Antiochian Archdiocese: Fifth Week of Lent Texts Released

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ENGLEWOOD, NJ — The Department of Liturgics of the Antiochian Archdiocese of North America has released liturgical texts for the fifth week of Great Lent, allowing clergy and laity to prepare for a week rich with spiritually transformative services. The texts are now available for download from the Online Liturgical Guide.

In 2026, a rare overlap of feasts requires schedule adjustments. Normally, the fifth Wednesday of Lent features Little Compline, the reading of The Life of St. Mary of Egypt by St. Sophronios of Jerusalem, and the Great Canon of Repentance by St. Andrew of Crete. This year, because March 25 falls on that Wednesday—the Feast of the Annunciation—the Typicon directs some services to be rescheduled so worshippers can fully participate in each celebration. In all parishes in the Archdiocese, Little Compline should now be offered on Monday, March 23, while Lenten Daily Vespers should accompany the Great Canon’s twenty-four penitential stichera.

The Annunciation is celebrated with Great Vespers, Litia-Artoklasia, Festal Orthros, and the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom on March 25. Later, on March 27, churches will offer Little Compline with the Akathist Hymn and Canon honoring the Theotokos’ role in salvation.

Previously, the UOJ reported that the European Archdiocese launched an online Orthodox education center for English speakers.

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