ascetics, and rivaling the holy Athletes in zeal,
you were offered to the Lord through martyrdom, steadfast and righteous Martyrs.
As your sure guide you had the glorious Nikon;
fighting together with him you sang: Alleluia.

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Orthodox #Orthostr #Saint

## [Venerable Isaac the Confessor, Founder of the Dalmatian ...

2026-03-22T20:00:53Z

## [Venerable Isaac the Confessor, Founder of the Dalmatian Monastery at Constantinople - 22 March](https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2026/03/22/100863-venerable-isaac-the-confessor-founder-of-the-dalmatian-monastery)

![Venerable Isaac the Confessor, Founder of the Dalmatian Monastery at Constantinople]( )

🎶troparion🎶

Champion of Orthodoxy, teacher of purity and of true worship,
enlightener of the universe and adornment of hierarchs:
all-wise father Isaac, your teachings have gleamed with light upon all things.
Intercede before Christ God to save our souls.

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Orthodox #Orthostr #Saint

# [Scripture Readings for Sunday, 22 March 2026 ...

2026-03-22T13:00:55Z

# [Scripture Readings for Sunday, 22 March 2026 (OCA)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/22)

## [Matins Gospel reading (John 20:11-18)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/22/1)

> But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. Then they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.” Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, “Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.’” Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her.

## [Epistle reading for Fourth Sunday of Lent (Ephesians 5:9-19)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/22/2)

> (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. Therefore He says: “Awake, you who sleep, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.” See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,

## [Gospel reading for Saint John Climacus (of The Ladder ). (Matthew 4:25-5:12)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/22/3)

> Great multitudes followed Him – from Galilee, and from Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan. And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

## [Epistle reading for Fourth Sunday of Lent (Hebrews 6:13-20)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/22/4)

> For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, saying, “Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you.” And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. For men indeed swear by the greater, and an oath for confirmation is for them an end of all dispute. Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us. This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

## [Gospel reading for Fourth Sunday of Lent (Mark 9:17-31)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/22/5)

> Then one of the crowd answered and said, “Teacher, I brought You my son, who has a mute spirit. And wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid. So I spoke to Your disciples, that they should cast it out, but they could not.” He answered him and said, “O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him to Me.” Then they brought him to Him. And when he saw Him, immediately the spirit convulsed him, and he fell on the ground and wallowed, foaming at the mouth. So He asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. And often he has thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it: “Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and enter him no more!” Then the spirit cried out, convulsed him greatly, and came out of him. And he became as one dead, so that many said, “He is dead.” But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. And when He had come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” So He said to them, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.” Then they departed from there and passed through Galilee, and He did not want anyone to know it. For He taught His disciples and said to them, “The Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of men, and they will kill Him. And after He is killed, He will rise the third day.”

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Bible #Scripture #Orthodox #Orthostr #Biblestr

## [4th Sunday of Great Lent: St John Climacus (of the Ladder) - ...

2026-03-22T10:00:53Z

## [4th Sunday of Great Lent: St John Climacus (of the Ladder) - 22 March](https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2026/03/22/16-4th-sunday-of-great-lent-st-john-climacus-of-the-ladder)

![4th Sunday of Great Lent: St John Climacus (of the Ladder)]( )

🎶troparion🎶

Dweller of the desert and angel in the body,
you were shown to be a wonderworker, our God-bearing Father John.
You received heavenly gifts through fasting, vigil, and prayer:
healing the sick and the souls of those drawn to you by faith.
Glory to Him who gave you strength.
Glory to Him who granted you a crown.
Glory to Him Who, through you, grants healing to all.

🎶kontakion🎶

(Podoben: “The Angelic Choir...”)The Lord truly set you on the height of abstinence,
O our instructor and Father John,
as an unerring star, guiding the ends of the earth by your light.

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Orthodox #Orthostr #Saint

## [Venerable Seraphim of Vyritsa - 21 ...

2026-03-21T20:00:55Z

## [Venerable Seraphim of Vyritsa - 21 March](https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2026/03/21/103710-venerable-seraphim-of-vyritsa)

![Venerable Seraphim of Vyritsa]( )

🎶troparion🎶

By a flood of tears you made the desert fertile,
and your longing for God brought forth fruits in abundance.
By the radiance of miracles you illumined the whole universe!
O our holy father Seraphim, pray to Christ our God to save our souls!

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Orthodox #Orthostr #Saint

# [Scripture Readings for Saturday, 21 March 2026 ...

2026-03-21T13:00:54Z

# [Scripture Readings for Saturday, 21 March 2026 (OCA)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/21)

## [Epistle reading for Departed (1 Corinthians 15:47-57)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/21/1)

> The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven. As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man. Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed – in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” O Death, where is your sting? O Hell, where is your victory? The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

## [Gospel reading for Departed (John 5:24-30)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/21/2)

> Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man. Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth – those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation. I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.

## [Epistle reading for Fourth Saturday of Lent (Hebrews 6:9-12)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/21/3)

> But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner. For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

## [Gospel reading for Fourth Saturday of Lent (Mark 7:31-37)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/21/4)

> Again, departing from the region of Tyre and Sidon, He came through the midst of the region of Decapolis to the Sea of Galilee. Then they brought to Him one who was deaf and had an impediment in his speech, and they begged Him to put His hand on him. And He took him aside from the multitude, and put His fingers in his ears, and He spat and touched his tongue. Then, looking up to heaven, He sighed, and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” Immediately his ears were opened, and the impediment of his tongue was loosed, and he spoke plainly. Then He commanded them that they should tell no one; but the more He commanded them, the more widely they proclaimed it. And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well. He makes both the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.”

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Bible #Scripture #Orthodox #Orthostr #Biblestr

## [4th Saturday of Great Lent: Memorial Saturday - 21 ...

2026-03-21T10:00:53Z

## [4th Saturday of Great Lent: Memorial Saturday - 21 March](https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2026/03/21/15-4th-saturday-of-great-lent-memorial-saturday)

🎶troparion🎶

Only Creator, with wisdom profound, You mercifully order all things,
and give that which is needed to all men:
Give rest, O Lord, to the souls of Your servants who have fallen asleep,
for they have placed their trust in You, our Maker and Fashioner, and our God.

🎶kontakion🎶

With the saints give rest, O Christ, to the souls of Your servants,
where there is neither sickness nor sorrow, and no more sighing,
but life everlasting.

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Orthodox #Orthostr #Saint

## [New Martyr Myron of Crete - 20 ...

2026-03-20T20:00:53Z

## [New Martyr Myron of Crete - 20 March](https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2026/03/20/205344-new-martyr-myron-of-crete)

![New Martyr Myron of Crete]( )

🎶troparion🎶

Your holy martyr Myron, O Lord,
through his suffering has received an incorruptible crown from You, our God.
For having Your strength, he laid low his adversaries,
and shattered the powerless boldness of demons.
Through his intercessions, save our souls!

🎶kontakion🎶

(Podoben: “You sought the heights...”)You appeared as a bright star announcing Christ with your radiance,
which is repulsive to this world, O Martyr Myron;
extinguishing the allure of false gods,
you enlighten the faithful,
always interceding for us all.

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Orthodox #Orthostr #Saint

# [Scripture Readings for Friday, 20 March 2026 ...

2026-03-20T13:00:54Z

# [Scripture Readings for Friday, 20 March 2026 (OCA)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/20)

## [6th Hour reading for Friday of the Fourth Week of Lent (Isaiah 29:13-23)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/20/1)

> Therefore the Lord said: “Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but have removed their hearts far from Me, and their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men, therefore, behold, I will again do a marvelous work among this people, a marvelous work and a wonder; for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hidden.” Woe to those who seek deep to hide their counsel far from the Lord, and their works are in the dark; they say, “Who sees us?” and, “Who knows us?” Surely you have things turned around! Shall the potter be esteemed as the clay; for shall the thing made say of him who made it, “He did not make me”? Or shall the thing formed say of him who formed it, “He has no understanding”? Is it not yet a very little while till Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field, and the fruitful field be esteemed as a forest? In that day the deaf shall hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity and out of darkness. The humble also shall increase their joy in the Lord, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel. For the terrible one is brought to nothing, the scornful one is consumed, and all who watch for iniquity are cut off – who make a man an offender by a word, and lay a snare for him who reproves in the gate, and turn aside the just by empty words. Therefore thus says the Lord, who redeemed Abraham, concerning the house of Jacob: “Jacob shall not now be ashamed, nor shall his face now grow pale; but when he sees his children, the work of My hands, in his midst, they will hallow My name, and hallow the Holy One of Jacob, and fear the God of Israel.

## [Vespers reading for Friday of the Fourth Week of Lent (Genesis 12:1-7)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/20/2)

> Now the Lord had said to Abram: “Get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house, to a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” So Abram departed as the Lord had spoken to him, and Lot went with him. And Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. Then Abram took Sarai his wife and Lot his brother’s son, and all their possessions that they had gathered, and the people whom they had acquired in Haran, and they departed to go to the land of Canaan. So they came to the land of Canaan. Abram passed through the land to the place of Shechem, as far as the terebinth tree of Moreh. And the Canaanites were then in the land. Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said, “To your descendants I will give this land.” And there he built an altar to the Lord, who had appeared to him.

## [Vespers reading for Friday of the Fourth Week of Lent (Proverbs 14:15-26)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/20/3)

> The simple believes every word, but the prudent considers well his steps. A wise man fears and departs from evil, but a fool rages and is self-confident. A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, and a man of wicked intentions is hated. The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. The evil will bow before the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous. The poor man is hated even by his own neighbor, but the rich has many friends. He who despises his neighbor sins; but he who has mercy on the poor, happy is he. Do they not go astray who devise evil? But mercy and truth belong to those who devise good. In all labor there is profit, but idle chatter leads only to poverty. The crown of the wise is their riches, but the foolishness of fools is folly. A true witness delivers souls, but a deceitful witness speaks lies. In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, and His children will have a place of refuge.

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Bible #Scripture #Orthodox #Orthostr #Biblestr

## [Martyred Holy Fathers who were slain at the Monastery of ...

2026-03-20T10:00:53Z

## [Martyred Holy Fathers who were slain at the Monastery of Saint Savva - 20 March](https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2026/03/20/100841-martyred-holy-fathers-who-were-slain-at-the-monastery-of-saint-s)

![Martyred Holy Fathers who were slain at the Monastery of Saint Savva]( )

🎶troparion🎶

As chosen and holy lambs of the Savior,
you were gathered together in wise Savva’s flock from many lands.
You were put to death by the cruelty of the barbarians
and you departed joyfully to the heavenly fold.
As righteous athletes you now pray for our souls.

🎶kontakion🎶

You openly disdained the pleasure of earthly and corruptible things,
choosing instead a life in the desert.
You despised the beautiful things of this world
together with the food that passes away.
Therefore, all-blessed ones, you were counted worthy of the Kingdom of heaven,
where you rejoice with the choirs of martyrs and ascetics.
As we honor your memory,
we earnestly cry out to you:
deliver us, O Fathers, from tribulations!

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Orthodox #Orthostr #Saint

Test

2026-03-19T22:24:57Z

In reply to nevent1q…25u4
_________________________

Test

Test

2026-03-19T22:16:13Z

In reply to nevent1q…25u4
_________________________

Test

## [Icon of the Mother of God of Lubyatov - 19 ...

2026-03-19T20:00:53Z

## [Icon of the Mother of God of Lubyatov - 19 March](https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2026/03/19/108895-icon-of-the-mother-of-god-of-lubyatov)

![Icon of the Mother of God of Lubyatov]( )

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Orthodox #Orthostr #Saint

# [Scripture Readings for Thursday, 19 March 2026 ...

2026-03-19T13:00:54Z

# [Scripture Readings for Thursday, 19 March 2026 (OCA)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/19)

## [6th Hour reading for Thursday of the Fourth Week of Lent (Isaiah 28:14-22)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/19/1)

> Therefore hear the word of the Lord, you scornful men, who rule this people who are in Jerusalem, because you have said, “We have made a covenant with death, and with Sheol we are in agreement. When the overflowing scourge passes through, it will not come to us, for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood we have hidden ourselves.” Therefore thus says the Lord God: “Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; whoever believes will not act hastily. Also I will make justice the measuring line, and righteousness the plummet; the hail will sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters will overflow the hiding place. Your covenant with death will be annulled, and your agreement with Sheol will not stand; when the overflowing scourge passes through, then you will be trampled down by it. As often as it goes out it will take you; for morning by morning it will pass over, and by day and by night; it will be a terror just to understand the report.” For the bed is too short to stretch out on, and the covering so narrow that one cannot wrap himself in it. For the Lord will rise up as at Mount Perazim, He will be angry as in the Valley of Gibeon – that He may do His work, His awesome work, and bring to pass His act, His unusual act. Now therefore, do not be mockers, lest your bonds be made strong; for I have heard from the Lord God of hosts, a destruction determined even upon the whole earth.

