Orthodox Readings

Saturday, March 21, 2026

Memorial Saturday

Fourth Saturday of Lent

Tone 7. Lenten Fast: wine and oil allowed. What this means

The Epistle

Hebrews 6:9–12

But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. 10For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 11And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: 12That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

The Gospel

Mark 7:31–37

And again, departing from the coasts of Tyre and Sidon, he came unto the sea of Galilee, through the midst of the coasts of Decapolis. 32And they bring unto him one that was deaf, and had an impediment in his speech; and they beseech him to put his hand upon him. 33And he took him aside from the multitude, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spit, and touched his tongue; 34And looking up to heaven, he sighed, and saith unto him, Ephphatha, that is, Be opened. 35And straightway his ears were opened, and the string of his tongue was loosed, and he spake plain. 36And he charged them that they should tell no man: but the more he charged them, so much the more a great deal they published it; 37And were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well: he maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak.

Commemorated today

  • St James the Confessor of Catania
  • Thomas I, Patriarch of Constantinople
  • Philemon and Domninos
  • Our Holy Father Serapion (366)
  • St James the Confessor, Bishop of the Studion

Hymns and lives of the saints are on the Online Chapel of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese.

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