The Great Fast
2017
Let us set out with joy upon the
season of the Fast, and prepare
ourselves for spiritual combat.
-
From the Vespers of Forgiveness Sunday
Guidelines for the Great Fast
Some guidelines to help you along the Great Fast are as follows:
v The Great Fast begins on Monday 27 February. This is a Strict Fast Day, meaning no meat or
dairy products are to be eaten. Likewise Great & Holy Friday and Great & Holy Saturday (14 & 15
April).
v Remember the Tradition of the Orthodox Church is a strict fast the entire 40 days of the Fast and
for all of Great & Holy Week is given forth to all of the faithful. If you cannot physically do this,
adopt a fasting rule (see Father for some guidance) and stick to it for the duration of the Fast.
Examples: doing the strict fast on certain days while keeping at least a meat fast on the others;
keeping a total meat fast for certain weeks (1st, Cross Week, last week and Holy Week) and each
Monday, Wednesday and Friday throughout the fast. The more effort you put forth in your fasting,
the more spiritually uplifting your Lenten Season will be.
v The entire Great & Holy Week (1-15 April) are days of abstinence from meat and meat products.
v A minimum three (3) hour complete fast from all food and drink for those receiving Communion at
the evening Pre-sanctified Liturgy or the Vesperal Divine Liturgy for the Feast of the Annunciation
on 6 April (the regular “midnight Fast” is called for the Liturgies of St. John Chrysostom & St. Basil
the Great)
v The sick and infirm are not bound by the fast at any time. Those requiring medications or certain
prescribed diets are to follow their physician’s instructions.
Finally, the Great Fast is not a “40 day diet program” or simply a “dietary adjustment.” Attend as many of
the Divine Services as possible. Come to the Sacrament of Confession and approach the Chalice to
receive the Holy Eucharist.
Notes on Confession:
Confessions will be heard before and after all weekday/night Divine
Services, before and after All-Souls Liturgies and before Divine Services
on Sundays. (Please try not to wait until Sunday mornings, if possible,
so as not to delay the beginning of the Divine Liturgy).
If you have a regular Spiritual Father, or wish to go to another Orthodox
priest for the Sacrament, please let Fr. Peter know.
The final opportunity to have your Confession heard before Pascha will be
after Divine Services on Great & Holy Wednesday evening. Confessions
will not be heard after Resurrection Matins or on Pascha morning!
Lenten Prayer Cards
Please ‘blindly’ pick one (or two or three?) card(s) rather than filing through to find a
person we would want as our Lenten Prayer Friend. Praying for someone we don't know
well--or not at all ... or, even, for someone we don't particularly "click with" -- is often a
huge blessing for us as well as the person we're praying for. It bonds us together in a very
special way that only prayer can do.
Ideas on how we can be an effective prayer friend: pray daily for the person; send the
person an encouraging card during Lent; sit with your prayer friend during coffee hour and
make an effort to get to know them ... ask them questions and really listen; light a candle
for them, etc.
Encourage your children (especially, the little ones) to pray daily for their prayer friend.
They can color pictures for their prayer friend and bring them to church, light a candle for
them, etc.
Weekday Lenten Divine Services
·
·
This year, to try to help more of our faithful attend Lenten Services we
will have the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts on Wednesday evenings
at 7pm and various Akathist and Lenten Services on Friday mornings
at 10am.
Watch the Sunday Bulletin, the bulletin board and weekly emails
regarding special Lenten Services and/or retreats in our area
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Fasting is wonderful, because it tramples our sins like a dirty weed, while it
cultivates and raises truth like a flower.
(St. Bails the Great)
Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church
A Parish of the Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese
Ecumenical Patriarchate
10201 Democracy Blvd
Potomac, Maryland 20854
301-299-5120 (Office) 301-367-9051 (cell)
301-983-0874 (Parish Hall/Fax)
www.holyresurrection.com
Very Rev. Peter Zarynow, Pastor
Subdeacon Anastasios Davis
Sunday 26 February 2017
Sunday of Forgiveness
Remembrance of the Expulsion from Paradise of Adam & Eve
Venerable Martinian, monk of Palestine
Epistle: Romans 13:11-14:4
Gospel: Matthew 6:14-21
Tone Three
The Schedule of Divine Services for the week is as follows:
26 Feb (SUN) Cheesefare/Forgiveness Sunday
03 March (Fri) Akathist to the Passion of Christ 10am
Sunday School 9am (Olders)
05 March (Sun) 1st Sunday of the Great Fast
Chanting of the 3rd Hour 9:35am
Sunday of Orthodoxy
Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom 10am
Sunday School 9:00am
Panachida:+Proto. Andrew Hutnyan and +Ignac &
Confessions 9:15am
+Anna Derevjanik, by Paňi Jean Hutnyan
Chanting of the 3rd Hour 9:30am
Sunday School (Youngers)
Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great 10:00am
Coffee Social to follow
Children’s Procession with Icons
Forgiveness Vespers 1:00pm (approx.)