## [Vespers reading for Thursday of the Fourth Week of Lent (Genesis 10:32-11:9)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/19/2)

> These were the families of the sons of Noah, according to their generations, in their nations; and from these the nations were divided on the earth after the flood. Now the whole earth had one language and one speech. And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar, and they dwelt there. Then they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” They had brick for stone, and they had asphalt for mortar. And they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.” But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower which the sons of men had built. And the Lord said, “Indeed the people are one and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do; now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them. “Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.” So the Lord scattered them abroad from there over the face of all the earth, and they ceased building the city. Therefore its name is called Babel, because there the Lord confused the language of all the earth; and from there the Lord scattered them abroad over the face of all the earth.

## [Vespers reading for Thursday of the Fourth Week of Lent (Proverbs 13:19-14:6)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/19/3)

> A desire accomplished is sweet to the soul, but it is an abomination to fools to depart from evil. He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed. Evil pursues sinners, but to the righteous, good shall be repaid. A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous. Much food is in the fallow ground of the poor, and for lack of justice there is waste. He who spares his rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him promptly. The righteous eats to the satisfying of his soul, but the stomach of the wicked shall be in want. The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish pulls it down with her hands. He who walks in his uprightness fears the Lord, but he who is perverse in his ways despises Him. In the mouth of a fool is a rod of pride, but the lips of the wise will preserve them. Where no oxen are, the trough is clean; but much increase comes by the strength of an ox. A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness will utter lies. A scoffer seeks wisdom and does not find it, but knowledge is easy to him who understands.

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Bible #Scripture #Orthodox #Orthostr #Biblestr

## [Martyrs Chrysanthus and Daria, and those with them at Rome - ...

2026-03-19T10:00:53Z

## [Martyrs Chrysanthus and Daria, and those with them at Rome - 19 March](https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2026/03/19/100830-martyrs-chrysanthus-and-daria-and-those-with-them-at-rome)

![Martyrs Chrysanthus and Daria, and those with them at Rome]( )

🎶troparion🎶

Let us honor the like-minded pair of Martyrs,
Chrysanthos the offspring of purity, and the most modest Daria.
For united in holiness in the faith,
they were shown to be initiates of the Word of God.
They contested lawfully for Him; and they save those who sing:
“Glory to Him Who strengthened you.
Glory to Him Who crowned you.
Glory to Him Who, through you, works healings for all.”

🎶kontakion🎶

You breathed forth the sweet fragrance of piety, O Chrysanthos,
thereby drawing Daria to the knowledge of salvation, and you contested with her.
Putting the serpent to flight, the author of evil,
you were fittingly taken up to the heavenly Bridal Chamber.

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Orthodox #Orthostr #Saint

## [Venerable Aninas of the Euphrates - 18 ...

2026-03-18T20:00:53Z

## [Venerable Aninas of the Euphrates - 18 March](https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2026/03/18/100828-venerable-aninas-of-the-euphrates)

![Venerable Aninas of the Euphrates]( )

🎶troparion🎶

By a flood of tears you made the desert fertile,
and your longing for God brought forth fruits in abundance.
By the radiance of miracles you illumined the whole universe!
O our holy father Aninas, pray to Christ our God to save our souls!

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Orthodox #Orthostr #Saint

# [Scripture Readings for Wednesday, 18 March 2026 ...

2026-03-18T13:00:54Z

# [Scripture Readings for Wednesday, 18 March 2026 (OCA)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/18)

## [6th Hour reading for Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Lent (Isaiah 26:21-27:9)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/18/1)

> For behold, the Lord comes out of His place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity; the earth will also disclose her blood, and will no more cover her slain. In that day the Lord with His severe sword, great and strong, will punish Leviathan the fleeing serpent, Leviathan that twisted serpent; and He will slay the reptile that is in the sea. In that day sing to her, “A vineyard of red wine! I, the Lord, keep it, I water it every moment; lest any hurt it, I keep it night and day. Fury is not in Me. Who would set briers and thorns against Me in battle? I would go through them, I would burn them together. Or let him take hold of My strength, that he may make peace with Me; and he shall make peace with Me.” Those who come He shall cause to take root in Jacob; Israel shall blossom and bud, and fill the face of the world with fruit. Has He struck Israel as He struck those who struck him? Or has He been slain according to the slaughter of those who were slain by Him? In measure, by sending it away, you contended with it. He removes it by His rough wind in the day of the east wind. Therefore by this the iniquity of Jacob will be covered; and this is all the fruit of taking away his sin: when he makes all the stones of the altar like chalkstones that are beaten to dust, wooden images and incense altars shall not stand.

## [Vespers reading for Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Lent (Genesis 9:18-10:1)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/18/2)

> Now the sons of Noah who went out of the ark were Shem, Ham, and Japheth. And Ham was the father of Canaan. These three were the sons of Noah, and from these the whole earth was populated. And Noah began to be a farmer, and he planted a vineyard. Then he drank of the wine and was drunk, and became uncovered in his tent. And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brothers outside. But Shem and Japheth took a garment, laid it on both their shoulders, and went backward and covered the nakedness of their father. Their faces were turned away, and they did not see their father’s nakedness. So Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his younger son had done to him. Then he said: “Cursed be Canaan; A servant of servants He shall be to his brethren.” And he said: “Blessed be the Lord, The God of Shem, And may Canaan be his servant. May God enlarge Japheth, And may he dwell in the tents of Shem; And may Canaan be his servant.” And Noah lived after the flood three hundred and fifty years. So all the days of Noah were nine hundred and fifty years; and he died. Now this is the genealogy of the sons of Noah: Shem, Ham, and Japheth. And sons were born to them after the flood.

## [Vespers reading for Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Lent (Proverbs 12:23-13:9)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/18/3)

> A prudent man conceals knowledge, but the heart of fools proclaims foolishness. The hand of the diligent will rule, but the lazy man will be put to forced labor. Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad. The righteous should choose his friends carefully, for the way of the wicked leads them astray. The lazy man does not roast what he took in hunting, but diligence is man’s precious possession. In the way of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death. A wise son heeds his father’s instruction, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke. A man shall eat well by the fruit of his mouth, but the soul of the unfaithful feeds on violence. He who guards his mouth preserves his life, but he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction. The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing; but the soul of the diligent shall be made rich. A righteous man hates lying, but a wicked man is loathsome and comes to shame. Righteousness guards him whose way is blameless, but wickedness overthrows the sinner. There is one who makes himself rich, yet has nothing; And one who makes himself poor, yet has great riches. The ransom of a man’s life is his riches, but the poor does not hear rebuke. The light of the righteous rejoices, but the lamp of the wicked shall be extinguished.

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Bible #Scripture #Orthodox #Orthostr #Biblestr

## [Repose of Saint Nikolai of Zhicha - 18 ...

2026-03-18T10:00:53Z

## [Repose of Saint Nikolai of Zhicha - 18 March](https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2026/03/18/100825-repose-of-saint-nikolai-of-zhicha)

![Repose of Saint Nikolai of Zhicha]( )

🎶troparion🎶

O golden-tongued preacher proclaiming the risen Christ,
everlasting guide of the cross-bearing Serbian people,
resounding harp of the Holy Spirit, and dear to monastics who rejoice in you,
pride and boast of the priesthood, teacher of repentance, master for all nations,
guide of those in the army of Christ as they pray to God,
Holy Nikolai teacher in America and pride of the Serbian people,
with all the saints, implore the only Lover of mankind
to grant us peace and joy in his heavenly kingdom!

🎶kontakion🎶

Born at Lelich in Serbia,
you served as archpastor at the church of Saint Nahum in Ochrid.
You presided on the throne of Saint Savva at Zhicha,
teaching the people of God and enlightening them with the Gospel,
bringing them to repentance and love for Christ.
And for His sake you endured suffering at Dachau.
Therefore, Nicholai, we glorify you as one newly well pleasing to God.

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Orthodox #Orthostr #Saint

## [Venerable Macarius the Wonderworker, Abbot of Kalyazin - 17 ...

2026-03-17T20:00:53Z

## [Venerable Macarius the Wonderworker, Abbot of Kalyazin - 17 March](https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2026/03/17/100824-venerable-macarius-the-wonderworker-abbot-of-kalyazin)

![Venerable Macarius the Wonderworker, Abbot of Kalyazin]( )

🎶troparion🎶

You deadened your carnal mind by abstinence and vigil.
The place watered by the sweat of your labors proclaims your admonitions like God’s trumpet.
After your repose your relics pour forth healings.
Therefore we cry to you: pray to Christ our God that our souls may be saved!

🎶kontakion🎶

You desired the life of heaven
and delighted in abstinence, labors and sweat.
You bridled the flesh and received the grace to work wonders.
You appear as a radiant light, O righteous Father Macarius.
Therefore the Church of Christ glorifies you!

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Orthodox #Orthostr #Saint

## [Venerable Alexis the Man of God - 17 ...

2026-03-17T10:00:53Z

## [Venerable Alexis the Man of God - 17 March](https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2026/03/17/100822-venerable-alexis-the-man-of-god)

![Venerable Alexis the Man of God]( )

🎶troparion🎶

You budded from a famous and glorious root;
you blossomed from a royal and illustrious city, O supremely wise Alexis;
you disdained everything on earth as corruptible and fleeting,
and you hastened to Christ the Master.
Always entreat Him to save our souls.

🎶kontakion🎶

Today with hymns and praise
we celebrate the feast of Alexis the blessed and we cry aloud:
Rejoice, gladsome adornment of the righteous!

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Orthodox #Orthostr #Saint

## [Saint Christódoulos, Wonderworker of Patmos - 16 ...

2026-03-16T20:00:53Z

## [Saint Christódoulos, Wonderworker of Patmos - 16 March](https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2026/03/16/205333-saint-christdoulos-wonderworker-of-patmos)

![Saint Christódoulos, Wonderworker of Patmos]( )

🎶troparion🎶

(Podoben: “O citizen of the desert...”)O brethren, let us honor the godly-minded Christódoulos with hymns,
the offspring of Nicaea, the boast of Patmos, and the glory of monks.
Let us venerate his relics,
and so receive healing of soul and body, crying out:
“Glory to Him Who strengthened you.
Glory to Him Who crowned you.
Glory to Him Who, through you, works healings for all.”

🎶kontakion🎶

(Podoben: “You appeared today...”)Since we possess your relics as a holy place of healing for all our diseases and afflictions,
we are delivered from them, and we cry aloud to you,
“Rejoice, O renowned Christódoulos.”

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Orthodox #Orthostr #Saint

# [Scripture Readings for Monday, 16 March 2026 ...

2026-03-16T13:00:54Z

# [Scripture Readings for Monday, 16 March 2026 (OCA)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/16)

## [6th Hour reading for Monday of the Fourth Week of Lent (Isaiah 14:24-32)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/16/1)

> The Lord of hosts has sworn, saying, “Surely, as I have thought, so it shall come to pass, and as I have purposed, so it shall stand: That I will break the Assyrian in My land, and on My mountains tread him underfoot. Then his yoke shall be removed from them, and his burden removed from their shoulders. This is the purpose that is purposed against the whole earth, and this is the hand that is stretched out over all the nations. For the Lord of hosts has purposed, and who will annul it? His hand is stretched out, and who will turn it back?” This is the burden which came in the year that King Ahaz died. “Do not rejoice, all you of Philistia, because the rod that struck you is broken; for out of the serpent’s roots will come forth a viper, and its offspring will be a fiery flying serpent. The firstborn of the poor will feed, and the needy will lie down in safety; I will kill your roots with famine, and it will slay your remnant. Wail, O gate! Cry, O city! All you of Philistia are dissolved; for smoke will come from the north, and no one will be alone in his appointed times.” What will they answer the messengers of the nation? That the Lord has founded Zion, and the poor of His people shall take refuge in it.

