The fifth Thursday of Lent is dedicated to this 7th century penitential masterpiece written by Saint Andrew of Crete. Throughout its text, we receive countless images and lessons of repentance from the Old and New Testaments. We also hear the life of Saint Mary of Egypt, who is one of the greatest models of repentance […]

The Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts is a service for the distribution of Holy Communion on the weekdays of Lent. Because Lent is a season of fasting and repentance, and the regular Divine Liturgy has a joyful character not in keeping with these seasonal themes, the more somber Presanctified Liturgy is offered on weekday evenings, […]

The Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts is a service for the distribution of Holy Communion on the weekdays of Lent. Because Lent is a season of fasting and repentance, and the regular Divine Liturgy has a joyful character not in keeping with these seasonal themes, the more somber Presanctified Liturgy is offered on weekday evenings, […]

Great Compline is the penitential night office of the Orthodox Church. Filled with Psalms and beautiful hymns, it is a beloved service of the Lenten season.

The Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts is a service for the distribution of Holy Communion on the weekdays of Lent. Because Lent is a season of fasting and repentance, and the regular Divine Liturgy has a joyful character not in keeping with these seasonal themes, the more somber Presanctified Liturgy is offered on weekday evenings, […]

On Lazarus Saturday, eight days before Pascha, we celebrate the resurrection of Lazarus the friend of Christ. In this, the Lord gave a sign of His own Resurrection as He demonstrated His power over death.

On Lazarus Saturday, eight days before Pascha, we celebrate the resurrection of Lazarus the friend of Christ. In this, the Lord gave a sign of His own Resurrection as He demonstrated His power over death.

This is the first of the "Bridegroom Services." Having given up the Feast of Palms, we begin Holy Week with the first of three Bridegroom Matins services, in which we remember Christ as the Groom of His Bride, the Church, as He goes to His saving Passion. On Holy Monday, Christ is compared to the […]

The vesperal hymns of this service speak of judgment. We are reminded to be prepared, as death could take us at any time, and we pray that we will never hear the Lord say to us the fearful words, “I do not know you.” Instead, we are encouraged to become rich in good deeds and […]

In this, the third "Bridegroom Service," we make remembrance of the harlot who anointed Jesus’ feet with expensive ointment, and His rebuke of the greedy Judas, who was obsessed with money. Let us imitate the woman, who poured out fountains of tears and confessed her sins to the Master; let us run from the ways […]