An Attempted Reconstruction of the Ancient Octave of the Encaenia

September 13th. Day one. The Anastasis.

• Introductory Psalm: Ps 85
• [Old Testament reading I: Wis. Sol 9:1-8]
• [Old Testament reading II: Zach 1:16-2:5]
• Epistle reading: I Tim 3:14-16
• Alleluia-psalm: Ps 64
• Gospel: Jn 10:22-42 [="Index" and AL]

September 14th. Day two. The feast of the Cross. The Martyrium.

• Elevation and showing of the Cross [=AL & L]
• Introductory Psalm: Ps 85 [=Sin. Georg. 54] or Ps 27 [=L]
• [Old Testament reading I: Prov 3:18-23]
• [Old Testament reading II: Isa 65:24]
• Epistle reading: I Cor 1:18-25
• Alleluia-psalm: Ps 45
• Gospel: Jn 19:17-37 [="Index" & Georg 3.] or Matt 24:27-35 [=Georg. 54]

September 15th. Day three. Holy Sion [Egeria = Eleona]

• Introductory psalm: Ps 147
• Old Testament reading I: Isa 33:20
• Epistle reading: Heb 8:7-9:10
• Alleluia-psalm: Ps 64
• Gospel: Matt 23:1-22 [23:1-12 = "Index"]

September 16th. Day four. [Georg. 3 & L = Nea] [Georg.54 = Sion]

• Introductory psalm: Ps 146
• Old Testament reading: Zach 8:3-8
• Epistle reading: Rom 11:25-27
• Alleluia-psalm: Ps 83
• Gospel: Mk 11:15-18

September 17th. Day five. Place of the Ascension [=Georg.34] [L=Sion]

• Introductory psalm: Ps 124
• Old Testament reading: [Missing in L & Georg. 3]
• Epistle reading: Heb 12:18-28
• Alleluia-psalm: Ps 86
• Gospel: Matt 23:13-22 [="Index"] or Matt 16:13-20 [=L]

September 18th. Day six. Bethlehem [=Georg. 34]

• Introductory psalm: Ps 131
• Old Testament reading: [Missing in L & Georg. 3]
• Epistle reading: Heb 13:10-16
• Alleluia-psalm: Ps 44
• Gospel: Mk 12:24-44 [L=12:28-44]

September 19th. Day seven. Martyrium [="Index"]

• Introductory psalm: Ps 86
• Old Testament reading: [Missing in L & Georg.3]
• Epistle reading: Rom 9:1-5
• Alleluia-psalm: Ps 95
• Gospel: Jn 2:23-3:6

September 20th. Day eight. Anastasis [="Index"]

• Introductory psalm: Ps 64
• Old Testament reading: [Missing in L & Georg.3]
• Epistle reading: Gal 4:18-26
• Alleluia-psalm: Ps 147
• Gospel: Lk 20:1-19



Michael A Fraser, University of Durham. 1993