This lectionary relates the biblical texts read throughout the church year at the Monastery of Mār `Azīzā´el in Tur Abdin, a region currently in southeastern Turkey, near the headwaters of the Tigris).
The lectionary is divided into essentially six cycles of varying lengths of time:
First Cycle: Nativity (Dec 25) through the last Sunday before Lent
Second Cycle: First Sunday of Lent through Lazarus Saturday (the day before Palm Sunday)
Third Cycle: Palm Sunday through Holy Saturday
Fourth Cycle: Resurrection Sunday through Pentecost
Fifth Cycle: First Sunday after Pentecost through the Eighth
An unnumbered cycle or appendix of various readings for autumn feasts; ending with various lessons
This lectionary and the lectionary from the Church of the Forty Martyrs are so similar that I have provided a comparison chart, displaying the readings of both lectionaries side by side. Note that the 6th century East Syrian lectionary described by Burkitt preserves a much fuller description of the various readings and psalms for each day, even though the lectionary is fragmentary. The other East Syrian lectionary of Maclean I’ve included apparently preserves practices contemporary with Maclean, circa 1894, in the East Syrian Church.
For further information and a facsimile of the lectionary, see my source:
Lectionary of the monastery of `Azīzā´el in Tur Abdin, Mesopotamia: a startling repository of Syro-Hexapla texts: a facsimile edition of Ms.MardinOrth.47. Corpus Scriptorum Christianorum Orientalium, v.466. ed. Arthur Vööbus Lovanii: In aedibus E. Peters, 1985
| FIRST CYCLE | |||
| 1. | Nativity of our Lord | Rom 8.28-39 | |
| 2. | Circumcision | Ex 4.19-28 | Rom 15.1-3 |
| 3. | After the Nativity | Ezek 37.15-20; Isa 8.1-4; 9.6-7 | Heb 4.14-5.6 |
| 4. | Holy Feast of the Epiphany | Ex 15.22-16.1; Job 36.22-37.1; Jgs 7.4-7; Prov 7.24-8.6; Zech 6.9-15; 2Ki 2.19-25 | Heb 10.15-39 |
| 5. | After the Epiphany, the second (Sunday) | Ezek 47.1-12; Isa 10.33-12.6 | 1Ti 3.1-13 |
| 6. | Third Sunday after the Epiphany | Ex 14.26-31 | 2Cor 4.1-6 |
| 7. | Fourth Sunday after Epiphany | Jgs 6.34-40; 2Ki 5.9-15 | 2Cor 1.8-12 |
| 8. | Fifth Sunday after Epiphany | Ezek 36.22-28; Isa 4.2-6 | Tt 2.11-3.7 |
| 9. | Commemoration of John the Baptist | Dt 18.13-22; Isa 42.1-7 | 2Ti 3.16-4.8 |
| 10. | Feast of the Martyr Mār Stephen | Jgs 16.25-30; Mal 2.17-3.4; 4.4-6 | Gal 1.11-24 |
| 11. | Holy Feast of the Entry of our Lord into the Holy Temple | Ex 4.21-31; Isa 38.10-20 | Rom 4.1-12 |
| 12. | Holy Feast of Mār Barşaumā | Ex 32.11-16; 34.29-31; Jer 10.12-16; 51.20-29 | 1Cor 12.28-13.10 |
| 13. | Rogations [intercessions] for Monday of the Nineveh Fast | Zeph 1.2-14; Jer 14.15-22 | Heb 12.3-11 |
| 14. | Tuesday in the Rogations | Gen 19.1-14; Dan 3.25-40 | 1Ti 2.5-15 |
| 15. | Wednesday in the Rogations | Zeph 2.11-3.4; Jonah 4.2-11 |
