2024

On Sunday | March 31

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The Readings from the Regular Cycle

The Epistle

Second Sunday of Lent

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

Heb. 1:10-14; 2:1-3

“In the beginning, Lord, you founded the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands; they will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like clothing; like a cloak you will roll them up, and like clothing they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will never end.” But to what angel has he ever said, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”? Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to serve, for the sake of those who are to obtain salvation? Therefore we must pay closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For if the message declared by angels was valid and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard him. [RSV]

The Gospel

Second Sunday of Lent

The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Mark.

Mk. 2:1–12

At that time, Jesus entered Capernaum and it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room for them, not even about the door; and he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and when they had made an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “My son, your sins are forgiven.” Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, “Why does this man speak thus? It is a blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you question thus in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your pallet and walk? But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins” – he said to the paralytic – “I say to you, rise, take up your pallet and go home.” And he rose, and immediately took up the pallet and went out before them all; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!” [RSV]

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Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On March 31 was the contest of the holy hieromartyr Hypatios, Bishop of Gangra.

On this day we also commemorate our devout father Akakios the Confessor, Bishop of Melitine.

On this day we also commemorate the holy martyrs who witnessed in Persia: Audas the bishop, Benjamin the deacon, and nine other martyrs with them, and many other Saints who were imprisoned, and were eaten alive by mice and weasels enclosed with them.

The holy martyr Menandros reposed after being dragged naked over stones.

The holy thirty-eight martyrs who were relatives died by the sword.

Our devout father Blaise, who was born in Amorion, reposed in peace.

Our devout father Stephen the wonderworker reposed in peace.

From the Triodion.

On this day, the second Sunday of Lent, we observe the memory of our Father among the Saints Gregory Palamas, Archbishop of Thessalonica.

Verses

The mind truly great and the Light’s bright herald

Is led by light’s Source to radiance never-setting.

By his intercessions, O God, have mercy on us and save 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.