Telegram | My beloved Faithful Clergy and Laity of our God-Protected Diocese: As we begin Holy and Great Lent this year on March 14 th, I want to share with you a few thoughts so that we may journey through this reflective period and arrive at the Great Feast of Feasts, Pascha to receive the Resurrected Christ. The Church spares no effort in warning us against a hypocritical and pharisaic fasting, against the reduction of religion to mere external obligations. On other feast days, such as the First and Second Finding of the Head of Saint John the Baptist (February 24), the Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste (March 9), the Forefeast of the Annunciation (March 24), and the Synaxis of the Archangel Gabriel (March 26), wine and oil are permitted. During these days, the Church announces to us the arrival of Lent as being the dawn of day that dissipates the darkness: "Shining upon us as the dawn, the grace-giving Fast provides us now with a time for repentance, dispersing the darkness of our sins.". In Greece and Cyprus, Lent is known as Saracosti, which comes from the word forty, which is the forty day period until Palm Sunday and then one more week until Easter Day making a total of 49 days of "fasting". God forgives us, and His forgiveness is in Christ, His Son, whom He sends to us so that by sharing in His humanity we may share in His love and be truly reconciled with God. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Instagram | All rights reserved. Each person must do his best in the light of the given ideal. The Orthodox Observer places the Church in the context of the current world we live in through a diverse and informative experience offering participants meaningful exchange with the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, her ministries, and affiliates. The Orthodox Christian holiday explained Cady Stanton USA TODAY 0:00 0:45 Orthodox Christians in Europe, Africa and the Middle East celebrated Orthodox Easter on Sunday. So as we take up the spiritual disciplines given to us by our Lord, I pray that it is with a spirit of renewed commitment and not with a spirit of gloominess. We entreat thee urgently: enter with us, by thy mediation, into the struggle of the Fast, and grant us to complete it for our souls salvation.. What is Orthodox Christianity? Psalm 137 is added to the service, which begins, By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept when we remembered Zion. It is a song of exile and return. Sunday of Orthodoxy. Phone: (212) 570-3500Contact, Download VCFJoin our Mailing ListsDonate. In preparation for this great feast of the Mother of God, we observe a two-week period Read more. Ten days later (fifty days after the Resurrection), the church celebrates the Feast of Pentecost. Telegram | Titus 3:9). Almsgiving Great Lent roughly lasts for seven weeks (including Holy week - see details at Background section below). In fact, if you are fasting and you are invited to someone's home for dinner and they serve meat, eat the meat, don't make a big deal out of your fasting. So, we fast from meat, fish, dairy products, oil, and wine. Fasting is a spiritual discipline that should be practiced with the oversight and direction of your spiritual father. As Christ tells us, our fasting is seen by our "Father who is in secret," and He will reward us for our efforts. To the Clergy, Monastics, and Faithful of the Orthodox Church in America. We invite you to prayerfully consider sharing the resources given to you by God with a donation to the Archdiocese. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, Ever since, this Sunday has been commemorated as the "Triumph of Orthodoxy. I humbly ask your forgiveness. In general, the fasting rules during Great Lent and Holy Week are as follows: WEEKDAYS (Monday Friday) are observed as Strict Fast Days. A good starting place to work towards the strict observance is to keep the first day of Great Lent, Clean Monday, as an absolute fast and to limit meals on the other days. Holy Week follows, along with the Great and Holy Week. Even in the midst of everything we endure; a pandemic, social unrest, economic uncertainty, and now war in Ukraine, we must remember to always attend to doing good and becoming ever-brighter beacons of Christs light in this darkening world. These cookies do not store any personal information. Copyright 19962023. Each of us has a "passion" for anger, lust, power, greed, ego, etc. The first week of Lent is especially strict. Great Lent is our much needed time of refreshment of the heart and cleansing of the soul, so that we may more clearly perceive the light of Christ on Great and Holy Pascha. When we think of Easter, what comes to mind are Easter eggs and those fun games played before getting an Easter egg. If one does not have the strength to do this, it is good to abstain from food until after venerating the epitaphios (winding sheet) during Vespers on this day. Fasting is an aid to help us