## [Vespers reading for Monday of the Fourth Week of Lent (Genesis 8:21-9:7)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/16/2)

> And the Lord smelled a soothing aroma. Then the Lord said in His heart, “I will never again curse the ground for man’s sake, although the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; nor will I again destroy every living thing as I have done. While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, and day and night shall not cease.” So God blessed Noah and his sons, and said to them: “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth. “And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be on every beast of the earth, on every bird of the air, on all that move on the earth, and on all the fish of the sea. They are given into your hand. Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. I have given you all things, even as the green herbs. But you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood. Surely for your lifeblood I will demand a reckoning; from the hand of every beast I will require it, and from the hand of man. From the hand of every man’s brother I will require the life of man. Whoever sheds man’s blood, by man his blood shall be shed; for in the image of God He made man. And as for you, be fruitful and multiply; bring forth abundantly in the earth and multiply in it.”

## [Vespers reading for Monday of the Fourth Week of Lent (Proverbs 11:19-12:6)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/16/3)

> As righteousness leads to life, so he who pursues evil pursues it to his own death. Those who are of a perverse heart are an abomination to the Lord, but the blameless in their ways are His delight. Though they join forces, the wicked will not go unpunished; but the posterity of the righteous will be delivered. As a ring of gold in a swine’s snout, so is a lovely woman who lacks discretion. The desire of the righteous is only good, but the expectation of the wicked is wrath. There is one who scatters, yet increases more; and there is one who withholds more than is right, but it leads to poverty. The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself. The people will curse him who withholds grain, but blessing will be on the head of him who sells it. He who earnestly seeks good finds favor, but trouble will come to him who seeks evil. He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like foliage. He who troubles his own house will inherit the wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart. The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise. If the righteous will be recompensed on the earth, how much more the ungodly and the sinner. Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid. A good man obtains favor from the Lord, but a man of wicked intentions He will condemn. A man is not established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous cannot be moved. An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones. The thoughts of the righteous are right, but the counsels of the wicked are deceitful. The words of the wicked are, “Lie in wait for blood,” but the mouth of the upright will deliver them.

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Bible #Scripture #Orthodox #Orthostr #Biblestr

## [Martyr Sabinus of Egypt - 16 ...

2026-03-16T10:00:53Z

## [Martyr Sabinus of Egypt - 16 March](https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2026/03/16/100813-martyr-sabinus-of-egypt)

![Martyr Sabinus of Egypt]( )

🎶troparion🎶

With godliness you preached to the ungodly
that the Creator of all took flesh without undergoing change.
You excelled in your holy contest,
for by meeting death in the river you attained to the Source of incorruption.
Therefore, we praise you, blessed Sabinus.

🎶kontakion🎶

God-bearing Sabinus,
you are a divine root, an unfading blossom,
a branch heavily-laden with fruit.
Fill with gladness those who honor your memory,
and unceasingly pray for us all!

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Orthodox #Orthostr #Saint

## [Martyr Nicander of Egypt - 15 ...

2026-03-15T20:00:53Z

## [Martyr Nicander of Egypt - 15 March](https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2026/03/15/100812-martyr-nicander-of-egypt)

🎶troparion🎶

Your holy martyr Nicander, O Lord,
through his sufferings has received an incorruptible crown from You, our God.
For having Your strength, he laid low his adversaries,
and shattered the powerless boldness of demons.
Through his intercessions, save our souls!

🎶kontakion🎶

(Podoben: “You sought the heights...”)You appeared as a bright star announcing Christ with your radiance,
which is repulsive to this world, O Martyr Nicander;
extinguishing the allure of false gods,
you enlighten the faithful,
always interceding for us all.

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Orthodox #Orthostr #Saint

# [Scripture Readings for Sunday, 15 March 2026 ...

2026-03-15T13:00:54Z

# [Scripture Readings for Sunday, 15 March 2026 (OCA)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/15)

## [Matins Gospel reading (John 20:1-10)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/15/1)

> Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.” Peter therefore went out, and the other disciple, and were going to the tomb. So they both ran together, and the other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first. And he, stooping down and looking in, saw the linen cloths lying there; yet he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying there, and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb first, went in also; and he saw and believed. For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead. Then the disciples went away again to their own homes.

## [Epistle reading for Third Sunday of Lent (Hebrews 4:14-5:6)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/15/2)

> Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. For every high priest taken from among men is appointed for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can have compassion on those who are ignorant and going astray, since he himself is also subject to weakness. Because of this he is required as for the people, so also for himself, to offer sacrifices for sins. And no man takes this honor to himself, but he who is called by God, just as Aaron was. So also Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, but it was He who said to Him: “You are My Son, today I have begotten You.” As He also says in another place: “You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek”;

## [Gospel reading for Third Sunday of Lent (Mark 8:34-9:1)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/15/3)

> When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” And He said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power.”

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Bible #Scripture #Orthodox #Orthostr #Biblestr

## [3rd Sunday of Great Lent: Veneration of the Cross - 15 ...

2026-03-15T10:00:53Z

## [3rd Sunday of Great Lent: Veneration of the Cross - 15 March](https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2026/03/15/14-3rd-sunday-of-great-lent-veneration-of-the-cross)

![3rd Sunday of Great Lent: Veneration of the Cross]( )

🎶troparion🎶

O Lord, save Your people,
and bless Your inheritance.
Grant victories to the Orthodox Christians,
over their adversaries.
And by virtue of Your Cross
preserve Your habitation!

🎶kontakion🎶

Now the flaming sword no longer guards the gates of Eden;
it has mysteriously been quenched by the wood of the Cross!
The sting of death and the victory of hell have been vanquished;
for You, O my Savior, have come and cried to those in hell:
“Enter again into paradise.”

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Orthodox #Orthostr #Saint

## [Saint Euschemon the Confessor, Bishop of Lampsacus - 14 ...

2026-03-14T20:00:53Z

## [Saint Euschemon the Confessor, Bishop of Lampsacus - 14 March](https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2026/03/14/100803-saint-euschemon-the-confessor-bishop-of-lampsacus)

🎶troparion🎶

Champion of Orthodoxy, teacher of purity and of true worship,
the enlightener of the universe and the adornment of hierarchs:
all-wise father Euschemon, your teachings have gleamed with light upon all things.
Intercede before Christ God to save our souls.

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Orthodox #Orthostr #Saint

# [Scripture Readings for Saturday, 14 March 2026 ...

2026-03-14T13:00:54Z

# [Scripture Readings for Saturday, 14 March 2026 (OCA)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/14)

## [Epistle reading for Departed (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/14/1)

> But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.

## [Gospel reading for Departed (John 5:24-30)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/14/2)

> Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man. Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth – those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation. I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.

## [Epistle reading for Third Saturday of Lent (Hebrews 10:32-38)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/14/3)

> But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated; for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven. Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: “For yet a little while, and He who is coming will come and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith; but if anyone draws back, my soul has no pleasure in him.”

## [Gospel reading for Third Saturday of Lent (Mark 2:14-17)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/14/4)

> As He passed by, He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, “Follow Me.” So he arose and followed Him. Now it happened, as He was dining in Levi’s house, that many tax collectors and sinners also sat together with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many, and they followed Him. And when the scribes and Pharisees saw Him eating with the tax collectors and sinners, they said to His disciples, “How is it that He eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?” When Jesus heard it, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Bible #Scripture #Orthodox #Orthostr #Biblestr

## [3rd Saturday of Great Lent: Memorial Saturday - 14 ...

2026-03-14T10:00:53Z

## [3rd Saturday of Great Lent: Memorial Saturday - 14 March](https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2026/03/14/13-3rd-saturday-of-great-lent-memorial-saturday)

🎶troparion🎶

Only Creator, with wisdom profound, You mercifully order all things,
and give that which is needed to all men:
Give rest, O Lord, to the souls of Your servants who have fallen asleep,
for they have placed their trust in You, our Maker and Fashioner, and our God.

🎶kontakion🎶

With the saints give rest, O Christ, to the souls of Your servants,
where there is neither sickness nor sorrow, and no more sighing,
but life everlasting.

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Orthodox #Orthostr #Saint

## [Martyr Alexander of Macedonia - 13 ...

2026-03-13T20:00:54Z

## [Martyr Alexander of Macedonia - 13 March](https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2026/03/13/100797-martyr-alexander-of-macedonia)

🎶troparion🎶

Your holy martyr Alexander, O Lord,
through his suffering has received an incorruptible crown from You, our God.
For having Your strength, he laid low his adversaries,
and shattered the powerless boldness of demons.
Through his intercessions, save our souls!

🎶kontakion🎶

(Podoben: “You sought the heights...”)You appeared as a bright star announcing Christ with your radiance,
which is repulsive to this world, O Martyr Alexander;
extinguishing the allure of false gods,
you enlighten the faithful,
always interceding for us all.

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Orthodox #Orthostr #Saint

# [Scripture Readings for Friday, 13 March 2026 ...

2026-03-13T13:00:29Z

# [Scripture Readings for Friday, 13 March 2026 (OCA)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/13)

## [6th Hour reading for Friday of the Third Week of Lent (Isaiah 13:2-13)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/13/1)

> “Lift up a banner on the high mountain, raise your voice to them; wave your hand, that they may enter the gates of the nobles. I have commanded My sanctified ones; I have also called My mighty ones for My anger – those who rejoice in My exaltation.” The noise of a multitude in the mountains, like that of many people! A tumultuous noise of the kingdoms of nations gathered together! The Lord of hosts musters the army for battle. They come from a far country, from the end of heaven – the Lord and His weapons of indignation, to destroy the whole land. Wail, for the day of the Lord is at hand! It will come as destruction from the Almighty. Therefore all hands will be limp, every man’s heart will melt, And they will be afraid. Pangs and sorrows will take hold of them; they will be in pain as a woman in childbirth; they will be amazed at one another; their faces will be like flames. Behold, the day of the Lord comes, cruel, with both wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate; and He will destroy its sinners from it. For the stars of heaven and their constellations will not give their light; the sun will be darkened in its going forth, and the moon will not cause its light to shine. “I will punish the world for its evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; I will halt the arrogance of the proud, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible. I will make a mortal more rare than fine gold, a man more than the golden wedge of Ophir. Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth will move out of her place, in the wrath of the Lord of hosts and in the day of His fierce anger.

## [Vespers reading for Friday of the Third Week of Lent (Genesis 8:4-21)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/13/2)

> Then the ark rested in the seventh month, the seventeenth day of the month, on the mountains of Ararat. And the waters decreased continually until the tenth month. In the tenth month, on the first day of the month, the tops of the mountains were seen. So it came to pass, at the end of forty days, that Noah opened the window of the ark which he had made. Then he sent out a raven, which kept going to and fro until the waters had dried up from the earth. He also sent out from himself a dove, to see if the waters had receded from the face of the ground. But the dove found no resting place for the sole of her foot, and she returned into the ark to him, for the waters were on the face of the whole earth. So he put out his hand and took her, and drew her into the ark to himself. And he waited yet another seven days, and again he sent the dove out from the ark. Then the dove came to him in the evening, and behold, a freshly plucked olive leaf was in her mouth; and Noah knew that the waters had receded from the earth. So he waited yet another seven days and sent out the dove, which did not return again to him anymore. And it came to pass in the six hundred and first year, in the first month, the first day of the month, that the waters were dried up from the earth; and Noah removed the covering of the ark and looked, and indeed the surface of the ground was dry. And in the second month, on the twenty-seventh day of the month, the earth was dried. Then God spoke to Noah, saying, “Go out of the ark, you and your wife, and your sons and your sons’ wives with you. “Bring out with you every living thing of all flesh that is with you: birds and cattle and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth, so that they may abound on the earth, and be fruitful and multiply on the earth.” So Noah went out, and his sons and his wife and his sons’ wives with him. Every animal, every creeping thing, every bird, and whatever creeps on the earth, according to their families, went out of the ark. Then Noah built an altar to the Lord, and took of every clean animal and of every clean bird, and offered burnt offerings on the altar. And the Lord smelled a soothing aroma. Then the Lord said in His heart, “I will never again curse the ground for man’s sake, although the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; nor will I again destroy every living thing as I have done.