Eph 5.15-21 |
| 16. | Holy Mār Severus, the Elect | Wis 3.1-10; Isa 26.1-9 | 2Ti 1.1-7 |
| 17. | Sunday on which is celebrated the commemoration of the priests, deacons and the righteous and the rest — which is the memorial of the fathers | Num 20.23-29; Jos 24.29-33; Prov 10.7-25; Ps 142.1-12; Isa 38.1-8 | 1Cor 15.1-19 |
| 18. | Sunday on which is celebrated the commemoration of the faithful dead, in general | Dt 32.48-33.5; Job 14.7-22; Hos 13.9-14; Jer 22.11-16; Isa 26.16-19 | 1Cor 15.34-37 |
| SECOND CYCLE | |||
| 19. | Holy Sunday which enters the Fast | Lev 23.23-32; Joel 2.12-20; Dan 1.3-21 | Rom 12.1-20 |
| 20. | Monday of the first week in the Fast | Gen 2.15-24; Lev 4.1-12 | 1Ti 2.1-15 |
| 21. | Tuesday of the first week in the Fast | Dt 4.1-14; Jos 21.43-22.6 | Rom 13.11-14.8 |
| 22. | Wednesday of the first week in the Fast | Job 11.13-14; Jer 3.22-25 | |
| 23. | Thursday of the first week in the Fast | Wis 1.1-7 | Heb 11.32-12.2 |
| 24. | (Saturday in the Holy Fast: only the end of these Saturday lessons has survived from he two folios which have fallen out. Friday is completely lost.) | Gal 5.14-26 | |
| 25. | Second Sunday in the Holy Fast | Gen 32.24-32; Prov 3.1-18; Jer 36.21-31 | 2Cor 6.11-16 |
| 26. | Third Sunday in the Holy Fast | Gen 18.20-33; Pr 15.33-16.15; Jer 11.1-10 | Eph 6.10-20 |
| 27. | Fourth Sunday in the Holy Fast | Gen 9.1-14; Jos 20.1-6; Prov 3.27-36 | |
| 28. | Monday of the middle week of the Fast | Ezek 36.22-29 | 2 Cor 6.2-7.1 |
| 29. | Tuesday of the middle week of the Fast | Dt 15.1-8 | 2Ti 5.24-6.12 |
| 30. | Wednesday in the week which is the midpoint of the Fast | Gen 1.14-19; Isa 58.1-6 | 2Cor 9.1-2 |
| 31. | Thursday of the fourth week | Sir 1.17-26 | 2Cor 1.23-2.11 |
| 32. | Day of `arūbtā [=Friday] of the middle week of the Holy Fast | Gen 1.24-31; Isa 58.6-10 | 1Cor 6.12-20 |
| 33. | Saturday of the middle week of the Holy Fast | Jer 3.14-18 | 2Cor 5.1-10 |
| 34. | Fifth Sunday of the Fast | Gn 15.1-20; Prov 8.10-21; Ezk 18.23-32 | Gal 5.16; Eph 4.25-5.2 |
| 35. | Sixth Sunday in the Holy Fast | Gn 31.55-32.21; Prov 10.27-11.9; Jer 11.18-23 | |
| 36. | Holy Forty Martyrs | Jos 22.21-27, 29, 31; Prov 10.27-11.9; Jer 11.18-23; Isa 40.27-41.4 | 2Cor 4.7-18 |
| 37. | Friday of the Forty Days | Isa 52.13-53.12 | Heb 12.18-13.3 |
| 38. | This is for the Saturday of the day of the revival of Lazarus | Eph 1.15-2.3 | |
| THIRD CYCLE | |||
| 39. | First, at vespers for Palm Sunday | Gn 49.1-28; Lev 23.33-44 | |
| 40. | Lessons for the morning of Palm Sunday | Dt 8.6-20; 2Sam 6.1-11; Zech 9.9-17; Nah 2.1-7; Dan 8.1-10; Song 2.7-17; Song 7.7-10; Isa 40.9-17 | Rom 11.13-29 |
| 41. | Monday of the Passion | Isa 5.1-3, 5-7 | Heb 2.5-14 |
| 42. | Tuesday of the Salvatory Passion | Jer 15.5-12 | Heb 7.18-8.1 |