Coffee Social to follow
27 Feb (Mon) FIRST DAY OF THE GREAT FAST
Sunday of Orthodoxy Vespers @ Ss. Peter & Paul
Canon of St. Andrew of Crete (part 1) 7:00pm
Antiochian Orthodox Church, Potomac 5pm
01 March (Wed) Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts 7:00pm
(fast from 4pm if receiving Communion)
Announcements:
Confessions will be heard before and after all weekday/night Divine Services, before and after All-Souls Liturgies and
before Divine Services on Sundays before Divine Liturgy from 9:15-9:45am (Please try not to wait until Sunday
mornings, if possible, so as not to delay the beginning of the Divine Liturgy). Plan ahead: The final opportunity to
have your Confession heard before Pascha will be after Divine Services on Great & Holy Wednesday evening.
Confessions will not be heard after Resurrection Matins or on Pascha morning!
The Annual Meeting of the Parish of Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church will take place following Divine Services on
Sunday 5 March following Divine Services. Members of the Parish Family who are in good spiritual and financial
standing will be able to have a voice and a vote at the meeting. This is the second of three announcements.
The publication Keeping the Feasts at Home is now available. Copies are $20.00 each. There is a sample copy on the
table in the back of the hall. Please do not remove it from the table. If you would like to purchase a copy, please see
Father
Our next (and final) Bake Day of the Spring Season is scheduled for Saturday 11 March. Helping hands are asked to
begin arriving at 8am. The more hands we have the quicker the work will go. We look forward to seeing you!
The remaining All-Souls Saturdays for this year are 11, 18 & 25 March and 5 June. If you have any updates or
changes to your family list, please contact Father as soon as possible.
Parents: Next Sunday bring a Icon for your child to carry in the Procession with Icons near the end of the Divine
Liturgy. We have a fes extras, but try to bring one from home.
Please pray for the following: Bishop Gregory, Bishop Matthias, Fr. Frank Miloro; Fr. Ronald Hazuda, Fr. John & Paňi
BettyJean Baranik, Fr. George Rados, Fr. George Hutnyan, Fr. Lawrence & Paňi Linda Barriger, Fr. James Gleason, Fr.
Luke Mihaly, Fr. Robert Teklinski, Fr. Michael Psenechnuk, Fr. Ted Mozes, Fr. Thomas Blaschak, Dn. Peter Skoog, Paňi
Donna Smoley, Paňi Yvonne Lysack, Paňi Kathy Dutko, Paňi Karen Miklos, Fr. Michael & Paňi AnnaMarie Slovesko, Paňi
Mary Kundla, Paňi Katherine Jula, Fr. John & Paňi Patricia Duranko, Fr. Tom Kadlec, Fr. Christopher Rozdilski, Elisa
Castilla, Ann Thear, Owen Moriak, Beth & Ed ‘Skeets’ Williams, Les & Carol Miller, Steve & Grace Sheftic, Cindy Russell,
Michael & Elaine Buchko, Ann Dahulich, Dorothy Mastronicola, Nicholas Yacko, Mildred Bartko, Taina Ferguson, Angie
Wali, Megan Antonishek, Nancy Lynn Arthur, Mary Urbas, MaryAnn Polomchak, Yoel Ramos, Tony Zankey, Sally
Hubiak, Justin Popek, Nadia Sumner, Karen Ogden, Julie Miner, Chris Murdock, Cherie Bare, Joshua, Faye & Tess,
Emilie Dixon, Paul Tobias, Shirley Miree, Michael Rake, Olga Vasconez, Diane Dupere-Lindell, Gerry Sadler, Ann Eckert,
Stan Damren, Lois Hall, Marshal Smith, Dave Stanton, Andrew Sussman, Florence Gregoric, Marian Fallon, Dennis
Davis, James & Melody Peyton, Louann Giger, Daniel Ward, Jennifer Brady, Carol Blum, Katie Bleeker, Alexi Williams,
Missy Johns, Andrew Hutnyan, , Liliana Shirvanian, Harry & Barbara Coe, Anastasios Labi, Susan Buckley, Constance
Amey, Daniel Pfaff, Robin Nebenhaus; James Lazor, Debbie Dell, Rose & Douglas Eade, Robert Horsch, Edward &
Grace Yoon, Michael Dinneen, Michael Tabacco, Kellie Barett, Zaun Kligge, Andrea Katz, Joan Detwiler, Metro & Joan
Kondratick, John Homick, Jim David, Melanie Samson, Mary West, Mary Elko, Martha & John White, Ana Ramirez; Brian
Medvigy; Laura Gary; James Durachko, Louise Brudnak, Rory McDermott
May Our Lord Jesus Christ Touch Them With His Healing Hand!