## [Vespers reading for Friday of the Third Week of Lent (Proverbs 10:31-11:12)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/13/3)

> The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut out. The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked what is perverse. Dishonest scales are an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is His delight. When pride comes, then comes shame; but with the humble is wisdom. The integrity of the upright will guide them, but the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them. Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death. The righteousness of the blameless will direct his way aright, but the wicked will fall by his own wickedness. The righteousness of the upright will deliver them, but the unfaithful will be caught by their lust. When a wicked man dies, his expectation will perish, and the hope of the unjust perishes. The righteous is delivered from trouble, and it comes to the wicked instead. The hypocrite with his mouth destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous will be delivered. When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices; and when the wicked perish, there is jubilation. By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted, but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked. He who is devoid of wisdom despises his neighbor, but a man of understanding holds his peace.

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Bible #Scripture #Orthodox #Orthostr #Biblestr

## [Translation of the relics of Saint Nikephoros, Patriarch of ...

2026-03-13T10:00:28Z

## [Translation of the relics of Saint Nikephoros, Patriarch of Constantinople - 13 March](https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2026/03/13/100792-translation-of-the-relics-of-saint-nikephoros-patriarch-of-const)

![Translation of the relics of Saint Nikephoros, Patriarch of Constantinople]( )

🎶troparion🎶

Your fragrant relics have been revealed as godly treasure
filled with life for the Church.
On their august translation
we receive the gifts of the Spirit.
Righteous Father Nikephorus, entreat Christ our God to grant us His great mercy.

🎶kontakion🎶

The choir of patriarchs, honors your holy memory with praises and hymns, O Nikephorus,
for it received your spirit at your translation, O glorious one.
Therefore, today the Church magnifies Christ the King,
glorifying Him as the only Lover of mankind.

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Orthodox #Orthostr #Saint

## [Venerable Simeon the New Theologian - 12 ...

2026-03-12T20:00:28Z

## [Venerable Simeon the New Theologian - 12 March](https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2026/03/12/100790-venerable-simeon-the-new-theologian)

![Venerable Simeon the New Theologian]( )

🎶troparion🎶

(Podoben: “Your confession of the Divine Faith...”)Since you received divine enlightenment within your soul, O Venerable Father Symeon,
you were shown to the world as a most radiant light,
driving away its darkness, and persuading all to seek the grace of the Spirit which they had lost.
Earnestly intercede with Him to grant us great mercy.

🎶kontakion🎶

(Podoben: “Today the Virgin...”)Radiant with the Three-Sun Light, you appeared as a true theologian of the Most Divine Trinity,
the divinely transcendent Lord;
from on high, you were made rich with the wisdom of discourse
and poured forth Divine streams of godly wisdom;
having drunk from these, we cry out:
“Rejoice, thrice-blessed Symeon.”

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Orthodox #Orthostr #Saint

# [Scripture Readings for Thursday, 12 March 2026 ...

2026-03-12T13:00:29Z

# [Scripture Readings for Thursday, 12 March 2026 (OCA)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/12)

## [6th Hour reading for Thursday of the Third Week of Lent (Isaiah 11:10-12:2)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/12/1)

> “And in that day there shall be a Root of Jesse, who shall stand as a banner to the people; for the Gentiles shall seek Him, and His resting place shall be glorious.” It shall come to pass in that day that the Lord shall set His hand again the second time to recover the remnant of His people who are left, from Assyria and Egypt, from Pathros and Cush, from Elam and Shinar, from Hamath and the islands of the sea. He will set up a banner for the nations, and will assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth. Also the envy of Ephraim shall depart, and the adversaries of Judah shall be cut off; Ephraim shall not envy Judah, and Judah shall not harass Ephraim. But they shall fly down upon the shoulder of the Philistines toward the west; together they shall plunder the people of the East; they shall lay their hand on Edom and Moab; and the people of Ammon shall obey them. The Lord will utterly destroy the tongue of the Sea of Egypt; with His mighty wind He will shake His fist over the River, and strike it in the seven streams, and make men cross over dry-shod. There will be a highway for the remnant of His people who will be left from Assyria, as it was for Israel in the day that he came up from the land of Egypt. And in that day you will say: “O Lord, I will praise You; though You were angry with me, Your anger is turned away, and You comfort me. Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; ‘For Yah, the Lord, is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation.’”

## [Vespers reading for Thursday of the Third Week of Lent (Genesis 7:11-8:3)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/12/2)

> In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, on that day all the fountains of the great deep were broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened. And the rain was on the earth forty days and forty nights. On the very same day Noah and Noah’s sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth, and Noah’s wife and the three wives of his sons with them, entered the ark – they and every beast after its kind, all cattle after their kind, every creeping thing that creeps on the earth after its kind, and every bird after its kind, every bird of every sort. And they went into the ark to Noah, two by two, of all flesh in which is the breath of life. So those that entered, male and female of all flesh, went in as God had commanded him; and the Lord shut him in. Now the flood was on the earth forty days. The waters increased and lifted up the ark, and it rose high above the earth. The waters prevailed and greatly increased on the earth, and the ark moved about on the surface of the waters. And the waters prevailed exceedingly on the earth, and all the high hills under the whole heaven were covered. The waters prevailed fifteen cubits upward, and the mountains were covered. And all flesh died that moved on the earth: birds and cattle and beasts and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth, and every man. All in whose nostrils was the breath of the spirit of life, all that was on the dry land, died. So He destroyed all living things which were on the face of the ground: both man and cattle, creeping thing and bird of the air. They were destroyed from the earth. Only Noah and those who were with him in the ark remained alive. And the waters prevailed on the earth one hundred and fifty days. Then God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the animals that were with him in the ark. And God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters subsided. The fountains of the deep and the windows of heaven were also stopped, and the rain from heaven was restrained. And the waters receded continually from the earth. At the end of the hundred and fifty days the waters decreased.

## [Vespers reading for Thursday of the Third Week of Lent (Proverbs 10:1-22)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/12/3)

> The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is the grief of his mother. Treasures of wickedness profit nothing, but righteousness delivers from death. The Lord will not allow the righteous soul to famish, but He casts away the desire of the wicked. He who has a slack hand becomes poor, but the hand of the diligent makes rich. He who gathers in summer is a wise son; he who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame. Blessings are on the head of the righteous, but violence covers the mouth of the wicked. The memory of the righteous is blessed, but the name of the wicked will rot. The wise in heart will receive commands, but a prating fool will fall. He who walks with integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will become known. He who winks with the eye causes trouble, but a prating fool will fall. The mouth of the righteous is a well of life, but violence covers the mouth of the wicked. Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins. Wisdom is found on the lips of him who has understanding, but a rod is for the back of him who is devoid of understanding. Wise people store up knowledge, but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction. The rich man’s wealth is his strong city; the destruction of the poor is their poverty. The labor of the righteous leads to life, the wages of the wicked to sin. He who keeps instruction is in the way of life, but he who refuses correction goes astray. Whoever hides hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool. In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise. The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; the heart of the wicked is worth little. The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of wisdom. The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, and He adds no sorrow with it.

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Bible #Scripture #Orthodox #Orthostr #Biblestr

## [Venerable Theophanes the Confessor of Sigriane - 12 ...

2026-03-12T10:00:28Z

## [Venerable Theophanes the Confessor of Sigriane - 12 March](https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2026/03/12/100787-venerable-theophanes-the-confessor-of-sigriane)

![Venerable Theophanes the Confessor of Sigriane]( )

🎶troparion🎶

By a flood of tears you made the desert fertile
and by your longing for God you brought forth fruits in abundance.
By the radiance of miracles you illuminated the whole universe.
O our holy Father Theophanes, pray to Christ our God to save our souls.

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Orthodox #Orthostr #Saint

## [Saint Sophronius, Bishop of Vratcha, Bulgaria - 11 ...

2026-03-11T20:00:28Z

## [Saint Sophronius, Bishop of Vratcha, Bulgaria - 11 March](https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2026/03/11/100785-saint-sophronius-bishop-of-vratcha-bulgaria)

🎶troparion🎶

In truth you were revealed to your flock as a rule of faith,
an image of humility and a teacher of abstinence;
your humility exalted you;
your poverty enriched you.
Hierarch Father Sophronius,
entreat Christ our God
that our souls may be saved.

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Orthodox #Orthostr #Saint

# [Scripture Readings for Wednesday, 11 March 2026 ...

2026-03-11T13:00:29Z

# [Scripture Readings for Wednesday, 11 March 2026 (OCA)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/11)

## [6th Hour reading for Wednesday of the Third Week of Lent (Isaiah 10:12-20)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/11/1)

> Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Lord has performed all His work on Mount Zion and on Jerusalem, that He will say, “I will punish the fruit of the arrogant heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his haughty looks.” For he says: “By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom, for I am prudent; also I have removed the boundaries of the people, and have robbed their treasuries; so I have put down the inhabitants like a valiant man. My hand has found like a nest the riches of the people, and as one gathers eggs that are left, I have gathered all the earth; and there was no one who moved his wing, nor opened his mouth with even a peep.” Shall the ax boast itself against him who chops with it? Or shall the saw exalt itself against him who saws with it? As if a rod could wield itself against those who lift it up, or as if a staff could lift up, as if it were not wood! Therefore the Lord, the Lord of hosts, will send leanness among his fat ones; and under his glory He will kindle a burning like the burning of a fire. So the Light of Israel will be for a fire, and his Holy One for a flame; it will burn and devour His thorns and his briers in one day. And it will consume the glory of his forest and of his fruitful field, both soul and body; and they will be as when a sick man wastes away. Then the rest of the trees of his forest will be so few in number that a child may write them. And it shall come to pass in that day that the remnant of Israel, and such as have escaped of the house of Jacob, will never again depend on him who defeated them, but will depend on the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, in truth.

## [Vespers reading for Wednesday of the Third Week of Lent (Genesis 7:6-9)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/11/2)

> Noah was six hundred years old when the floodwaters were on the earth. So Noah, with his sons, his wife, and his sons’ wives, went into the ark because of the waters of the flood. Of clean animals, of animals that are unclean, of birds, and of everything that creeps on the earth, two by two they went into the ark to Noah, male and female, as God had commanded Noah.

## [Vespers reading for Wednesday of the Third Week of Lent (Proverbs 9:12-18)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/11/3)

> If you are wise, you are wise for yourself, and if you scoff, you will bear it alone.” A foolish woman is clamorous; she is simple, and knows nothing. For she sits at the door of her house, on a seat by the highest places of the city, to call to those who pass by, who go straight on their way: “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here”; and as for him who lacks understanding, she says to him, “Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.” But he does not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of hell.

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Bible #Scripture #Orthodox #Orthostr #Biblestr

## [Saint Sophronius, Patriarch of Jerusalem - 11 ...

2026-03-11T10:00:28Z

## [Saint Sophronius, Patriarch of Jerusalem - 11 March](https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2026/03/11/100777-saint-sophronius-patriarch-of-jerusalem)

![Saint Sophronius, Patriarch of Jerusalem]( )

🎶troparion🎶

Patriarch Sophronius, you were glorious in the splendor of sobriety,
and through the radiance of your words you revealed ineffable enlightenment from heaven.
For by your life you attained wisdom
and now you confirm the Church
as an illustrious hierarch and intercessor for us with the Lord.

🎶kontakion🎶

You were most wise among patriarchs, Sophronius of Jerusalem.
You struggled with divine zeal, spreading the commandments of truth with your lips.
You set right the foundations of the Church and firmly established the monastic order.
You brought to light wise sermons, and instructed by them,
therefore we cry out to you: “Rejoice, splendid boast of the Orthodox.”

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Orthodox #Orthostr #Saint

## [Martyr Quadratus and those with him at Nicomedia - 10 ...

2026-03-10T20:00:29Z

## [Martyr Quadratus and those with him at Nicomedia - 10 March](https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2026/03/10/100773-martyr-quadratus-and-those-with-him-at-nicomedia)

![Martyr Quadratus and those with him at Nicomedia]( )

🎶troparion🎶

Your holy martyrs, O Lord,
through their sufferings have received incorruptible crowns from You, our God.
For having Your strength, they laid low their adversaries,
and shattered the powerless boldness of demons.
Through their intercessions, save our souls!