in this. The Holy Synod / Celebrates the resurrection of Jesus from the dead after his death by crucifixion. Nor should we, as Christ warns, look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men (Mt 6:16). Biodiesel reduces emissions by more than 50 percent compared to petroleum. The dominant theme of this Sunday since 843 has been that of the victory of the icons. In our time, there are many bonds of wickedness and cords of the yoke which Lent urges us to loosebut above all, the sins which bind our souls. The Archdiocese responds to the spiritual needs of the Greek Orthodox Christian Faithful through National Ministries, providing programs and services to your local parishes, Metropolises, and you. The lenten services also make the undeniable point that we should not pride ourselves with external fasting since the devil also never eats! During this period of Lent, we have the opportunity to show that man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word (and by prayer, and by tears of repentance, and by prostrations, and by asceticism) that proceeds from the mouth of God (Matthew 4.4). But the Church spares no effort in revealing to us that fasting is but a means, one among many, towards a higher goal: the spiritual renewal of man, his return to God, true repentance and, therefore, true reconciliation. The Orthodox Christian Faith proclaims the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the teachings of the Apostles, and the tradition and life of the living Church worldwide through worship, communion, witness, and service. they have received their reward. Ash Wednesday, which marks the start of Lent in the Christian calendar, has been observed by Britons for centuries. The time has come - the start of our spiritual contests, the victory over demons, In the Russian Orthodox Church, fasting always begins on a Monday, whereas in the Roman Catholic Church, on a. Portions should be smaller than usual. This post will provide you with the fasting guidelines for the pre-Lenten period of preparation, Great Lent, and Holy Week, according to the general practice of All Saints parish and as approved for publication by Fr. Blessed fasting is done in secret, without ostentation or accusation of others (Mt 6.16; Rom 14). Let us welcome the Fast with humble hearts., See how the beauty of repentance forms the soul anew at the approach of Lent! Certain individuals and institutions are presented for reference purposes only and may not be under the supervision or jurisdiction of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese. Because fasting is so misunderstood, it is many times done incorrectly. Feasts & Saints /, The Mission of The Orthodox Church in America, the local autocephalous Orthodox Christian Church, is to be faithful in fulfilling the commandment of Christ to Go into all the world and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. A meeting ofthe HIERARCHS of the RTOC-MM Synod ofBishops takes place. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. The fasting is done so that the body and spirit are "cleansed" to prepare for accepting the Resurrection. In several countries, lent marks the start of spring. More important, however, than fasting from food, is fasting from the behaviors that are spiritually destructive. Instead the non-eucharistic services are extended with additional scripture readings and hymnology of a lenten character. +HARALAMPOSArchbishop of Dallas and Texas, +NICHOLASBishop of EdenbornVicar for the Archdiocese of North America & the Diaspora, True Orthodox Church of the Diaspora: Archdiocese of North America 2001-2023. This day commemorates the Last Supper shared by Jesus and his disciples. Then work up from that. We also announce the publication of our monastery November-December bulletin (its English version will be available soon on our website: https://sfdumitru.org/en/icon-from-within/, Feast Day at St. Dimitrie the New Monastery, Visit of the Hawaiian Icon of the Mother of God, Prayers sent to God on the wings of birds, Doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men (Ephesians 6.7). Again, Lent is not a season of deprivation, nor should we "give up" something only to get it back once Lent is over. So, if we can or tame our passion for eating, we can hopefully tame our other passions. ". Meals for the fast should follow the dietary restrictions and be cooked simply. Even during Great Lent, Saturday (the Sabbath Day) and Sunday (the Lord's Day) remain eucharistic days, and the Divine Liturgy is celebrated. Fasting also does not mean "looking" deprived, complaining about what you can't eat, or making a show of your fasting. YouTube | On the morning of that Sunday, at the Divine Liturgy, we hear the words of Christ: You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Some find it necessary to eat a little each day after sunset. