Readings and saints

Thursday, April 9, 2026

March 27 on the Old Calendar

Great and Holy Thursday

Fasting: Wine and oil are allowed (Lenten Fast): no meat, fish, dairy, or eggs.Your priest can tell you how to keep the fast.

The readings

TranslationTraditionalModernSide by side

Traditional: the King James Version (1611) for the New Testament. The Old Testament is Brenton’s English Septuagint (1844), from the Greek Old Testament the Church reads, in both settings; some of its verse numbers differ from other Bibles. Underlined words are explained in Words of Prayer.

Modern: the World English Bible for the New Testament. The Old Testament stays Brenton’s Septuagint (1844): there is no modern English translation of the Greek Old Testament that is free to publish. Your choice is remembered on this device.

The Divine Liturgy5 readings

Gospel for Bridegroom

Luke 22:1-39

Traditional

¹Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover. ²And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people.

³Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. ⁴And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them. ⁵And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money. ⁶And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude.

⁷Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed. ⁸And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat. ⁹And they said unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare? ¹⁰And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in. ¹¹And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples? ¹²And he shall shew you a large upper room furnished: there make ready. ¹³And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover. ¹⁴And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him. ¹⁵And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: ¹⁶For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. ¹⁷And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: ¹⁸For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.

¹⁹And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. ²⁰Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.

²¹But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table. ²²And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed! ²³And they began to enquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing.

²⁴And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest. ²⁵And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. ²⁶But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. ²⁷For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth. ²⁸Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. ²⁹And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; ³⁰That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

³¹And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: ³²But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. ³³And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death. ³⁴And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me. ³⁵And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing. ³⁶Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one. ³⁷For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end. ³⁸And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.

³⁹And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him.

Modern

¹Now the feast of unleavened bread, which is called the Passover, was approaching. ²The chief priests and the scribes sought how they might put him to death, for they feared the people.

³Satan entered into Judas, who was also called Iscariot, who was counted with the twelve. ⁴He went away and talked with the chief priests and captains about how he might deliver him to them. ⁵They were glad, and agreed to give him money. ⁶He consented and sought an opportunity to deliver him to them in the absence of the multitude.

⁷The day of unleavened bread came, on which the Passover must be sacrificed. ⁸Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat.” ⁹They said to him, “Where do you want us to prepare?” ¹⁰He said to them, “Behold, when you have entered into the city, a man carrying a pitcher of water will meet you. Follow him into the house which he enters. ¹¹Tell the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, “Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?”’ ¹²He will show you a large, furnished upper room. Make preparations there.” ¹³They went, found things as Jesus had told them, and they prepared the Passover. ¹⁴When the hour had come, he sat down with the twelve apostles. ¹⁵He said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer, ¹⁶for I tell you, I will no longer by any means eat of it until it is fulfilled in God’s Kingdom.” ¹⁷He received a cup, and when he had given thanks, he said, “Take this and share it among yourselves, ¹⁸for I tell you, I will not drink at all again from the fruit of the vine, until God’s Kingdom comes.”

¹⁹He took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body which is given for you. Do this in memory of me.” ²⁰Likewise, he took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.

²¹But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table. ²²The Son of Man indeed goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man through whom he is betrayed!” ²³They began to question among themselves which of them it was who would do this thing.

²⁴A dispute also arose among them, which of them was considered to be greatest. ²⁵He said to them, “The kings of the nations lord it over them, and those who have authority over them are called ‘benefactors.’ ²⁶But not so with you. Rather, the one who is greater among you, let him become as the younger, and one who is governing, as one who serves. ²⁷For who is greater, one who sits at the table, or one who serves? Isn’t it he who sits at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. ²⁸“But you are those who have continued with me in my trials. ²⁹I confer on you a kingdom, even as my Father conferred on me, ³⁰that you may eat and drink at my table in my Kingdom. You will sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”

³¹The Lord said, “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan asked to have all of you, that he might sift you as wheat, ³²but I prayed for you, that your faith wouldn’t fail. You, when once you have turned again, establish your brothers.” ³³He said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death!” ³⁴He said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will by no means crow today until you deny that you know me three times.” ³⁵He said to them, “When I sent you out without purse, bag, and sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.” ³⁶Then he said to them, “But now, whoever has a purse, let him take it, and likewise a bag. Whoever has none, let him sell his cloak, and buy a sword. ³⁷For I tell you that this which is written must still be fulfilled in me: ‘He was counted with transgressors.’ For that which concerns me is being fulfilled.” ³⁸They said, “Lord, behold, here are two swords.” He said to them, “That is enough.”

