St. Anna Greek Orthodox Church

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Tomorrow evening, the tone, demeanor, and texture of Orthodox Christian worship makes a quantum leap as we make the transition into Great and Holy Lent at the Great Vespers of Forgiveness Service at 7:00 pm. Monday, March 3rd, or Clean Monday is the first day of the Fast. From that day to the Saturday of Lazarus on April 12th, we will enter into a period of fasting, prayer, and repentance.

The parish calendar is overflowing with liturgical services, retreats, symposium settings, potluck dinners and supportive fellowship engagements. Please read the calendar closely to avail yourselves of every opportunity for spiritual growth and connection to these sacred days. These days lead to Christ. They point to Him. They witness Him. The are filled with Him.

We will take these steps together. We will enjoy the support of one another and lean on the encouragement of our brothers and sisters in Christ. This will be the first Lenten experience for many people in our St. Anna Community. I pray that we can all be supportive and inspired teachers of our most sacred traditions. 

I have found a lovely explanation of our Lenten Journey on the Blog “Orthodox Christian Tools.” Please enjoy this concise and complete explanation. I wish you a blessed beginning of your journey. 

So… off we go!

Great Lent is more than just a period of fasting—it’s a transformative spiritual journey that prepares Christians for the most significant celebration of the year: Holy Pascha, commonly known as Easter. This 40-day season is a time of deep reflection, repentance, and renewal, inviting us to reconnect with God and prepare our hearts to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

In this blog, we’ll explore the rich traditions and practices of Great Lent, from its purpose and structure to its profound spiritual lessons. Whether you’re new to Lent or a seasoned observer, this guide will help you understand its beauty and significance.

What is Great Lent?

Great Lent is the 40-day period of spiritual preparation leading up to Holy Pascha (Easter). It is the central part of the Triodion season, a ten-week period that includes:

• Three Pre-Lenten Weeks: A time to prepare our hearts.
• Six Weeks of Lent: A period of fasting, prayer, and repentance.
• Holy Week: The final week leading up to Easter, commemorating Christ’s Passion and Resurrection.

The main theme of the Triodion is repentance—a call to return to God, our loving Father. This season is a spiritual journey, a chance to walk with our Savior, Jesus Christ, and prepare to meet Him risen on Easter Sunday.

The Heart of Great Lent: Prayer and Fasting

Great Lent is centered on two key practices: prayer and fasting. These are not just rituals but tools to help us grow closer to God.

The Purpose of Fasting

Fasting is more than abstaining from food—it’s a spiritual discipline that reminds us of Jesus’ teaching: “Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). By limiting our physical needs, we learn to depend more fully on God, who provides for both our bodies and souls.

Fasting also symbolizes our desire to turn away from sin. Just as Adam and Eve’s first sin involved eating from the forbidden tree, our fasting reminds us to abstain from sinful behaviors and focus on spiritual growth.

The Benefits of Fasting

• Deeper Prayer: Fasting lightens our spirit, making it easier to focus on prayer and meditation.
• Compassion for Others: By experiencing hunger, we grow in empathy for those who are poor and hungry.
• Self-Control: Fasting teaches us to control our desires, words, and actions, aligning them with God’s will.

As Saint John Chrysostom taught, fasting from food is important, but fasting from sin is even more critical. This means guarding our thoughts, words, and actions, ensuring they reflect God’s love and grace.

The Prelenten Weeks: Preparing Our Hearts

Before Great Lent begins, the Church provides four Sundays of preparation, each with a unique theme:

1. The Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee: This Sunday focuses on humility. The parable of the Publican and the Pharisee (Luke 18:10-14) reminds us that pride has no place in fasting or prayer. Interestingly, the week following this Sunday is fast-free, emphasizing that true repentance comes from a humble heart.
2. The Sunday of the Prodigal Son: This Sunday highlights repentance. Like the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32), we are called to recognize our distance from God and make the decision to return to Him.
3. Meatfare Sunday (Sunday of the Last Judgment): This Sunday challenges us to live with love and compassion. The Gospel reading (Matthew 25:31-46) reminds us that how we treat others—especially the poor and vulnerable—is how we treat Christ Himself. It’s also the last day to eat meat before Easter for those observing the Lenten Fast.
4. Cheesefare Sunday (Sunday of Forgiveness): The final Sunday before Lent begins, this day emphasizes forgiveness. The Gospel reading (Matthew 6:14-21) reminds us that our fasting must be sincere, not for show. It’s also the last day to consume dairy before the Fast begins.
   (THIS IS WHERE WE ARE TODAY!)

The Lenten Fast: Rules and Practices

The rules of the Lenten Fast were established by Orthodox monasteries centuries ago and are designed to guide us in self-denial and spiritual growth. Here’s a breakdown of the general practices:

• Weekdays: Meat, dairy, fish, oil, and wine are avoided.
• Weekends: Olive oil and wine are permitted.
• Special Feast Days: Fish, oil, and wine are allowed on certain days, such as the Annunciation (March 25) and Palm Sunday.