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. The Orthodox Church in America. YouTube | Lives of the Saints /. The Mission of The Orthodox Church in America, the local autocephalous Orthodox Christian Church, is to be faithful in fulfilling the commandment of Christ to "Go into all the world and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, with its headquarters located in the City of New York, is an Eparchy of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, The mission of the Archdiocese is to proclaim the Gospel of Christ, to teach and spread the Orthodox Christian faith, to energize, cultivate, and guide the life of the Church in the United States of America according to the Orthodox Christian faith and tradition. There is a 19 Sunday (18 week) period of time each year in the Orthodox Christian Church that surrounds the Feast of Pascha (Easter). But the Church reveals to us that there are much subtler ways of offending Divine Love. The consumption of shellfish and mollusks, however, is permitted in Greek Orthodox Churches. Good Friday occurs on the Friday before Easter. Eating meat, eggs and dairy products is traditionally forbidden to Orthodox Christians throughout Lent, with fish being eaten only on two major feast days: on March 25th ( Annunciation of the Virgin Mary) and on Palm Sunday . The Church, in her wisdom, begins preparing us for this most-holy time in the weeks that Read more, The Nativity Fast begins this year on Tuesday, November 15. Fasting is a tool that is used to assist in spiritual growth. to let the oppressed go free, The Sunday after Pentecost is the Feast of All Saints. Search, Learn more about the Orthodox Church in America. Originally a harvest and fertility festival, Holi also commemorates a legend from Hindu Mythology. Contact | The experience provides the faithful significant content to listen to, watch, and read; in order to lead, grow, and inspire. In practice, it consists of: 1. The following is an overview of the events. link to the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese website for the liturgics of the day, if available. On these days the fast is relaxed to permit alcoholic beverages and olive and other vegetable oils. The Feast of the Resurrection is called Pascha and it begins a forty-day period of celebration. We ask our good God and His Most-Holy Mother to grant us strength so that this Lent may become a spiritual feast for our souls, which otherwise are atrophied by pleasures. Also called Quadragesima or Tessaracoste, Great Lent is a 40-day season of spiritual preparation that comes before the Feast of Holy Pascha or the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, which falls on April 24. This is the purpose of the Lenten journey. GREAT LENT AND HOLY WEEK 2022 (March 7 - April 23) The Lenten fasting discipline commences after Forgiveness Vespers on March 6 and concludes with the breaking of the fast at Pascha on April 24. Fasting on the weekdays of the first week of Great Lent is especially severe. However, Western Christendom doesn't count Sundays because Jesus is recorded as having resurrected on a Sunday, whereas Eastern Orthodox churches do count Sundays. Thus, fasting is not about giving up something only to get it back. Find out the dates, history and traditions of Equal Pay Day. To the beloved clergy, religious, and faithful of the Russian True Orthodox Church, Archdiocese of North America & the Diasporamercy, peace, and love be yours in ever-greater measure. The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, with its headquarters located in the City of New York, is an Eparchy of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, The mission of the Archdiocese is to proclaim the Gospel of Christ, to teach and spread the Orthodox Christian faith, to energize, cultivate, and guide the life of the Church in the United States of America according to the Orthodox Christian faith and tradition. We plan to keep creating more Great Lent teaching material, so please check back for new additions! On weekends, olive oil and wine are permitted. 2023Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. For many this is impracticable. As we begin our preparation for Great Lent each year, a unique occurrence is found in the Matins Service for the Sundays of the Prodigal Son, Meatfare, and Cheesefare. It is true that open enmity, personal hatred, real animosity may be absent from our life, though if we experience them, it may be easier for us to repent, for these feelings openly contradict Divine commandments. Wednesday. Please also be of service to them in your charity and almsgiving this Lent. The guidelines in this post are general. And because we make this discoveryand because this discovery is that of the Kingdom of God itself: the Kingdom of Peace and Love, of reconciliation with God and, in Him, with all that existswe hear the hymns of that Feast, which once a year opens to us the doors of Paradise. We know why we shall fast and pray, what we shall seek during the long Lenten pilgrimage. Official Statements & Speeches / Meat, animal products (cheese, milk, butter, eggs, lard), fish (meaning fish with backbones), olive oil, and wine (all alcoholic drinks) are not consumed during the weekdays of Great Lent. All rights reserved. Copyright 19962023. