March 5 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)

In the liturgical calendar of the Eastern Orthodox Church, March 5 is a date which may fall within either the Pre-Lenten period or the first week of Great Lent, depending on the date of Pascha (Easter). Therefore, the commemorations observed on this date vary from year to year.

When March 5 falls before the beginning of Great Lent, the commemorations are those typical of the Triodion period:

• A general commemoration of all departed Orthodox Christians, sometimes referred to as a "Soul Saturday" or "Saturday of the Dead", may occur if it falls on a Saturday. Specific themes and propers appropriate to the pre-Lenten season are chanted.

When March 5 falls during the first week of Great Lent, the observances are those proper to the specific day of the week it is. This will typically include:

• Great Compline with the Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete (if it falls on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday).
• The Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts (if it falls on a Wednesday or Friday).
• Specific Lenten hymns and prayers related to the day of the week.

Independently of the Lenten calendar, the following commemorations are also observed on March 5:

• Hieromartyr Conon of Isauria (3rd century).
• Martyr Conon the Gardener of Pamphylia (3rd century).
• Martyr Iraklios, with Martyrs Quirinus and 20 others, at Sebaste (320).
• Saint Mark the Ascetic of Egypt (5th century).
• Venerable Hesychius the Faster, of the Monastery of Vatopedi, Mt. Athos (14th century).
• Saint Theodore of Yaroslavl, Prince, Wonderworker (1233).
• Saint Leo, Bishop of Catania (c. 780) ( Greek tradition).
• Repose of Righteous Michael the Confessor (1856).
• Repose of Monk Isaiah of Valaam (1914).

Because the date may fall during Great Lent, the strictness of fasting may vary according to the typikon of the local church.