--- title: "March 9, 2022 — First and Second Finding of the Head of John the…" description: "Wednesday, March 9, 2022. 24 February (Old Style). First and Second Finding of the Head of John the Forerunner. Fast day" url: "https://spas.life/en/orthodoxy/calendar/2022-03-09" language: "en" --- Wednesday # March 9, 2022 24 February (Old Style) · 1st week of Great Lent Russian Orthodox Church (Old Calendar) [Old Style](https://spas.life/en/orthodoxy/calendar/2022-03-09) [New Style](https://spas.life/en/orthodoxy/calendar/new-style/2022-03-09) [Month calendar](https://spas.life/en/orthodoxy/calendar/2022-03) [← March 8](https://spas.life/en/orthodoxy/calendar/2022-03-08) [March 10 →](https://spas.life/en/orthodoxy/calendar/2022-03-10) ## Events of the day - First and Second Finding of the Head of John the Forerunner Polyeleos rank ## Fasting Fast day · Great Lent Great Lent, Monday, Wednesday and Friday: xerophagy. - Meat: not allowed - Dairy & eggs: not allowed - Fish: not allowed - Oil: not allowed - Wine: not allowed - Xerophagy The first week of Great Lent is kept with particular strictness; agree your measure with a priest. Food rules are reference church information. Agree your personal measure of fasting with a priest; consult a doctor if you are ill. ## Readings of the day - 6th Hour Isaiah 2:3–11 - Vespers Genesis 1:24–2:3 - Vespers Proverbs 2:1–22 - Vespers · Forerunner Composite reading — Isaiah 40, 41, 45, 48, 54 - Vespers · Forerunner Composite reading — Malachi 3, 4 - Vespers · Forerunner Composite reading — Wisdom of Solomon 4, 5 - Matins Gospel · Forerunner Luke 7:17–30 **Show the text** 17 This report went out concerning him in the whole of Judea, and in all the surrounding region. 18 The disciples of John told him about all these things. 19 John, calling to himself two of his disciples, sent them to Jesus, saying, “Are you the one who is coming, or should we look for another?” 20 When the men had come to him, they said, “John the Baptizer has sent us to you, saying, ‘Are you he who comes, or should we look for another?’ ” 21 In that hour he cured many of diseases and plagues and evil spirits; and to many who were blind he gave sight. 22 Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John the things which you have seen and heard: that the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. 23 Blessed is he who finds no occasion for stumbling in me.” 24 When John’s messengers had departed, he began to tell the multitudes about John, “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 25 But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft clothing? Behold, those who are gorgeously dressed, and live delicately, are in kings’ courts. 26 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet. 27 This is he of whom it is written, ‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.’ 28 “For I tell you, among those who are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptizer, yet he who is least in God’s Kingdom is greater than he.” 29 When all the people and the tax collectors heard this, they declared God to be just, having been baptized with John’s baptism. 30 But the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected the counsel of God, not being baptized by him themselves. - Epistle · Forerunner 2 Corinthians 4:6–15 **Show the text** 6 seeing it is God who said, “Light will 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 Jesus Christ. 7 But we have this treasure in clay vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God, and not from ourselves. 8 We are pressed on every side, yet not crushed; perplexed, yet not to despair; 9 pursued, yet not forsaken; struck down, yet not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the putting to death of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus may be revealed in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death works in us, but life in you. 13 But having the same spirit of faith, according to that which is written, “I believed, and therefore I spoke.” We also believe, and therefore we also speak; 14 knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus, and will present us with you. 15 For all things are for your sakes, that the grace, being multiplied through the many, may cause the thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God. - Gospel · Forerunner Matthew 11:2–15 **Show the text** 2 Now when John heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples 3 and said to him, “Are you he who comes, or should we look for another?” 4 Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: 5 the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. 6 Blessed is he who finds no occasion for stumbling in me.” 7 As these went their way, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John, “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 But what did you go out to see? A man in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. 9 But why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet. 10 For this is he, of whom it is written, ‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.’ 11 Most certainly I tell you, among those who are born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptizer; yet he who is least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptizer until now, the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. 13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. 14 If you are willing to receive it, this is Elijah, who is to come. 15 He who has ears to hear, let him hear. Source: Orthocal: lectionary data — Slavic tradition, Julian calendar. Text: World English Bible. ## Saints and icons - Prayer of the day: [Prayer of St Ephrem the Syrian](https://spas.life/en/orthodoxy/prayers/ephrem)