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Christ shed His blood for us, so we do not consume any "blood" or "animal" products. The first three weeks, including four Sundays, are called the Triodion, or pre-Lenten period. Great Lent/Pascha resources. But wherever we fall in that spectrum, we must always remember that were not alone. The day commemorates the Crucifixion of Jesus. The ecclesiastical book that contains the Services of our Church which are performed during the period beginning with the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee and ends on Great and Holy Saturday, that is the Services of the movable feasts that precede Easter, is called the Triodion. In the first four days of Lent, the Church officiates the Great Canon of Saint Andrew of Crete, a liturgical hymn of repentance, remembering the history of salvation. It is during the month of Ramadan that Muslims fast. If you've never fasted before, I would not recommend doing a strict fast. Find out the dates, history and traditions of National Awkward Moments Day. The Orthodox rules for lenten fasting are the monastic rules. Prayer 2. Outside of Lent, it is Tradition to fast every Wednesday (in honor of the betrayal of Christ) and Friday (in honor of His Crucifixion). It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. We can eat shellfish because they do not contain blood. They understand fasting as an end in itself, as a good deed required by God and carrying in itself its merit and its reward. Let us run towards this freedom in the coming weeks. Palm Sunday is the Sunday before Easter and commemorates Jesus' entry into Jerusalem. The Church Year, The Mission of The Orthodox Church in America, the local autocephalous Orthodox Christian Church, is to be faithful in fulfilling the commandment of Christ to Go into all the world and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. It is a time during which we take stock of our hearts, discard the unnecessary things of this world, refocus our spiritual vision, and bring our pains and griefs before Gods healing presence. April 2022 - Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America DONATE Calendar of Saints, Feasts, and Readings in the Orthodox Church April 2022 List Grid View All View Saints View Readings Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 4th Friday of Lent Isaiah 29:13-23 Genesis 12:1-7 Proverbs 14:15-26 2 Fourth Saturday of Lent Hebrews 6:9-12 Generally speaking, fasting is an essential element of the Christian life. that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; RTOC-MM: Archdiocese of North America and the Diaspora From the Blog March 7/February 22, 2022 To the beloved clergy, religious, and faithful of the Russian True Orthodox Church, Archdiocese of North America & the Diaspora-mercy, peace, and love be yours in ever-greater measure. Box 495 South Bound Brook, NJ 08880 Offices: Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA Metropolia Center The Orthodox Faith / Phone: (212) 570-3500Contact, Download VCFJoin our Mailing ListsDonate. But for those living. It is the Orthodox Tradition to fast from food products that contain blood. Designed to guide its readers through the journey, it will both inspire and reinvigorate your faith through meditation, prayer, and a deeper understanding of the Passion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Level six -- Level four and eliminate dairy products on Wednesday and Fridays and during Holy Week. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. The dominant theme of this Sunday since 843 has been that of the victory of the icons. The next forty days, which includes nearly six weeks and five Sundays, is called Great Lent. Religious study 4. Certain individuals and institutions are presented for reference purposes only and may not be under the supervision or jurisdiction of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese. On Wednesday, the fast is kept until after the Presanctified Liturgy. In practice, very few people are able to do this. Great Lent begins on Monday, March 7! What is Orthodox Christianity? The road home, however, begins with us. Great Lent begins on Monday, March 7, 2022. Seraphim Dedes). At the same time, to reiterate the need for a conscience free of passions, the Church decided that the Great Canon should be read in its entirety in the fifth week of Great Lent. Over the years, we have built quite a collection of teaching resources on Great Lent. Twitter | Then after Vespersafter hearing the announcement of Lent in the Great Prokeimenon: Turn not away Thy face from Thy child, for I am afflicted! It serves as a reminder that even in our darkest times there is always a way home. The week before Great Lent, we are only required to fast from meat, not dairy products. 