Orthodox Readings

Sunday, February 6, 2028

Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee

Beginning of the Lenten Triodion

Tone 8. Fast-free. What this means

The Epistle for St. Photius

Hebrews 7:26–8:2

For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; 27Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself. 28For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.

1Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; 2A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.

The Gospel

Luke 18:10–14

Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. 11The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. 13And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 14I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Commemorated today

  • St Bucolus, Bishop of Smyrna
  • The Martyr and Healer Julian (Ilyan) of Homs
  • St Photios, patriarch of Constantinople (891)
  • Sts Barsanuphius and John the Prophet, monks of Palestine (6th c.)

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

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