Friday of the First Week of Lent

Friday of the First Week of Lent

Jerusalem Typikon: one meal allowed

Studite Typikon: one meal allowed

Mount Athos Rule: one meal allowed

Solovky Monastery Rule: no food allowed

Small Home Rule: one meal allowed

Notes and Commentary:

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My experience: Clean Wednesday

On Monday and Tuesday, I posted some remarks about this project of sharing specific details about my own ways of fasting. If you missed that post, click here and here to catch up.

Yesterday, a Pious Reader asked a very interesting question. Suppose that one does not like to eat and prefers not to eat. Should he then give up fasting for Lent and eat instead? This was a bit of a personal jab at me. It is true that I much prefer not to eat: it is simpler, does not take any time, and costs nothing. This opens a larger topic: should we give up things we like for Lent? Is this the nature of fasting – to give up things we like?

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Thursday of the First Week of Lent

Thursday of the First Week of Lent

Jerusalem Typikon: no food allowed – see explanation below

Studite Typikon: one meal allowed

Mount Athos Rule: one meal allowed

Solovky Monastery Rule: one meal allowed

Small Home Rule: no food allowed

Notes and Commentary:

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Wednesday of the First Week of Lent

Wednesday of the First Week of Lent

Jerusalem Typikon: one meal allowed

Studite Typikon: one meal allowed

Mount Athos Rule: one meal allowed

Solovky Monastery Rule: no food allowed

Small Home Rule: one meal allowed

Notes and Commentary:

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Tuesday of the First Week of Lent

Tuesday of the First Week of Lent

Jerusalem Typikon: no food allowed* (see note below)

Studite Typikon: one meal allowed

Mount Athos Rule: no food allowed** (see note below)

Solovky Monastery Rule: one meal allowed

Small Home Rule: no food allowed

Notes and Commentary:

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Fasting during the First Week of Great Lent

From the rules of the holy apostles and the holy fathers about the holy and great forty-day [Lent], which every Christian must carefully observe… [CONTINUE]

Forgiveness Sunday

Matthew 6 (RSV):

14 For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you;
15 but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Tomorrow, we enter the holy days of Great Lent, and the Church calls us to ask forgiveness of one another with repentance and humility in our hearts. We will enter a holy place and time. The fast is not a weight loss diet, nor is it a socio-economic necessity. The fast is a sacrament of asceticism in our earthly life… [CONTINUE]

God, Be Merciful To Us, Sinners

Today, we begin the beautiful cycle of services from the Lenten Triodion. The word “triodion” means “three songs,” but really there are many odes in this book—all of them are offered for our spiritual benefit. The Holy Church is preparing us for Great Lent. Like any journey that is to be successful, the journey of Lent must be undertaken with proper resolve, commitment, and preparation. And this is why we do not just begin Lent one day, but take time to prepare for it; not merely waiting, but actively preparing our hearts, minds, and bodies for this journey to Pascha… [continue]

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