Monday, 24 March 2025

Forefeast of Annunciation

Monday of the Fourth Week of Lent

27 days before Pascha · Tone 6 · Liturgy · Lenten Fast (Wine and Oil are Allowed)

Saints commemorated

★ Forefeast of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos

The Forefeast of the Annunciation prepares the Church for the great feast on 25 March, when the Archangel Gabriel announced to the Virgin Mary that she would conceive and bear the Son of God. The hymns of this day proclaim that the eternal mystery of God's incarnation, hidden from the ages, is now drawing near to its revelation. Heaven and earth are summoned to rejoice as the Daughter of David is prepared to receive the Word of the Father in her womb. The Church, gathering at vespers and matins, sings of the joy that is dawning, and calls the faithful to make ready their hearts as a dwelling place for Christ. Together with the feast itself, the Forefeast unfolds the depth of the saving plan whereby God becomes man for our salvation.

Saint Artemon, Bishop of Seleucia

Saint Artemon served as Bishop of Seleucia and was a notable figure in the early Christian Church. He is remembered as an early Church father whose writings and theological work contributed to the development of Christian doctrine. Artemon was involved in the life and succession of apostolic authority, working to preserve the traditions received from the Apostles. His Episcopal ministry centred on pastoral care, teaching, and the establishment of proper Church order. The traditions concerning him indicate his importance in maintaining doctrinal purity and apostolic succession during a crucial formative period of Christian history.

Saint Macarius of Altai, archimandrite and apostle to the Altai

1847

Saint Macarius, in the world Mikhail Yakovlevich Glukharev, was born in 1792 in the Smolensk region, the son of a priest. Educated at the Saint Petersburg Theological Academy under Saint Philaret of Moscow, he was tonsured a monk in 1818 and devoted himself to a life of prayer, learning, and service. In 1830 he was sent to the Altai region of Siberia, where for fourteen years he laboured as a missionary among the indigenous peoples, baptising thousands and translating large portions of the Holy Scriptures and liturgical texts into the Altai language. He founded schools, hospitals, and shelters for the poor, and trained native clergy. Worn down by his labours, he reposed in 1847 at the Bolkhov Monastery. He was glorified by the Russian Orthodox Church in 2000 as the apostle of the Altai.

Venerable Zacharias the Recluse

Saint Zacharias was a venerable monastic father who devoted his life to prayer and ascetic practice in a hermit cell. His vocation as a recluse (one who lives in seclusion for the sake of prayer) exemplifies the Desert Fathers tradition of seeking closeness to God through withdrawal from the world. Though isolated physically, his spiritual influence extended to many who sought his counsel and his prayers on their behalf. Zacharias is remembered for his deep mystical experience of prayer and his complete dedication to the contemplative life, demonstrating the spiritual fruitfulness of solitude devoted entirely to communion with God.

Commemoration of the Miracle at the Monastery of the Caves in Kiev

“Two friends, John and Sergius, swore brotherhood before the icon of the holy Mother of God in this monastery. John was a rich man, with a five-year-old son, Zachariah. John fell ill, and at his death commended his son to the care of Sergius, and left in Sergius’ keeping a large sum of silver and gold for him to hand over to Zachariah when he had grown up. When Zachariah came of age, however, Sergius denied receiving anything from the deceased John. Then Zachariah said: ‘Let him swear before the same icon of the most holy Mother of God, in front of which he accepted brotherhood with my late father, that he received nothing from John, and then I will seek nothing more from him.’ Sergius agreed, but when he had sworn this and went up to kiss the icon, some force held him back and would not allow him to come near. Then, tormented all at once by a demon, he began to cry out: ‘Holy fathers Antony and Theodosius, do not let this merciless angel destroy me!’ The demon had attacked him by God’s permission. He then told them of all the money which John had left. But when they opened the box, they found double the amount. Taking it, Zachariah gave it to the monastery and was himself tonsured as a monk. He lived a long time and was worthy of God’s great gifts, entering peacefully into eternity.” (Prologue)

Daily readings

6th Hour

weekly cycle

Isaiah — Isaiah 14.24-32

²⁴The LORD of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand:

²⁴Jehovah of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely, as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand: ²⁵That I will break the Assyrian in my land, and upon my mountains tread him under foot: then shall his yoke depart from off them, and his burden depart from off their shoulders. ²⁵that I will break the Assyrian in my land, and upon my mountains tread him under foot: then shall his yoke depart from off them, and his burden depart from off their shoulder. ²⁶This is the purpose that is purposed upon the whole earth: and this is the hand that is stretched out upon all the nations. ²⁶This is the purpose that is purposed upon the whole earth; and this is the hand that is stretched out upon all the nations. ²⁷For the LORD of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it? and his hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back? ²⁷For Jehovah of hosts hath purposed, and who shall annul it? and his hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back? ²⁸In the year that king Ahaz died was this burden.

