Scripture Readings

• Isaiah 1:1-20
• Genesis 1:1-13
• Proverbs 1:1-20
• Isaiah 43:9-14
• Wisdom of Solomon 3:1-9
• Wisdom of Solomon 5:15-6:3
• Luke 21:12-19
• Hebrews 12:1-10
• Matthew 20:1-16

Today’s commemorated feasts and saints

Beginning of the Great Fast. 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 (ca. 320). Martyr Urpasianus, of Nicomedia (ca. 295). St. Cæsarius, brother of St. Gregory the Theologian (ca. 369). Righteous Tarasius. The “ALBAZIN” Icon of the Mother of God (“THE WORD WAS MADE FLESH”—1666). Venerable Vitalius of Castronovo (10th c.).