Sunday, March 16, 2031
Sunday of the Veneration of the Cross
On Sunday, March 16, 2031, Orthodox Christians on the New Calendar remember Sunday of the Veneration of the Cross; St Sabinas of Egypt; and St Christodoulos of Patmos. 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 Eutropius, Cleonicus and Basiliscus. 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
On the Old Calendar
Name days on the New Calendar: Christodoulos
- Tone 6 of the Octoechos
- 3rd Week of Great Lent
The day’s readings
6th Matins GospelLuke 24.36-53
24:36As they said these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace be to you.” 37But they were terrified and filled with fear, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. 38He said to them, “Why are you troubled? Why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39See my hands and my feet, that it is truly me. Touch me and see, for a spirit doesn’t have flesh and bones, as you see that I have.” 40When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet.
41While they still didn’t believe for joy, and wondered, he said to them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42They gave him a piece of a broiled fish and some honeycomb. 43He took them, and ate in front of them. 44He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you, that all things which are written in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms concerning me must be fulfilled.” 45Then he opened their minds, that they might understand the Scriptures. 46He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, 47and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
48You are witnesses of these things. 49Behold, I send out the promise of my Father on you. But wait in the city of Jerusalem until you are clothed with power from on high.” 50He led them out as far as Bethany, and he lifted up his hands and blessed them. 51While he blessed them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven. 52They worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53and were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.
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 16, 2031?
- On the New Calendar, Sunday of the Veneration of the Cross; St Sabinas of Egypt; and St Christodoulos of Patmos.
- On the Old Calendar, Sunday of the Veneration of the Cross; and Eutropius, Cleonicus and Basiliscus.
Is Sunday, March 16, 2031 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 16, 2031?
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 Luke 24.36-53.
What tone is Sunday, March 16, 2031 in the Orthodox Church?
On the New Calendar, Sunday, March 16, 2031 is in tone 6 of the Octoechos: its hymns of the Resurrection are sung in tone 6. The Old Calendar keeps the same tone.
