Some Notes on Byzantine Pre-Lent

The current Byzantine Liturgy and the Roman usus antiquior have a point of unity in their respective observances of Pre-Lent.

In Constantinople, in either the sixth or seventh century, a week of Pre-Lent developed gradually, and was commonly called “The Week without Meat”. It is likely that this is in imitation of the Church in Palestine, which calculated Lent in forty days, Monday through Friday, over eight weeks. Byzantines did not need the extra days, since they counted the forty days continuously. So the compromise to the eight weeks of Palestine was to add a week of gradual fasting prior to the Great Fast. Now commonly known as “Cheese-Fare Week”, during this week Byzantines begin fasting from meat but continue to eat cheese and other dairy products right up until “Pure Monday”, the first day of the Fast (two days before the Roman “Ash Wednesday”).

There are four Sundays within Byzantine Pre-Lent. The “Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee” calls us to consider our life, and to repent of our sins for repentance is the door through which we enter the Holy Forty Days Fast. The “Sunday of the Prodigal Son” calls us to “come to ourselves” and return to the Father, who eagerly awaits our return. The “Sunday of the Last Judgment” reminds us that while the Lord’s mercy is immeasurable even He does not forgive those who do not repent. And, finally, on “Forgiveness Sunday” we remember Adam’s expulsion from Paradise and the proper method of fasting (don’t put on a gloomy face).

This time of Pre-Lent is also used to ease us into fasting. The week before the “Prodigal Son” is totally fast free (we eat meat, even on Friday). The following week we fast from meat on Wednesday and Friday (the “Sunday of the Last Judgment” is also known as “Meat-Fare”). During the week just prior to the Fast (“Cheese-Fare Week”) we start our abstinence from meat, but we continue to eat cheese and other dairy products. The full fast from both meat and dairy begins with the first day of Lent.

Terror seizes me when I think of the unquenchable fire,
Of the bitter worm,
the gnashing of teeth,
and soul-destroying hell;
yet I do not turn to You with true compunction.
O Lord! Lord! Before the end strengthen Your fear within me!

-- Matins, Seventh Ode, Sunday of the Last Judgment

When Does Lent Begin?

 Christians familiar only with the Christian West may be surprised to learn that Ash Wednesday and its customs exist only in the Western church. The Eastern churches have other ways of counting the days of Lent, and of beginning this Great Fast.

The Roman Catholic Church counts Holy Week as part of the Lenten Fast, but not the Sundays during the Lenten season. Therefore, in about the 8th Century, it was necessary to add four days to the beginning of Lent to bring the number of days up to the traditional 40. This was the origin of Ash Wednesday.

The Eastern Christian Churches (both Catholic and Orthodox) consider Great and Holy Week as a separate unit with its own Fasting and Abstinence requirements, not technically included in the Great Lent. Lent liturgically concludes on the evening of the 6th Friday of Great Lent, the vigil of Lazarus Saturday. Although we do not fast (restrict the amount of food eaten) on Saturdays and Sundays, we do continue to abstain from certain kinds of foods on the Weekends of Lent. The Saturdays & Sundays of the Great Fast are counted in the total of days, thus bringing the number up to 40, counted from Clean Monday, the first day of Great Lent.

The Orthodox also have a Pre-Pre Lent Sunday, usually known as Zaccheus Sunday. This year we did not have that Gospel; I don't know why. As Orthodox, we are used to such irregularities.

As a lead up to Great Lent, the Zaccheus Gospel teaches us of the necessity of the desire to see Jesus. The next week, the Gospel of the Publican and the Pharisee teaches about humility, and the following week is fast free! That's quite a treat since even in non-Lent season, Wednesdays and Fridays are fasting days. The next Sunday (this last Sunday) we learn about repentance and returning from the far country of sin through the Gospel of the Prodigal Son. And this next Sunday, we have the Last Judgment, stressing the importance of charitable works.

Then at last, Forgiveness Vespers, Clean Monday, and we are ready to start!

As a lead up to Great Lent, the Zaccheus Gospel teaches us of the necessity of the desire to see Jesus.

Yes! I am most familiar with that gospel which is read on the 11th Sunday of Pentecost in the Maronite Catholic Church.

The next Sunday (this last Sunday) we learn about repentance and returning from the far country of sin through the Gospel of the Prodigal Son. And this next Sunday, we have the Last Judgment, stressing the importance of charitable works.

Both our churches follow a fixed liturgical calendar. As a RC in a Maronite (Eastern) Catholic Church, I love the consistency of the readings that mark each season. Our entrance into Lent began 2 weeks ago with

Sunday of Deceased Priests. Christ established the priesthood for his Church and entrusted it with great responsibilities. The priest is given the task of caring for the spiritual needs of the people of his parish. The bishop, however is responsible for not only all the people of the diocese, but also for his priests and other ministers. The gospel for that day speaks of the "faithful servant" which is, of course, the role of the priest and bishop. They are to be like the wise virgins always ready to serve the Lord, and like the faithful servant, eager to multiply the talents God has given them. It is followed by ...

Sunday of the Righteous and Just. This is the Maronite equivalent to the Latin Church's Feast of All Saints. On this day, we remember the prophets, apostles and martyrs, the hermits, ascetics, men and women religious, as well as all Christians who have lead holy lives. The saints are our models. Their prayers and fasting have taught us to fight against sin and temptation and so gain the reward of righteousness. Finally, this Sunday we celebrate ...

Sunday of the Faithful Departed. On this day, the Maronite Church commemorates all the faithful Christians who have departed this life in the faith. We ask our Lord Jesus Christ to welcome all our deceased brothers and sisters who have been nourished with His holy body and blood, into His kingdom of light. Not knowing the state of perfection they have achieved in their lives, we commend them to the mercy of God with hope and expectation.

Our pastor has set up a large board on which we can pin photographs of our deceased family members. We commend the faithful departed to the Lord that by His cross, He may lead them into the eternal wedding fest, and newly arrived in God's kingdom, may they intercede before Him on our behalf.

Personally, I daily offer up prayers for those souls in purgatory who have no one to pray for them, and will remember them especially on this Sunday.

Thank you very much for the post and sharing your tradition.

Having recently gone Melchite, simply because we love the liturgy, we’re taking this as it comes.

Welcome to the East! Next month marks the 7th year since I took that step and I have enjoyed each and every celebration - from Baptisms through Funerals. Melkites and Maronites share common ancestry but different rites. With no Melkite Church in the state of NY, many come to the Maronite Church. Even our pastor, a Maronite monk, is a Melkite. Our bishops gather annually, and also attend USCCB meetings. Relax and enjoy the journey. And please share the experience with us all.

Something I found quite interesting was Hosanna (Palm) Sunday. Our small church is always packed to overflowing. Children arrive dressed in beautiful gowns and 3 piece suits, carrying pillar candles decorated with symbols of the season. Once the palms have been distributed, the priest leads us in a procession out the church and down the block. The Easter liturgy, on the other hand, did not attract the same group. It took a while before I realized that this tradition harkens back to the day when Jesus rode triumphantly into Jerusalem. Coming from the East, it was the ancestors of those assembled in church, who went to meet Him, waving palm and olive branches. They have kept that tradition throughout the centuries.

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