| Patriarch Kirill: “Changing Yourself for the Better Is the Goal of Fasting” Photo: Sergei Vlasov/foto.patriarchia.ru When a person spends Lent in a proper way, they can change their spiritual life for the better, which is the main goal of any church abstinence, Patriarch Kirill noted. “We are entering the blessed holy days, which, if spent correctly, can change our lives for the better. As a matter of fact, this is the purpose of fasting,” said His Holiness Patriarch Kirill on the eve of Great Lent, on March 1, during the Vespers at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. The Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church added that “through prayer, through abstinence from meat and dairy products, and through self-restraint,” a person can really create “favorable conditions for an important step in the course of fasting towards changing one’s life for the better.” “And in order for this time to be as useful as possible, in order for us to achieve our goals, we should try to fulfill what the Church teaches us about the Holy Forty Days,” said Patriarch Kirill. At the same time, the Patriarch noted that church instructions during Lent are “not some kind of exorbitant burden due to circumstances of ancient times”. “They incorporated the experience of countless Orthodox people who, following the instructions of Lent, achieved significant changes in their spiritual life, and an indicator of these changes most often becomes a special state of mind at the celebration of the Resurrection of Christ,” said His Holiness Patriarch Kirill. In other words, he explained, fasting is “a chance for all of us to do something that during normal everyday life is not possible, because our thoughts are focused on other things.” Patriarch Kirill paid special attention to the fight against our vices, passions, to strengthening ourselves with prayer, and to educating our will through abstinence in food. “The most important thing is to be determined to fast in such a way so that the restriction in food is accompanied with prayer and a special lifestyle,” concluded the Patriarch. |
| This is all so alive and understandable to every person, so natural, that honestly I am always a little amazed at the excessive moralization over maslenitsa these days. I am sure that for the majority of Orthodox Christians, the present week, which will include the pre-Lenten services on Wednesday and Friday, friendly social gatherings, forgiveness of offenses, and hospitable feasts, will all manifest that inimitable and joyful feast of a foretaste of, and preparation for Great Lent. Hieromonk Job (Gumerov): This is the final preparatory week before the podvig of Great Lent. Maslenitsa is its folk name. In the service books and calendar, it is called cheese week, because according to the rule, we can eat milk products and fish [but not meat]. Refraining from meat, we begin to purify ourselves bodily, and are gradually penetrated by a bright prescience of the fast. The particularities of the services during cheese week and the history of the Church typicon completely disprove the false opinion that maslenitsa goes back to some pagan traditions. As the Synaxarion (for cheese fare Saturday) says, the Byzantine Emperor Heraclius (610–640), after a six-year, exhausting war with the Persian King Hosroes, made a vow not to eat meat during the last week before Great Lent. He was victorious in the battle. The Church then introduced the pious Emperor " s vow into the typicon. Because it is a preparation, cheese week excludes all excess of food. Its significance is contrary to gluttony and drunkenness. At the threshold of the quiet days of the Great Fast, the soul experiences a joyful uplifment, so that it can fully experience a repentant disposition. Already during cheese week, the wedding sacrament is no longer performed. On Wednesday and Friday Liturgy is not served, but there is no fast [other than from meat] on those days. At the hours, the prayer of St. Ephraim the Syrian is read with bended knee. On Sunday of this week, the Church remembers the casting out of our fore-parents from paradise for their disobedience and lack of restraint. " Let the world weep bitterly with our first ancestors: by sweet food they have fallen with the fallen one " (from the Synaxarion of Cheese-fare Sunday). |
| Three-fourths of Russians do not observe the Great Lent, but plan to celebrate Easter Source: Interfax-religion Moscow, April 29, Interfax - Most of Russians (75% in general and 72% of those who call themselves Orthodox believers) did not have any special diet during the Great Lent, which this year ends on April 30, the Lavada-Center told Interfax. Photo: http://klement.ru/ During the poll held on April 22-25 among 1600 people in 137 cities and towns of Russia it cleared out that eight per cent of Russians in general and nine per cent of Orthodox believers were going to observe fast during the last week before Easter. Another 14% of respondents (16% of Orthodox believers) observe fast partially (for example tried not to drink alcohol and restrict themselves in food). Only one per cent of Russians (one per cent of Orthodox believers) strictly observe fast. Majority of Russians are going to celebrate Easter. 66% of respondents will decorate Easter eggs (74% of Orthodox believers), buy or bake Easter cakes – 66% and 64% correspondently, some will go to see their friends or will welcome guests at their homes – 50% and 55% correspondently, some respondents are going to visit cemeteries – 20% and 24% correspondently. 19% of Russians will consecrate Easter cakes, 6% will go to church, 7% will just make presents to their relatives. Code for blog Since you are here… …we do have a small request. More and more people visit Orthodoxy and the World website. However, resources for editorial are scarce. In comparison to some mass media, we do not make paid subscription. It is our deepest belief that preaching Christ for money is wrong. Having said that, Pravmir provides daily articles from an autonomous news service, weekly wall newspaper for churches, lectorium, photos, videos, hosting and servers. Editors and translators work together towards one goal: to make our four websites possible - Pravmir.ru, Neinvalid.ru, Matrony.ru and Pravmir.com. Therefore our request for help is understandable. For example, 5 euros a month is it a lot or little? A cup of coffee? It is not that much for a family budget, but it is a significant amount for Pravmir. If everyone reading Pravmir could donate 5 euros a month, they would contribute greatly to our ability to spread the word of Christ, Orthodoxy, life " s purpose, family and society. Also by this author Today " s Articles Most viewed articles Functionality is temporarily unavailable. Most popular authors Functionality is temporarily unavailable. © 2008-2024 Pravmir.com |
| With love and blessings Your priest, Fr. Theodosios Tweet Donate Share Code for blog Thoughts on Great Lent Archimandrite Theodosios Martzoukhos Beloved parishioners, we are now embarking on the time of Great Lent, a period which will bring us to Easter. In this, we rather resemble the ancient Israelite people who left the country of slavery (Egypt) and made their way to the Promised Land. As is true with all our everyday affairs, a ... Since you are here… …we do have a small request. More and more people visit Orthodoxy and the World website. However, resources for editorial are scarce. In comparison to some mass media, we do not make paid subscription. It is our deepest belief that preaching Christ for money is wrong. Having said that, Pravmir provides daily articles from an autonomous news service, weekly wall newspaper for churches, lectorium, photos, videos, hosting and servers. Editors and translators work together towards one goal: to make our four websites possible - Pravmir.ru, Neinvalid.ru, Matrony.ru and Pravmir.com. Therefore our request for help is understandable. For example, 5 euros a month is it a lot or little? A cup of coffee? It is not that much for a family budget, but it is a significant amount for Pravmir. If everyone reading Pravmir could donate 5 euros a month, they would contribute greatly to our ability to spread the word of Christ, Orthodoxy, life " s purpose, family and society. Donate Also by this author " Sin Harms Us Not God Archimandrite Theodosios Martzoukhos Very often, in our minds we think that the religious life has to do with God and that… " If Confession’s a Court, It Hands Down Only Innocent Verdicts! Archimandrite Theodosios Martzoukhos Somebody steals two hens from the priest’s henhouse and after a while decides to go and confess. ‘Father,… More Today " s Articles “Le monde entier reste silencieux au… pravmir_com_team Depuis le 12 décembre 2022, la région de l " Artsakh, où vivent 120… “The whole world is silent about… Natalia Nekhlebova Since December 12, 2022 the region of Artsakh, where 120,000 Armenians live,… |
| For Great Lent: the Timeless Instructions of Abba Dorotheos Abba Dorotheus of Gaza. What is one of the first books given to anyone embarking upon the path of Orthodox Christianity? What is one of the books read almost cyclically in the refectories of Orthodox monasteries, so that monks and nuns might assimilate the “ABC’s” of spiritual life with every bite of their daily bread? What is one of the most quoted books of basic wisdom on how to live in peace and harmony with our neighbor? Answer: the book of instructions on spiritual life by Abba Dorotheos of Gaza. There are English translations of this timeless, priceless book available. The most popular was published by Cistercian Publications (July 1, 1978), under the title, Dorotheos of Gaza: Discourses and Sayings. Some of Abba Dorotheos’s instructions also appear in the English translation of the Philokalia. Another translation from the original Greek by an Orthodox publisher in 2000, Athens is entitled, Abba Dorotheos: Practical Teaching on the Christian Life. This version by Constantine Scouteris has an advantage for Orthodox readers over the Cistercian one because of its conceptual closeness to the accepted Greek text; for example the Cistercian translation translates geronda as “old man”, while the Orthodox understanding renders a bit more respect to an “elder”. Nevertheless, the older standby will probably remain in use by English language readers if only because of its lively language and readability. Back before the Athens publication was released, an American monk, concerned about potential confusion in the Catholic rendering of Abba Dorotheos for Orthodox readers, dictated his own translation of this indispensible patristic work from the pre-revolutionary Russian translation. He chose that version for the simple reason that he did not know Greek. Although this translation never saw print, a transcript of it came into our hands, and after a little editing we have decided to make it available online for the spiritual benefit of our readers who may not have access to the above named, more polished texts. And what better time for this could there be than Great Lent, when we are trying extra hard to work on ourselves, on our interaction with others, our attitude, and dedication to living the Gospel commandments. Thus, over the course of this holy Forty-Days Fast, we will be posting this book in daily portions. |
| “This explains why some Desert Fathers, but first the Saviour Jesus Christ, fasted for 40 days and 40 nights. Instead of material food, He multiplied spiritual food, which is prayer, that is, man’s direct connection with God,” the Patriarch added. Patriarch Daniel at the Chapel of St George at his patriarchal residence. Photo: Lumina Newspaper “Fasting, a means to sanctify life During Great Lent, we reduce material food but increase spiritual nourishment. “We read more spiritual books – especially the Holy Scriptures -, we listen to the services of the Church carefully, we confess more often, we partake of the Holy Eucharist more often and, thus, as St. Basil the Great said, through fasting, we weaken physically, but increase spiritually.” “Fasting is a means to sanctify life, to be renewed and to be enlightened, as well as to accumulate spiritual treasures: “This gathering of spiritual treasures means that during Lent we gather much light in the soul through prayer, participation in holy services, and spiritual conversations, through spiritual readings and especially through more frequent confession and more frequent Eucharistic communion,” His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel highlighted. His Beatitude explained the title of the Sunday of Adam’s Expulsion from Paradise, noting that Adam was expelled from Paradise for three great mistakes: Ending his sermon, Patriarch Daniel said that the 40-day fast of Holy Easter is a participation in the fast of the Saviour Jesus Christ and at the same time is a school of holiness, purification, enlightenment, change of sinful life into virtuous life, full of the light of love for God through prayer, and for fellow people through good deeds. Code for blog Since you are here… …we do have a small request. More and more people visit Orthodoxy and the World website. However, resources for editorial are scarce. In comparison to some mass media, we do not make paid subscription. It is our deepest belief that preaching Christ for money is wrong. |
| Submit Your Questions About Lent to Fr. Alexander Iliashenko! Dear Readers of Pravmir, You are cordially invited to submit your questions about Great Lent to Archpriest Alexander Iliashenko! Fr. Alexander, Rector of the Church of the All-Merciful Savior in Moscow, is the founder and chairman of the board of Pravmir. A graduate of both the Moscow Aviation University and St. Tikhon’s Orthodox University, he was ordained to the priesthood in 1995. He and his wife (who is the granddaughter of the Hieromarty Vladimir Ambartsumov, +1937) have twelve children and thirty grandchildren. Many of Fr. Alexander’s articles have appeared on our site, including our most popular post ever, Ten Important Things To Do Before the End of Lent . Questions can be submitted by email to this address: pravmirmanager (at) gmail.com (please include the words “Ask Fr. Alexander” in the subject line). A limited number of questions will be submitted to Fr. Alexander, whose answers will be posted on this site. For purposes of privacy, only first names will be used when conveying questions to Fr. Alexander and posting his replies online. Questions will be accepted until April 10, the midpoint of the Fast. In Christ, The Editors of Pravmir. Code for blog Since you are here… …we do have a small request. More and more people visit Orthodoxy and the World website. However, resources for editorial are scarce. In comparison to some mass media, we do not make paid subscription. It is our deepest belief that preaching Christ for money is wrong. Having said that, Pravmir provides daily articles from an autonomous news service, weekly wall newspaper for churches, lectorium, photos, videos, hosting and servers. Editors and translators work together towards one goal: to make our four websites possible - Pravmir.ru, Neinvalid.ru, Matrony.ru and Pravmir.com. Therefore our request for help is understandable. For example, 5 euros a month is it a lot or little? A cup of coffee? It is not that much for a family budget, but it is a significant amount for Pravmir. If everyone reading Pravmir could donate 5 euros a month, they would contribute greatly to our ability to spread the word of Christ, Orthodoxy, life " s purpose, family and society. Also by this author Today " s Articles Most viewed articles Functionality is temporarily unavailable. Most popular authors Functionality is temporarily unavailable. © 2008-2024 Pravmir.com |
| In the Orthodox tradition Gregory is mainly known for the liturgy attributed to him of the Presanctified Gifts, now celebrated in the course of Great Lent. This ritual is basically a communion service attached to a penitential form of Vespers, and served to allow the communion of the faithful on Wednesdays and Fridays in the course of the Great Fast, when the divine liturgy was not celebrated. The holy gifts are consecrated (presanctified) at the liturgy of the preceding Sunday. In the Orthodox tradition Gregory is known (from the title of his hagiographic work) as Pope St. Gregory the Dialogist. SEE ALSO: Papacy; Vespers (Hesperinos) REFERENCES AND SUGGESTED READINGS Dudden, F. H. (1905) Gregory the Great, 2 vols. London: Longmans, Green. Evans, G. (1986) The Thought of Gregory the Great. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Markus, R. A. (1983) From Augustine to Gregory the Great. London: Variorum. Richards, J. (1980) Consul of God: The Life and Times of Gregory the Great. London: Routledge and Kegan Paul. Straw, C. (1988) Gregory the Great: Perfection in Imperfection. Berkeley: University of California Press. St. Gregory of Nazianzus (Gregory the Theologian) (329–390) JOHN A. MCGUCKIN Gregory was the son of a wealthy landowning bishop in Nazianzus, Cappadocia (also named Gregory). His father was the second bishop of the town, following after someone who was described as a “rustic,” and after his consecration he built a splendid marble shrine to replace the old wooden church that had previously existed. In many ways Bishop Gregory the Elder and his more famous son demonstrate the “ascent” of the church in the Constantinian era. The younger Gregory received the finest local schooling, taught partly by his uncle, the rhetorician Amphilokios, and then (with his brother Caesarios) was sent to Alexandria, and finally to Athens, where he spent ten years perfecting his rhetorical style and literary education. Gregory the Theologian thus emerged as the finest Christian rhetorician of his day, and certainly the most learned bishop of the entire early church. |
| Lent returns to me, gives back to me, this essential – the essential layer of life. Essential because it is coming from God; essential because it is revealing God. The essential time, because time again is a great, great area of sin. Because time is the time of what? Of priorities. And how often our priorities are not at all as they should be. Yet in Lent, waiting, listening, singing … you will see, little by little that time – broken, deviated, taking us to death and nowhere else, without any meaning. You will see that time again becomes expectation, becomes something precious. You wouldn’t take one minute of it away from its purpose of pleasing God, of accepting from Him His life and returning that life to Him together with our gratitude, our wisdom, our joy, our fulfillment. After this essential time comes the essential relationship that we have with everything in the world, a relationship which is expressed so well in our liturgical texts by the word reverence. So often, everything becomes for us an object of “utilizing,” something which is “for grabs,” something which “belongs” to me and to which I have a “right.” Everything should be as Communion in my hands. This is the reverence of which I speak. It is the discovery that God, as Pasternak once said, was “…a great God of details,” and that nothing in this world is outside of that divine reverence. God is reverent, but we so often are not. So, we have the essential time, the essential relationship with matter filled with reverence, and last, but not least, the rediscovery of the essential link among ourselves: the rediscovery that we belong to each other, the rediscovery, that no one has entered my life or your life without the will of God. And with that rediscovery, there is everywhere an appeal, an offering to do something for God: to help, to comfort, to transform, to take with you, with each one of you, that brother and sister of Christ. This is that essential relationship. Essential time, essential matter, essential thought: all that is so different from what the world offers us. In the world everything is accidental. If you don’t know how to “kill” time, our society is absolutely ingenious in helping you to do that. We kill time, we kill reverence, we transform communications, relationships, words, divine words into jokes and blasphemies, and sometimes just pure nonsense. There is this thirst and hunger for nothing, but external success. |
| At about the same time, Saint John Climacus (d. 649), abbot of the Monastery of Saint Catherine on Mount Sinai, wrote one of the greatest, classic works on the spiritual life, called The Ladder of Divine Ascent. This book was held in such high esteem that it gave John his last name, for “Climacus” means “of the Ladder.” Liturgical Development During his long campaign against the Persians, Emperor Heraclius recovered the True Cross of Christ, which the Persians had taken from Jerusalem in 614. On March 21, 631, he solemnly brought it to Golgotha in Jerusalem. This action dramatically helped to spread the celebration of the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross (September 14) throughout the Christian Empire; until then this feast was celebrated mostly only in Jerusalem (see Worship). The Quinisext Council decreed that on the weekdays of Great Lent the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts should be served instead of the Eucharistic Divine Liturgy (Canon 52). It called for Christians to honor Christ’s resurrection by refraining from penitential kneeling on Sundays (Canon 90). This council forbade all laymen except the Emperor from entering the sanctuary of the church building (Canon 69), and it forbade the sacramental marriage of Orthodox Christians with non-Orthodox (Canon 72). It enjoined those who sing in church to refrain from “undisciplined vociferations” and from using “any melodies which are incongruous and unsuitable for the Church” (Canon 75). And it called for the excommunication of people who for no good reason miss the Divine Liturgy for “three consecutive Sundays” (Canon 80). Canon 55 of the Quinisext Council reveals a significant difference in practice between East and West concerning fasting during Great Lent, and it mandates that the Roman Church must correct her non-traditional custom: Since we understand that in the city of the Romans, in the holy fast of Lent they fast on the Saturdays [meaning abstinence from all food, and no celebration of the Divine Liturgy], contrary to the ecclesiastical observance which is traditional, it seemed good to the holy synod that also in the Church of the Romans the canon [Canon 66 of the ancient Apostolic Canons] shall immovably stand fast which says: “If any cleric shall be found to fast on a Sunday or Saturday (except on one occasion only [i.e., Great and Holy Saturday]) he is to be deposed; and if he is a layman he shall be cut off.” |
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