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Orthodox #Orthostr #Saint

# [Scripture Readings for Tuesday, 10 March 2026 ...

2026-03-10T13:00:30Z

# [Scripture Readings for Tuesday, 10 March 2026 (OCA)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/10)

## [6th Hour reading for Tuesday of the Third Week of Lent (Isaiah 9:9-10:4)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/10/1)

> All the people will know – Ephraim and the inhabitant of Samaria – who say in pride and arrogance of heart: “The bricks have fallen down, but we will rebuild with hewn stones; the sycamores are cut down, but we will replace them with cedars.” Therefore the Lord shall set up the adversaries of Rezin against him, and spur his enemies on, the Syrians before and the Philistines behind; and they shall devour Israel with an open mouth. For all this His anger is not turned away, but His hand is stretched out still. For the people do not turn to Him who strikes them, nor do they seek the Lord of hosts. Therefore the Lord will cut off head and tail from Israel, palm branch and bulrush in one day. The elder and honorable, he is the head; the prophet who teaches lies, he is the tail. For the leaders of this people cause them to err, and those who are led by them are destroyed. Therefore the Lord will have no joy in their young men, nor have mercy on their fatherless and widows; for everyone is a hypocrite and an evildoer, and every mouth speaks folly. For all this His anger is not turned away, but His hand is stretched out still. For wickedness burns as the fire; it shall devour the briers and thorns, and kindle in the thickets of the forest; they shall mount up like rising smoke. Through the wrath of the Lord of hosts the land is burned up, and the people shall be as fuel for the fire; no man shall spare his brother. And he shall snatch on the right hand and be hungry; he shall devour on the left hand and not be satisfied; every man shall eat the flesh of his own arm. Manasseh shall devour Ephraim, and Ephraim Manasseh; together they shall be against Judah. For all this His anger is not turned away, but His hand is stretched out still. “Woe to those who decree unrighteous decrees, who write misfortune, which they have prescribed to rob the needy of justice, and to take what is right from the poor of My people, that widows may be their prey, and that they may rob the fatherless. What will you do in the day of punishment, and in the desolation which will come from afar? To whom will you flee for help? And where will you leave your glory? Without Me they shall bow down among the prisoners, and they shall fall among the slain.” For all this His anger is not turned away, but His hand is stretched out still.

## [Vespers reading for Tuesday of the Third Week of Lent (Genesis 7:1-15)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/10/2)

> Then the Lord said to Noah, “Come into the ark, you and all your household, because I have seen that you are righteous before Me in this generation. “You shall take with you seven each of every clean animal, a male and his female; two each of animals that are unclean, a male and his female; “also seven each of birds of the air, male and female, to keep the species alive on the face of all the earth. “For after seven more days I will cause it to rain on the earth forty days and forty nights, and I will destroy from the face of the earth all living things that I have made.” And Noah did according to all that the Lord commanded him. Noah was six hundred years old when the floodwaters were on the earth. So Noah, with his sons, his wife, and his sons’ wives, went into the ark because of the waters of the flood. Of clean animals, of animals that are unclean, of birds, and of everything that creeps on the earth, two by two they went into the ark to Noah, male and female, as God had commanded Noah. And it came to pass after seven days that the waters of the flood were on the earth. In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, on that day all the fountains of the great deep were broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened. And the rain was on the earth forty days and forty nights. On the very same day Noah and Noah’s sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth, and Noah’s wife and the three wives of his sons with them, entered the ark – they and every beast after its kind, all cattle after their kind, every creeping thing that creeps on the earth after its kind, and every bird after its kind, every bird of every sort. And they went into the ark to Noah, two by two, of all flesh in which is the breath of life.

## [Vespers reading for Tuesday of the Third Week of Lent (Proverbs 8:32-9:11)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/10/3)

> “Now therefore, listen to me, my children, for blessed are those who keep my ways. Hear instruction and be wise, and do not disdain it. Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoever finds me finds life, and obtains favor from the Lord; but he who sins against me wrongs his own soul; all those who hate me love death.” Wisdom has built her house, she has hewn out her seven pillars; she has slaughtered her meat, she has mixed her wine, she has also furnished her table. She has sent out her maidens, she cries out from the highest places of the city, “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” as for him who lacks understanding, she says to him, “Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed. Forsake foolishness and live, and go in the way of understanding. He who corrects a scoffer gets shame for himself, and he who rebukes a wicked man only harms himself. Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you; give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For by me your days will be multiplied, and years of life will be added to you.”

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Bible #Scripture #Orthodox #Orthostr #Biblestr

## [Martyr Quadratus and those with him at Corinth - 10 ...

2026-03-10T10:00:29Z

## [Martyr Quadratus and those with him at Corinth - 10 March](https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2026/03/10/100751-martyr-quadratus-and-those-with-him-at-corinth)

![Martyr Quadratus and those with him at Corinth]( )

🎶troparion🎶

Let the godly-minded Quadratus, Anectus, Paul, Dionysius, Cyprian, and Crescens
be praised with melodious hymns,
for as the six-fold choir of Christ’s prize-winners,
they ceaselessly pray for us before the Trinity!

🎶kontakion🎶

As you contested bravely in Corinth, O wise martyrs,
you appeared as a six-branched radiant lamp.
Illumining the way for Christ’s faithful by the grace that was given you!

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Orthodox #Orthostr #Saint

## [Icon of the Mother of God, “Albazin” or “The Word was ...

2026-03-09T20:00:29Z

## [Icon of the Mother of God, “Albazin” or “The Word was made Flesh” - 09 March](https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2026/03/09/100750-icon-of-the-mother-of-god-albazin-or-the-word-was-made-flesh)

![Icon of the Mother of God, “Albazin” or “The Word was made Flesh”]( )

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Orthodox #Orthostr #Saint

# [Scripture Readings for Monday, 09 March 2026 ...

2026-03-09T13:00:32Z

# [Scripture Readings for Monday, 09 March 2026 (OCA)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/09)

## [6th Hour reading for Monday of the Third Week of Lent (Isaiah 8:13-9:7)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/09/1)

> The Lord of hosts, Him you shall hallow; let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread. He will be as a sanctuary, but a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense to both the houses of Israel, as a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. And many among them shall stumble; they shall fall and be broken, be snared and taken.” Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples. And I will wait on the Lord, Who hides His face from the house of Jacob; and I will hope in Him. Here am I and the children whom the Lord has given me! We are for signs and wonders in Israel from the Lord of Hosts, Who dwells in Mount Zion. And when they say to you, “Seek those who are mediums and wizards, who whisper and mutter,” should not a people seek their God? Should they seek the dead on behalf of the living? To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. They will pass through it hard-pressed and hungry; and it shall happen, when they are hungry, that they will be enraged and curse their king and their God, and look upward. Then they will look to the earth, and see trouble and darkness, gloom of anguish; and they will be driven into darkness. Nevertheless the gloom will not be upon her who is distressed, as when at first He lightly esteemed the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward more heavily oppressed her, by the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, in Galilee of the Gentiles. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined. You have multiplied the nation and increased its joy; they rejoice before You according to the joy of harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the spoil. For You have broken the yoke of his burden and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian. For every warrior’s sandal from the noisy battle, and garments rolled in blood, will be used for burning and fuel of fire. For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His Name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

## [Vespers reading for Monday of the Third Week of Lent (Genesis 6:9-22)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/09/2)

> This is the genealogy of Noah. Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God. And Noah begot three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth. The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. So God looked upon the earth, and indeed it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth. And God said to Noah, “The end of all flesh has come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence through them; and behold, I will destroy them with the earth. “Make yourself an ark of gopherwood; make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and outside with pitch. “And this is how you shall make it: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, its width fifty cubits, and its height thirty cubits. “You shall make a window for the ark, and you shall finish it to a cubit from above; and set the door of the ark in its side. You shall make it with lower, second, and third decks. “And behold, I Myself am bringing floodwaters on the earth, to destroy from under heaven all flesh in which is the breath of life; everything that is on the earth shall die. “But I will establish My covenant with you; and you shall go into the ark – you, your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives with you. “And of every living thing of all flesh you shall bring two of every sort into the ark, to keep them alive with you; they shall be male and female. “Of the birds after their kind, of animals after their kind, and of every creeping thing of the earth after its kind, two of every kind will come to you to keep them alive. “And you shall take for yourself of all food that is eaten, and you shall gather it to yourself; and it shall be food for you and for them.” Thus Noah did; according to all that God commanded him, so he did.

## [Vespers reading for Monday of the Third Week of Lent (Proverbs 8:1-21)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/09/3)

> Does not wisdom cry out, And understanding lift up her voice? She takes her stand on the top of the high hill, beside the way, where the paths meet. She cries out by the gates, at the entry of the city, at the entrance of the doors: “To you, O men, I call, and my voice is to the sons of men. O you simple ones, understand prudence, and you fools, be of an understanding heart. Listen, for I will speak of excellent things, and from the opening of my lips will come right things; for my mouth will speak truth; wickedness is an abomination to my lips. All the words of my mouth are with righteousness; nothing crooked or perverse is in them. They are all plain to him who understands, and right to those who find knowledge. Receive my instruction, and not silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold; for wisdom is better than rubies, and all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her. “I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge and discretion. The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverse mouth I hate. Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom; I am understanding, I have strength. By me kings reign, and rulers decree justice. By me princes rule, and nobles, all the judges of the earth. I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently will find me. Riches and honor are with me, enduring riches and righteousness. My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold, and my revenue than choice silver. I traverse the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of justice, that I may cause those who love me to inherit wealth, that I may fill their treasuries.

## [Vespers reading for the Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste: Cyrion (or Quirio), Candidus, Domnus, Hesychius, Heraclus, Smaragdus, Eunocius (or Eunicus), Valens, Vivianus, Claudius, Prescus, Theodulus, Euthychius, John, Xantheas, Helianus, Sisinius, Angius, Aetius, Flavius, Acacius, Ecditius, Lysimachus, Alexander, Elias, Gorgonius, Theophilus, Dometian, Gaius, Leontius, Athanasius, Cyril, Sacerdon, Nicholas, Valerius, Philoctimon, Severian, Chudion, Aglaius, and Meliton (Isaiah 43:9-14)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/09/4)

> Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the people be assembled. Who among them can declare this, and show us former things? Let them bring out their witnesses, that they may be justified; or let them hear and say, “It is truth.” “You are My witnesses,” says the Lord, “And My servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe Me, and understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, nor shall there be after Me. I, even I, am the Lord, and besides Me there is no savior. I have declared and saved, I have proclaimed, and there was no foreign god among you; therefore you are My witnesses,” says the Lord, “that I am God. Indeed before the day was, I am He; and there is no one who can deliver out of My hand; I work, and who will reverse it?” Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “For your sake I will send to Babylon, and bring them all down as fugitives – the Chaldeans, who rejoice in their ships.

## [Vespers reading for the Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste: Cyrion (or Quirio), Candidus, Domnus, Hesychius, Heraclus, Smaragdus, Eunocius (or Eunicus), Valens, Vivianus, Claudius, Prescus, Theodulus, Euthychius, John, Xantheas, Helianus, Sisinius, Angius, Aetius, Flavius, Acacius, Ecditius, Lysimachus, Alexander, Elias, Gorgonius, Theophilus, Dometian, Gaius, Leontius, Athanasius, Cyril, Sacerdon, Nicholas, Valerius, Philoctimon, Severian, Chudion, Aglaius, and Meliton (Wisdom of Solomon 3:1-9)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/09/5)

> But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and no torment will ever touch them. In the eyes of the foolish they seemed to have died, and their departure was thought to be affliction, and their going from us to be their destruction; but they are at peace. For though in the sight of men they were punished, their hope is full of immortality. Having been disciplined a little, they will receive great good, because God tested them and found them worthy of himself; like gold in the furnace he tried them, and like a sacrificial burnt offering he accepted them. In the time of their visitation they will shine forth, and will run like sparks through the stubble. They will govern nations and rule over peoples, and the Lord will reign over them for ever. Those who trust in him will understand truth, and the faithful will abide with him in love, because grace and mercy are upon his elect, and he watches over his holy ones.

