Once again, the time of Great Lent is upon us, when every Orthodox Christian will enter an intense period of spiritual discipline.

While Great Lent is often characterized by its dark liturgical colors and mournful hymns, we must remember the words of one of the sticheras from Forgiveness Vespers: Let us enter the season of Lent in the spirit of joy, giving ourselves to spiritual strife, cleansing our soul and body as we limit our food, living on the virtues of the spirit, rejoicing all the while with spiritual joy.

During Lent, a great emphasis is placed upon PRAYER. Some of the most beautiful and meaningful services are found during this 40-day fast. Special services, such as the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, the Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete and the Akathists to the Mother of God provide us with the liturgical means of becoming closer to our Savior as we approach the Feast of Pascha. Participating in the devotions prescribed for this sacred season will provide us with a fuller understanding of our Lord’s Passion.

The demands of the Lenten season are not placed upon us to cause us pain and suffering. We should rejoice that this wonderful opportunity to draw closer to Christ is given to us each year by our Holy Orthodox Church.

Forgiveness Sunday this year will fall on February 22. Please join us at this important service. A custom exists in our Holy Orthodox Church that gives us the opportunity to make peace with our fellow man. At the conclusion of Forgiveness Sunday Vespers, the faithful are encouraged to exchange a mutual expression of forgiveness with everyone present as they embrace one another and give each other the kiss of peace. If we forgive others, God will forgive us. If we do not, neither will we be forgiven. Forgiveness of our fellow-men and God’s forgiveness of us cannot be separated. If we cannot put ourselves right with others, we cannot put ourselves right with God. However, seeking forgiveness from God is only the first step in true repentance, which is our ultimate Lenten goal for it is our repentance that God desires.

Lenten Prayer: Almighty God, Who made all creation in wisdom and by your inexpressible providence and goodness has brought us to these holy days for the purification of body and soul, for the controlling of bodily passions, for the hope of the Resurrection. Enable us, O Holy One, to fight the good fight; to accomplish the course of this fast; to preserve in wholeness the faith; to crush under foot the heads of invisible serpents; to be counted a victor over sin; and so uncondemned to attain the holy resurrection. For all honor and glory is given to Your noble and worthy Name, Father, Son and Holy Spirit now and always and forever and ever. Amen.

Happy Birthday to all those celebrating their birthday in February. Stacy Baron Anderson on February 2; Christopher Kary, February 10; Alissa Pecoraro Paduani, February 11, Chris Finno on February 14, and Evgenia Kozienko Jimenez on February 26. We wish all of you a very Happy Birthday and may God grant you all Many Years!

Many thanks from our Food Pantry Coordinator, Helen Baron, to all who helped our Food Pantry by your donations of food and funds during the Nativity season. Your help was deeply appreciated by all those who are in need. However, the need continues throughout the year and especially now in this very cold season. Thank you.