Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Let us begin the Fast with joy. Let us give ourselves to spiritual efforts.

Let us cleanse our souls. Let us cleanse our flesh.

Let us fast from passions as we fast from foods,

taking pleasure in the good works of the Spirit

and accomplishing them in love

that we all may be made worthy to see

the passion of Christ our God

and His Holy Pascha, rejoicing with spiritual joy."

—Hymn on the 1st day of Great Lent

In the Holy Orthodox Church tradition, the first day of Great Lent is known as "Clean Monday." The joyous, springtime atmosphere of Clean Monday sets the tone for the Lenten spirit of repentance and self-control, as described by Jesus our Lord in the Gospel:

"When you fast, do not be like the hypocrites with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces so that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly."

—Matthew 6: 16-18

This spirit is also reflected in the writings of many of the saints and spiritual fathers, such as these words by Saint Basil the Great:

"Let us fast an acceptable and very pleasing fast to the Lord. True Fast is the estrangement from evil, temperance of tongue, abstinence from anger, separation from desires, slander, falsehood, and perjury. Privation of these is true fasting."

The Great Lent is a journey. It's a journey of repentance, a journey closer to God, whereby we can, by God's grace, participate and experience Christ's humility, His love, and His victory over sin and death. Our Journey and all its Pre-Lenten preparation have as their destination the saving Passion, Crucifixion, and glorious Third-day Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, the New Adam, which we will celebrate on Sunday, May 5, 2024. 

May God bless this 40-day (plus Lazarus Saturday, Palm Sunday, and the Great and Holy Week) Lenten period, and may our entire Journey to Pascha bring us into closer union with God.

It is beneficial to attend as many services as possible at our church, go to confession, and partake of Holy Communion. 

May our Lenten effort be fruitful as we strive to do our best so that these days may be the "holy and saving forty days!

Asking for your forgiveness, prayers, and participation, I remain with Christ's love,  

Fr. Bratso Krsic