Candle Offerings:
Eternal Light: Happy 16th Birthday Hayley-Lois (Many Years!); Health & Happiness Paňi Bernadette-Lois (Mnohaja L’ita!)
Vigil Candle Offerings For the Living (Many Years! Mnohaja L’ita!)
1-health of Les-love Carol
1-special intention Steve Sheftic-love wife Grace
1-health of Mom-your loving family- Chrysa, Taina & Craig
2-for health-love Alex & Melanie
Parents Michael & Elaine; Father John
2-for health-love Mom & Dad
Jonathan & Lara; Stephanie
1-Gratitude, blessings and health, Marge Tomasevich-Joanie
2-for health-John & Sheila
HROC parishioners; Family members
3-special intention-John & Sheila
Fr. Peter & family; Diocesan Priests & their families;
OCMC Missionaries
2-health & special intention Ann Dahulich-love son George
2-special intention-brother George
Archbishop Michael; Barbara Knighton
2-special intention-George Dahulich
Bishop Gregory; Bishop Matthias
1-health of Fr. Tom Kadlec-George Dahulich
1-happy birthday Danny Timko-George Dahulich
1-happy anniv Sbdn Anastasios & Jennifer Davis- George
Dahulich
1-specail intention Paňi Bernadette-George Dahulich
1-health of Savannah, Chloe, Caroline, Christopher,
Natalie, Cole-love Grandparents
3-for health-Ray & Georgene
Mom; Irene Dzubak; Cyndi Dzubak
6-special intentions-the Breno Family
Breno Family; Fedornock Families; Peart Family;
Nakonecznyj Family; Zankey Family; Fabian Family
1-safe travel Dimi Riselvato-the Breno Family
1-peace in the world-the Breno Family
2-for health-Paňi Jean Hutnyan
Muhlenberg & Hutnyan Families
1-health of Aleksey-love Mom
2-special intention-Yuliya
Irene Dzubak; Steve Paczolt
1-safe travel for family-Mark, Marie & Stephen
1-special intention Mark-love Marie
1-specail intention Marie-love Mark
2-specail intention-Mom & Dad
Angela & Brian; Stephen
9-for health-Mark, Marie & Stephen
Mom/Baba; Ma/Nana; Ann Thear; Helen Beverage;
Verna Czap; Nancy Shields; Skeets; Williams Family;
Cyndi Dzubak
6-health and special intention-Mark, Marie & Stephen
Chris & John Hudack; Ray & Georgene Ammon;
Irene Dzubak; Marge Tomasevich; Les & Carol Miller;
Alex & Eleanor Breno
6-health & healing-John & Marie Smith
Irene Dzubak; Chris & John Hudack; John Homick;
Cyndi Dzubak; Fr. Tom Kadlec; Les & Carol Miller
1-specail intention Melanie Samson-John & Marie Smith
2-specail intention-love Mom & Dad
Jason & Kara Smith; John & Tanya Smith
1-special intention John-love Marie
9-health & healing-Lois
Hayley; Bob; Uncle Ralph; Irene D; John Homick; Chris &
John Hudack; Melanie Samson; Pauline; Mary Elko
3-for health-Lois
Savannah, Caroline & Natalie; Karen K; Elizabeth Michel
3-special intention-Charlie, Debi, Jacob & Joey
Stevens Family; Lynn Williams; Williams Family
1-safe travel for Family-Charlie, Debi, Jacob & Joey
1-health of John & Chris Hudack-Charlie, Debi, Jacob & Joey
5-for health-Rose Plowchin
Sheila & John Hrapchak; Georgene & Ray Ammon; Barbara
Parimucha; John Homick; Lois Erhard
Vigil Candles In Loving Memory: (Memory Eternal! Vicnaja Pamjat!)
