June 28, 2004.

Memorial of St. Ironaus, Bishop and Martyr.

A reading from the second book of kings.

In the 10th month of the ninth year of Zedekiah's reign,

on the 10th day of the month,

Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon,

and his whole army advanced against Jerusalem, and camped around

it and built siege walls on every side. The siege of the city continued until the 11th year

of Zedekiah. On the ninth day of the fourth month, when famine had gripped the city and the

people had no more bread, the city walls were breached.

Then the king and all the soldiers left the city by night, through the gate between the two walls that was near the king's garden.

Since the Chaldeans had the city surrounded, they went in the direction of the Araba.

But the Chaldean army pursued the king and overtook him in the desert near Jericho, abandoned by his whole army.

The king was therefore arrested and brought to Ribla, to the king of Babylon, who pronounced

sentence on him. He had Zedekiah's sons

slain before his eyes. Then he blinded Zedekiah, bound him with fetters, and had him brought to

Babylon. On the seventh day of the fifth month, this was in the 19th year of Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon.

Nebuchadon, captain of the bodyguard, came to Jerusalem as the representative of the King of Babylon.

He burned the house of the Lord, the palace of the King, and all the houses of Jerusalem.

Every large building was destroyed by fire.

Then the Chaldean troops, who were with the captain of the guard,

tore down the walls that surrounded Jerusalem.

...