First Sunday of the Great Fast (Sunday of Orthodoxy)

On this First Sunday of the Great Fast, we begin our preparation for the feast of Pascha. The Great Fast, also known as Lent, lasts for 40 days, symbolizing the 40 years the Israelites wandered in the desert.

According to Byzantine tradition, the discipline of the fast consists of three parts:

• Corporal (bodily) fast, by which we give up certain foods, drinks and amusements, in order to break the hold that such things may have over us.

• Spiritual or internal fast, by which we seek to turn from any sin, wickedness or evil habits in our lives, so that we may come into God's presence well-prepared to celebrate our Lord's Resurrection and our redemption.

• Spiritual renewal, by which we seek a greater practice of the virtues, a deeper life of prayer, repentance for our sins, and a greater conversion (metanoia) of heart, which manifests itself in good works.

Each Sunday of the Great Fast has a particular commemoration. This Sunday we commemorate the restoration of icons to the Church in the 9th century. (https://mci.archpitt.org/liturgy/Great_Fast.html) GREAT FAST RESOURCES