'Lencten' has a root in the Germanic word for long, which assigned itself to Spring as the days become longer. In addition to the ascetic fasting of the lenten season, the Orthodox alone among Christians also practice what is known as eucharistic or liturgical fasting. This is why we can eat grapes and olives, we cannot have wine or olive oil. Clean Monday ( Greek: ), also known as Pure Monday, Ash Monday, Monday of Lent or Green Monday, is the first day of Great Lent throughout Eastern Christianity [1] and is a moveable feast, falling on the 6th Monday before Palm Sunday which begins the Holy Week preceding Pascha Sunday (Easter). This Lent, be especially on guard with social media, which too easily inflames our passions, devours our time, and devolves into the foolish controversies which Saint Paul warns us to avoid, for they are unprofitable and futile and only disturb our brothers and sisters in Christ (cf. Sunday, March 6, 2022 12:30 PM. This site has been made possible by a grant from Leadership 100. The Mission of The Orthodox Church in America, the local autocephalous Orthodox Christian Church, is to be faithful in fulfilling the commandment of Christ to Go into all the world and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Getentrepreneurial.com: Resources for Small Business Entrepreneurs in 2022. March 7, 2022 To the Clergy, Monastics, and Faithful of the Orthodox Church in America, Dear Beloved Children in the Lord, As we stand at this moment, the threshold of Great Lent, with all turmoil and violence unfolding in the world, the Lenten fast comes like a spring breeze to refresh our souls. No restriction is placed on the amount of food during the meal, though moderation is always encouraged in all areas of ones life at all times. The Orthodox Christian Faith proclaims the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the teachings of the Apostles, and the tradition and life of the living Church worldwide through worship, communion, witness, and service. Thus, truly forgiveness is both the beginning of, and the proper condition for, the Lenten season. This year, Easter falls on Sunday, April. GREAT LENT 2022 - Protocol N. 7/2022. We need to fast from things that get us in trouble - perhaps the television, alcohol, inappropriate materials on the computer and in movies, foul language, etc. May you have all the blessings of our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ in your Lenten journey. Great Lent ends on a Friday. Generally speaking, children and elderly people are allowed to relax the fast under the guidance of their spiritual father. +TIKHON One may ask, however: Why should I perform this rite when I have no enemies? Why should I ask forgiveness from people who have done nothing to me, and whom I hardly know? From the second through the sixth weeks of Lent, the general rules for fasting are practiced. If you have any specific questions about how the fasting discipline applies to you, you should consult your spiritual father. We also remember that Lent calls us to control not just our stomachs but our eyes, hands, feet, and mind. ( Oil and wine, up until the last couple of centuries, were stored in skins of animals. Telegram | The Holy Archdiocese does not exercise any administrative oversight or assignment authority over clergy that are not part of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. The experience provides the faithful significant content to listen to, watch, and read; in order to lead, grow, and inspire. On the morning of that Sunday, at the Divine Liturgy, we hear the words of Christ: If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses (Mark 6:14-15). Volume II - Worship: Jesus said, 'and when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, Stavros N. Akrotirianakis, Join the Prayer Team Daily Devotionemail listand receive a reflection like this in your inbox every morning, by Fr. As I advance towards the other, as the other comes to mewe begin to realize that it is Christ who brings us together by His love for both of us. This preparation is for both our body and soul. Easter Archpastoral Letter April 24/April 11, 2022, , Archpastoral Letter for the Beginning of Great Lent 2022. Contact | When people think of the word "Lent," the word "fasting" is one of the first things that comes to mind. As a Lenten hymn says: In vain do you rejoice in not eating, O soul!For you abstain from food,But from passions you are not purified.If you persevere in sin, you will perform a useless fast!. On Saturdays it is the normal Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom, usually with prayers for the dead. Instead, Lenten food usually consists of plenty of olives, taramasalata, Halva, vegetables, legumes and seafood, such as calamari, octopus, shrimps, oysters, cuttlefish, mussels, lobsters etc. The Lenten Fast rules that we observe today were established within the monasteries