1+loving memory of my husband Tom-your loving wife Ann
1+in loving memory of our father-Chrysa, Taina and Craig
1+in memory Mother & Father–Les & Carol Miller
2+loving memory-the Fallons
Paňi Jeannette; Anna & John Luchok
1+in memory of Marion Fallon-Diane
1+in loving memory of Helen Rowland-Diane
1+in loving memory Parents & Grandparents-Diane & Brian
1+Memory Eternal Parents/Grandparents-Koval Family
1+Memory Eternal-Koval Family
Uncle George & Uncle Tony
1+Memory Eternal Mother Katherine-love Alex, Melanie
5+in memory-John & Sheila
Dad Kraynok; Mom Kraynok; Charles Hrapchak;
Anna Hrapchak; Evelyn Hrapchak
1+in loving memory of Gene Eaton-love Starlene
2+in memory-Paňi Jean Hutnyan
Fr. Andrew; Mom & Dad
1+in loving memory of Parents and Grandparents-Yuliya
PARISH ANNUAL MEETING
March 5, 2017 12 noon – 2:00 p.m.
Each year the parish schedules an Annual Meeting to discuss plans for the coming year and the future. As a parishioner,
this is your opportunity to participate and share your ideas. All members of the parish who are in good spiritual standing
(see Fr. Peter if you have any questions) and up-to-date on your financial obligations to the parish (see Dan Breno,
treasurer, if you have any questions) may have a voice and vote at the meeting.
This year’s Agenda includes a discussion of Parish Goals for 2017-2021, the 2017 Budget proposal, a discussion to
determine if our parish wants to vote this year on a calendar change, Montessori School lease termination, the 2016
unaudited Treasurer’s report, and the election of Council officers.
The following Council officer positions and nominees to date will be voted upon: Vice President nominee Carol Miller;
Financial Secretary nominee Debi Myers; Curator nominee Mark Sudik; and two Auditor nominees Tom Koval and
Andrey Taveira- DaSilva. If you are interested in being nominated or want information, please contact Dan Timko,
Nominating Committee Chair, or Sub-deacon Anastasios Davis. All nominees are to attend the meeting. (For those that
are selected for Office at the Annual Meeting, the Oath of Office will be taken during Divine Liturgy, following the
Gospel Reading, on Sunday12 March.
Meeting reports will be emailed to parishioners by Fr. Peter on or about February 19 to give you time to read them before
the meeting. The reports will be divided into two emails to make it easier to send and receive. The one group contains
the reports that will not be read at the meeting, but if you have questions they will be answered. This group includes
reports from organizations, committees, officer, and priest. The second group of reports will be referred to at the meeting;
so bring those reports to the meeting to follow the discussion. That group contains the Agenda, 2016 Meeting Minutes,
2016 unaudited Treasurer’s Report, 2017 Budget Proposal, Parish Goals 2017-2021, Yearly Net Gain or Loss Report
2007-2016, and a Line Chart of Revenue and Expenses 2010-2016.
If you do not receive the email, please contact Father Peter. See you at the meeting!
Regarding the Receiving Of the Holy Eucharist
The following is taken from the Guide to Liturgical Practices in Common usage Throughout
the Liturgical Year of the American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox
Diocese complied by Proto. Frank Miloro, Chancellor of the Diocese
and Instructor of Liturgics at Christ the Saviour Seminary:
“Regarding the reception of Holy Communion, the faithful are
NOT to kiss the chalice or touch the chalice. This practice has
never existed in the Carpatho-Russian Tradition and has only
been introduced in recent years…There have never been any
of our Bishops who have blessed this practice, but rather
discouraged it…Lips are to be wiped with the communion cloth
by whomever is holding it for the priest. Coming close to the
chalice by kissing it or making the sign of the cross is
dangerous as the communicant may bump the chalice….”
Beginning on Sunday 5 March, we will implement this directive. It
will take some getting used to, but in a short amount of time we will
all be in line with what is the tradition of the Diocese. Parents are asked to instruct their
children in this matter. If there are any questions or concerns, please see Fr. Peter
On Stewardship and the Orthodox Life
Part 133: Desire
“For the desire of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh; for these
are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you would.” (Galatians 5: 17 RSV)
The Holy Fathers teach us that there are two types of desire, divine and carnal/sensual. When God created man,
He placed within man a seed of divine desire. The desire to be with God, to
commune with Him. Man’s joy came from being with God, and there was that
desire always to be with Him. God made us in His image, to be like Him, but we
have to work at being in His likeness. Adam did not develop fully into the likeness
of God.