³⁹He came out and went, as his custom was, to the Mount of Olives. His disciples also followed him.

Epistle

1 Corinthians 11:23-32

Traditional

²³For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: ²⁴And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. ²⁵After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. ²⁶For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come. ²⁷Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. ²⁸But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. ²⁹For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. ³⁰For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. ³¹For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. ³²But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

Modern

²³For I received from the Lord that which also I delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night in which he was betrayed took bread. ²⁴When he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “Take, eat. This is my body, which is broken for you. Do this in memory of me.” ²⁵In the same way he also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink, in memory of me.” ²⁶For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. ²⁷Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks the Lord’s cup in a way unworthy of the Lord will be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. ²⁸But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. ²⁹For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy way eats and drinks judgment to himself if he doesn’t discern the Lord’s body. ³⁰For this cause many among you are weak and sickly, and not a few sleep. ³¹For if we discerned ourselves, we wouldn’t be judged. ³²But when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.

Gospel for Composite

Matthew 26:2-20; John 13:3-17; Matt 26:21-39; Luke 22:43-45; Matt 26:40-27:2

Traditional

²Ye know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified. ³Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, ⁴And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him. ⁵But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar among the people.

⁶Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, ⁷There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat. ⁸But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste? ⁹For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor. ¹⁰When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me. ¹¹For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always. ¹²For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial. ¹³Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.

¹⁴Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, ¹⁵And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. ¹⁶And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.

¹⁷Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover? ¹⁸And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples. ¹⁹And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover. ²⁰Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve. ³Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; ⁴He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. ⁵After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. ⁶Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? ⁷Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. ⁸Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. ⁹Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. ¹⁰Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. ¹¹For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean. ¹²So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? ¹³Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. ¹⁴If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. ¹⁵For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. ¹⁶Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. ¹⁷If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. ²¹And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. ²²And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I? ²³And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me. ²⁴The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born. ²⁵Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.

²⁶And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. ²⁷And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; ²⁸For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. ²⁹But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom. ³⁰And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives. ³¹Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. ³²But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee. ³³Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. ³⁴Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. ³⁵Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.

³⁶Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. ³⁷And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. ³⁸Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. ³⁹And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. ⁴³And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. ⁴⁴And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. ⁴⁵And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow, ⁴⁰And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? ⁴¹Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. ⁴²He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. ⁴³And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy. ⁴⁴And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. ⁴⁵Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. ⁴⁶Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.

⁴⁷And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people. ⁴⁸Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast. ⁴⁹And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him. ⁵⁰And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him. ⁵¹And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest’s, and smote off his ear. ⁵²Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. ⁵³Thinkest thou that I can not now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? ⁵⁴But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be? ⁵⁵In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me. ⁵⁶But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.

⁵⁷And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. ⁵⁸But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest’s palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end. ⁵⁹Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death; ⁶⁰But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses, ⁶¹And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days. ⁶²And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee? ⁶³But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God. ⁶⁴Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. ⁶⁵Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy. ⁶⁶What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death. ⁶⁷Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands, ⁶⁸Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee?

⁶⁹Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee. ⁷⁰But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest. ⁷¹And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. ⁷²And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man. ⁷³And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee. ⁷⁴Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. ⁷⁵And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.

¹When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death: ²And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor.

Modern

²“You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.” ³Then the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders of the people were gathered together in the court of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas. ⁴They took counsel together that they might take Jesus by deceit and kill him. ⁵But they said, “Not during the feast, lest a riot occur among the people.”

⁶Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, ⁷a woman came to him having an alabaster jar of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he sat at the table. ⁸But when his disciples saw this, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? ⁹For this ointment might have been sold for much and given to the poor.” ¹⁰However, knowing this, Jesus said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? She has done a good work for me. ¹¹For you always have the poor with you, but you don’t always have me. ¹²For in pouring this ointment on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. ¹³Most certainly I tell you, wherever this Good News is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be spoken of as a memorial of her.”

¹⁴Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests ¹⁵and said, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him to you?” So they weighed out for him thirty pieces of silver. ¹⁶From that time he sought opportunity to betray him.

¹⁷Now on the first day of unleavened bread, the disciples came to Jesus, saying to him, “Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover?” ¹⁸He said, “Go into the city to a certain person, and tell him, ‘The Teacher says, “My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.”’” ¹⁹The disciples did as Jesus commanded them, and they prepared the Passover. ²⁰Now when evening had come, he was reclining at the table with the twelve disciples. ³Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he came from God and was going to God, ⁴arose from supper, and laid aside his outer garments. He took a towel and wrapped a towel around his waist. ⁵Then he poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. ⁶Then he came to Simon Peter. He said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” ⁷Jesus answered him, “You don’t know what I am doing now, but you will understand later.” ⁸Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet!” Jesus answered him, “If I don’t wash you, you have no part with me.” ⁹Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!” ¹⁰Jesus said to him, “Someone who has bathed only needs to have his feet washed, but is completely clean. You are clean, but not all of you.” ¹¹For he knew him who would betray him; therefore he said, “You are not all clean.” ¹²So when he had washed their feet, put his outer garment back on, and sat down again, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? ¹³You call me, ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord.’ You say so correctly, for so I am. ¹⁴If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. ¹⁵For I have given you an example, that you should also do as I have done to you. ¹⁶Most certainly I tell you, a servant is not greater than his lord, neither is one who is sent greater than he who sent him. ¹⁷If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. ²¹As they were eating, he said, “Most certainly I tell you that one of you will betray me.” ²²They were exceedingly sorrowful, and each began to ask him, “It isn’t me, is it, Lord?” ²³He answered, “He who dipped his hand with me in the dish will betray me. ²⁴The Son of Man goes even as it is written of him, but woe to that man through whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would be better for that man if he had not been born.” ²⁵Judas, who betrayed him, answered, “It isn’t me, is it, Rabbi?” He said to him, “You said it.”

²⁶As they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks for it, and broke it. He gave to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” ²⁷He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave to them, saying, “All of you drink it, ²⁸for this is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many for the remission of sins. ²⁹But I tell you that I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on, until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father’s Kingdom.” ³⁰When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. ³¹Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of me tonight, for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ ³²But after I am raised up, I will go before you into Galilee.” ³³But Peter answered him, “Even if all will be made to stumble because of you, I will never be made to stumble.” ³⁴Jesus said to him, “Most certainly I tell you that tonight, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” ³⁵Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you.” All of the disciples also said likewise.

³⁶Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go there and pray.” ³⁷He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and severely troubled. ³⁸Then Jesus said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with me.” ³⁹He went forward a little, fell on his face, and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass away from me; nevertheless, not what I desire, but what you desire.” ⁴³An angel from heaven appeared to him, strengthening him. ⁴⁴Being in agony, he prayed more earnestly. His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down on the ground. ⁴⁵When he rose up from his prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping because of grief, ⁴⁰He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What, couldn’t you watch with me for one hour? ⁴¹Watch and pray, that you don’t enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” ⁴²Again, a second time he went away and prayed, saying, “My Father, if this cup can’t pass away from me unless I drink it, your desire be done.” ⁴³He came again and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. ⁴⁴He left them again, went away, and prayed a third time, saying the same words. ⁴⁵Then he came to his disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. ⁴⁶Arise, let’s be going. Behold, he who betrays me is at hand.”

⁴⁷While he was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and elders of the people. ⁴⁸Now he who betrayed him had given them a sign, saying, “Whoever I kiss, he is the one. Seize him.” ⁴⁹Immediately he came to Jesus, and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him. ⁵⁰Jesus said to him, “Friend, why are you here?” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus, and took him. ⁵¹Behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword, and struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear. ⁵²Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place, for all those who take the sword will die by the sword. ⁵³Or do you think that I couldn’t ask my Father, and he would even now send me more than twelve legions of angels? ⁵⁴How then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that it must be so?” ⁵⁵In that hour Jesus said to the multitudes, “Have you come out as against a robber with swords and clubs to seize me? I sat daily in the temple teaching, and you didn’t arrest me. ⁵⁶But all this has happened that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left him and fled.

⁵⁷Those who had taken Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were gathered together. ⁵⁸But Peter followed him from a distance to the court of the high priest, and entered in and sat with the officers, to see the end. ⁵⁹Now the chief priests, the elders, and the whole council sought false testimony against Jesus, that they might put him to death, ⁶⁰and they found none. Even though many false witnesses came forward, they found none. But at last two false witnesses came forward ⁶¹and said, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.’” ⁶²The high priest stood up and said to him, “Have you no answer? What is this that these testify against you?” ⁶³But Jesus stayed silent. The high priest answered him, “I adjure you by the living God that you tell us whether you are the Christ, the Son of God.” ⁶⁴Jesus said to him, “You have said so. Nevertheless, I tell you, after this you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming on the clouds of the sky.” ⁶⁵Then the high priest tore his clothing, saying, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Behold, now you have heard his blasphemy. ⁶⁶What do you think?” They answered, “He is worthy of death!” ⁶⁷Then they spat in his face and beat him with their fists, and some slapped him, ⁶⁸saying, “Prophesy to us, you Christ! Who hit you?”

⁶⁹Now Peter was sitting outside in the court, and a maid came to him, saying, “You were also with Jesus, the Galilean!” ⁷⁰But he denied it before them all, saying, “I don’t know what you are talking about.” ⁷¹When he had gone out onto the porch, someone else saw him and said to those who were there, “This man also was with Jesus of Nazareth.” ⁷²Again he denied it with an oath, “I don’t know the man.” ⁷³After a little while those who stood by came and said to Peter, “Surely you are also one of them, for your speech makes you known.” ⁷⁴Then he began to curse and to swear, “I don’t know the man!” Immediately the rooster crowed. ⁷⁵Peter remembered the word which Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” Then he went out and wept bitterly.

¹Now when morning had come, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death. ²They bound him, led him away, and delivered him up to Pontius Pilate, the governor.

Gospel for At the Washing of the Feet

John 13:1-11

Traditional

¹Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. ²And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him; ³Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; ⁴He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. ⁵After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. ⁶Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? ⁷Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. ⁸Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. ⁹Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. ¹⁰Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. ¹¹For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.

Modern

¹Now before the feast of the Passover, Jesus, knowing that his time had come that he would depart from this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. ²During supper, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, ³Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he came from God and was going to God, ⁴arose from supper, and laid aside his outer garments. He took a towel and wrapped a towel around his waist. ⁵Then he poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. ⁶Then he came to Simon Peter. He said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” ⁷Jesus answered him, “You don’t know what I am doing now, but you will understand later.” ⁸Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet!” Jesus answered him, “If I don’t wash you, you have no part with me.” ⁹Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!” ¹⁰Jesus said to him, “Someone who has bathed only needs to have his feet washed, but is completely clean. You are clean, but not all of you.” ¹¹For he knew him who would betray him; therefore he said, “You are not all clean.”

Gospel for After the Washing of the Feet

John 13:12-17

Traditional

¹²So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? ¹³Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. ¹⁴If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. ¹⁵For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. ¹⁶Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. ¹⁷If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

Modern

¹²So when he had washed their feet, put his outer garment back on, and sat down again, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? ¹³You call me, ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord.’ You say so correctly, for so I am. ¹⁴If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. ¹⁵For I have given you an example, that you should also do as I have done to you. ¹⁶Most certainly I tell you, a servant is not greater than his lord, neither is one who is sent greater than he who sent him. ¹⁷If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

The 1st Hour1 reading

Old Testament reading

Jeremiah 11:18-12:5, 9-11, 14-15

¹⁸O Lord, teach me, and I shall know: then I saw their practices. ¹⁹But I as an innocent lamb led to the slaughter, knew not: against me they devised an evil device, saying, Come and let us put wood into his bread, and let us utterly destroy him from off the land of the living, and let his name not be remembered any more. ²⁰O Lord, that judgest righteously, trying the reins and hearts, let me see thy vengeance taken upon them, for to thee I have declared my cause.

²¹Therefore thus saith the Lord concerning the men of Anathoth, that seek my life, that say, Thou shalt not prophesy at all in the name of the Lord, but if thou dost, thou shalt die by our hands: ²²behold, I will visit them: their young men shall die by the sword; and their sons and their daughters shall die of famine: ²³and there shall be no remnant left of them; for I will bring evil upon the dwellers in Anathoth, in the year of their visitation.

¹Righteous art thou, O Lord, that I may make my defence to thee, yea, I will speak to thee of judgments. Why is it that the way of ungodly men prospers? that all that deal very treacherously are flourishing? ²Thou hast planted them, and they have taken root; they have begotten children, and become fruitful; thou art near to their mouth, and far from their reins. ³But thou, Lord, knowest me; thou hast proved my heart before thee; purify them for the day of their slaughter. ⁴How long shall the land mourn, and the grass of the field wither, for the wickedness of them that dwell in it? the beasts and birds are utterly destroyed; because the people said, God shall not see our ways.

⁵Thy feet run, and they cause thee to faint; how wilt thou prepare to ride upon horses? and thou hast been confident in the land of thy peace? how wilt thou do in the roaring of Jordan?

⁹Is not my inheritance to me a hyæna's cave, or a cave round about her? Go ye, gather together all the wild beasts of the field, and let them come to devour her.

¹⁰Many shepherds have destroyed my vineyard, they have defiled my portion, they have made my desirable portion a trackless wilderness; ¹¹it is made a complete ruin: for my sake the whole land has been utterly ruined, because there is none that lays the matter to heart.

¹⁴For thus saith the Lord concerning all the evil neighbours that touch mine inheritance, which I have divided to my people Israel; Behold, I will draw them away from their land, and I will cast out Juda from the midst of them.

¹⁵And it shall come to pass, after I have cast them out, that I will return, and have mercy upon them, and will cause them to dwell every one in his inheritance, and every one in his land.

Vespers3 readings

Old Testament reading 1 of 3

Exodus 19:10-19

¹⁰And the Lord said to Moses, Go down and solemnly charge the people, and sanctify them to-day and to-morrow, and let them wash their garments. ¹¹And let them be ready against the third day, for on the third day the Lord will descend upon mount Sina before all the people. ¹²And thou shalt separate the people round about, saying, Take heed to yourselves that ye go not up into the mountain, nor touch any part of it: every one that touches the mountain shall surely die. ¹³A hand shall not touch it, for every one that touches shall be stoned with stones or shot through with a dart, whether beast or whether man, it shall not live: when the voices and trumpets and cloud depart from off the mountain, they shall come up on the mountain.

¹⁴And Moses went down from the mountain to the people, and sanctified them, and they washed their clothes. ¹⁵And he said to the people, Be ready: for three days come not near to a woman. ¹⁶And it came to pass on the third day, as the morning drew nigh, there were voices and lightnings and a dark cloud on mount Sina: the voice of the trumpet sounded loud, and all the people in the camp trembled. ¹⁷And Moses led the people forth out of the camp to meet God, and they stood by under the mountain. ¹⁸The mount of Sina was altogether on a smoke, because God had descended upon it in fire; and the smoke went up as the smoke of a furnace, and the people were exceedingly amazed. ¹⁹And the sounds of the trumpet were waxing very much louder. Moses spoke, and God answered him with a voice.

Old Testament reading 2 of 3

Job 38:1-23; 42:1-5

¹And after Elius had ceased from speaking, the Lord spoke to Job through the whirlwind and clouds, saying,

²Who is this that hides counsel from me, and confines words in his heart, and thinks to conceal them from me? ³Gird thy loins like a man; and I will ask thee, and do thou answer me.

⁴Where wast thou when I founded the earth? tell me now, if thou hast knowledge, ⁵who set the measures of it, if thou knowest? or who stretched a line upon it? ⁶On what are its rings fastened? and who is he that laid the corner-stone upon it? ⁷When the stars were made, all my angels praised me with a loud voice. ⁸And I shut up the sea with gates, when it rushed out, coming forth out of its mother's womb. ⁹And I made a cloud its clothing, and swathed it in mist. ¹⁰And I set bounds to it, surrounding it with bars and gates. ¹¹And I said to it, Hitherto shalt thou come, but thou shalt not go beyond, but thy waves shall be confined within thee.

¹²Or did I order the morning light in thy time; and did the morning star then first see his appointed place; ¹³to lay hold of the extremities of the earth, to cast out the ungodly out of it? ¹⁴Or didst thou take clay of the ground, and form a living creature, and set it with the power of speech upon the earth? ¹⁵And hast thou removed light from the ungodly, and crushed the arm of the proud?

¹⁶Or hast thou gone to the source of the sea, and walked in the tracks of the deep? ¹⁷And do the gates of death open to thee for fear; and did the porters of hell quake when they saw thee? ¹⁸And hast thou been instructed in the breadth of the whole earth under heaven? tell me now, what is the extent of it?

¹⁹And in what kind of a land does the light dwell? and of what kind is the place of darkness? ²⁰If thou couldest bring me to their utmost boundaries, and if also thou knowest their paths; ²¹I know then that thou wert born at that time, and the number of thy years is great.

²²But hast thou gone to the treasures of snow? and hast thou seen the treasures of hail? ²³And is there a store of them, for thee against the time of thine enemies, for the day of wars and battle?

¹Then Job answered and said to the Lord,

²I know that thou canst do all things, and nothing is impossible with thee. ³For who is he that hides counsel from thee? or who keeps back his words, and thinks to hide them from thee? and who will tell me what I knew not, great and wonderful things which I understood not?

⁴But hear me, O Lord, that I also may speak: and I will ask thee, and do thou teach me. ⁵I have heard the report of thee by the ear before; but now mine eye has seen thee.

Old Testament reading 3 of 3

Isaiah 50:4-11

⁴The Lord even God gives me the tongue of instruction, to know when it is fit to speak a word: he has appointed for me early, he has given me an ear to hear: ⁵and the instruction of the Lord, even the Lord, opens mine ears, and I do not disobey, nor dispute. ⁶I gave my back to scourges, and my cheeks to blows; and I turned not away my face from the shame of spitting: ⁷but the Lord God became my helper; therefore I was not ashamed, but I set my face as a solid rock; and I know that I shall never be ashamed, ⁸for he that has justified me draws near; who is he that pleads with me? let him stand up against me at the same time: yea, who is he that pleads with me? let him draw nigh to me. ⁹Behold, the Lord, the Lord, will help me; who will hurt me? behold, all ye shall wax old as a garment, and a moth shall devour you.

¹⁰Who is among you that fears the Lord? let him hearken to the voice of his servant: ye that walk in darkness, and have no light, trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon God. ¹¹Behold, ye all kindle a fire, and feed a flame: walk in the light of your fire, and in the flame which ye have kindled. This has happened to you for my sake; ye shall lie down in sorrow.

Remembered on this day

Martyr Eupsychius of Caesarea in Cappadocia
Vadim the Righteous of Persia

Calendar: Orthocal, following the Revised Julian (New) Calendar of the Orthodox Church in America. Parishes on the Old Calendar keep each day 13 days later. Check your own parish calendar.