Great Monday

On Holy and Great Monday of Passion Week, a homily of our venerable father Ephraim the Syrian, concerning the righteous Joseph and how his brethren sold him to the Ishmaelites. O God of Abraham, God of Isaac, and God of Jacob, blessed art Thou, ever delivering the seed of Thy righteous servants who have loved…

The hymns and canons of Holy Monday center on two key themes: first, the story of the righteous Joseph; second, the miracle of the barren fig tree performed by the Lord. In earlier times, monastic communities would offer readings to the brethren on this day from the writings of the Holy Fathers concerning these subjects—especially “A…