Liturgical Texts
Here you will find the links to texts for various liturgical services.
February 08, 2026
Sunday of the Prodigal Son &
Afterfeast of the Presentation (Meeting) of Christ
SYNAXARION
On February 8 in the Holy Orthodox Church, we commemorate the Great-martyr Theodore the General (‘Stratelates’); and the Prophet Zachariah.
On the Sunday which falls during the After-feast of the Presentation (Meeting) of our Lord, we commemorate the Holy and Righteous Mothers of the Three Hierarchs: Emmelia (Basil the Great), Nona (Gregory the Theologian) and Anthousa (John Chrysostom).
On this day, we make remembrance of the Parable of the Prodigal Son, which occurs in the noble Gospel and which our deified Fathers reinstituted in the Triodion.
Verses
O thou who art like me, a prodigal, come forward with confidence and tranquility;
For unto all has been opened the door of Divine Mercy.
In the parable our Savior tells, Jesus illustrates three things: the condition of the sinner, the canon of repentance and the knowledge of God’s compassion. For in the person of the prodigal son, we view the wretched condition that sin creates for us, distant from God and His Sacraments. However, we become aware of ourselves and awaken, hastening with hope to return to Him through repentance. Our Savior wants to call back to His mansions all those who have been overtaken by despair, lacking hope of forgiveness for their grave sins. The Father encourages all of his lost children to remove the desperation from their hearts, and revive their energies for virtuous deeds.
Through Thine ineffable love for mankind, O Christ our 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.
