Orthodox Lent begins Sunday

The Times-Standard
25/2/2012

The world’s 250 million Orthodox Christians, including those who worship at St. Innocent Orthodox Church in Eureka, are getting ready to enter into the sacred season of Lent this Sunday.

Around the world, Orthodox communities gather at sunset to participate in an ancient service known as Forgiveness Sunday (held at 6 p.m.) which is the entrance into a time of 40 days of fasting, prayers and giving.

Because Orthodox Christianity still follows the Biblical or Jewish calendar, the new day begins at sunset when the seven-branched candlestand is lit.

This is when Lent officially starts, immediately followed by a rite of mutual forgiveness.

All present prostrate themselves before everyone else, one by one, saying, “Brother (or sister), forgive me, for I have sinned against you!”

The other replies with an embrace, “I forgive you! May God forgive us both!”

”It is especially moving,” said the Rev. Laurence Cleenewerck of St. Innocent, “to see bishops and even heads of state bow down before children and the poorest of their flock or parish. It really feels like a supernatural event.”

Orthodox Lent will culminate with Holy Week and Easter (called Pascha), which this year falls one week after the Western date. In the meantime, all are invited to attend the ancient services offered throughout the season, notably the Canon of St. Andrew of Crete (Monday, Tuesday and Thursday of the first week) and a 15-century-old
candlelit liturgy served every Wednesday, all at 6 p.m.
To learn more about the Lent and Pascha of Eastern Christianity, and for a schedule of events, call 677-9294 or visit www.eurekafirstchurch.com.

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