Great Lent and Holy Week

To assist our parishioners with their spiritual journey, each year additional services are offered in the Cathedral. Great Lent is not just a period of increased fasting, but also a period of increased prayer and worship. The following special Lenten Services will take place in the Cathedral. As usual, please consult the online calendar for regular updates as schedules sometimes change.

General Weekly Lenten Schedule:

• Mondays - Morning Prayers 9am - Great Compline 6pm
• Tuesdays - Orthros/Matins 9am - Great Compline 6pm
• Wednesdays - Orthros/Matins 9am - Presanctified Liturgy 5:30pm
• Thursdays - Orthros/Matins 9am - Great Compline 6pm
• Fridays - Presanctified Liturgy 9am - Salutations to the Theotokos 7pm
• Saturdays -  Orthros/Matins 9am - Great Vespers 6pm

Akathyst Hymn - Saluations to the Theotokos  - The Akathist hymn consists of praises directed to the Mother of God, beginning with the salutation of the Archangel Gabriel: "Rejoice." As the hymn is chanted all of the events related to our Lord's Incarnation pass before us for our contemplation. The Archangel Gabriel marvels at the Divine self-emptying and the renewal of creation which will occur when Christ comes to dwell in the Virgin's womb. The unborn John the Baptist prophetically rejoices. The shepherds recognize Christ as a blameless Lamb, and rejoice that in the Virgin "the things of earth join chorus with the heavens." The pagan Magi following the light of the star, praise Her for revealing the light of the world.

Lord and Master of my life, take away from me the spirit of laziness, idle curiosity, lust for power and vain talk

(full prostration)

But give me the spirit of moderation, humility, patience and love

(full prostration)

Yes, Lord and King grant me to see my own faults and not to judge my brothers and sisters

(full prostration)

For you are blessed unto the ages of ages, Amen

The following are some suggested guidelines for Great Lent this year.

• If you currently do not fast regularly or at all… abstain from meat on Wednesdays and Fridays

• If you currently fast from meat on Wednesdays and Fridays… abstain from meat every day during Great Lent

• If you currently fast… increase your fasting one “level” this year following the example above beginning with Wednesdays and Fridays.

Suggested Fasting Levels in the Orthodox Christian Tradition

1.       Abstain from meat

2.       Abstain from meat and dairy products

3.       Abstain from fish

4.       Abstain from wine and oil

5.       Abstain from cooked foods

It has always been the understanding of the Church that fasting is forbidden for those who have a medical condition requiring food for medications or other requirements such as pregnant and nursing mothers. We must remember that fasting is a spiritual discipline and not meant to cause physical harm. These suggestions are for your spiritual growth, and are not meant to obligate you in any way. You should speak with your spiritual father about your specific fasting situation.

Now that Great Lent is upon us and the Church offers the Presanctified Liturgy on Wednesday evening, the question of fasting and Holy Communion again raises to the surface. On Sunday we know (provided we are healthy and no other prohibitions from our doctor regarding fasting) that we should refrain from all food and drink until after we receive Holy Communion on Sunday mornings. But what if we are planning on receiving Holy Communion on Wednesday night, when should we fast?

For those adults who are physically able, we are asked to fast just as we would on Sunday morning all day from the time we awake until after we receive Holy Communion. It is acceptable to drink simple beverages such as coffee or tea or preferably water (not milk, milkshakes, beer etc) until about noon and then complete fast until Holy Communion. I must remind you that fasting is not meant to make you ill, but to be an offering to God and discipline of our bodies. If you become light headed or need some food, by all means have a small snack especially if you are in a situation where you must remain alert such as driving or other physical labor. If you must eat during the day, a light breakfast and light lunch should be sufficient followed by a complete fast following lunch until Holy Communion.

For those children who already fast on Sunday morning, they should be asked to follow as much of the fast as they are able. As parents this will require discernment in how our children are behaving and feeling. Again it is not meant to make our children ill, however, many times our children can fast more than we realize, and it should be encouraged as an offering to God and spiritual discipline. For children who do not yet fast, a small snack should be offered around 4pm.

For everyone who is receiving Holy Communion, or Holy Unction or any other Mystery (Sacrament) of the Church, the Church teaches us to fast in preparation and we should do this to the best of our abilities. Great Lent is a perfect time to exercise our free will and to offer our “bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God.” Romans 12.11) It has always been the understanding of the Church that fasting is forbidden for those who have a medical condition requiring food for medications or other requirements such as pregnant and nursing mothers. We must remember that fasting is a spiritual discipline and not meant to cause physical harm.

1. when a serious sin has been committed;
2. when a habitual sin has overwhelmed a Christian, or
3. when a Christian has stopped growing spiritually and needs a reexamination of priorities.