[W]e may have already failed in our Lenten goals, perhaps many times over. … As St. John [of the Ladder] says, to fall is human, but to remain fallen is proper only to the demons. Thankfully, in the end, the victory in this battle lies not with us, but with Christ. As long as we keep on climbing, he waits patiently to receive us at the top. More than that, the Lord is at our side during this ascent, giving us the strength to keep climbing and catching us when we slip. To paraphrase St. John: Let us hasten, brethren, to make our ascent! —Met. Tikhon of America
Everything leads to the centre!
At the centre of this icon of the Great Feasts of the Orthodox Church is Pascha, the Feast of Feasts, celebrating the Resurrection of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
The other 12 Great Feasts surrounding it in the icon all relate to the Resurrection, marking the major events leading up to it and after it. And so it is in the life of the Church and every Orthodox Christian. Everything leads to the centre: to Christ and His Glorious Resurrection.
At the centre of this icon of the Great Feasts of the Orthodox Church is Pascha, the Feast of Feasts, celebrating the Resurrection of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
The other 12 Great Feasts surrounding it in the icon all relate to the Resurrection, marking the major events leading up to it and after it. And so it is in the life of the Church and every Orthodox Christian. Everything leads to the centre: to Christ and His Glorious Resurrection.
If you bear your cross with perseverance and seek comfort only from Him, then He, through His mercy, will not abandon you but will touch your heart and will impart to you the gifts of the Holy Spirit. It is then that you will feel an indescribable delight, a wonderful inner peace and joy such as you have never experienced before, and at the same time you will feel an influx of spiritual strength; prayer will become easier and your faith stronger. Then your heart will be kindled with love of God and all people. All these are gifts of the Holy Spirit.
When the Lord decides to honor you with such gifts, do not consider them as rewards for your labors, and do not think that you have attained perfection. Such thoughts come from pride. The comforts and grace of the Holy Spirit are not rewards but gifts of divine mercy.
☦️ St Innocent, Enlightener of Siberia and Alaska (Reposed Mar 31, 1879),"The Way Into the Kingdom of Heaven"
When the Lord decides to honor you with such gifts, do not consider them as rewards for your labors, and do not think that you have attained perfection. Such thoughts come from pride. The comforts and grace of the Holy Spirit are not rewards but gifts of divine mercy.
☦️ St Innocent, Enlightener of Siberia and Alaska (Reposed Mar 31, 1879),"The Way Into the Kingdom of Heaven"
A contrast revealed in icons
St. Mary of Egypt: repented in tears, struggled valiantly against temptations and received the longed-for Mystical Supper, the Cup of Salvation, from the hand of St. Zozimas.
Judas Iscariot: left the Mystical Supper after betraying his Master, leaving behind an empty halo and a mere silhouette in the place of where he should have been had he not turned his back on Jesus Christ. He brought upon himself the despair of guilt without repentance.
St. Mary of Egypt: repented in tears, struggled valiantly against temptations and received the longed-for Mystical Supper, the Cup of Salvation, from the hand of St. Zozimas.
Judas Iscariot: left the Mystical Supper after betraying his Master, leaving behind an empty halo and a mere silhouette in the place of where he should have been had he not turned his back on Jesus Christ. He brought upon himself the despair of guilt without repentance.
Fight to escape from your own cleverness. If you do, then you will find salvation and uprightness through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
☦️St. John Climacus
Cave of St. John Climacus, Mount Sinai
☦️St. John Climacus
Cave of St. John Climacus, Mount Sinai
The 5th week of Great Lent is often called “the most Lenten” week of Lent, with services abundant and overflowing with penitence.
Wednesday of the 5th week: Matins is celebrated with the reading of the Great Canon of St Andrew of Crete and the life of St Mary of Egypt.
Saturday of the fifth week: The Church commemorates the icon of the Theotokos, "Laudation of the Virgin." Akathists are generally not sung during Great Lent, but this Saturday is the only exception.
Sunday of the 5th week: We commemorate St Mary of Egypt. Her life as a moving testament to sincere repentance, and the miracle of salvation in Christ, open to the most obstinate of sinners, according to God's infinite mercy.
Wednesday of the 5th week: Matins is celebrated with the reading of the Great Canon of St Andrew of Crete and the life of St Mary of Egypt.
Saturday of the fifth week: The Church commemorates the icon of the Theotokos, "Laudation of the Virgin." Akathists are generally not sung during Great Lent, but this Saturday is the only exception.
Sunday of the 5th week: We commemorate St Mary of Egypt. Her life as a moving testament to sincere repentance, and the miracle of salvation in Christ, open to the most obstinate of sinners, according to God's infinite mercy.
“The image of God, was faithfully preserved in you, O Mother. For you took up the Cross and followed Christ. By Your actions you taught us to look beyond the flesh for it passes, rather to be concerned about the soul which is immortal. Wherefore, O Holy Mary, your soul rejoices with the angels.”
At the end of her earthly life, † St Mary of Egypt (Apr 1) asked the † Righteous Zosimas to recite both the Creed and the “Our Father.” When the prayers were finished, she partook of the Holy Mysteries of Christ. Then she raised her hands to the heavens and said, “Lord, now let Your servant depart in peace, for my eyes have seen Your salvation.”
At the end of her earthly life, † St Mary of Egypt (Apr 1) asked the † Righteous Zosimas to recite both the Creed and the “Our Father.” When the prayers were finished, she partook of the Holy Mysteries of Christ. Then she raised her hands to the heavens and said, “Lord, now let Your servant depart in peace, for my eyes have seen Your salvation.”