My brothers and sisters in Christ:
Glory to Jesus Christ!
We find ourselves at the threshold of the Great Fast. It is a time for spiritual housekeeping and renewal. It is a time for us to find (dare I say coerce) every possible way to extricate ourselves from the world and reconnect ourselves to the Church, and through Her, to our Lord.
The Great Fast is certainly a time for fasting! Saint Seraphim of Sarov taught, "One should not think about the doings of God when one's stomach is full; on a full stomach there can be no vision of the Divine mysteries." Thus, fasting from foods is clearly a spiritual benefit and requirement for this season, and indeed for every fasting day called for by the Church.
But I ask all to remember that fasting applies to more than just food. Fasting as a regimen must also include reading scripture, reading the Holy Fathers, almsgiving, care for the poor and needy, increased prayer for self and for others, especially those hardest to love. Guard the tongue as well. Saint John Chrysostom teaches, "The evil speaker eats the flesh of his brother, and bites the body of his neighbor."
Saint Herman's will enter the Fast in our normal fashion - by celebrating Divine Liturgy on the Sunday of Cheesefare, followed immediately by the Vespers of Forgiveness, in which we enter the Fast by requesting and freely giving forgiveness from one another of our sins.
Inside the first week of the Fast, there will be services every evening at 6PM.
Mon/Tue/Thu we will pray the Canon of Saint Andrew.
Wed/Fri we will celebrate the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts
Saturday we'll celebrate Vespers at 6PM, before returning again on Sunday for 10AM Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great (Mar 05)
We pray that this Fast will bring great blessings and spiritual growth and healing to all, and that through this, our Lord will grant us to pray together, sharing His Body and Blood in the Eucharist many times during this Great Fast!
In anticipation of the services of this coming Sunday, let me in all humility ask of all of you to forgive me of my many sins, faults, and shortcomings. Know in your hearts that I forgive all without reservation or constraint!
In Christ,
Father Basil
Icon of the Last Judgment from an Orthodox Monastery in Kosovo