## [Vespers reading for the Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste: Cyrion (or Quirio), Candidus, Domnus, Hesychius, Heraclus, Smaragdus, Eunocius (or Eunicus), Valens, Vivianus, Claudius, Prescus, Theodulus, Euthychius, John, Xantheas, Helianus, Sisinius, Angius, Aetius, Flavius, Acacius, Ecditius, Lysimachus, Alexander, Elias, Gorgonius, Theophilus, Dometian, Gaius, Leontius, Athanasius, Cyril, Sacerdon, Nicholas, Valerius, Philoctimon, Severian, Chudion, Aglaius, and Meliton (Wisdom of Solomon 5:15-6:3)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/09/6)

> But the righteous live for ever, and their reward is with the Lord; the Most High takes care of them. Therefore they will receive a glorious crown and a beautiful diadem from the hand of the Lord, because with his right hand he will cover them, and with his arm he will shield them. The Lord will take his zeal as his whole armor, and will arm all creation to repel his enemies; he will put on righteousness as a breastplate, and wear impartial justice as a helmet; he will take holiness as a invincible shield, and sharpen stern wrath for a sword, and creation will join with him to fight against the madmen. Shafts of lightning will fly with true aim, and will leap to the target as from a well-drawn bow of clouds, and hailstones full of wrath will be hurled as from a catapult; the water of the sea will rage against them, and rivers will relentlessly overwhelm them; a mighty wind will rise against them, and like a tempest it will winnow them away. Lawlessness will lay waste the whole earth, and evil-doing will overturn the thrones of rulers. Listen therefore, O kings, and understand; learn, O judges of the ends of the earth. Give ear, you that rule over multitudes, and boast of many nations. For your dominion was given you from the Lord, and your sovereignty from the Most High, who will search out your works and inquire into your plans.

## [Epistle reading for the Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste: Cyrion (or Quirio), Candidus, Domnus, Hesychius, Heraclus, Smaragdus, Eunocius (or Eunicus), Valens, Vivianus, Claudius, Prescus, Theodulus, Euthychius, John, Xantheas, Helianus, Sisinius, Angius, Aetius, Flavius, Acacius, Ecditius, Lysimachus, Alexander, Elias, Gorgonius, Theophilus, Dometian, Gaius, Leontius, Athanasius, Cyril, Sacerdon, Nicholas, Valerius, Philoctimon, Severian, Chudion, Aglaius, and Meliton (Hebrews 12:1-10)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/09/8)

> Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin. And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: “My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; for whom the LORD loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.” If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness.

## [Gospel reading for the Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste: Cyrion (or Quirio), Candidus, Domnus, Hesychius, Heraclus, Smaragdus, Eunocius (or Eunicus), Valens, Vivianus, Claudius, Prescus, Theodulus, Euthychius, John, Xantheas, Helianus, Sisinius, Angius, Aetius, Flavius, Acacius, Ecditius, Lysimachus, Alexander, Elias, Gorgonius, Theophilus, Dometian, Gaius, Leontius, Athanasius, Cyril, Sacerdon, Nicholas, Valerius, Philoctimon, Severian, Chudion, Aglaius, and Meliton (Matthew 20:1-16)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/09/9)

> For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. Now when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.’ So they went. Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did likewise. And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing idle, and said to them, ‘Why have you been standing here idle all day?’ They said to him, ‘Because no one hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right you will receive.’ So when evening had come, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, ‘Call the laborers and give them their wages, beginning with the last to the first.’ And when those came who were hired about the eleventh hour, they each received a denarius. But when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise received each a denarius. And when they had received it, they complained against the landowner, saying, ‘These last men have worked only one hour, and you made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the heat of the day.’ But he answered one of them and said, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what is yours and go your way. I wish to give to this last man the same as to you. Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good?’ So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen.’”

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Bible #Scripture #Orthodox #Orthostr #Biblestr

## [40 Holy Martyrs of Sebaste - 09 ...

2026-03-09T10:00:29Z

## [40 Holy Martyrs of Sebaste - 09 March](https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2026/03/09/100706-40-holy-martyrs-of-sebaste)

![40 Holy Martyrs of Sebaste]( )

🎶troparion🎶

(Podoben: “O citizen of the desert...”)Let us honor those noble soldiers of the Master of all,
for they were united by their faith as they passed through fire and water;
and being enlisted by Christ, they entered into divine refreshment.
Now those pious warriors stand and intercede with Christ God for those who cry out:
“Glory to Him Who strengthened you.
Glory to Him Who crowned you.
Glory to Him Who made you wondrous, O Forty Martyrs.”

🎶kontakion🎶

(Podoben: “When You fulfilled the dispensation for our sake...” - Ascension)Leaving all earthly armies,
you cleaved to the Master in Heaven, O Forty prize-winners of the Lord;
for passing through fire and water, O blessed Martyrs,
as is meet, you received glory from Heaven, and a multitude of crowns.

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Orthodox #Orthostr #Saint

## [Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God “of the Sign” - 08 ...

2026-03-08T20:00:29Z

## [Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God “of the Sign” - 08 March](https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2026/03/08/100705-kursk-root-icon-of-the-mother-of-god-of-the-sign)

![Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God “of the Sign”]( )

🎶troparion🎶

Having obtained you as an unassailable rampart and a source of miracles, O Most Pure Theotokos,
we your servants vanquish the assaults of enemies.
Therefore we entreat you: “Grant peace to your city, and great mercy to our souls.”

🎶kontakion🎶

We celebrate the appearance of your revered Icon of the Sign, O Theotokos, whereby you have granted your people a wondrous victory over the enemies of your city. Therefore, we cry to you with faith: “Rejoice, O Virgin, the boast of Christians.”

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Orthodox #Orthostr #Saint

# [Scripture Readings for Sunday, 08 March 2026 ...

2026-03-08T13:00:30Z

# [Scripture Readings for Sunday, 08 March 2026 (OCA)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/08)

## [Matins Gospel reading (Luke 24:36-53)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/08/1)

> Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, “Peace to you.” But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit. And He said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.” When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet. But while they still did not believe for joy, and marveled, He said to them, “Have you any food here?” So they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish and some honeycomb. And He took it and ate in their presence. Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures. Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things. Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.” And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven. And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen.

## [Epistle reading for Saint Gregory Palamas. (Hebrews 7:26-8:2)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/08/2)

> For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens; who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for his own sins and then for the people’s, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. For the law appoints as high priests men who have weakness, but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints the Son who has been perfected forever. Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a Minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle which the Lord erected, and not man.

## [Gospel reading for Saint Gregory Palamas. (John 10:9-16)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/08/3)

> I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.

## [Epistle reading for Second Sunday of Lent (Hebrews 1:10-2:3)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/08/4)

> And: “You, LORD, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. They will perish, but You remain; and they will all grow old like a garment; like a cloak You will fold them up, and they will be changed. But You are the same, and Your years will not fail.” But to which of the angels has He ever said: “Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool”? Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation? Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him,

## [Gospel reading for Second Sunday of Lent (Mark 2:1-12)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/08/5)

> And again He entered Capernaum after some days, and it was heard that He was in the house. Immediately many gathered together, so that there was no longer room to receive them, not even near the door. And He preached the word to them. Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men. And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.” And some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, “Why does this Man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” But immediately, when Jesus perceived in His spirit that they reasoned thus within themselves, He said to them, “Why do you reason about these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise, take up your bed and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins” – He said to the paralytic, “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all, so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Bible #Scripture #Orthodox #Orthostr #Biblestr

## [2nd Sunday of Great Lent: St Gregory Palamas - 08 ...

2026-03-08T10:00:29Z

## [2nd Sunday of Great Lent: St Gregory Palamas - 08 March](https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2026/03/08/12-2nd-sunday-of-great-lent-st-gregory-palamas)

![2nd Sunday of Great Lent: St Gregory Palamas]( )

🎶troparion🎶

O luminary of Orthodoxy, support and teacher of the Church,
ideal of monks and invincible
champion of theologians,
O wonderworker Gregory, boast of Thessalonika and herald of grace,
always intercede for all of us that our souls may be saved.

🎶kontakion🎶

Now is the time for action!
Judgment is at the doors!
So let us rise and fast,
offering alms with tears of compunction and crying:
“Our sins are more numerous than the sands of the sea;
but forgive us, O Master of All,
so that we may receive the incorruptible crowns.”

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Orthodox #Orthostr #Saint

## [The Holy Hieromartyrs of Cherson: Basil, Ephraim, Capito, ...

2026-03-07T21:00:29Z

## [The Holy Hieromartyrs of Cherson: Basil, Ephraim, Capito, Eugene, Aetherius, Elpidius, and Agathodorus - 07 March](https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2026/03/07/100685-the-holy-hieromartyrs-of-cherson-basil-ephraim-capito-eugene-aet)

![The Holy Hieromartyrs of Cherson: Basil, Ephraim, Capito, Eugene, Aetherius, Elpidius, and Agathodorus]( )

🎶troparion🎶

Since You have given us the miracles of Your Holy Hieromartyrs of Cherson as an invincible rampart,
foil the machinations of the ungodly, O Christ our God,
and strengthen the faith of the Orthodox Christians,
for You are good and love mankind.

🎶kontakion🎶

The radiant day of the hierarchs and pastors in Cherson has dawned!
Let us sing hymns for the feast of those who suffered for the sheep of Christ!
Hieromartyrs, entreat Christ, the chief Shepherd, that He may number us with the sheep on His right hand,
so that we may cry aloud to you:
Rejoice, holy fathers, for you shed your blood for Christ!

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Orthodox #Orthostr #Saint

# [Scripture Readings for Saturday, 07 March 2026 ...

2026-03-07T14:00:30Z

# [Scripture Readings for Saturday, 07 March 2026 (OCA)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/07)

## [Epistle reading for Departed (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/07/1)

> But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.

## [Gospel reading for Departed (John 5:24-30)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/07/2)

> Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man. Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth – those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation. I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.

## [Epistle reading for Second Saturday of Lent (Hebrews 3:12-16)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/07/3)

> Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end, while it is said: “Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.” For who, having heard, rebelled? Indeed, was it not all who came out of Egypt, led by Moses?

## [Gospel reading for Second Saturday of Lent (Mark 1:35-44)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/03/07/4)

> Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed. And Simon and those who were with Him searched for Him. When they found Him, they said to Him, “Everyone is looking for You.” But He said to them, “Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because for this purpose I have come forth.” And He was preaching in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and casting out demons. Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.” As soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed. And He strictly warned him and sent him away at once, and said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing those things which Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Bible #Scripture #Orthodox #Orthostr #Biblestr

## [2nd Saturday of Great Lent: Memorial Saturday - 07 ...

2026-03-07T11:00:29Z

## [2nd Saturday of Great Lent: Memorial Saturday - 07 March](https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2026/03/07/11-2nd-saturday-of-great-lent-memorial-saturday)

🎶troparion🎶

Only Creator, with wisdom profound, You mercifully order all things,
and give that which is needed to all men:
Give rest, O Lord, to the souls of Your servants who have fallen asleep,
for they have placed their trust in You, our Maker and Fashioner, and our God.

🎶kontakion🎶

With the saints give rest, O Christ, to the souls of Your servants,
where there is neither sickness nor sorrow, and no more sighing,
but life everlasting.

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Orthodox #Orthostr #Saint

## [Venerable Arcadius of Cyprus - 06 ...

2026-03-07T02:55:56Z

## [Venerable Arcadius of Cyprus - 06 March](https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2026/03/06/100683-venerable-arcadius-of-cyprus)

🎶troparion🎶

By a flood of tears you made the desert fertile,
and your longing for God brought forth fruits in abundance.
By the radiance of miracles you illumined the whole universe!
O our holy father Arcadius, pray to Christ our God to save our souls!

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Orthodox #Orthostr #Saint

## [Saints Asclepius and James of Syria - 27 ...

2026-02-27T21:00:55Z

## [Saints Asclepius and James of Syria - 27 February](https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2026/02/27/109062-saints-asclepius-and-james-of-syria)

![Saints Asclepius and James of Syria]( )

🎶troparion🎶

By a flood of tears you made the desert fertile,
and your longing for God brought forth fruits in abundance.
By the radiance of miracles you illumined the whole universe!
O our holy fathers Asclepius and James, pray to Christ our God to save our souls!

