FEB 20 – APR 8: THE GREAT FAST

The Great Fast is a period of strict fasting, with some mitigation for Saturdays, Sundays and Holy Days. Holy Week and is also a special time of intense prayer and/or meditation. For further information about “fasting,” please see the “SPIRITUALITY” tab above and “BYZANTINE FASTING.” You may also read: Directives for the Great Fast from the Office of the Bishop  , (which you can read here).

UNDERSTANDING THE GREAT FAST (from God With Us On-Line): Understanding-the-Great-Fast

THE GREAT LENT A TRADITIONAL CUSTOM OF THE BYZANTINE RITE (from the Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh): https://archpitt.org/the-great-lent-a-traditional-custom-of-the-byzantine-rite/

“Loaves and Fishes—Jesus feeds the multitude,” Lenten Pastoral Reflection of Bishop Kurt, from the February 2022 Edition of  Eastern Catholic Life (Official Publication of the Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Passaic): ECL-5802-WEB

The attached article: “How the Byzantine Churches (Catholic and Orthodox) Prepare for a Spiritually Fruitful Lent and the Resurrection of Our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ ICXC,” from By Fr. Theodore Wroblicky which will also help in your preparation and understanding of the Great Fast: How the Byzantine Churches Prepare for a Spiritually Fruitful Lent

The Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts is celebrated during the Great Fast, and provides the faithful with the opportunity to receive Holy Communion on those days when the Eucharistic Sacrifice is not celebrated.   The word “presanctified” indicates that the “gifts” (the Body and Blood of Christ) which are distributed at the service are those consecrated at a previous Eucharist. Information about the Liturgy of Presanctified Gifts from the Metropolitan Cantor Institute:  https://mci.archpitt.org/liturgy/DivineLiturgyPresanctifiedGifts.html

THE HOLY LITURGY OF THE PRESANCTIFIED GIFTS ACCORDING TO BYZANTINE RITE TRADITION (from the Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh): https://archpitt.org/the-holy-liturgy-of-the-presanctified-gifts-according-to-byzantine-rite-tradition/

O Lord and Master of my life, keep from me the spirit of indifference and discouragement, lust of power, and idle chatter. (Prostration)
Instead, grant to me, your servant, the spirit of wholeness of being, humble-mindedness, patience and love. (Prostration)
O Lord and King, grant me the grace to be aware of my sins and not to judge my brother; for You are blessed, now and ever and forever. Amen. (Prostration)

READINGS/MEDITATIONS DURING THE GREAT FAST: To help with your “Journey through the Great Fast,” each week, we will post readings from the book, “Journey Through the Great Fast,” from the Archdiocesan Byzantine Catechetical Center, as well as recommended Gospel Readings for the day. 

Additionally, below are other readings/meditations, which you may wish to read during the Great Fast:

1. Living with Christ – Great Lent at Home (from Melkite Greek-Catholic Eparchy of Newton, Office of Educational Services): https://godwithusonline.org/wp-content/uploads/Great-Lent-at-Home-Lenten-Weeks.pdf
2. Daily Readings for the Great Fast from St. John Climacus’Ladder of Divine Ascent: https://www.sscyrilmethodius.org/wp-prod/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Daily-Readings-for-the-Great-Fast-Ladder-of-Divine-Ascent.pdf   OR http://www.prudencetrue.com/images/TheLadderofDivineAscent.pdf
3. The Way of a Pilgrim: https://jbburnett.com/resources/french_way_of_a_pilgrim.pdf
4. Brother Lawrence’s Practice of the Presence of God:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OCcTI3rPdDssGN0RBYmmw8Bwq6ieUlBw/view
5. Great Lent at Home – Living with Christ: from Melkite Greek Catholic Eparchy of Newton: https://royaldoors.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Great-Lent-at-Home-Complete-w-Cover.pdf
6. Our Paschal Pilgrimage – By The Most Reverend Basil H. Losten, D.D.: A-Paschal-Pilgrimage-Bishop-Basil-Losten
7. Great Lent and Holy Week Lenten Study Program: https://melkite.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Great-Lent-at-Home-Complete-w-Cover.pdf
8. THE MEANING OF THE GREAT FAST: The True Nature of Fasting, by Mother Mary and Bishop Kallistos Ware:   https://stgeorgecedarrapids.org/files/Meaning_of_fasting.pdf
9. You may purchase from Eastern Christian Publication’s “Lenten Reflections Archives,” the following: a. Back to the Garden, b. Carrying Your Cross with Christ, c. Combo Lenten Books, d. Journey Through the Great Fast, e. Our Paschal Pilgrimage, f. Rejoice Isaiah, g. Unfinished Buisiness: On the Road to Pascha. You can find these items here: https://ecpubs.com/product-category/lenten-reflections/
10. You may purchase: Great Lent: Journey to Pascha by Fr. Alexander Schmemann.
    This book will help you understand the meaning of Lent in your life and is the classic Journey to Pascha. It examines the meaning of the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, the Prayer of St Ephraim the Syrian, the Canon of St Andrew of Crete, and unpacks what the Church’s worship means for us today.
11. You may purchase: Meditations for Great Lent: Reflections on the Triodion by Fr Vassilios Papavassiliou.
    This booklet is a short series of reflections on the readings in the season of the Triodion which comprises the four weeks before Lent, Great Lent, and Holy Week.
12. You may purchase: The Lenten Spring: Readings for Great Lent by Thomas Hopko. This book is a series of 40 meditations on a variety of lenten themes.