2024

On Sunday | March 17

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The Readings from the Regular Cycle

The Epistle

Cheesefare Sunday

The reading is from Paul’s Letter to the Romans.

Rom. 13:11-14; 14:1-4

Brethren, salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed; the night is far gone, the day is at hand. Let us then cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us conduct ourselves becomingly as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. As for the man who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not for disputes over opinions. One believes he may eat anything, while the weak man eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him who abstains, and let not him who abstains pass judgment on him who eats; for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for God is able to make him stand. [RSV]

The Gospel

Cheesefare Sunday

The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Matthew.

Mt. 6:14–21

The Lord said, “If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” [RSV]

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Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On March 17 we commemorate our devout father Alexios the man of God.

On this day we commemorate the fearful threat of earthquake which our humane Lord brought upon us in his benevolence, and from which He delivered us in a manner beyond hope; the threat came during the reign of the emperor Constantine.

On this day the holy martyr Paul died by fire for the sake of the holy icons.

On this day devout St. Theosterictos the confessor reposed in peace.

From the Triodion.

On this day, we remember the expulsion of the first-formed Adam from the Garden of Eden.

Verses

Let the world now bitterly mourn with Eve and Adam,

for it fell together with them who fell by sweet eating.

By Your ineffable compassion, O Christ our God, make us worthy of the delights of Paradise and have mercy, as our only benevolent Lord. Amen.

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Fasting Rule

Dairy: Dairy, eggs, fish, oil and wine are allowed. Refrain from meat.

It is the third week of the Triodion.