Sunday 8th March 2026
Lenten Fast: wine and oil allowed
Tone 6 - Eothinon 6
Liturgy of St Basil
2nd of Great Lent, Sunday of St Gregory Palamas
Today we commemorate:
St. Theophylact, bishop of Nicomedia (842). Apostle Hermas of the Seventy (1st C). Hieromartyr Theodoret of Antioch (4th C). St. Dometius, monk (363). St. Paul of Prusias, confessor (840).
British Isles and Ireland:
St. Felix of Burgundy, bishop of Dunwich and Enlightener of East Anglia (c.648). St. Senan, abbot of Scattery (544). St. Beoadh, bishop of Ardcane (c.518). St. Duthac of Ross (1065). St. Rhian of Llanrhian.
Hebrews 1:10-2:3; Mark 2:1-12
Readings in bold type are those appointed by the Typikon for use at the Liturgy
Hebrews 1:10-2:3
‘You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you continue. Like a garment they will all grow old, and like a cloak you will fold them up. They will be changed but you are the same, and your years will never end.’ To which of the angels has he ever said, ‘Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a stool for your feet’? Are they not all ministering spirits being sent to serve among those who are to inherit salvation? This is why we must pay far greater attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. For if the message spoken by angels had force, and every transgression and disobedience received a just penalty, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation that was first announced by the Lord and confirmed to us by those who heard?
Mark 2:1-12
At that time Jesus returned to Capernaum, and it was reported that he was in the house. In no time at all so many people had gathered that there was room for no more, not even around the door, and he preached the word to them. Four people arrived carrying a paralysed man, bringing him to him. Not being able to reach him because of the crowd, they took off the roof where he was, and having removed it they let down the mattress on which the paralysed man was lying. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralysed man, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven.’ Now there were some scribes sitting there, turning over in their hearts, ‘Why is this man speaking blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?’ Jesus knew at once in his spirit that they were reasoning within themselves in this way, and he asked them, ‘Why are you turning these thoughts over in your hearts? Which is easier? To tell the paralysed man, “Your sins are forgiven,” or to say, “Rise, pick up your mattress and walk”? And so that you may understand that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins’ – he addressed the paralysed man – ‘I say to you, rise, pick up your mattress and go home.’ The man immediately stood up, picked up the mattress, and went out in full view of them all. Everyone was amazed and they glorified God, saying, ‘We have never seen this before.’