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LENT: A spiritual spring for the soul
Orthodox Publications ^ | April 1964 | Bishop Alexander Mileant

Posted on 02/22/2015 1:51:58 PM PST by NRx

The season of the great fast

"This is a favorable time, this is the day of salvation."

Nature revives with the arrival of spring, and during this same season Christians who are serious about salvation are spiritualy renewed through prayer and fasting.

Fasts are special days of the year that are set aside by the Church to motivate believers to concentrate on the salvation of their souls. The most important of the fasts is Lent, which is prior to the Easter. It begins on the Monday following the Sunday of Forgiveness and lasts for forty days (six weeks) until Palm Sunday, continues into Passion Week, and ends on Easter — the feast of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. This period is also known as the Forty-day Fast.

In this article we will discuss the outward aspects of Lent and will show that abstinence from food and drink, as well as from other carnal desires, is necessary for spiritual growth. We will talk about the inner aspects of fasting, which consist of repentance, the cleansing of conscience and the strengthening of the will. Afterwards we will briefly show how the religious environment during the days of Lent favors a Christian's repentance and helps his spiritual restoration. Finally, we will explain the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, and present some prayers of Lent.

(Excerpt) Read more at fatheralexander.org ...


TOPICS: Catholic; Orthodox Christian; Theology; Worship
KEYWORDS: lent
The Great Fast begins at midnight tonight.
1 posted on 02/22/2015 1:51:58 PM PST by NRx
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To: NRx
Fasts are special days of the year that are set aside by the Church to motivate believers to concentrate on the salvation of their souls.

Concentration does not save, churches do not save ,sacraments do not save ..works do not save..

Titus 3For we were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. 4But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love toward mankind appeared,5not by works of righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy, he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, 6whom he poured out on us richly, through Jesus Christ our Savior

2 posted on 02/22/2015 3:59:02 PM PST by RnMomof7
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To: RnMomof7

Please spare us from your trolling and grade school theology.


3 posted on 02/22/2015 4:07:27 PM PST by NRx
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To: NRx

Thank-you and God Bless.


4 posted on 02/23/2015 4:21:40 AM PST by Biggirl (2014 MIdterms Were BOTH A Giant Wave And Restraining Order)
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