²⁸In the year that king Ahaz died was this burden.

²⁹Rejoice not, O Philistia, all of thee, because the rod that smote thee is broken; for out of the serpent’s root shall come forth an adder, and his fruit shall be a fiery flying serpent.

²⁹Rejoice not thou, whole Palestina, because the rod of him that smote thee is broken: for out of the serpent’s root shall come forth a cockatrice, and his fruit shall be a fiery flying serpent. ³⁰And the first-born of the poor shall feed, and the needy shall lie down in safety; and I will kill thy root with famine, and thy remnant shall be slain. ³⁰And the firstborn of the poor shall feed, and the needy shall lie down in safety: and I will kill thy root with famine, and he shall slay thy remnant. ³¹Howl, O gate; cry, O city; thou, whole Palestina, art dissolved: for there shall come from the north a smoke, and none shall be alone in his appointed times. ³¹Howl, O gate; cry, O city; thou art melted away, O Philistia, all of thee; for there cometh a smoke out of the north, and there is no straggler in his ranks. ³²What shall one then answer the messengers of the nation? That the LORD hath founded Zion, and the poor of his people shall trust in it.

³²What then shall one answer the messengers of the nation? That Jehovah hath founded Zion, and in her shall the afflicted of his people take refuge.

Vespers

weekly cycle

Genesis — Genesis 8.21-9.7

²¹And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake; for the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done. ²¹And Jehovah smelled the sweet savor; and Jehovah said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake, for that the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more everything living, as I have done. ²²While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease. ²²While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.

¹And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth.

¹And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth. ²And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon every fowl of the air, upon all that moveth upon the earth, and upon all the fishes of the sea; into your hand are they delivered. ²And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon every bird of the heavens; with all wherewith the ground teemeth, and all the fishes of the sea, into your hand are they delivered. ³Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things. ³Every moving thing that liveth shall be food for you; as the green herb have I given you all. ⁴But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat. ⁴But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat. ⁵And surely your blood, the blood of your lives, will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it: and at the hand of man, even at the hand of every man’s brother, will I require the life of man. ⁵And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man’s brother will I require the life of man. ⁶Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man. ⁶Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man. ⁷And you, be ye fruitful, and multiply; bring forth abundantly in the earth, and multiply therein. ⁷And you, be ye fruitful, and multiply; bring forth abundantly in the earth, and multiply therein.

Vespers

weekly cycle

Proverbs — Proverbs 11.19-12.6

¹⁹As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death. ¹⁹He that is stedfast in righteousness shall attain unto life; And he that pursueth evil doeth it to his own death. ²⁰They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the LORD: but such as are upright in their way are his delight. ²⁰They that are perverse in heart are an abomination to Jehovah; But such as are perfect in their way are his delight. ²¹Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered. ²¹Though hand join in hand, the evil man shall not be unpunished; But the seed of the righteous shall be delivered. ²²As a jewel of gold in a swine’s snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion. ²²As a ring of gold in a swine’s snout, So is a fair woman that is without discretion. ²³The desire of the righteous is only good; But the expectation of the wicked is wrath. ²³The desire of the righteous is only good: but the expectation of the wicked is wrath. ²⁴There is that scattereth, and increaseth yet more; And there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth only to want. ²⁴There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. ²⁵The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself. ²⁵The liberal soul shall be made fat; And he that watereth shall be watered also himself. ²⁶He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it. ²⁶He that withholdeth grain, the people shall curse him; But blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it. ²⁷He that diligently seeketh good seeketh favor; But he that searcheth after evil, it shall come unto him. ²⁷He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him. ²⁸He that trusteth in his riches shall fall; But the righteous shall flourish as the green leaf. ²⁸He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch. ²⁹He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart. ²⁹He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind; And the foolish shall be servant to the wise of heart. ³⁰The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise. ³⁰The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; And he that is wise winneth souls. ³¹Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner. ³¹Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth; How much more the wicked and the sinner!