| 43. | Wednesday of the Passion | Wis 1.8-2.1 | Heb 9.24-10.3 |
| 44. | Thursday of the Mystery | Ezek 13.17-22; Isa 3.9-15 | Heb 10.4-12 |
| 45. | The Great Service of the Consecration of the Divine Myron | Gn 28.18-22; Lev 8.1-13; 2Ki 9.1-10; Isa 54.1-6 | 1Cor 2.12-17; 1Cor 3.4-7 |
| 46. | Service of the Mysterious Washing (of Feet) | Isa 44.1-8 | Heb 10.15-25 |
| 47. | Offering [=qūrbānā] on the Thursday of the Mystery, at vespers of the Friday [=`arūbtā] of the Crucifixion | Job 38.2-7, 12-15; Jgs 6.19-24; Wis 1.1-6; 3.10; Jer 15.15-21; Ezk 45.18-25 | 1Cor 11.23-34 |
| 48. | First Service of the Night of the Friday of the Crucifixion | Zech 13.7-14.5 | Heb 4.14-5.6 |
| 49. | Second Service of the Night of the Friday | 1Ki 21.1-10; Zech 11.10-14 | Heb 9.24-28 |
| 50. | Third Service of the Night of the Friday of the Crucifixion | Mic 4.81-3; Isa 50.4-9 | Heb 9.11-15 |
| 51. | Morning of the Great Day of the Friday of the Holy Crucifixion | Lev 24.10-23; Job 40.1-41.3; 1Sam 26.1-16; Jer 37.12-21; Ezk 21.24-22.4 | Rom 5.1-11 |
| 52. | Third hour [=9am] of the Friday of the Crucifixion | Job 17.3-12, 16; Jgs 5.20-27, 31; Isa 32.11-15, 19-20 | Php 2.3-11 |
| 53. | Midday of the Friday of the Crucifixion | Job 29.21-24; Job 30.7-14; Wis 2.12-24; Am 8.9-9.4 | Gal 2.19-3.2, 13-14 |
| 54. | Ninth hour [=3pm] of the Friday of the Crucifixion, and the worship of the adorable Cross | Ex 17.8-16; Jer 11.15-19; Sir 51.6-11; Wis 3.5-10; 5.3-9; Isa 52.13-53.9, 12 | 1Cor 1.18-25; 1Cor 2.6-9 |
| 55. | Saturday vesper of the Holy Burial | Zech 13.2-6; 1Ki 6.1-7; Isa 25.1-9 | Rom 5.6-11 |
| 56. | Morning of the Holy Saturday of Good Tidings [or: the Gospel] | Job 27.1-23; 1Ki 17.17-24; Hos 13.12-14.1; Jer 38.7-13 | |
| FOURTH CYCLE | |||
| 57. | First, the vespers of the Great Sunday | Ex 13.1-19; Jgs 6.25-32; 1Ki 3.5-15 | Rom 6.8-14 |
| 58. | Morning of the Great Sunday of the Resurrection of our Lord from the Tomb | Num 9.1-13; Jos 5.10-6.4; Job 38.2-17; 2Ki 4.18-21, 32-37; 1Sam 17.37-51 | 1Cor 15.1-20; Rom 15.30-16.24 |
| 59. | Monday of white | Hos 2.16-23; Prov 9.1-12 | Eph 2.4-22 |
| 60. | Tuesday of white | Isa 57.19-20; Isa 60.17-22 | Eph 1.3-14 |
| 61. | Wednesday of white | Ex 23.1-13; 1Sam 8.1-9 | Col 3.1-15 |
| 62. | Thursday of white | Ezk 45.18-25; Jer 2.37-38; Jer 16.16-18 | Eph 2.4-18 |
| 63. | Friday of white | Sir 48.1-11; 1Ki 11.11-19; Isa 3.13-4.1 | Col 2.6-15 |
| 64. | Saturday of white | (Amos?: unidentifiable); Zeph 1.12-18; Mic 1.1-9; Nah 1.1-9 | Rom 8.9-14 |
| 65. | New Sunday | Gn 1.1-19; Lev 9.1-9; 16.1-8; Jgs 1.1-7; Prov 2.1-15; Jer 1.1-10 | Heb 7.11-21 |
| 66. | Second Sunday which is after the Resurrection | Ex 2.11-25; Ezek 3.22-4.3 | 1Cor 2.6-3.3 |
| 67. | Third Sunday which is after the Resurrection | Ex 3.13-22; Ezek 5.5-15 | Rom 10.17-11.12 |
| 68. | Fourth Sunday which is after the Resurrection | Ex 5.1-9; Ezek 5.5-15 | Rom 13.12-14.13 |