Adam was deceived by Satan to believe that joy could come from the desire of
sensual things, of material things. Thus the distortion of desire began. Some
theologians believed that there are two separate desires but most believe that there is
only one desire, that which God implanted in us. The desire to be with Him. All
other desires are distortions, sensual in nature. St. Maximus the Confessor states in
Questions to Thalassius Prologue, “The more that man went after sensible things
through his senses alone, the more the ignorance of God overcame him; the more he
was enslaved by the ignorance of God, the more he gave himself over to the delight in material things known
empirically; the more he was imbued with pleasure, the more he aroused the self-love which was the
consequence of it; the more he cultivated self-love, the more he invented various means for obtaining pleasure,
the fruit and goal of self-love.”
What St. Maximus is telling us is that as we move further from God, ignorance of God, the more we desire
sensual things to find joy! The joy we find in the material world is ephemeral, so we continue to seek other joy,
other desire, to fill the void left by the ignorance of God.
Our desire must be to be in communion with God at all times! Material pursuits must not be our primary goal.
Use the gifts that God has given you to help others. God has gifted each of us in many ways, to use to provide
us with a complete life and to help those that are not so gifted. When was the last time that you felt real joy, a
joy that lasted? Was it when you offered you time, your talents or your treasure to help somebody less
fortunate?
Why continue down the road that provides you joy from material things; joy that is ephemeral? God wants us to
be like Him in His image and LIKENESS. We have to work at the likeness. We are to be like HIM, loving,
kind, generous, compassionate, and thoughtful. Can you honestly say that “I am like Christ?” We can only say
that if we ARE like Christ! He wants us to desire to be with God, receive our joy from being with God and for
experiencing eternity with God. Being a good Steward of your time, talents and treasures will lead you back to
the path of desiring God more than anything else in this world!
Attention Parents:
The Altar Boy Retreat (ABR) and the Young Women's Encounter (YWE) are scheduled
for 25-29 June. The ABR is open to our Altar Boys 8-18 and the YWE is open to the
young ladies of the parish 13-18. More information will be coming out those events in
the near future.
Our Deanery week at Camp Nazareth is 23-29 July. Registration begins on Wednesday 1 March. Everyone
must register online. Our parish has been given an anonymous gift of $5000 to get our kids to camp this year
(one week only). Before you register, see Father and he will give you a special code to fill in. Let us give
thanks for this very special gift, and to our donors we say Many Years! (See Fr Peter for the special code
before payment) Early Bird registration will go until May 15 ($20 saving). After 14 June will be a $20 late fee.
To take advantage of the Parish camperships you must register before 15 May!!! Go to
www.campnazareth.org to register
With the ABR, YWE and Camp Nazareth, we encourage all of our young people to attend!!
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Social Concerns Committee
Annual Coffee Drive!
The Social Concerns Committee will sponsor their annual Lenten Coffee Drive from 5 March until 9 April.
Containers of ground coffee (no instant or K-cups, please) will be collected for Bethesda Cares, a local
organization working with the homeless in and around Montgomery County, specifically in the Bethesda-Chevy
Chase area. Last year we collected 129 pounds of coffee. Let us try to at least meet that again this year, if not
go over. Is 140 too much?? Can we do it?? The answer is up to all of us!
Collection boxes will be in the vestibule and in the back of the parish hall, under the TV.
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STEWARDSHIP CORNER
Giving back to God, According to what God has given to you
Thanks to the following for their gifts of time and talent to the Parish:
Joanie Wisnosky for weeding and cleaning up the Prayer Garden
Melanie Krynitsky for going through and straightening the Bible Bags
Lois Erhard for going through, cleaning and preparing bookstore for the Lenten and Pascha
season
Faith Breno for preparing the Lenten Prayer Friend cards
To all of them we say “Many Years! Mnohaja L’ita!”
The Parish has paid its bill for the Diocesan Assessment for 2017. We ask that each of our
parishioners, 18 and over (except full time undergraduate students) hand in their portion ($68.00) as soon as
possible. If there are any questions, please see Dan Breno.
Also keep in mind to hand in your offerings, even when you are not here. Just like at home, bills always
come due. If you are not going to be in attendance, you can mail your offering in or catch up when you get
return. Thank you!
