At the monastery’s morning service on March 18, the Gospels were read during the Third, Sixth and Ninth Hour. On Lenten weekdays, when there is no Pre-Sanctified Liturgy, Gospels from Mathew, Mark and Luke are read in full during Hours. The Gospel of John will be read in full during the Holy Passion Week.

Typicon prescribes that all four Gospels are read during Hours on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of the Holy Passion Week. However, since it would extend already long services during that week, the Russian Orthodox Church ruled to read three of the Gospels during the weeks preceding Passion Week.

During Hours service, clergy solemnly bring the Gospels to the middle of the church. At the Third and Ninth Hour, the whole church is being censed with lesser censing performed at the Sixth Hour. Gospel reading begins after the Hour of the Theotokos.

Gospels is the “voice” of Christ Himself. The Gospels read at church revitalize just as powerfully as Christ’s own preaching heard two thousand years ago in Galilee. We feel transported back in time to lush Galilean plains and become witnesses to God the Word Incarnate, His atonement and preaching about spiritual ascent in faith.