The Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete

February 24, 2026 · Liturgical Life · Parish Office

The Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete will be read in two parts this week: Monday, February 24th and Wednesday, February 26th. Written in the 8th century, the Canon consists of 250 stanzas moving through the Old and New Testaments, holding each biblical figure up against our own lives and failures. The refrain is always the same: "Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me." Prostrations accompany the service. If you are unable to make full prostrations for physical reasons, remain kneeling and prostrate from that position when you can. These are among the most important services of the first week of Lent. Do not miss them if you can help it.