February 2011  

Dear Church Family,

                As we approach the holy season of Great Lent, a season of repentance and spiritual renewal, it is my prayer, as your unworthy priest, that our spiritual pilgrimage will be especially meaningful this year. Together, we will embark on this sacred journey which leads us through tears, sorrow, demonic attacks and various temptations – yes, through them – to arrive at a blessed destination: the glorious resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord. We are guided by the Holy Spirit and the God-inspired direction of our beloved Orthodox faith and practice. Therefore, I humbly offer the following reminders as you make preparations. Please read this, and all the available materials, carefully and accept my pastoral urging that all of us strive with great diligence in these weeks prior to Holy Pascha.

                The cardinal disciplines of fasting, prayer, almsgiving and confession are known to all of us. However, too many of us have allowed ourselves to become slack in these areas of spiritual training. The season of Great Lent is an opportune time to get ourselves back on track and progress in our journey of salvation.

                A paper concerning the Sacrament of Confession is available, to anyone who needs that, for your study and response. Please give all diligence to reading and engaging in this sacred task. I urge each of you to make a confession at sometime during Lent.

                Another of the disciplines called for during Lent is fasting. Although we practice this discipline throughout the year, it takes on an added intensity in the spiritual warfare of Lent. Again, some guidelines for effective fasting in the tradition of the Orthodox Church are available to you. Obedience and perseverance in fasting will yield much strength in the battle we are waging. I urge you to fast with dedication and faith.

                No one lives a true Orthodox life without prayer – both personal and in the services of the Church. We cannot be reminded too much of the importance of the Lenten services. There is a special quality which permeates the liturgies, vespers, vigils, complines, etc. during these intense weeks. The darkness, the quietness, the depth, the mystery in which these services are clothed reveal so much about ourselves to us and awaken a desire to see that light of His glory at the open tomb. It will be neither easy nor convenient, but the frequency of our attendance and participation in these sacred services will have an enormous effect on the health of our soul and body.

                May God grant you a truly blessed experience in this Lenten season of 2011.

                                                                                                In obedience to Christ,

                                                                                                 Fr. Andrew