Liturgical Texts
Here you will find the links to texts for various liturgical services.
Fifth Sunday of Great Lent
Commemoration of our Righteous Mother Mary of Egypt
Hieromartyr Januarios, bishop of Benevento & companions;
Martyr Alexandra the Queen & companions
Synaxarion
On April 21 in the Holy Orthodox Church, we commemorate the Hieromartyr Januarios, bishop of Benevento, and his companions; and the Martyr Alexandra the Queen and her companions. On this same day, the Fifth Sunday of Great Lent, it was ordained that we make remembrance of our Godly Mother Mary of Egypt.
Verses
Spirit rose up, flesh melted away erewhile; hide, O earth, the worn bones of Mary’s body.
Once, during the Honorable Fast, the priest-monk Zosimus withdrew into the wilderness. He caught sight of a withered woman named Mary; her hair was white as snow. Mary then told Zosimus that she was born in Egypt and at the age of 12 began to live a life of debauchery in Alexandria for 17 years. One day, she went to Jerusalem to enter the church to venerate the Honorable Cross. However, some invisible force restrained her. In great fear, she gazed upon the icon of the Theotokos in the vestibule and prayed that she be allowed to enter the church, all the while confessing her sinfulness. She was then permitted to enter the church. Having venerated the Cross she again entered the vestibule and, before the icon, gave thanks to the Mother of God. At that very moment she heard a voice saying: “If you cross the Jordan, you will find glorious rest!” Mary left for the wilderness and remained there for 47 years in repentance. She bade Zosimus to come back in one year with Holy Communion, which he did. The following year, on Holy Thursday, April 1, 522, Zosimus discovered Mary’s lifeless body, and buried her. Thus, the Lord glorifies penitent sinners. The Church exalts and exemplifies Mary to the faithful in Great Lent as an incentive for repentance that brings entry into the Heavenly Kingdom.
Through her intercessions, O Christ God, have mercy upon us. Amen
Please visit the Antiochian Archdiocese Website for Up-To-Date Texts of Services, and Choose the Specific Date on the Calendar.
