Liturgical Texts
Here you will find the links to texts for various liturgical services.
March 08, 2026
Second Sunday of Great Lent
Commemoration of Gregory Palamas, archbishop of Thessalonica
Theophylact the Confessor, bishop of Nicomedia; Apostle Hermas of the Seventy
SYNAXARION
On March 8 in the Holy Orthodox Church, we commemorate Theophylact the Confessor, bishop of Nicomedia; and Apostle Hermas of the Seventy. On this same day, the Second Sunday of the Fast, we make remembrance of our father among the saints, Gregory Palamas, archbishop of Thessalonica.
Verses
The Spring of Light now leadeth to light unwaning
The Light’s own truly great and resplendent herald.
This divine father was born in Asia and was brought up from infancy in the royal palace of Constantinople. When he was of age, Gregory left the palace and gave himself to asceticism on Mount Athos. He eventually moved to Thessalonica to seek cure for the diseases he contracted because of his asceticism and piety. In 1349, he was elevated to the episcopacy, tending to his people in an Apostolic fashion for 13 years. He is glorified as an ascetic, a hierarch, a theologian who defeated the heretics of his era, and a miracle-worker who forsook a prominent, secular lifestyle to take up his cross and follow Christ. The Most-Holy Theotokos, St. John the Theologian, St. Demetrius, St. Anthony the Great, St. John Chrysostom and angels of God appeared to him at different times.
Through his intercessions, O Lord Jesus 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.
