Sunday, March 15, 2026
Sunday of the Veneration of the Cross
On Sunday, March 15, 2026, Orthodox Christians on the New Calendar remember Sunday of the Veneration of the Cross; Agapius and Seven Companions; and St Alexander the Martyr. It is a fast day, with wine and oil. On the Old Calendar the same day remembers Sunday of the Veneration of the Cross and St Theodotus of Cyrenia. It is a fast day, with wine and oil.
New Calendar
Sunday of the Veneration of the Cross
Also commemorated
This day is a fast day, but wine and oil are permitted, no meat, dairy, or fish.
Old Calendar
Sunday of the Veneration of the Cross
Also commemorated
This day is a fast day, but wine and oil are permitted, no meat, dairy, or fish.
The saints of the day
On the New Calendar
- Tone 7 of the Octoechos
- 3rd Week of Great Lent
The day’s readings
7th Matins GospelJohn 20.1-10
20:1Now on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene went early, while it was still dark, to the tomb, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. 2Therefore she ran and came to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have laid him!” 3Therefore Peter and the other disciple went out, and they went toward the tomb. 4They both ran together. The other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first.
5Stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths lying there; yet he didn’t enter in. 6Then Simon Peter came, following him, and entered into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying, 7and the cloth that had been on his head, not lying with the linen cloths, but rolled up in a place by itself. 8So then the other disciple who came first to the tomb also entered in, and he saw and believed. 9For as yet they didn’t know the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. 10So the disciples went away again to their own homes.
WEB, public domain
EpistleHebrews 4.14-5.6
4:14Having then a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let’s hold tightly to our confession. 15For we don’t have a high priest who can’t be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but one who has been in all points tempted like we are, yet without sin. 16Let’s therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace for help in time of need. 5:1For every high priest, being taken from among men, is appointed for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins.
2The high priest can deal gently with those who are ignorant and going astray, because he himself is also surrounded with weakness. 3Because of this, he must offer sacrifices for sins for the people, as well as for himself. 4Nobody takes this honor on himself, but he is called by God, just like Aaron was. 5So also Christ didn’t glorify himself to be made a high priest, but it was he who said to him, “You are my Son. Today I have become your father.” 6As he says also in another place, “You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.”
WEB, public domain
GospelMark 8.34-9.1
8:34He called the multitude to himself with his disciples and said to them, “Whoever wants to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 35For whoever wants to save his life will lose it; and whoever will lose his life for my sake and the sake of the Good News will save it. 36For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? 37For what will a man give in exchange for his life? 38For whoever will be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man also will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”
9:1He said to them, “Most certainly I tell you, there are some standing here who will in no way taste death until they see God’s Kingdom come with power.”
WEB, public domain
The order and appointment of the readings follow the Orthodox lectionary. Come to the Liturgy to hear them proclaimed.
Questions
What does the Orthodox Church remember on Sunday, March 15, 2026?
- On the New Calendar, Sunday of the Veneration of the Cross; Agapius and Seven Companions; and St Alexander the Martyr.
- On the Old Calendar, Sunday of the Veneration of the Cross and St Theodotus of Cyrenia.
Is Sunday, March 15, 2026 a fast day in the Orthodox Church?
Yes.
- On the New Calendar it is a fast day, with wine and oil.
- On the Old Calendar it is a fast day, with wine and oil.
What are the Orthodox readings for Sunday, March 15, 2026?
On both calendars:
- At the Liturgy, the Epistle is Hebrews 4.14-5.6 and the Gospel is Mark 8.34-9.1.
- The Matins Gospel is John 20.1-10.
What tone is Sunday, March 15, 2026 in the Orthodox Church?
On the New Calendar, Sunday, March 15, 2026 is in tone 7 of the Octoechos: its hymns of the Resurrection are sung in tone 7. The Old Calendar keeps the same tone.
