Beginning of the Lenten Triodion

Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee

February 24, 2013

Commemoration of the Finding of the Precious Head of the Holy Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptist John

Hymns of the Day

Troparion of the Resurrection, Tone 5

Let us believers praise and worship the Word, co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit, born of the Virgin for our salvation; for He took pleasure in ascending the Cross in the flesh, to suffer death, and to raise the dead by His glorious Resurrection.

Troparion of the Forerunner, Tone 4

The Forerunner's sacred head, having dawned forth from the earth, doth send incorruption's rays unto the faithful, whereby they find healings of their ills.  From on high he gathereth the choirs of the Angels and on earth he summoneth the whole race of mankind, that they with one voice might send up glory to Christ our God.

Troparion of St. Joseph, Tone 2

Proclaim O Joseph to David, the ancestor of God, the amazing wonders, for by the angel they were revealed unto thee. For thou hast seen a Virgin great with child, and thou gave glory with the shepherds and didst worship with the Magi.  Wherefore, plead with Christ God to save our souls.

Kontakion of the Publican and Pharisee Tone 4

Let us flee from the boasting of the Pharisee and learn the heights of humility from the publican’s words.  Let us cry out in repentance:  O Savior of the world, be gracious to thy servants.

Epistle-2 Corinthians 4:6-15

BRETHREN, it is the God who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, to show that the transcendent power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For while we live we are always being given up to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you. Since we have the same spirit of faith as he had who wrote, "I believed, and so I spoke," We too believed, and so we speak, knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.

Gospel  - Luke 18: 10-14

The Lord spoke this parable: "Two men went up into the Temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a Publican, (a tax collector). The Pharisee stood and prayed thus within himself, 'God, I thank thee that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this Publican. I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I possess.' But the Publican, standing afar off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for every one who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted."