We are now approaching Great Lent, a period of preparation for the Feast of Feasts, Pascha.
The Holy Orthodox Church has given us three important areas to pay especial attention to during this period: Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving.
We now have four preparatory Sundays before the first week of Great Lent:
The Publican & Pharisee. 17th February. Gospel Reading Luke 18 v 10 – 14.
The Prodigal Son. 23rd February. Gospel Reading Luke 15 v 11 – 32.
The Last Judgement. 2nd March. Gospel Reading Matthew 25 v 31 – 46.
Forgiveness Sunday 9th March Gospel Reading Matthew 6 v 14 – 21.
You could read these special Gospel readings at home, individually or as a family, in preparation for the Holy Liturgy.
During Great Lent we have a number of extra services, listed on the separate sheet. On the first Monday & Tuesday we have the Great Canon of Repentance, which forms an important start for our repentance, our turning back from our sins to God.
Another special part of our Lenten prayer is the singing of the beautiful Hymn to the Mother of God, the Akathist, starting on Friday of the 1st week.
The Holy Liturgy of the Pre-sanctified Gifts will be held on three occasions; as part of your preparation for receiving Communion, you should fast from noon.
As our Lenten journey leads us to Holy Week, there will be the Sacrament of Unction on the Wednesday, Service of the Holy Passion on the Thursday, the Taking down of Christ, Apokathlosis, on Great and Holy Friday.
All of these services are to help us to focus our lives on the reality of the Christian faith, ultimately lifting us up as we come to the great Feast of Pascha. Let us prepare ourselves for the rejoicing of the Resurrection by taking part in these weeks of preparation. As we sing each Sunday, in the Cherubic Hymn, ‘let us lay aside all the cares of this world’, may we all seek to do just that, laying aside the non-essentials of our lives that we may seek the Kingdom of God. As St John Chrysostom said in his familiar Easter sermon, “If any have laboured long in fasting, let him now receive his recompense.” We can all appreciate it when we see someone we support win in a competition. Those who have actually taken part in the team have a double joy at the result!
Parish Lunch Sunday 24th February
This will be the pre-Lenten Lunch. Bring something for us to share so we can have a jolly social time together. Bring your family and friends!
Progress on the Church.
It’s looking great, with its fine oak floor and freshly-painted walls and ceiling. The heavy storage heaters are being re-installed and one or two other jobs need to be done; then we will move in! Help is always needed: if you can offer your skills and time, do speak to Gregory or to Fr. Christodoulos. Many hands make light work.
Date
Service
Place
Sunday 17th February
10.30am Holy Liturgy. Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee. Fast Free Week.
Leyland
Thursday 21st February
7.00pm Vespers followed by Study
Leyland
Sunday 24th February
10.30am Holy Liturgy. Sunday of the Prodigal Son. Normal fast week. Parish lunch at Church. Please bring food + drink to share.
Leyland
Thursday 28th March
7.00pm. Vespers followed by Study
Leyland
Sunday 2nd March
10.30am Holy Liturgy. Sunday of Meat Fare. The Last Judgement.
Meat Fast Week.
Leyland
Thursday 6th March
7.00pm Vespers followed by Study. This study will be the last until after Pascha, and the subject will the significance of Great Lent.
Leyland
Sunday 9th March
10.30am. Holy Liturgy. Sunday of Cheesefare. Forgiveness Sunday
Beginning of Lenten Fast.
Leyland
Monday 10th March
7.30pm. Great Canon of repentance by St Andrew of Crete
Leyland
Tuesday 11th March
7.30pm. Great Canon of repentance by St Andrew of Crete.
Leyland
Friday 14th March
7.30pm. Akathistos to the Mother of God. Week 1
Leyland
Saturday 15th March
10.30am. Holy Liturgy. St Theodore the Recruit
Dalton
Sunday 16th March
10.30am. Holy Liturgy of St Basil. Sunday of Orthodoxy.
Leyland
Wednesday 19th March
6.30pm. Pre-Sanctified Holy Liturgy
Leyland
Friday 21st March
7.30pm. Akathistos to the Mother of God. Week 2.
Leyland
Sunday 23rd March
10.30am. Holy Liturgy of St Basil. Sunday of St Gregory Palamas.
Leyland
Tuesday 25th March
10.30am Holy Liturgy for the Annunciation of the Mother of God
Leyland
Friday 28th March
7.30pm. Akathistos to the Mother of God. Week 3.
Leyland
Sunday 30th March
10.30am. Holy Liturgy of St Basil. Veneration of the Cross.
St John Climacus. Parish Fasting Lunch
Leyland
Wednesday 2nd April
6.30pm. Pre-Sanctified Liturgy
DALTON
Friday 4th April
6.30pm. Pre-Sanctified Liturgy.
Leyland
Sunday 6th April
10.30am. Holy Liturgy of St Basil. St John Climacus.
Leyland
Friday 11th April
7.30pm. Akathistos to the Mother of God. Week 5.
Leyland
Sunday 13th April
10.30am. Holy Liturgy of St Basil. St Mary of Egypt.
Leyland
Wednesday 16th April
6.30pm. Pre-Sanctified Holy Liturgy
Leyland
Saturday 19th April
10.30am. Holy Liturgy. Lazarus Saturday.
DALTON
Sunday 20th April
10.30am. Holy Liturgy of St John Chrysostom. PALM SUNDAY.
Leyland
Wednesday 23rd April
7.00pm. Holy Wednesday Evening. The Sacrament of Holy Unction
Leyland
Thursday 24th April
7.00pm. The service of the Holy Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is the service of Mattins for Holy Friday, and includes 12 Gospel readings. It is normal to do this on the Thursday evening by anticipation.
Leyland
Friday 25th April
7.00pm. Great Friday Vespers. Taking down of Christ from the Cross. APOKATHLOSIS
Leyland
Evening of Saturday 26th / Early on Sunday 27th April
CELEBRATION OF PASCHA - Christ is Risen! CristoV Anesth
After the preparation of the Church, we will be starting the Resurrection service at 11.30pm on Saturday evening. Further details to follow.
