Holy Monday is dedicated to the memory of Joseph, the son of Jacob, who is mentioned in the Old Testament and the barren fig tree, which Christ cursed and withered with one word.
Joseph was the youngest son of Jacob, but he was persecuted by his brothers because of his virtuous life, and initially they threw him into a pit and tried to deceive their father by using a bloody garment that he had supposedly been torn apart by a beast.
Unable to deceive their father, they sold him to merchants, who in turn sold him to the chief cook of the king of Egypt, Pharaoh Potiphar.
There, Joseph, after not giving in to the sexual desires of his wife Potiphar, was slandered by her and Pharaoh imprisoned him. But once, Pharaoh saw a strange dream and asked for an interpreter. Joseph interpreted that seven years of euphoria and seven years of barrenness and famine would come to the country. Pharaoh, pleased and excited by his wisdom, gave Joseph positions of authority.
Joseph managed his power excellently and took care of the people during the difficult years of famine. On the verge of famine, his brothers who had envied him appeared before him asking for help. He not only did not hold any grudge against them, but on the contrary, he forgave them and invited them to live permanently in Egypt with their parents.
During the liturgical ritual, on Holy Monday evening, the matins of Holy Tuesday are celebrated, that is, the Bridegroom's Service, where the Parable of the 10 Virgins dominates the hymnology (Behold, the Bridegroom comes, I see your bride).
Apolitikion
Ἦhos pl. d'.
Behold, the Bridegroom comes in the middle of the night, and blessed is that servant whom he finds fast, but unworthy again, whom he finds willing. See therefore, my soul, do not give in to sleep, lest you be delivered over to death and shut out from the kingdom, but awake, crying out: Holy, Holy, Holy are you God, through the Theotokos have mercy on us.