of the Orthodox Church during the sixth through eleventh centuries. Site Map | In general, the fasting rules during Great Lent and Holy Week are as follows: WEEKDAYS (Monday - Friday) are observed as Strict Fast Days. "The holy season of abstinence shines upon us all with the light of . It mourns all that the Israelites had lost in the Babylonian captivity and shows their longing to return home. Twitter | April 5, 2022. We avoid gluttony of food, but likewise we ought to avoid gluttony of all sorts: in recreation, media, or conversation with others. There is no one among us, try as we might, who is able to make it through the year without sin. There is a 19 Sunday (18week) period of time each year in the Orthodox Christian Church that surrounds the Feast of Pascha (Easter). On Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, a total fast is kept. It is a pious practice to observe Great and Holy Friday as an absolute fast. Now, forgiveness stands at the very center of Christian faith and of Christian life because Christianity itself is, above all, the religion of forgiveness. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Sunday, March 6, 2022. The information contained on the website of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America is for informational purposes only. Stavros in two ways: Purchase the book"The Road Back to Christ: Reflections on Lent, Holy Week and the Resurrection"by Fr. Every year, the Church gives us this period of pause, remembrance, and renewal to remind us of the need for self- awareness, for repentance, and for forgiveness. In some faith's traditions, Lent ends on Holy Saturday, the day before Easter. While we can go a day without a lustful thought or an angry thought, we can't go more than a few hours without a hungry thought. Site Map | Great Lent corresponds to Lent as found in Western Christianity, though the length of the periods are calculated in different ways. Draw near unto my soul and deliver it!, after making our entrance into Lenten worship, with its special melodies, with the prayer of Saint Ephraim the Syrian, with its prostrationswe ask forgiveness from each other, we perform the rite of forgiveness and reconciliation. Facebook | Official Documents | Terms of Use | Copyright Sources. The first three weeks, including four Sundays, are called the Triodion, or pre-Lenten period. Why is it that the Church wants us to begin the Lenten season with forgiveness and reconciliation? And as we approach each other with words of reconciliation, the choir intones the Paschal hymns, filling the church with the anticipation of Paschal joy. WEEKENDS (Saturday and Sunday) are observed as Wine and Oil Days. We encourage you to participate in this journey guided by Fr. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. David. With faith and vigilance let us enter on the Fast, and receive remission of our sins., relying upon the Mother of God to strengthen us throughout its course, Thou art the cause of all good things, O Lady. All rights reserved. Western Rite. Patriarch of Romania extended condolences to Greece over deadly train collision, Diaconia Social Mission takes stock of its good deeds in 2022, Head of Chancellery of Romanias PM met with Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia, Bishop of Hui urged to observe digital fast during Lenten season, Patriarch of Romania: Forgiveness is a condition to make a good beginning for Lent, Alba Iulia Archbishop Irineu: Great Lent is a time of purification and illumination, Archbishop of America: In the face of every child we behold the countenance of God, Archbishop Makarios of Australia: As a human race, we have a great obligation to the Virgin Mary, Warm reception of the Archbishop of Cyprus by the Ecumenical Patriarch in the Phanar, Visit of Dr. Nikolaos Lygeros to the Offices of the Archdiocesan District of Melbourne, Commemoration of Metropolitan Panteleimon in Brussels, Archbishop of America elevated parish priest Fr. These are indifference, selfishness, lack of interest in other people, of any real concern for themin short, that wall which we usually erect around ourselves, thinking that by being polite and friendly we fulfill Gods commandments. This year, our journey through the Lenten fast to Pascha begins at Forgiveness Vespers on Sunday, March 6. (Doxastikon of Orthros, Cheesefare Sunday, Trans. In order that the faithful would not be entirely deprived of Holy Communion on the lenten days, however, the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts is celebrated on Wednesday and Friday evenings. The well-known teaching that Saturdays and Sundays are never days of fasting in the Orthodox Church, an issue emphasized centuries ago when controversy arose with the Latin Church, refers only to this eucharistic-liturgical fast. May the road upon which we embark today be our first steps that lead us to that heavenly Zion, for which we long.
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