All of the blogs which I posted for this year related to the Pre-Lenten Sundays and the beginning of Great Lent are now available for viewing in one document as a PDF. You can access those blogs at Pre-Lent 2013 (PDF).
The blog series I wrote based on Archimandrite Job Getcha’s TYPIKON DECODED is now also available as one PDF at Typikon Series (PDF).
You can find a list of all the PDFs I have created from my blogs with links to access them at Fr. Ted’s Blogs as PDFs.
Some of the hymns from the first week of Lent teach us about the nature of fasting and the Spirit of Great Lent. As we begin the Lenten sojourn, we are reminded of some important aspects of fasting as disciples of Christ. Joy and love are two key ingredients for keeping the fast faithfully. Fasting is not making ourselves burdensome to others, but rather in love helping to carry one another’s burdens.
LET US BEGIN THE ALL‑HOLY SEASON OF FASTING WITH JOY; LET US SHINE WITH THE BRIGHT RADIANCE OF THE HOLY COMMANDMENTS OF CHRIST OUR GOD: WITH THE BRIGHTNESS OF LOVE AND THE SPLENDOR OF PRAYER,THE STRENGTH OF GOOD COURAGE AND THE PURITY OF HOLINESS! SO, CLOTHED IN GARMENTS OF LIGHT,LET US HASTEN TO THE HOLY RESURRECTION ON THE THIRD DAY,THAT SHINES ON THE WORLD WITH THE GLORY OF ETERNAL LIFE!
(Monday of the First Week)
We are reminded in the following hymn that whatever physical fast we keep, fasting is a spiritual endeavor and so must also be kept spiritually. The following hymn calls to our minds both Isaiah 58 and Matthew 25
WHILE FASTING PHYSICALLY, BRETHREN, LET US ALSO FAST SPIRITUALLY. LET US LOOSE EVERY KNOT OF INIQUITY;LET US TEAR UP EVERY UNRIGHTEOUS BOND;LET US DISTRIBUTE BREAD TO THE HUNGRY,AND WELCOME INTO OUR HOMES THOSE WHO HAVE NO ROOF OVER THEIR HEADS SO THAT WE MAY RECEIVE GREAT MERCY FROM CHRIST OUR GOD!
(Wednesday of the First Week)
If you are moved by the spirit of Great Lent and want to help those in need you can donate to Project Mexico and Saint Innocent Orphanage.
Fraternized 