Great Lent begins for Orthodox Christians

Moscow, February 23, 2015

The head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill named the Great Lent, which will last for 40 days, the time of spiritual growth.

    

Orthodox Christians in Russia and other countries around the world begin observing Great Lent on Monday, February 23, in preparation for Easter, the most sacred and holy day of the Orthodox Church's ecclesiastical calendar, which will be celebrated this year on April 12.

"Great Lent is a time for spiritual growth," the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, said on Forgiveness Sunday, the last Sunday before the longest and strictest fasting season of the year in the Eastern Orthodox Church.

The Eastern Orthodox Lent always begins on Monday, which is designated as "Clean Monday", the day when Orthodox faithful begin a spiritual and moral purification through fasting, prayer, meditations, repentance, attending Lenten religious services and partaking of the Sacraments of Confession and Communion.

Observing 40 days of Great Lent means "to change our lifestyle, go to church more often and receive the Holy Sacraments," the patriarch said in his message. "But the most important thing is to work on ourselves — seven weeks of work on the most fertile and the most important holy soil — the soil of overcoming our weaknesses. No spiritual growth and no other growth will be possible without it," he added.

During the first week of Lent, the Russian patriarch will hold special services twice a day in churches and monasteries in Moscow and the Moscow region.

TASS

2/23/2015

See also
A Lenten Primer A Lenten Primer
Fr. Evan Armatas, John Maddox
A Lenten Primer A Lenten Primer
Fr. Evan Armatas, John Maddox
How did the Church arrive at such a season and structure of services? And whether you've been through Lent before or this is going to be your first season, you will see that this is a rather complicated season; there is a lot going on, a number of services you haven't seen. There are new names and phrases for things. Certain spiritual disciplines are highlighted that you may not be aware of, or at least you don't typically them see during the rest of the season.
The Way to a Happy Life. A homily given at the Vigil Service for the Triumph of Orthodoxy, Sretensky Monastery The Way to a Happy Life. A homily given at the Vigil Service for the Triumph of Orthodoxy, Sretensky Monastery
His Holiness Patriarch Kirill
The Way to a Happy Life. A homily given at the Vigil Service for the Triumph of Orthodoxy, Sretensky Monastery The Way to a Happy Life. A homily given at the Vigil Service for the Triumph of Orthodoxy, Sretensky Monastery
His Holiness Patriarch Kirill
I am happy to have the opportunity to conclude the first week of Great Lent with the solemn All-Night Vigil in Sretensky Monastery. This was a very special week, particularly for those who were able to attend church. But even for those who were not able, the very remembrance, the very thought that we have entered the arena of the Holy Forty Days Fast has undoubtedly left a beneficial mark upon our thoughts and deeds. It is during the first week of Great Lent that many people make important decisions to change in their lives.
When Should Children Begin to Fast? When Should Children Begin to Fast? When Should Children Begin to Fast? When Should Children Begin to Fast?
When the children grow and their personality and inclinations become clearer, parents should show tact with respect to the norms of fasting. They must not, for example, forbid them sweets against their will, or make the fast days so strict with regard to food quality and quantity as to exceed the norms of the Church’s rule of fasting. Ailing or frail children can naturally be given dispensations, or even be freed from fasting.
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