¹Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish. ¹Whoso loveth correction loveth knowledge; But he that hateth reproof is brutish. ²A good man obtaineth favour of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn. ²A good man shall obtain favor of Jehovah; But a man of wicked devices will he condemn. ³A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved. ³A man shall not be established by wickedness; But the root of the righteous shall not be moved. ⁴A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones. ⁴A worthy woman is the crown of her husband; But she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones. ⁵The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit. ⁵The thoughts of the righteous are just; But the counsels of the wicked are deceit. ⁶The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them. ⁶The words of the wicked are of lying in wait for blood; But the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.

Vespers

— Annunciation

Genesis — Genesis 28.10-17

¹⁰And Jacob went out from Beer-sheba, and went toward Haran.

¹⁰And Jacob went out from Beer-sheba, and went toward Haran. ¹¹And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took one of the stones of the place, and put it under his head, and lay down in that place to sleep. ¹¹And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep. ¹²And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it. ¹²And he dreamed; and behold, a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven; and behold, the angels of God ascending and descending on it. ¹³And, behold, Jehovah stood above it, and said, I am Jehovah, the God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed; ¹³And, behold, the LORD stood above it, and said, I am the LORD God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed; ¹⁴And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed. ¹⁴and thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed. ¹⁵And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of. ¹⁵And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee whithersoever thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.

¹⁶And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew it not. ¹⁶And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely Jehovah is in this place; and I knew it not. ¹⁷And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven. ¹⁷And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.

Vespers

— Annunciation

Ezekiel — Ezekiel 43.27-44.4

²⁷And when these days are expired, it shall be, that upon the eighth day, and so forward, the priests shall make your burnt offerings upon the altar, and your peace offerings; and I will accept you, saith the Lord GOD. ²⁷And when they have accomplished the days, it shall be that upon the eighth day, and forward, the priests shall make your burnt-offerings upon the altar, and your peace-offerings; and I will accept you, saith the Lord Jehovah.

¹Then he brought me back the way of the gate of the outward sanctuary which looketh toward the east; and it was shut.

¹Then he brought me back by the way of the outer gate of the sanctuary, which looketh toward the east; and it was shut. ²Then said the LORD unto me; This gate shall be shut, it shall not be opened, and no man shall enter in by it; because the LORD, the God of Israel, hath entered in by it, therefore it shall be shut. ²And Jehovah said unto me, This gate shall be shut; it shall not be opened, neither shall any man enter in by it; for Jehovah, the God of Israel, hath entered in by it; therefore it shall be shut. ³As for the prince, he shall sit therein as prince to eat bread before Jehovah; he shall enter by the way of the porch of the gate, and shall go out by the way of the same. ³It is for the prince; the prince, he shall sit in it to eat bread before the LORD; he shall enter by the way of the porch of that gate, and shall go out by the way of the same.

⁴Then brought he me the way of the north gate before the house: and I looked, and, behold, the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD: and I fell upon my face.

⁴Then he brought me by the way of the north gate before the house; and I looked, and, behold, the glory of Jehovah filled the house of Jehovah: and I fell upon my face.

Vespers

— Annunciation

Proverbs — Proverbs 9.1-11

¹Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars: ¹Wisdom hath builded her house; She hath hewn out her seven pillars: ²She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table. ²She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; She hath also furnished her table: ³She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city, ³She hath sent forth her maidens; She crieth upon the highest places of the city: ⁴Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, ⁴Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: As for him that is void of understanding, she saith to him, ⁵Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled. ⁵Come, eat ye of my bread, And drink of the wine which I have mingled. ⁶Leave off, ye simple ones, and live; And walk in the way of understanding. ⁶Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding. ⁷He that correcteth a scoffer getteth to himself reviling; And he that reproveth a wicked man getteth himself a blot. ⁷He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot. ⁸Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. ⁸Reprove not a scoffer, lest he hate thee: Reprove a wise man, and he will love thee. ⁹Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. ⁹Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: Teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning. ¹⁰The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. ¹⁰The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom; And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. ¹¹For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased. ¹¹For by me thy days shall be multiplied, And the years of thy life shall be increased.