Lection

The custom of reading the books of Moses in the synagogues on Sabbath is a very ancient one.

This element in synagogue worship was taken over with others into the Christian divine service, as may be gathered from passages in the gospels such as St Luke 4:16–20 and 16:29.

During early Christianity, readings began to be made from the writings of the Apostles and evangelists as the New Testament canon developed.

[1] The oldest manuscripts of the Gospels have marginal marks, and sometimes actual interpolations, which can only be accounted for as indicating the beginnings and endings of liturgical lessons.

Justin Martyr, describing divine worship in the middle of the 2nd century says: "On the day called Sunday all who live in cities or in the country gather together to one place, and the memoirs of the Apostles, or the writings of the Prophets are read as long as time permits" (Apol.

Tertullian about half a century later makes frequent reference to the reading of Holy Scripture in public worship (Apol.

[1] The canons of Hippolytus, written in the first half of the 3rd century says, "Let presbyters, subdeacons and readers, and all the people assemble daily in the church at time of cockcrow, and betake themselves to prayers, to psalms and to the reading of the Scriptures, according to the command of the Apostles, until I come attend to reading" (canon xxi).

&c.) both state that Genesis was read in Lent, Job and Jonah in Passion Week, the Acts of the Apostles in Eastertide, lessons on the Passion on Good Friday, and lessons on the Resurrection on Easter Day.

[1] The Third Council of Carthage (397) forbade anything but Holy Scripture to be read in church.

[1] In many Christian denominations, when the lector finishes reading the scripture lesson, they say one of the following:[2] The congregation responds with "Thanks be to God.