Posted on 02/19/2007 10:31:01 PM PST by Salvation
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Was just wondering, what date does the Orthodox start their Lent?
Thanks. :-)
"Was just wondering, what date does the Orthodox start their Lent?"
We started Sunday night at vespers as did the Eastern Rite Catholic churches.
I love this devotion. When I was a kid in Catholic School, the nuns lined us all up every Friday in Great Lent and marched us down to the parish church for Stations and Benediction. I served at both of these devotions as an altarboy. It should be part of every Roman Catholic's Lenten devotion if at all possible.
Our parish is doing them every Friday during Lent. They will be followed by a study of Scripture.
In other words, all the Christian churches will be united in doing both Lent and Easter on or around the same date(s) then.
Ours is Wednesday evenings.
A great topic; thanks to all for posting.
Pascha will be celebrated on the same date by all churches as will the various devotions of Holy Week this year. Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox and Eastern Rite Catholics all started Great Lent last Sunday evening at Vespers (which on church time is really the first hour of Monday). In most parts of the world this convergence of Pascha happens every five years but in some places, like Lebanon for example and I think the Holy Land and Syria, the churches have decided on a common way to determine Pascha so for example the Melkites and the Orthodox now always celebrate Pascha on the same day.
I went last night to a nearby Orthodox church (OCA) for the reading of the Great Canon, etc. and I was really disappointed because the priest reminded me of the old Latin-rite priests who used to whisper/mumble the Mass so fast you couldn't make out a word of it. The service was in English, of course, but he mumbled through it so rapidly it was unintelligible, except for one point where he got going so fast he merged a couple of lines and we heard him asking God to "make me wicked." He didn't do his prostrations but did a sort of nod to the floor (he was a youngish man, so it's not a matter of physical inability) and was so sloppy in general that I was appalled.
I hope he has other gifts that he brings to his congregation. The words are so magnificent that it is really a crime to do this service so badly.
"The words are so magnificent that it is really a crime to do this service so badly."
What a shame. Ours was chanted and 90% in English and we did the full body prostrations. I am very surprised that an OCA priest would do what he did. The Slavs are usually quite "orthodox" about such things. I'm sorry you had to see that sad performance. Next time, like maybe Wednesday night for the Presanctified Liturgy or Friday for the Akathist to the Most Holy Theotokos, try the nearest Greek or Antiochian parish. What a shame! :(
Our parish will be hosting the Stations of the Cross each Friday throughout Lent. Abouna takes a beautiful and reverent approach to these, allowing for prayer and meditation at each station. It culminates with him facing us before the altar, and holding aloft a large Crucifix. An acolyte incenses the Crucifix as we chant the Maronite hymn of the Blessed Mother.
O My Son
bttt
Some of you may be interested in these poems based on the stations of the cross.
http://www.wayoftears.com
Thousands contemplate the saving power of the Cross during Way of the Cross in Rome
WAY OF THE CROSS COLOSEUM PART 1-2006
"WAY OF THE CROSS" AT COLOSSEUM (Part 2)
Way of the Cross to Focus on Loss of Sense of Sin
Stations of the Cross - In the Light of the Shroud
The Way of the Cross, with Prayerful Meditations authored by Saint Francis of Assisi
The Way of The Cross - a devotional reflection on Christ's Passion
**It should be part of every Roman Catholic's Lenten devotion if at all possible.**
Second that.
Have also had the honor of leading it.
Thanks for all your work in putting that together. Is it in a booklet? Our parish is sadly in need of new ones.
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