Great Lent is a significant period of fasting, prayer, and spiritual reflection for Orthodox Christians around the world. This solemn season marks the forty days of preparation leading up to the commemoration of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and it is a time for Christians to examine their faith, repent of their sins, and renew their commitment to living a life according to God’s will.
Dear believers and seekers,
The beginning of Great Lent is marked by a special service known as Forgiveness Sunday or Cheesefare Sunday. During the Forgiveness Sunday service, the faithful ask for forgiveness from one another, in recognition of the communal nature of sin and the need for each other’s support and forgiveness on the journey towards salvation.
Following Forgiveness Sunday, the fast begins in earnest, with strict guidelines for fasting and prayer. In addition to abstaining from meat, dairy, and other animal products, Orthodox Christians are encouraged to limit their intake of food in general and to increase their focus on prayer, scripture reading, and acts of charity and service to others. The goal of the fast is to detach oneself from worldly distractions and to focus on the spiritual life, deepening one’s relationship with God and strengthening one’s commitment to living a life of faith.
During Great Lent, the Orthodox Church also commemorates the lives of many saints and martyrs, who exemplify the virtues of faith, courage, and self-sacrifice. Through these commemorations, the faithful are inspired to emulate the example of these holy men and women, and to strive for holiness in their own lives.
As the season of Great Lent progresses, Orthodox Christians are encouraged to examine their hearts and to repent of their sins, seeking the forgiveness and grace of God. Through prayer, fasting, and acts of charity, the faithful strive to draw closer to God and to deepen their understanding of His will for their lives. And as they journey towards the celebration of the Resurrection, they do so with hearts filled with hope, joy, and a renewed sense of purpose in their lives as followers of Christ.
In His Service,
Fr. Christopher
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