March 2, 7534
Great Lent is called the Forty Days — the Holy Quadragesima. However, if you look at the calendar, it becomes clear that from the first day of Great Lent until Pascha there are seven weeks, that is, 49 calendar days. How, then, is the Forty Days calculated? 6 × 7 – 2 = 40Properly speaking,…
On Thursday of the Sixth Week of Lent — Parables from the Prophetic Sayings, with Interpretation. Proverbs. Chapter 9: Wisdom hath builded her house… Interpretation.“Wisdom” is Christ, and the “house” is the Holy Mother of God. She hath hewn out her seven pillars. Interpretation.The “seven pillars” are the seven Ecumenical Councils. She hath killed her…
On the same day [Wednesday of the Sixth Week of Lent] — The Prophecy of Isaiah, interpreted concerning those who set tables for idols. [Isaiah, ch. 65] Thus saith the Lord: “As the new wine is found in the cluster, and one saith, Destroy it not; for a blessing is in it: so will I do for…
On Wednesday of the Sixth Week of Lent — the verse “Our Father,” interpreted by St. John Chrysostom. Our Father, which art in the heavens. Interpretation.You call God your Father—this is right to say, for He is indeed the Father and Creator of us all. But be careful, O man—do works that are pleasing to…
On Tuesday of the Sixth Week of Lent, an Instruction from the Holy Gospel, interpreted by the Holy Fathers. [John, ch. 1] The Lord said of Nathanael: “Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile.” Nathanael saith unto Him: “Lord, how knowest Thou me?” The Lord answered and said unto him: “Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under…
On the Monday of the Sixth Week of Lent. A teaching of our holy father Ephraim the Syrian on the Second Coming of Christ. When the appointed years of human life come to an end, God will descend from heaven with great and countless power and glory, to judge everyone and to repay each person…
On the fifth Sunday of Great Lent, the Church Ustav commands that we commemorate St. Mary of Egypt. Just two days earlier, at Matins on Thursday, her Life was read, and we heard the tropar dedicated to her in the composition of the Great Penitential Canon by St. Andrew of Crete. Moreover, a separate service…
On the Fifth Sunday of Lent, a teaching of Saint John Chrysostom concerning the Passion of the Lord. Beloved, the fast is now drawing to its end, and the days of the Lord’s Passion are soon approaching. For this reason, a word concerning His Passion is read, that we might prepare ourselves for it through…
On the Fifth Saturday of Lent, a laudation by Saint John Chrysostom in honor of our Most Holy and Glorious Maiden God-bearer. Today, brothers, the radiant Sun of Righteousness has shone upon us—He who is before all rising by nature, the eternal Light who enlightens all things. He has delivered us from darkness, and yet…
On Friday of the Fifth Week of Lent: A Teaching on Faith, on the Love of God, and on Standing Firm in the Faith Established by the God-Bearing Fathers at the Seven Ecumenical Councils In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form and void, and darkness was…