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Orthodox #Orthostr #Saint

# [Scripture Readings for Friday, 27 February 2026 ...

2026-02-27T14:00:58Z

# [Scripture Readings for Friday, 27 February 2026 (OCA)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/02/27)

## [6th Hour reading for Friday of the First Week of Lent (Isaiah 3:1-15)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/02/27/1)

> For behold, the Lord, the Lord of hosts, takes away from Jerusalem and from Judah the stock and the store, the whole supply of bread and the whole supply of water; the mighty man and the man of war, the judge and the prophet, and the diviner and the elder; the captain of fifty and the honorable man, the counselor and the skillful artisan, and the expert enchanter. “I will give children to be their princes, and babes shall rule over them. The people will be oppressed, every one by another and every one by his neighbor; the child will be insolent toward the elder, and the base toward the honorable.” When a man takes hold of his brother in the house of his father, saying, “You have clothing; you be our ruler, and let these ruins be under your power,” in that day he will protest, saying, “I cannot cure your ills, for in my house is neither food nor clothing; do not make me a ruler of the people.” For Jerusalem stumbled, and Judah is fallen, because their tongue and their doings are against the Lord, to provoke the eyes of His glory. The look on their countenance witnesses against them, and they declare their sin as Sodom; they do not hide it. Woe to their soul! For they have brought evil upon themselves. “Say to the righteous that it shall be well with them, for they shall eat the fruit of their doings. Woe to the wicked! It shall be ill with him, for the reward of his hands shall be given him. As for My people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O My people! Those who lead you cause you to err, and destroy the way of your paths.” The Lord stands up to plead, and stands to judge the people. The Lord will enter into judgment with the elders of His people and His princes: “For you have eaten up the vineyard; the plunder of the poor is in your houses. What do you mean by crushing My people and grinding the faces of the poor?” says the Lord God of hosts.

## [Vespers reading for Friday of the First Week of Lent (Genesis 2:20-3:20)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/02/27/2)

> So Adam gave names to all cattle, to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper comparable to him. And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man. And Adam said: “This is now bone of my bones And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man.” Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed. Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?” And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; “but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.’” Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. “For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings. And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, “Where are you?” So he said, “I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.” And He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat?” Then the man said, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate.” And the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” So the Lord God said to the serpent: “Because you have done this, you are cursed more than all cattle, and more than every beast of the field; on your belly you shall go, and you shall eat dust all the days of your life. And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.” To the woman He said: “I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception; in pain you shall bring forth children; your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you.” Then to Adam He said, “Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat of it’: “Cursed is the ground for your sake; in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life. Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you, and you shall eat the herb of the field. In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread till you return to the ground. For out of it you were taken; for dust you are, and to dust you shall return.” And Adam called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all living.

## [Vespers reading for Friday of the First Week of Lent (Proverbs 3:19-34)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/02/27/3)

> The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding He established the heavens; by His knowledge the depths were broken up, and clouds drop down the dew. My son, let them not depart from your eyes – keep sound wisdom and discretion; So they will be life to your soul and grace to your neck. Then you will walk safely in your way, and your foot will not stumble. When you lie down, you will not be afraid; yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet. Do not be afraid of sudden terror, nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes; For the Lord will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being caught. Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do so. Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come back, and tomorrow I will give it,” when you have it with you. Do not devise evil against your neighbor, for he dwells by you for safety’s sake. Do not strive with a man without cause, if he has done you no harm. Do not envy the oppressor, and choose none of his ways; for the perverse person is an abomination to the Lord, but His secret counsel is with the upright. The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked, but He blesses the home of the just. Surely He scorns the scornful, but gives grace to the humble.

## [Vespers reading for the Repose of Saint Raphael, Bishop of Brooklyn (Composite 2 - Proverbs 10, 3, 8)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/02/27/4)

> The memory of the righteous is with praise and the blessing of the Lord is upon his head. Blessed is the man who has found wisdom and the mortal who has understanding. For it is better to purchase her than treasuries of gold and silver. She is more precious than precious stones and all that is precious is unworthy of her. For length of days and years of life are in her right hand; and in her left hand are riches and glory. Out of her mouth proceeds righteousness and she bears law and mercy upon her tongue. Hear me, O child, for I will speak noble things. Blessed is the man who keeps my ways, for my ways are the ways of life, and in them is prepared favor from the Lord. Therefore, I pray thee, and utter my voice to the sons of men: For I, wisdom, have dwelt with counsel and knowledge and I have called upon understanding. Counsel and safety are mine, understanding and strength are mine. I love those who love me and those seeking me shall find grace. Understand craftiness, O you who are simple, and imbibe knowledge, you who are untaught. Hear me again, for I will speak noble things: I will open my mouth and from my lips shall come what is right. For my throat shall meditate truth; false lips are an abomination before me. All the words of my mouth are righteous; there is nothing in them that is twisted or perverse. They are all straight to him who understands and right to those who find knowledge. I shall instruct you in truth, so that your hope will be in the Lord and you shall be filled with the Spirit.

## [Vespers reading for the Repose of Saint Raphael, Bishop of Brooklyn (Proverbs 10:31-11:12)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/02/27/5)

> The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut out. The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked what is perverse. Dishonest scales are an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is His delight. When pride comes, then comes shame; but with the humble is wisdom. The integrity of the upright will guide them, but the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them. Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death. The righteousness of the blameless will direct his way aright, but the wicked will fall by his own wickedness. The righteousness of the upright will deliver them, but the unfaithful will be caught by their lust. When a wicked man dies, his expectation will perish, and the hope of the unjust perishes. The righteous is delivered from trouble, and it comes to the wicked instead. The hypocrite with his mouth destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous will be delivered. When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices; and when the wicked perish, there is jubilation. By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted, but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked. He who is devoid of wisdom despises his neighbor, but a man of understanding holds his peace.

## [Vespers reading for the Repose of Saint Raphael, Bishop of Brooklyn (Wisdom of Solomon 4:7-15)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/02/27/6)

> But the righteous man, though he die early, will be at rest. For old age is not honored for length of time, nor measured by number of years; but understanding is gray hair for men, and a blameless life is ripe old age. There was one who pleased God and was loved by him, He was caught up lest evil change his understanding or guile deceive his soul. For the fascination of wickedness obscures what is good, and roving desire perverts the innocent mind. Being perfected in a short time, he fulfilled long years; for his soul was pleasing to the Lord, therefore he took him quickly from the midst of wickedness. Yet the peoples saw and did not understand, nor take such a thing to heart, that God’s grace and mercy are with his elect, and he watches over his holy ones.

## [Epistle reading for the Repose of Saint Raphael, Bishop of Brooklyn (Hebrews 13:17-21)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/02/27/8)

> Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you. Pray for us; for we are confident that we have a good conscience, in all things desiring to live honorably. But I especially urge you to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner. Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

## [Gospel reading for the Repose of Saint Raphael, Bishop of Brooklyn (John 10:9-16)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/02/27/9)

> I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Bible #Scripture #Orthodox #Orthostr #Biblestr

## [Repose of Saint Raphael, Bishop of Brooklyn - 27 ...

2026-02-27T11:00:55Z

## [Repose of Saint Raphael, Bishop of Brooklyn - 27 February](https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2026/02/27/100610-repose-of-saint-raphael-bishop-of-brooklyn)

![Repose of Saint Raphael, Bishop of Brooklyn]( )

🎶troparion🎶

Your proclamation has gone forth throughout North America,
calling the scattered sheep into the unity of the church.
hearing your voice, they responded to your teaching,
and through your writings you instructed them in piety.
Now guided by your example, O Father Raphael,
we sing hymns of praise unto Christ our God.
Glory to Him Who gave you strength!
Glory to Him Who granted you a crown!
Glory to Him Who, through you, grants healing to all!

🎶kontakion🎶

You were a guardian and a defender of the Church’s teaching;
you protected your flock from false doctrines and confirmed them in the true faith.
O holy father Raphael, son of Syria and glory of North America,
always intercede before the Lord that our souls may be saved.

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Orthodox #Orthostr #Saint

## [New Martyr John Kalphes, the Apprentice - 26 ...

2026-02-26T21:00:55Z

## [New Martyr John Kalphes, the Apprentice - 26 February](https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2026/02/26/109061-new-martyr-john-kalphes-the-apprentice)

🎶troparion🎶

Your holy martyr John, O Lord,
through his suffering has received an incorruptible crown from You, our God.
For having Your strength, he laid low his adversaries,
and shattered the powerless boldness of demons.
Through his intercessions, save our souls!

🎶kontakion🎶

(Podoben: “You sought the heights...”)You appeared as a bright star announcing Christ with your radiance,
which is repulsive to this world, O Martyr John;
extinguishing the allure of false gods,
you enlighten the faithful,
always interceding for us all.

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Orthodox #Orthostr #Saint

# [Scripture Readings for Thursday, 26 February 2026 ...

2026-02-26T14:00:05Z

# [Scripture Readings for Thursday, 26 February 2026 (OCA)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/02/26)

## [6th Hour reading for Thursday of the First Week of Lent (Isaiah 2:11-21)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/02/26/1)

> The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day. For the day of the Lord of hosts shall come upon everything proud and lofty, upon everything lifted up – and it shall be brought low – upon all the cedars of Lebanon that are high and lifted up, and upon all the oaks of Bashan; upon all the high mountains, and upon all the hills that are lifted up; upon every high tower, and upon every fortified wall; upon all the ships of Tarshish, and upon all the beautiful sloops. The loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be brought low; the Lord alone will be exalted in that day, but the idols He shall utterly abolish. They shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, from the terror of the Lord and the glory of His majesty, when He arises to shake the earth mightily. In that day a man will cast away his idols of silver and his idols of gold, which they made, each for himself to worship, to the moles and bats, to go into the clefts of the rocks, and into the crags of the rugged rocks, from the terror of the Lord and the glory of His majesty, when He arises to shake the earth mightily.

## [Vespers reading for Thursday of the First Week of Lent (Genesis 2:4-19)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/02/26/2)

> This is the history of the heavens and the earth when they were created, in the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens, before any plant of the field was in the earth and before any herb of the field had grown. For the Lord God had not caused it to rain on the earth, and there was no man to till the ground; but a mist went up from the earth and watered the whole face of the ground. And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being. The Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there He put the man whom He had formed. And out of the ground the Lord God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Now a river went out of Eden to water the garden, and from there it parted and became four riverheads. The name of the first is Pishon; it is the one which skirts the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold. And the gold of that land is good. Bdellium and the onyx stone are there. The name of the second river is Gihon; it is the one which goes around the whole land of Cush. The name of the third river is Hiddekel; it is the one which goes toward the east of Assyria. The fourth river is the Euphrates. Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it. And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; “but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” And the Lord God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.” Out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name.

## [Vespers reading for Thursday of the First Week of Lent (Proverbs 3:1-18)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/02/26/3)

> My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commands; for length of days and long life and peace they will add to you. Let not mercy and truth forsake you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart, and so find favor and high esteem in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones. Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine. My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor detest His correction; for whom the Lord loves He corrects, just as a father the son in whom he delights. Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding; for her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, and her gain than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies, and all the things you may desire cannot compare with her. Length of days is in her right hand, in her left hand riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy are all who retain her.

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Bible #Scripture #Orthodox #Orthostr #Biblestr

## [Saint Porphyrius, Bishop of Gaza - 26 ...

2026-02-26T11:00:56Z

## [Saint Porphyrius, Bishop of Gaza - 26 February](https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2026/02/26/100606-saint-porphyrius-bishop-of-gaza)

![Saint Porphyrius, Bishop of Gaza]( )

🎶troparion🎶

Who can tell of your labors and illnesses leading to godly devotion, O Father?
For you labored incessantly day and night, cleansing Gaza of its wickedness,
and planting piety;
therefore, as the protector of your flock, O Porphyrios,
entreat Christ God for the salvation of our souls.

🎶kontakion🎶

[Podoben: “With the streams of your blood...” (See the Kontakion for the Great Martyr Demetrios)]Adorned with a most holy disposition,
you were resplendent in the vesture of the priesthood, O most blessed and godly-minded Porphyrios,
and you are renowned for your miracles of healing,
ceaselessly interceding for all of us.

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Orthodox #Orthostr #Saint

# [Scripture Readings for Wednesday, 25 February 2026 ...

2026-02-25T14:00:56Z

# [Scripture Readings for Wednesday, 25 February 2026 (OCA)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/02/25)

## [6th Hour reading for Wednesday of the First Week of Lent (Isaiah 2:3-11)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/02/25/1)

> Many people shall come and say, “Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations, and rebuke many people; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore. O house of Jacob, come and let us walk in the light of the Lord. For You have forsaken Your people, the house of Jacob, because they are filled with eastern ways; they are soothsayers like the Philistines, and they are pleased with the children of foreigners. Their land is also full of silver and gold, and there is no end to their treasures; their land is also full of horses, and there is no end to their chariots. Their land is also full of idols; they worship the work of their own hands, that which their own fingers have made. People bow down, and each man humbles himself; therefore do not forgive them. Enter into the rock, and hide in the dust, from the terror of the Lord and the glory of His majesty. The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day.

