The Great Fast of Lent began this past Monday. This solemn and reflective period focuses on repentance, fasting, and spiritual preparation for the resurrection of Christ.
In the Gospel of John, specifically in verses 43-51 of chapter 1, we encounter an intriguing account of Jesus' early ministry and the calling of his disciples. After Jesus' baptism by John the Baptist, he begins to gather followers, and one of the first is Philip. Philip then finds Nathanael and excitedly tells him, "We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. "Initially skeptical, Nathanael questions, "Can anything good come from Nazareth?" However, Philip invites him to "come and see." As Nathanael approaches Jesus, Jesus greets him with a profound statement, "Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false." Astonished, Nathanael asks Jesus how he knows him, and Jesus replies, "I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you." This revelation convinces Nathanael that Jesus is indeed the Son of God and the King of Israel. This passage highlights the power of personal encounters with Jesus and the transformative effect it can have on individuals. It also emphasizes Jesus' divine knowledge and ability to see beyond the surface, illuminating the depths of one's soul.
The First Sunday of the Great Fast is also called the Sunday of Orthodoxy in commemoration of the victory of orthodoxy-true faith in controversy over Holy Icons in the year 843. This day serves as a reminder of the importance of visual representations in worship and the role of icons in connecting believers with the divine. It is a day of rejoicing and thanksgiving for the preservation of our faith and its traditions.