| 69. | Fifth Sunday which is after the Resurrection | Ex 5.10-6.1; Ezek 8.14-9.10 | Rom 6.12-23 |
| 70. | Holy Feast of the Ascension of our Lord to Heaven | Gn 28.10-16; Nu 9.15-23; 2Ki 2.1-14; Isa 6.1-13 |
Eph 4.1-16 |
| 71. | Sunday which is after the Ascension which is celebrated after the Resurrection | Wis 12.2-18; Isa 62.10-63.5 | 1Ti 3.14-4.8 |
| 72. | Holy Sunday of Pentecost | Ex 3.1-12; Nu 11.16-29; Job 32.6-19; Wis 7.15-28; Joel 2.28-32; Ezk 9.11-10.19 | 1Cor 12.1-18 |
| 73. | Sunday of Pentecost | Isa 63.7-13 | Eph 17.24 |
| FIFTH CYCLE | |||
| 74. | Lessons for the first order (ταξις) | Ex 16.9-27; Job 6.1-30 | 1Cor 6.1-11 |
| 75. | Second Sunday in the succession [lit: in rotation] | Ex 18.1-10; Job 7.1-11 | Col 3.1-17 |
| 76. | Third Sunday in the succession | Ex 18.13-27; Job 8.1-22 | 1Th 1.2-10 |
| 77. | Fourth Sunday in the succession | Ex 20.1-11; Job 9.1-28 | 1Cor 7.1-15 |
| 78. | Fifth Sunday in the succession | Ex 20.12-20; Job 9.29-10.22 | 2Th 1.3-12 |
| 79. | Sixth Sunday in the succession | Ex 20.21-221.6; Job 11.1-20 | 1Tim 4.11-5.8 |
| 80. | Lessons for the seventh Sunday | Ex 21.26-22.4; Job 12.1-22 | 2Th 2.15-3.9 |
| 81. | Lessons for the eighth Sunday | Ex 22.5-23; Jgs 4.7-17 | |
| [the manuscript includes a blank at this point, clearly setting apart the remaining readings from the Fifth Cycle] | |||
| 82. | Feast of the apostles in general, also called the special feasts of Peter, Paul, Thomas and the rest of each of them | Num 8.5-11; Am 7.10-17 | Rom 15.14-24 |
| 83. | Feast of tabernacles and the Transfiguration | Job 19.23-29; Sir 24.1-14 | Heb 1.1-12 |
| 84. | Feast of the Assumption of Mary the Godbearer | Gen 28.10-17; Ex 3.1-10; Jgs 6.34-7.3; 2Ki 2.19-25 | Heb 2.14-3.1 |
| 85. | Feast of Mary the Godbearer which is in the full moon of the month of ´Ab [~August], and is called the Feast of the Ears of Corn | Gn 21.1-23; Ex 25.8-16, 22; Jgs 15.9-19; Ezk 43.1-9; 44.1-3 | Heb 7.1-17 |
| 86. | Feast in honor of the Adorable Cross | Gn 48.8-20; 1Sam 14.24-34; Ex 17.8-16; Jos 10.12-15; Wis 14.7-11; 15.1-3; 2Ki 6.1-7 | Gal 2.17-3.5, 13-14 |
| 87. | After the Feast of the Cross | Zech 14.16-21; Isa 65.1-7 | Eph 3.13-21 |
| 88. | Commemoration of the Saints | Isa 24.21-23; Isa 25.8-10; 26.16-19 | Heb 13.7-9, 12-21 |
| 89. | Commemoration of the Apostles | Prov 10.20-11.10; Zech 8.20-23 | 1Cor 9.13-27 |
| 90. | Commemoration of the Martyrs | Isa 43.1-12 | 1Cor 3.17-4.6 |
| 91. | Commemoration of the Fathers, Teachers and Bishops | Wis 3.1-10; Isa 26.1-9 | Rom 8.28-39 |
| 92. | Another Lesson for one of the Saints, in particular | Jer 16.14-21 | 2Ti 3.10-15 |
| 93. | Lessons for the Faithful Dead | Job 30.16-31.6 | 1Th 4.13-18 |
| 94. | Lessons for the Tonsure of Monks | Zech 3.1-8; Isa 61.6-11 | Eph 6.10-16 |