2024

On Sunday | March 24

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The Readings from the Regular Cycle

The Epistle

First Sunday of Lent

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

Heb. 11:24-26, 32-40

Brethren, by faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to share ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered abuse suffered for the Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he looked to the reward. And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets — who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign enemies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were killed with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated — of whom the world was not worthy — wandering over deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had foreseen something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect. [RSV]

The Gospel

First Sunday of Lent

The reading is from the holy Gospel according to John.

Jn. 1:43–51

At that time, Jesus decided to go to Galilee. And he found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael, and he said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!” Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the son of God! You are the King of Israel!” Jesus answered him, “Because I said to you, I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You shall see greater things than these.” And he said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.” [RSV]

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Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On March 24 the Forefeast of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos, and we commemorate our devout father Artemis, Bishop of Seleucia in Pisidia.

On this day we commemorate the holy priest-martyr Artemon, Presbyter of Laodicea.

On this day the devout Zachariah reposed in peace.

On this day the holy eight martyrs from Caesarea in Palestine died by the sword.

On this day the devout Martin of Thebes reposed in peace.

The holy new priest-martyr Parthenios, Patriarch of Constantinople, died by hanging in Constantinople in the year 1657.

From the Triodion.

On this day, the first Sunday of Lent, we commemorate the restoration of the holy and venerable icons enacted by the ever-memorable Emperors of Constantinople, Michael and his mother Theodora, during the patriarchate of Saint Methodius the Confessor.

Verses

I rejoice as I see now venerated correctly

The Icons that once had been banned incorrectly.

O unaltered Image of the Father, by the intercessions of your holy Confessors, have mercy on us. Amen.

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Fasting Rule

Wine: Wine and oil are allowed. Refrain from meat, fish, dairy, and eggs.

It is Saturday or Sunday in Lent.