A patristic reading plan for Great Lent

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25 February 2010

A collection of old booksGreat Lent is taken by many as a time of increase in spiritual reading, and it presents an ideal opportunity to further one's reading in the early Fathers of the Church. In what follows, we present two day-by-day patristic reading plans for the forty days of Great Lent (exclusive of Sabbaths and Sundays), which some may find helpful in immersing themselves in the early Fathers during the great fast. The first is a 'heavier' plan, with extensive readings each day; the second is a 'lighter' plan, with shorter readings that those in the world with busy schedules may find more manageable. Both will provide the diligent reader with an extensive exposure to some key texts in the early Fathers in the period leading to Pascha, and which touch on themes relevant to the Lenten ascesis.These plans do not originate with Monachos.net; they have been circulating on the internet for some time and seemed good to reproduce here for our readers.

Lenten patristic reading plan 1: Lengthier readings



Day of Great Lent Reading
1 The Didache, complete text
2 Epistle to Diognetus, 1-6
3 Epistle to Diognetus, 7-12
4 St Polycarp of Smyrna, Epistle to the Philippians, complete text
5 St Ignatius of Antioch, Epistle to the Ephesians, complete text
6 St Ignatius of Antioch, Epistle to the Magnesians, complete text
7 St Ignatius of Antioch, Epistle to the Trallians, complete text
8 St Ignatius of Antioch, Epistle to the Romans, complete text
9 St Ignatius of Antioch, Epistle to the Philadelphians, complete text
10 St Ignatius of Antioch, Epistle to the Smyrneans, complete text
11 St Ignatius of Antioch, Epistle to Polycarp, complete text
12 St Justin Martyr, First Apology, 1-11
13 St Justin Martyr, First Apology, 12-23
14 St Justin Martyr, First Apology, 24-35
15 St Justin Martyr, First Apology, 36-47
16 St Justin Martyr, First Apology, 48-59
17 St Justin Martyr, First Apology, 60-68
18 St Cyprian of Carthage, On the Unity of the Church (Treatise I), 1-9
19 St Cyprian of Carthage, On the Unity of the Church (Treatise I), 10-18
20 St Cyprian of Carthage, On the Unity of the Church (Treatise I), 19-27
21 St Athanasius, Life of St Anthony, 1-10
22 St Athanasius, Life of St Anthony, 11-20
23 St Athanasius, Life of St Anthony, 21-30
24 St Athanasius, Life of St Anthony, 31-40
25 St Athanasius, Life of St Anthony, 41-50
26 St Athanasius, Life of St Anthony, 51-60
27 St Athanasius, Life of St Anthony, 61-70
28 St Athanasius, Life of St Anthony, 71-80
29 St Athanasius, Life of St Anthony, 81-94
30 St Cyril of Jerusalem, Mystagogical Catechesis 1 (Oration 19)
31 St Cyril of Jerusalem, Mystagogical Catechesis 2 (Oration 20)
32 St Cyril of Jerusalem, Mystagogical Catechesis 3 (Oration 21)
33 St Cyril of Jerusalem, Mystagogical Catechesis 4 (Oration 22)
34 St Cyril of Jerusalem, Mystagogical Catechesis 5 (Oration 23)
35 St Ambrose of Milan, On the Holy Mysteries, 1-4
36 St Ambrose of Milan, On the Holy Mysteries, 5-9
37 St Leo the Great, The Tome to Flavian, complete text
38 St Leo the Great, Sermon 21 (On the Feast of the Nativity, 1), complete text
39 St Leo the Great, Sermon 49 (On Great Lent, 11), complete text
40 St Leo the Great, Sermon 72 (On the Lord's Resurrection), complete text

 

Lenten patristic reading plan 2: Shorter readings

 

Day of Great Lent Reading
1 Epistle to Diognetus, 1-6
2 Epistle to Diognetus, 7-12
3 St Ignatius of Antioch, Epistle To the Ephesians, 1-7
4 St Ignatius of Antioch, Epistle To the Ephesians, 8-14
5 St Ignatius of Antioch, Epistle To the Ephesians, 15-21
6 St Ignatius of Antioch, Epistle To the Magnesians, 1-5
7 St Ignatius of Antioch, Epistle To the Magnesians, 6-10
8 St Ignatius of Antioch, Epistle To the Magnesians, 11-15
9 St Justin Martyr, First Apology, 1-7
10 St Justin Martyr, First Apology, 8-14
11 St Justin Martyr, First Apology, 15-21
12 St Justin Martyr, First Apology, 22-29
13 St Justin Martyr, First Apology, 30-37
14 St Justin Martyr, First Apology, 38-45
15 St Justin Martyr, First Apology, 46-53
16 St Justin Martyr, First Apology, 54-60
17 St Justin Martyr, First Apology, 61-68
18 St Cyprian of Carthage, On the Unity of the Church (Treatise I), 1-9
19 St Cyprian of Carthage, On the Unity of the Church (Treatise I), 10-18
20 St Cyprian of Carthage, On the Unity of the Church (Treatise I), 19-27
21 St Athanasius, Life of St Anthony, 1-9
22 St Athanasius, Life of St Anthony, 10-16
23 St Athanasius, Life of St Anthony, 17-25
24 St Athanasius, Life of St Anthony, 26-33
25 St Athanasius, Life of St Anthony, 34-41
26 St Athanasius, Life of St Anthony, 42-49
27 St Athanasius, Life of St Anthony, 50-58
28 St Athanasius, Life of St Anthony, 59-66
29 St Athanasius, Life of St Anthony, 67-73
30 St Athanasius, Life of St Anthony, 74-81
31 St Athanasius, Life of St Anthony, 82-89
32 St Athanasius, Life of St Anthony, 90-94
33 St Cyril of Jerusalem, Mystagogical Catechesis 2 (Oration 20)
34 St Cyril of Jerusalem, Mystagogical Catechesis 4 (Oration 22)
35 St Cyril of Jerusalem, Mystagogical Catechesis 5 (Oration 23), 1-11
36 St Cyril of Jerusalem, Mystagogical Catechesis 5 (Oration 23), 12-23
37 St Ambrose of Milan, On the Holy Mysteries, 1-4
38 St Ambrose of Milan, On the Holy Mysteries, 5-9
39 St Leo the Great, Sermon 49 (On Great Lent, 11), complete text
40 St Leo the Great: Sermon 72 (On the Lord's Resurrection), complete text

 


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General Materials

The Lenten Prayer of St Ephraim the Syrian (also available in Slavonic)

The central and oft-repeated Lenten prayer of the Orthodox Church, repeated throughout the season of the Great Fast. See also a thorough discussion on the differences between the Greek and Slavonic forms of St Ephrem's prayer.

Outline of the Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts

An outline and description of this service, with information on its various parts, actions, and prayers.

Psalm 50: 'Have Mercy on me, O Lord...'

The great psalm of repentance, in English, Church Slavonic, Russian and Greek. Said before entering the temple, before communion and confession, and in all times of repentance and need.

An Introduction to Great Lent by Fr Alexander Schmemann

This brief text, excerpted from Fr Schmemann's popular work, Great Lent, poetically sets the stage for the journey into Pascha. The text makes clear the intent and purpose of the Lenten discipline, and is helpful reading at the beginning of the Fast.

Akathist Hymn to the Most Holy Mother of God

This hymn, said in Church on certain days during the Fast (see calendar, previous tab), is also of heightened general use, and should be said by the faithful in private/home prayer.

Ascetic: Reflections on the Way of Self-Sacrifice

A reflection upon and dialogue concerning personal ascesis, including prayer, fasting, tears and solitude.

Monachos Lenten messages from previous years: