Orthodoxy requires great efforts yet yields abundant rewards. The 40 day journey of Lent is a trek into the depths of the human soul, of forgiveness and repentance. On Forgiveness Sunday, we lamented with our first-parents Adam and Eve when they were banished from Paradise. On the Saturday of Lazarus and Palm Sunday we will walk with our Lord as he travels from Bethany to Jerusalem.
"Come, let us enter the inner chamber of our soul, offering prayers to the Lord and crying aloud: Our Father, who art in heaven, remit and forgive our debts, for thou alone art compassionate. Showing joyfulness of soul in the fast, let us not be of a sad countenance; for the change in our way of life during these blessed days will help us to gain holiness. Giving wings to our soul through abstinence, let us all offer acceptable prayers to the Lord in heaven. In a spirit of compunction, let us weep for the deliverance of our souls and sing the praises of Christ for ever. We bless the Lord, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Consubstantial Trinity, uncreated Unity, the God of all, we exalt thee above all for ever."
Canon from Lenten Matins
Sermons from Bl. Theophylact, Archbishop of Ochrid and Bulgaria:
