FORGIVENESS SUNDAY
Sunday, February 26
9:30 AM Divine Liturgy
5:00 PM Forgiveness Vespers
FIRST WEEK
Monday, February 27
6:00 PM Great Canon
Tuesday, February 28
6:00 PM Great Canon
Wednesday, March 1
6:00 PM Great Canon
Thursday, March 2
6:00 PM Great Canon
Friday, March 3
6:00 PM Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts
Saturday, March 4
5:00 PM Great Vespers
SUNDAY OF ORTHODOX
Sunday, March 5
9:30 AM Divine Liturgy
The first Sunday is called the Feast of the Triumph of Orthodoxy. It is a historical feast commemorating the return of the icons to the churches in the year 843 after the heresy of iconoclasm was overcome. The spiritual theme of the day is first of all the victory of the True Faith. “This is the victory that overcomes the world, our faith” (1 Jn 5:4). Secondly, the icons of the saints bear witness that man, “created in the image and likeness of God” (Gen 1:26), becomes holy and godlike through the purification of himself as God’s living image.
SECOND WEEK
Wednesday, March 8
6:00 PM Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts
Saturday, March 11
5:00 PM Great Vespers
SUNDAY OF SAINT GREGORY PALAMAS
Sunday, March 12
9:30 AM Divine Liturgy
The Second Sunday of Lent is the commemoration of St Gregory Palamas. It was St. Gregory (d.1359) who bore living witness that men can become divine through the grace of God in the Holy Spirit; and that even in this life, by prayer and fasting, human beings can become participants of the uncreated light of God’s divine glory.
THIRD WEEK
Wednesday, March 15
6:00 PM Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts
Saturday, March 18
5:00 PM Great Vespers
SUNDAY OF THE VENERATION OF THE CROSS
Sunday, March 19
9:30 AM Divine Liturgy
The Third Sunday of Lent is that of the Veneration of the Cross. The cross stands in the midst of the church in the middle of the lenten season not merely to remind men of Christ’s redemption and to keep before them the goal of their efforts, but also to be venerated as that reality by which man must live to be saved. “He who does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me” (Mt 10:38). For in the Cross of Christ Crucified lies both “the power of God and the wisdom of God” for those being saved (1 Cor 1:24).
FOURTH WEEK
Wednesday, March 22
6:00 PM Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts
ANNUNCIATION OF THE THEOTOKOS
Saturday, March 25
9:00 AM Divine Liturgy
5:00 PM Great Vespers
SUNDAY OF SAINT JOHN OF THE LADDER
Sunday, March 26
9:30 AM Divine Liturgy
The Fourth Sunday of Lent is dedicated to St John of the Ladder (Climacus), the author of the work, The Ladder of Divine Ascent. The abbot of St Catherine’s Monastery on Mount Sinai (6th century) stands as a witness to the violent effort needed for entrance into God’s Kingdom (Mt 10: 12). The spiritual struggle of the Christian life is a real one, “not against flesh and blood, but against… the rulers of the present darkness… the hosts of wickedness in heavenly places ...” (Eph 6:12). Saint John encourages the faithful in their efforts for, according to the Lord, only “he who endures to the end will be saved” (Mt 24:13).
FIFTH WEEK
Wednesday, March 29
6:00 PM Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts
Saturday, April 1
5:00 PM Great Vespers
SUNDAY OF SAINT MARY OF EGYPT
Sunday, April 2
9:30 AM Divine Liturgy
The Fifth Sunday recalls the memory of Saint Mary of Egypt, the repentant harlot. Mary tells us, first of all, that no amount of sin and wickedness can keep a person from God if he truly repents. Christ himself has come “to call sinners to repentance” and to save them from their sins (Lk 5:32). In addition, Saint Mary tells us that it is never too late in life—or in Lent—to repent. Christ will gladly receive all who come to him even at the eleventh hour of their lives. But their coming must be in serious and sincere repentance.
SIXTH WEEK
Wednesday, April 5
6:00 PM Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts
LAZARUS SATURDAY
Saturday, April 8
9:00 AM Divine Liturgy
5:00 PM Great Vespers
PALM SUNDAY
Sunday, April 9
9:30 AM Divine Liturgy
HOLY WEEK
