Daybreak for February 23, 2026

Monday of the First Week of Lent
Commemoration of St. Polycarp, 69-155; a letter addressed to him by St. Ignatius tells him to care for the Church and his own surviving epistle shows he encouraged the Philippians on the path of righteousness; St. Iraneus praises his defense of orthodoxy and his energy in combating heresy; during a visit to Rome, St. Polycarp spoke to the bishop, Anicetus, who agreed to let the Eastern churches calculate the date of Easter in their own way; Polycarp was arrested and martyred during a pagan festival in Smyrna, when he refused to deny Christ
Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 2/23/26
Gospel: Matthew 25: 31-46

Daybreak™ is a fresh, upbeat approach to morning devotions and prayer. Host Paul Sadek leads you in …