Scripture Readings 2024

January-1: New Year's Day, Circumcision of our Lord, Memory of St. Basil and St. Gregory.

January-6: Baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ

Description
This festival is called Danaha in Syriac meaning 'Dawn'. Also called Epiphany or Theophany.
EveningMorningBefore Holy QurbanaHoly QurbanaBlessing of the Water

January-14: Second Sunday after Baptism of our Lord

January-22: Monday of Three days Lent

Description
The three day lent is a lent of attrition and repentance commemorating the repentance of the people of Nineveh at the preaching of Prophet Jonah. This lent starts three weeks before the start of the Great Lent.
EveningMorning

January-25: Thursday/The end of Three days Lent

February-2: Mayaltho (Entry of our Lord into the temple)

Description
February 2nd is celebrated as the day when infant Jesus was presented in the temple. Also called the day of the Old Aged. Memory of St. Simon and St. Hanna.
EveningMorningBefore Holy QurbanaHoly Qurbana

February-11: First Sunday of 50 days Lent (Kothine Sunday - Pethrutha of the Great Lent)

Description
The Great Lent starts by commemorating the first miracle performed by Jesus i.e. turning water into wine at the wedding feast at Cana of Galilee. The Gospel reading for each Sunday of the Great Lent is about a miracle performed by Jesus.
EveningMorningBefore Holy QurbanaHoly Qurbana

February-18: Second Sunday of Fifty days Lent (Lepers' Sunday)

March-3: Fourth Sunday of Fifty days Lent (Canaanite woman)

March-6: Fourth Wednesday of Fifty days Lent (Mid Lent)

March-9: Memory of Forty Martyrs

Description
Memorial of the 40 martyrs of Sebeste. Celebrated on 9th March, if it is a Saturday or Sunday. Otherwise on the Saturday after 9th
EveningMorningBefore Holy QurbanaHoly Qurbana

March-10: Fifth Sunday of Fifty days Lent (Kpiptho/Crippled Woman)

March-23: Saturday before Hosanna (Lazarus' Saturday)

March-25: Annunciation to St. Mary

Description
We celebrate the Feast of Annunciation to St. Mary twice a year. On the 3rd Sunday after Koodhosh Eetho and on March 25th. Holy Eucharist must be celebrated on this day even if it comes during the Great Lent, during the Passion Week or on Good Friday. (The Holy Eucharist is not celebrated during the Great Lent days except all Saturdays and Sundays, Wednesday of Mid Lent, 40th Friday, and Maundy Thursday during the Passion week.)
EveningMorningBefore Holy QurbanaHoly Qurbana

April-7: New Sunday (Sunday after Easter - The Sunday of the Youth)

May-9: Ascension of our Lord (Thursday after the fourth Sunday following New Sunday)

August-6: The Festival of Transfiguration/Koodaara Perunnal

August-11: First Sunday after the Festival of Transfiguration

August-18: First Sunday after the Festival of the Assumption

August-25: Second Sunday after the Festival of the Assumption

September-1: Third Sunday after the Festival of the Assumption

September-8: Fourth Sunday after the Festival of the Assumption

September-15: First Sunday after the Festival of Holy Cross

September-29: Third Sunday after the Festival of Holy Cross

October-6: Fourth Sunday after the Festival of Holy Cross

October-13: Fifth Sunday after the Festival of Holy Cross

October-20: Sixth Sunday after the Festival of Holy Cross

October-27: Seventh Sunday after the Festival of Holy Cross

November-3: Koodhosh Eetho (Sanctification) Sunday

Description
The Sunday that comes on or after October 30th is called Koodhosh Eetho (Sanctification of Church) Sunday. It is the beginning of the church calendar.
EveningMorningBefore Holy QurbanaHoly Qurbana

November-10: Hoodhosh Eetho (Dedication) Sunday

Description
The Sunday after Koodhosh Eetho is called Hoodhosh Eetho (Dedication of Church) Sunday.
EveningMorningBefore Holy QurbanaHoly Qurbana

November-17: Annunciation to Zechariah (Parents' day)

Description
This Sunday is commemorated as the day when John the Baptist's birth was announced to Zechariah by Angel Gabriel.
EveningMorningBefore Holy QurbanaHoly Qurbana

December-15: Revelation to St. Joseph

December-25: Yeldho/Incarnation of our Lord (Christmas)

December-29: First Sunday after Christmas (The Holy Family flee to Egypt)

Prepared by: Web Team, St. Mary's Indian Orthodox Church, Northern Virginia