3rd Sunday of the Great Fast
Sunday of the Veneration of the Cross
Heb 4:14 - 5:6

A reading - from the Letter of Saint Paul the Apostle to the Hebrews

Brothers and sisters: Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the son of God, let us hold fast to our profession | of | faith.

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weakness, but one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet ne | ver | sinned.

So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and favor and to find help in time | of | need.

Every high priest is taken from among men and made their representative before God, to offer gifts and sacrifices | for | sins.

He is able to deal patiently with erring sinners, for he himself as well as for the | peo | ple.

One does not take this honor on his own initiative, but only when called by God as Aa | ron | was.

Even Christ did not glorify himself with the office of high priest; he received it from the One who said to him, “You are my son; today I have bego | tten | you”;

Just as he says in another place, “You are a priest forever, according to the order of Mel - cchi - ze - dek (Mel-Kihz-eh-dek).”