Readings for 2 March 2026
17 February 2026 on the Old calendar
- ✚Icon of the Mother of God ‘She who Reigns’ (1917)
Liturgical colour: purple
Epistle: Philippians 2:5-11
Translation: World English Bible
5Have this in your mind, which was also in Christ Jesus, 6who, existing in the form of God, didn’t consider equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men. 8And being found in human form, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, yes, the death of the cross. 9Therefore God also highly exalted him, and gave to him the name which is above every name, 10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, those on earth, and those under the earth, 11and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Gospel: Luke 10:38-42, 11:27-28
Translation: World English Bible
38As they went on their way, he entered into a certain village, and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. 39She had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard his word. 40But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she came up to him, and said, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister left me to serve alone? Ask her therefore to help me.” 41Jesus answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42but one thing is needed. Mary has chosen the good part, which will not be taken away from her.” 11:27It came to pass, as he said these things, a certain woman out of the multitude lifted up her voice and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts which nursed you!” 28But he said, “On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God, and keep it.”
Gospel (Matins): Luke 1:39-49, 56
Translation: World English Bible
39Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Judah, 40and entered into the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. 41When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42She called out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43Why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44For behold, when the voice of your greeting came into my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy! 45Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of the things which have been spoken to her from the Lord!” 46Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord. 47My spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior, 48for he has looked at the humble state of his servant. For behold, from now on, all generations will call me blessed. 49For he who is mighty has done great things for me. Holy is his name. 56Mary stayed with her about three months, and then returned to her house.
Old Testament (Vespers): Genesis 3:21-4:7
Translation: Brenton's English Septuagint
21And the Lord God made for Adam and his wife garments of skin, and clothed them. 22And God said, Behold, Adam is become as one of us, to know good and evil, and now lest at any time he stretch forth his hand, and take of the tree of life and eat, and so he shall live for ever— 23So the Lord God sent him forth out of the garden of Delight to cultivate the ground out of which he was taken. 24And he cast out Adam and caused him to dwell over against the garden of Delight, and stationed the cherubs and the fiery sword that turns about to keep the way of the tree of life. 4:1And Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and brought forth Cain and said, I have gained a man through God. 2And she again bore his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. 3And it was so after some time that Cain brought of the fruits of the earth a sacrifice to the Lord. 4And Abel also brought of the firstborn of his sheep and of his fatlings, and God looked upon Abel and his gifts, 5but Cain and his sacrifices he regarded not, and Cain was exceedingly sorrowful and his countenance fell. 6And the Lord God said to Cain, Why art thou become very sorrowful and why is thy countenance fallen? 7Hast thou not sinned if thou hast brought it rightly, but not rightly divided it? be still, to thee shall be his submission, and thou shalt rule over him.
Old Testament (Vespers): Proverbs 3:34-4:22
Translation: Brenton's English Septuagint
34The Lord resists the proud; but he gives grace to the humble. 35The wise shall inherit glory; but the ungodly have exalted their own dishonour. 4:1Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding. 2For I give you a good gift; forsake ye not my law. 3For I also was a son obedient to my father, and loved in the sight of my mother: 4who spoke and instructed me, saying, Let our speech be fixed in thine heart, keep our commandments, forget them not: 5and do not neglect the speech of my mouth. 6And forsake it not, and it shall cleave to thee: love it, and it shall keep thee. 8Secure it, and it shall exalt thee: honour it, that it may embrace thee; 9that it may give unto thy head a crown of graces, and may cover thee with a crown of delight. 10Hear, my son, and receive my words; and the years of thy life shall be increased, that the resources of thy life may be many. 11For I teach thee the ways of wisdom; and I cause thee to go in right paths. 12For when thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not be distressed. 13Take hold of my instruction; let it not go,—but keep it for thyself for thy life. 14Go not in the ways of the ungodly, neither covet the ways of transgressors. 15In whatever place they shall pitch their camp, go not thither; but turn from them, and pass away. 16For they cannot sleep, unless they have done evil: their sleep is taken away, and they rest not. 17For these live upon the bread of ungodliness, and are drunken with wine of transgression. 18But the ways of the righteous shine like light; they go on and shine, until the day be fully come. 19But the ways of the ungodly are dark; they know not how they stumble. 20My son, attend to my speech; and apply thine ear to my words: 21that thy fountains may not fail thee; keep them in thine heart. 22For they are life to those that find them, and health to all their flesh.