The first week of Lent and Holy Week are particularly strict, with some Orthodox Christians observing a total fast on certain days. However, the Church encourages moderation and understanding, recognizing that health, work, and life circumstances may affect how individuals observe the Fast.

Holy Week: The Culmination of the Journey

Holy Week, the week leading up to Easter, is a time of intense reflection and fasting. Each day is marked by special services and readings that recount the final days of Christ’s earthly life.

• Holy Thursday: Wine is allowed in remembrance of the Last Supper.
• Good Friday: A strict fast is observed, commemorating Christ’s crucifixion.
• Holy Saturday: The only Saturday in the year when oil is not permitted.

Easter and Beyond: The Joy of Resurrection

The Lenten Fast concludes with the joyous proclamation, “Christ is risen!” at the Easter midnight service. The following week, known as Bright Week, is a time of celebration with no fasting. For the next 40 days, the Church continues to celebrate the Paschal season, a period of thanksgiving and joy that fulfills the spiritual journey of Lent.

A Prayer for Lent

Throughout Great Lent, the Prayer of Saint Ephraim the Syrian is recited daily, serving as a powerful reminder of the season’s purpose:

“O Lord and Master of my life, take from me the spirit of sloth, faintheartedness, lust of power, and idle talk. But give rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience, and love to Your servant. Yes, O Lord and King, grant me to see my own sins and not to judge my brother, for You are blessed unto ages of ages. Amen.”

Final Thoughts

Great Lent is more than a tradition—it’s an invitation to draw closer to God, to shed the distractions of the world, and to focus on what truly matters. Whether through fasting, prayer, or acts of kindness, this season offers us a chance to reset our spiritual compass and embrace the love and grace of our Heavenly Father.

As we embark on this journey, let’s remember that the goal isn’t perfection but progress. Each small step we take brings us closer to the joy of Easter and the promise of new life in Christ.

With Much Love in Christ,

Fr. Anthony Savas
Protopresbyter

When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am the Almighty God. Obey me and always do what is right.”… God said, “I make this covenant with you: I promise that you will be the father of many nations. Your name will no longer be Abram, but Abraham, because I am making you the father of many nations.” 

Genesis 17:1-6

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

In the Book of Genesis, God enters into a covenant relationship with Abrahm, as He deems him a partner in glorifying His Name. The Lord promises the prolific flourishing of the Hebrew Race if he can be obedient to God’s commandments and live in righteousness. Upon pious agreement, Abrahm is now called by God, “Abraham.” The former simply meaning “exalted father,” while the latter celebrates Abraham as the “father of the multitudes.” 

Our names are important. Abraham’s name is important because God gave it to him, personally. His name defines his purpose. It establishes his sacred identity. It celebrates his uniqueness within the vastness of the world. Are our name’s really that different?

I would submit that they are not. Our names are fundamental to our identity. They signify our family history, designate our cultural history, are expressions of our parents’ ideals, and the primary means of recognition. 

There is no better way of expressing our respect for another person than to learn his or her name. Correctly addressing an individual builds bonds, breaks down barriers, and opens our hearts. 

Sometimes, this can be difficult. Learning the names of one, or two people is hardly a challenge. But learning the names of many new friends can be intimidating. And for this reason, I have designated tomorrow morning to be our third St. Anna Name Tag Sunday.

The time has come to personalize our parish more lovingly once again. I often hear, “I don’t know half the people I see in church, anymore.” 

How awesome is that?!?

Now is the opportunity to meet half a church worth of new friends, new brothers and sisters in Christ. 

New Members of your Family!!!

So, tomorrow, when you come into the lobby, please take the time to fill out a name tag and wear it proudly. Joyfully let the world know who you are. And just as importantly, read the names of the people you don’t recognize. Go up to them. Extend your hand. Embrace them if their personal bubble isn’t violated. Let them know you notice that they are there. Express your gratitude that the Holy Spirit has brought us all together. Glorify God for our growing parish and welcome those who are seeking what you have already found. This world is full of those who are hungry for community, thirsty for a relationship with the Triune God, longing for the Truth, and seeking out the Ancient Christian Faith.

People are finding these things in Orthodoxy. People are finding these things at St. Anna’s.

I look forward to the multitude of new friendships that will flourish tomorrow. The Lord values and loves each and every one of us. Let us be conduits of that Love.

I would also like to announce another important happening tomorrow. 

We will be distributing this year’s Lenten Reading Challenge Book. I won’t give any information on the book tonight but will joyfully share information about it after the Divine Liturgy. 

The Lenten Reading Challenge is our opportunity to have each household learning and growing from a single resource. Thusly, our entire parish becomes a classroom, a book club, and a chat room. You are sure to enjoy this year’s selection.

Enjoy the remainder of this late evening and be well. 

With Much Love,

Fr. Anthony Savas
Protopresbyter