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ANNUAL ACRY LENTEN RETREAT: Saturday April 1, 2017 at St Francis Center For Renewal, in
Bethlehem, PA from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm (EST). This year, the retreat is being cosponsored by the Ukrainian Orthodox League of the USA. Frs. Anthony Perkins and
Bazyl Zawierucha will lead the adults and Teenagers in a discussion of the topic: Peace
Be Unto All: Encountering The Divine Liturgy. Frs. William George and William
Bennett will serve as retreat-masters for children ages 6-11 and will speak on the
topic: The Divine Liturgy: The Five Senses. Registration is required and must be made by
March 15, 2017 - after March 25 a $25 late fee will be added. (Our local ACRY #25 will cover
the cost for our parishioners who wish to attend. Please see George Dahulich by no later than
Sunday 12 March)
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That time is here………..With Pascha being 16 April, Candy orders need to be sent in by
early March. Candy orders will be taken until next Sunday 05 March. Please place your
order and check (made payable to HROC) in the box provided. Orders should be available
for pick up by Sunday 03 April (if not earlier)
Sunday of Cheesefare:
Expulsion of Adam
from Paradise
As we begin the Great Fast, the Church reminds us of
Adam’s expulsion from Paradise. God commanded Adam to
fast (Gen. 2:16), but he did not obey. Because of their
disobedience, Adam and Eve were cast out of Eden and lost
the life of blessedness, knowledge of God, and communion
with Him, for which they were created. Both they and their
descendants became heirs of death and corruption.
Let us consider the benefits of fasting, the consequences of
disobedience, and recall our fallen state. Today we are
invited to cleanse ourselves of evil through fasting and
obedience to God. Our fasting should not be a negative
thing, a mere abstention from certain foods. It is an
opportunity to free ourselves from the sinful desires and
urges of our fallen nature, and to nourish our souls with
prayer, repentance, to participate in church services, and
partake of the life-giving Mysteries of Christ.
At Forgiveness Vespers we sing: “Let us begin the time of fasting in light, preparing ourselves for
spiritual efforts. Let us purify our soul, let us purify our body. As we abstain from food, let us abstain
from all passion and enjoy the virtues of the spirit....”
(oca.org)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Sunday of Forgiveness, the last of the preparatory Sundays before Great Lent, has two themes: it
commemorates Adam’s expulsion from Paradise, and it accentuates our need for forgiveness. There
are obvious reasons why these two things should be brought to our attention as we stand on the
threshold of Great Lent. One of the primary images in the Triodion is that of the return to Paradise.
Lent is a time when we weep with Adam and Eve before the closed gate of Eden, repenting with them
for the sins that have deprived us of our free communion with God. But Lent is also a time when we
are preparing to celebrate the saving event of Christ’s death and rising, which has reopened Paradise
to us once more (Luke 23:43). So sorrow for our exile in sin is tempered by hope of our re-entry into
Paradise.
The second theme, that of forgiveness, is
emphasized in the Gospel reading for this Sunday
(Matthew 6:14-21) and in the special ceremony of
mutual forgiveness at the end of the Vespers on
Sunday evening. Before we enter the Lenten fast,
we are reminded that there can be no true fast, no
genuine repentance, no reconciliation with God,
unless we are at the same time reconciled with
one another. A fast without mutual love is the fast
of demons. We do not travel the road of Lent as
isolated individuals but as members of a family.
Our asceticism and fasting should not separate us
from others, but should link us to them with everstronger bonds.
The Sunday of Forgiveness also directs us to see that Great Lent is a journey of liberation from our
enslavement to sin. The Gospel lesson sets the conditions for this liberation. The first one is fasting—
the refusal to accept the desires and urges of our fallen nature as normal, the effort to free ourselves
from the dictatorship of the flesh and matter over the spirit. To be effective, however, our fast must
not be hypocritical, a “showing off.” We must “appear not unto men to fast but to our Father who is in
secret” (vv. 16-18).
The second condition is forgiveness—“If you forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will
also forgive you” (vv. 14-15). The triumph of sin, the main sign of its rule over the world, is division,
opposition, separation, hatred. Therefore, the first break through this fortress of sin is forgiveness—
the return to unity, solidarity, love. To forgive is to put between me and my “enemy” the radiant
forgiveness of God Himself. To forgive is to reject the hopeless “dead-ends” of human relations and
to refer them to Christ. Forgiveness is truly a “breakthrough” of the Kingdom into this sinful and fallen
world.
(goarch.org)