Last evening Byzantine Catholics, on the Gregorian Calendar, started the Great Fast. The Great Fast, called Lent in the Western Church, is a forty day period that prepares us to celebrate the greatest feast of the Christian year, Pascha. The Great Fast is a time of mentonia, or a change of heart, for Byzantine Christians. The Holy Church gives us different ascetical practices that help us achieve a change of heart towards God. In my opinion, these Four ascetical practices take on a greater role during the Great Fast:
- Realizing, repenting, and confessing ones transgressions before God and neighbor
- Fasting from certain types of food
- Increased prayer and alms giving
- Increased scriptural spiritual readings
These are by no means the only four aspects of the spiritual life that can aid us during the fast, but I find that these four are what our Church stresses the most during this season. As with all things in the spiritual life, seeking the advice of one’s Spiritual Father is paramount to any Great Fast observance. (You wouldn’t start taking heart medicine without seeking the advice of a physician, would you? Same thing when it comes to spiritual medicine)
During this years fast, I hope to post reflections on repentance and confession of transgressions. Repentance brings man back into communion, through Grace, with God and His Body, the Church.
The Solemn Service of Mutual forgiveness for the Begging of the Holy and Great Fast
I find it fitting then to start of the reflections for the Great Fast by speaking of the beautiful practice of Mutual Forgiveness in the Byzantine Churches. Traditionally, this service would happen during Vespers on Cheesefare Sunday (the eve of Clean Monday). In many Byzantine Catholic Churches (and Orthodox Churches) it is celebrated at the end of the Sunday Divine Liturgy.
As the name implies, it is a service of mutual forgiveness. It begins after the priest prayers the ambo prayer. The choir and the people pray sections of Psalm 140, sung with sticheron, just as it would be during Vespers. While this happens the clergy and servers switch from bright vestments to dark vestments. The Hymn of the Evening is sung (this is the hymn O’ Joyful Light) followed by prokeimenon in the Lenten Melody:
Hide not your face from your servant; for I am in distress; answer quickly, come close to my soul and redeem me.
Verse: Let your saving help, O God, protect me
Hide not your face from your servant; for I am in distress; answer quickly, come close to my soul and redeem me.
Verse: See, you lowly ones, and be glad
Hide not your face from your servant; for I am in distress; answer quickly, come close to my soul and redeem me.
Verse: You who seek God, may your hearts be merry
The priest then prayers for the people, who bend their necks to the Lord. After the prayer, all recite the prayer of St. Ephrem, with prostrations:
Lord and Master of my life, spare me from the spirit of indifference, despair, lust for power, and idle chatter. Prostration
Instead, bestow on me, your servant, the spirit of integrity, humility, patience, and love. Prostration
Yes, O Lord and King, let me see my own sins and not judge my brothers and sisters; for you are blessed forever and ever. Amen. Prostration
From here the ceremony of mutual forgiveness begins. This service should not be confused with the Mystery of Confession. The priest turns and faces the congregation and says:
Good Fathers [if other clergy are present] and brothers and sisters, grant me your blessing and pardon me all the wrongs I have done this day [and previous year], in word or deed or thought, with all my spiritual and bodily faculties.
The people respond with:
May God himself forgive you, Reverend Father, and have mercy on you! Bless us Reverend Father, and forgive us all the wrongs that we have done this day [and previous year], in word or deed or thought, with each of our spiritual and bodily faculties.
The priest blesses the people and says:
Through his Grace, may God forgive you also, and may he have mercy on you all!
From here the people come up to the priest and exchange the kiss of peace and the words, “Forgive me” and each responds with “God forgives and so do I.” The priest and people repeat this until everyone in the Church has asked each others forgiveness. It is a powerful way to enter into the Great Fast reconciled with the whole parish family. The act can bring many to tears.
As we start the Great Fast, and finish this first post on forgiveness and the service of mutual forgiveness, I ask you all who read this to forgive me. If I have written anything here that may have offended you, please forgive me. Please pray for me.
Let us begin the time of this bright Fast, giving ourselves to spiritual struggle. Let us sanctify our soul and purify our flesh. Let us not only fast from food; let us also abstain from every passion and cultivate spiritual virtues. And let us faithful persevere in this so that we may be worthy to see the Holy Passion of Christ our God and the joy of his Holy Resurrection.