## [Vespers reading for Wednesday of the First Week of Lent (Genesis 1:24-2:3)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/02/25/2)

> Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth the living creature according to its kind: cattle and creeping thing and beast of the earth, each according to its kind”; and it was so. And God made the beast of the earth according to its kind, cattle according to its kind, and everything that creeps on the earth according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” And God said, “See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food. “Also, to every beast of the earth, to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, in which there is life, I have given every green herb for food”; and it was so. Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. So the evening and the morning were the sixth day. Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them, were finished. And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.

## [Vespers reading for Wednesday of the First Week of Lent (Proverbs 2:1-22)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/02/25/3)

> My son, if you receive my words, and treasure my commands within you, so that you incline your ear to wisdom, and apply your heart to understanding; yes, if you cry out for discernment, and lift up your voice for understanding, if you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; then you will understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk uprightly; he guards the paths of justice, and preserves the way of His saints. Then you will understand righteousness and justice, equity and every good path. When wisdom enters your heart, and knowledge is pleasant to your soul, discretion will preserve you; understanding will keep you, to deliver you from the way of evil, from the man who speaks perverse things, from those who leave the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness; who rejoice in doing evil, and delight in the perversity of the wicked; whose ways are crooked, and who are devious in their paths; to deliver you from the immoral woman, from the seductress who flatters with her words, who forsakes the companion of her youth, and forgets the covenant of her God. For her house leads down to death, and her paths to the dead; none who go to her return, nor do they regain the paths of life – so you may walk in the way of goodness, and keep to the paths of righteousness. For the upright will dwell in the land, and the blameless will remain in it; but the wicked will be cut off from the earth, and the unfaithful will be uprooted from it.

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Bible #Scripture #Orthodox #Orthostr #Biblestr

## [Saint Tarasius, Archbishop of Constantinople - 25 ...

2026-02-25T11:00:55Z

## [Saint Tarasius, Archbishop of Constantinople - 25 February](https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2026/02/25/100605-saint-tarasius-archbishop-of-constantinople)

![Saint Tarasius, Archbishop of Constantinople]( )

🎶troparion🎶

You shone forth as a light of the Spirit,
adorned with an exemplary life and clothed in hierarchical vesture.
You stilled the turbulence of heresy
and became a pillar and foundation of the Church,
which praises your struggles, holy Father Tarasius.

🎶kontakion🎶

You illumined the Church with Orthodox doctrine
and taught all to venerate and honor the precious image of Christ.
You vanquished the godless doctrine of the iconoclasts.
Therefore we cry to you:
“Rejoice, wise Father Tarasius.”

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Orthodox #Orthostr #Saint

## [Venerable Erasmus of the Kiev Near Caves - 24 ...

2026-02-24T21:00:55Z

## [Venerable Erasmus of the Kiev Near Caves - 24 February](https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2026/02/24/100604-venerable-erasmus-of-the-kiev-near-caves)

![Venerable Erasmus of the Kiev Near Caves]( )

🎶troparion🎶

By a flood of tears you made the desert fertile,
and your longing for God brought forth fruits in abundance.
By the radiance of miracles you illumined the whole universe!
O our holy father Erasmus, pray to Christ our God to save our souls!

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Orthodox #Orthostr #Saint

# [Scripture Readings for Tuesday, 24 February 2026 ...

2026-02-24T14:00:58Z

# [Scripture Readings for Tuesday, 24 February 2026 (OCA)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/02/24)

## [6th Hour reading for Tuesday of the First Week of Lent (Isaiah 1:19-2:4)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/02/24/1)

> If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword”; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken. How the faithful city has become a harlot! It was full of justice; righteousness lodged in it, but now murderers. Your silver has become dross, your wine mixed with water. Your princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves; everyone loves bribes, and follows after rewards. They do not defend the fatherless, nor does the cause of the widow come before them. Therefore the Lord says, the Lord of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel, “Ah, I will rid Myself of My adversaries, and take vengeance on My enemies. I will turn My hand against you, and thoroughly purge away your dross, and take away all your alloy. I will restore your judges as at the first, and your counselors as at the beginning. Afterward you shall be called the city of righteousness, the faithful city.” Zion shall be redeemed with justice, and her penitents with righteousness. The destruction of transgressors and of sinners shall be together, and those who forsake the Lord shall be consumed. For they shall be ashamed of the terebinth trees which you have desired; and you shall be embarrassed because of the gardens which you have chosen. For you shall be as a terebinth whose leaf fades, and as a garden that has no water. The strong shall be as tinder, and the work of it as a spark; both will burn together, and no one shall quench them. The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. Now it shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow to it. Many people shall come and say, “Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations, and rebuke many people; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.

## [Vespers reading for Tuesday of the First Week of Lent (Genesis 1:14-23)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/02/24/2)

> Then God said, “Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years; “and let them be for lights in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth”; and it was so. Then God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He made the stars also. God set them in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth, and to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. So the evening and the morning were the fourth day. Then God said, “Let the waters abound with an abundance of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the face of the firmament of the heavens.” So God created great sea creatures and every living thing that moves, with which the waters abounded, according to their kind, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. And God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” So the evening and the morning were the fifth day.

## [Vespers reading for Tuesday of the First Week of Lent (Proverbs 1:20-33)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/02/24/3)

> Wisdom calls aloud outside; she raises her voice in the open squares. She cries out in the chief concourses, at the openings of the gates in the city she speaks her words: “How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? For scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge. Turn at my rebuke; surely I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you. Because I have called and you refused, I have stretched out my hand and no one regarded, Because you disdained all my counsel, and would have none of my rebuke, I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your terror comes, when your terror comes like a storm, and your destruction comes like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you. “Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently, but they will not find me. Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord, they would have none of my counsel and despised my every rebuke. Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way, and be filled to the full with their own fancies. For the turning away of the simple will slay them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; but whoever listens to me will dwell safely, and will be secure, without fear of evil.”

## [Vespers reading for the First (4th c.) and Second (452) Finding of the Honorable Head of the Holy Glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord, John (Composite 8 - Isaiah 40, 41, 45, 48, 54)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/02/24/4)

> Thus saith the Lord: “Comfort, comfort My people,” says God. “Speak to the heart of Jerusalem, you Priests, comfort her, for her humiliation is increased, her iniquity is pardoned; for she has received from the Lord’s hand double for her sins. The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make straight the paths of our God.’ “Go up to a high mountain, you who are proclaiming glad tidings to Zion, lift up your voice with strength, O herald of good tidings to Jerusalem. Lift it up, fear not! I the Lord God, I have heard the poor of Israel and will not forsake them. I will open rivers on the mountains, and fountains in the midst of the valleys; I will make the deserts pools of water, and the thirsty land springs of water. Let the heavens rejoice from above, and let the clouds rain down righteousness; let the earth bring forth, and let it sprout forth mercy and cause righteousness to shine forth also. “Declare this with a shout of joy, and let this be known, proclaim it to the end of the earth. Say, ‘The Lord hath redeemed His servant Jacob!’ And if they thirst, he shall lead them through the desert, He shall bring forth water for them out of the rock. Rejoice, O barren one who did not bear; break forth into singing and cry loud, you who have not been in travail! For more are the children of the desolate one than of her who has a husband.”

## [Vespers reading for the First (4th c.) and Second (452) Finding of the Honorable Head of the Holy Glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord, John (Composite 9 - Malachi 3, 4)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/02/24/5)

> Thus saith the Lord Almighty: “Behold, I send My messenger before Thy face, who shall prepare Thy way before Thee, and the Lord whom ye seek, shall come into His temple. But who can endure the day of His coming? For He is coming like the fire of a furnace and like the fuller’s herb; and He shall cleanse, refining and purifying, as it were, silver and gold. And He comes to you with judgment, and will be a swift witness against the evil ones and against adulterers, and against those who swear falsely by My name, against those who withhold the hireling’s wages, against those who oppress widows and beat orphans, against those who avoid judgment in favor of strangers, and against those who do not fear him,” saith the Lord Almighty. “For I am the Lord your God, and I change not; and you, the sons of Jacob, have turned aside from the law and have not kept it. Return to Me, therefore, and I will return to you,” saith the Lord Almighty. “And all nations shall call you blessed, and they shall understand that I am the Lord, who distinguishes between the righteous and between the transgressors on that day, in which I shall act to spare those who love Me. “Know, therefore, and remember the Law of Moses, My servant, as I commanded you at Horeb, the statutes and ordinances for all Israel. And behold, I will send to you Elijah the Tishbite before the great and glorious day of the Lord comes, who shall turn the heart of a father to his son, and the heart of a man to his neighbor, lest I come quickly and smite the earth,” saith the Lord Almighty, God, the Holy One of Israel.

## [Vespers reading for the First (4th c.) and Second (452) Finding of the Honorable Head of the Holy Glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord, John (Composite 3 - Wisdom of Solomon 4, 5)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/02/24/6)

> The righteous man, though he die early, will be at rest. The righteous man who has died will judge the ungodly who are living. For they will see the end of the righteous, and will not understand what was said about him; for the Lord will cast down the ungodly speechless to the ground and shake them from the foundations; they shall become desolate to the end; they will be in sorrows, and their memory will perish. For they will come with fear at the thought of their sins, and their iniquities shall stand against them to convict them. Then the righteous man will stand with great boldness before those who have afflicted him, and those who have made of no account his labors. Having seen it, they shall be troubled with much fear and they will be amazed at his most-glorious salvation. They will say within themselves in repentance, in anguish of spirit they will groan and say: “This was he whom we had sometimes in derision and a proverb of reproach – we fools! We accounted his life as madness, and his end to be without honor. How is he numbered among the sons of God? And why is his lot among the Saints? “Therefore, we have erred from the way of truth, and the light of righteousness did not illumine us, nor did the sun shine on us. We took our fill of the paths of lawlessness and destruction, and we walked impassable pathways, but the way of the Lord we have not known.”

## [Epistle reading for the First (4th c.) and Second (452) Finding of the Honorable Head of the Holy Glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord, John (2 Corinthians 4:6-15)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/02/24/8)

> For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed – always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So then death is working in us, but life in you. And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak, knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.

## [Gospel reading for the First (4th c.) and Second (452) Finding of the Honorable Head of the Holy Glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord, John (Matthew 11:2-15)](oca.org/readings/daily/2026/02/24/9)

> And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples and said to Him, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.” As they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet. For this is he of whom it is written: ‘Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your way before You.’ Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Bible #Scripture #Orthodox #Orthostr #Biblestr

## [First and second finding of the Honorable Head of the Holy ...

2026-02-24T11:00:55Z

## [First and second finding of the Honorable Head of the Holy Glorious Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptist of the Lord, John - 24 February](https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2026/02/24/100603-first-and-second-finding-of-the-honorable-head-of-the-holy-glori)

![First and second finding of the Honorable Head of the Holy Glorious Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptist of the Lord, John]( )

🎶troparion🎶

The head of the Forerunner rose from the earth as a star,
brilliant with rays of healing and immortality.
It gathers the choirs of angels in heaven,
and assembles the human race on earth
to sing with one voice the glory of Christ our God.

🎶kontakion🎶

O Prophet of God and Forerunner of Grace,
your head has blossomed from the earth as a sacred rose.
We are ever being healed,
for as of old, You preach repentance to the world.

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Orthodox #Orthostr #Saint

## [Venerable Damian, Ascetic of the Syrian Deserts - 23 ...

2026-02-23T21:00:55Z

## [Venerable Damian, Ascetic of the Syrian Deserts - 23 February](https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2026/02/23/100598-venerable-damian-ascetic-of-the-syrian-deserts)

![Venerable Damian, Ascetic of the Syrian Deserts]( )

🎶troparion🎶

By a flood of tears you made the desert fertile,
and your longing for God brought forth fruits in abundance.
By the radiance of miracles you illumined the whole universe!
O our holy father Damian, pray to Christ our God to save our souls!

#Christian #OrthodoxChristian #Orthodox #Orthostr #Saint