GREAT LENT OFFICIALLY BEGAN last night with Forgiveness Vespers. This week in the Church is called Clean Week, during which there remains an emphasis on forgiveness, but also on the spiritual cleansing that takes place in the soul through increased fasting (which for most of us means no meat or dairy products now through Pascha), increased prayer, and increased reception of the Holy Mysteries. One of the hallmarks of Clean Week is The Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete, in which the eponymous author converses with his soul, contrasting his life with the lives of several holy—yet broken and sinful—men and women of Scripture. It will be chanted tonight, Tuesday, and Thursday nights at 7pm in Madera.
Moreover, the Liturgy of the Presanctifed Gifts will be celebrated to offer the spiritual nourishment of Holy Communion (which was consecrated and set aside the prior Sunday) to the faithful this week—and each of the beneficial, yet challenging, weeks of Great Lent. It takes place at 6pm in Madera (Wednesdays) and Irvona (Fridays), respectively, with Confessions preceding each service.
Printed and electronic calendars for March and April can be found here.