Embracing the Journey: Great Lent in the Orthodox Christian Tradition

Fasting is wonderful because it tramples our sins like a dirty weed while cultivating and raising truth like a flower. St. John Chrysostom

Dear Parishioners,

As we anticipate the arrival of spring, we are also preparing for a sacred journey – the spiritual pilgrimage of Great Lent. Commencing on Monday, March 18, 2024, this forty-day period holds immense significance in the Orthodox calendar, offering us a profound opportunity for introspection, repentance, and spiritual growth.

The liturgical services held throughout this sacred season are central to the observance of Great Lent. These services, including the Great Canon to St. Andrew of Crete, Matins and Vespers, and Presanctified Divine Liturgies, serve as guiding lights, illuminating the path towards spiritual renewal and communion with God. We strongly encourage all our parishioners to increase their participation in the Holy Mysteries of Confession and Holy Communion during this time.

St. George Church will hold Presanctified Liturgies every Wednesday morning at 9:00 am and Friday night at 5:00 pm, providing a solemn yet uplifting opportunity for receiving the Holy Communion. Additionally, our Saturday evening Vespers services offer a chance for us to engage in the sacrament of Confession, cleansing our souls in preparation for the week ahead.

Moreover, the communal aspect of the Lenten journey is underscored by the tradition of Lenten Vespers services held on Sunday nights throughout Northwest Indiana, starting with Forgiveness Sunday on March 17. These gatherings, enriched by local clergy members offering insightful homilies, foster a sense of unity and fellowship among believers. Following the Vespers service, we invite parishioners to partake in Lenten dinners, further reinforcing community bonds and spiritual nourishment.

Indeed, we cannot overstate the importance of Fasting and prayer during Great Lent. As St. Theophan the Recluse said: “Fasting appears gloomy until one steps into its arena. But begin, and you will see what light it brings after darkness, what freedom from bonds, what release after a burdensome life.”

As Orthodox Christians, we emulate Christ’s forty-day fast in the wilderness and draw closer to the divine by abstaining from certain foods and dedicating ourselves to fervent prayer. Fasting cultivates discipline and self-control, while prayer serves as a conduit for communion with God, guiding us on our journey of spiritual transformation.

As we embark on this sacred season of Great Lent, let us embrace the opportunity for spiritual renewal with open hearts and steadfast devotion. May our participation in liturgical services, Fasting, and prayer be a source of strength and inspiration, guiding us toward deeper intimacy with God and a more profound understanding of His boundless love and mercy.

I wish you all a blessed and joyous Lenten journey filled with grace, forgiveness, and spiritual growth.

Yours in Christ,

Proto Radovan Jakovljevic