A Robust Faith

Today the Church commemorates a miracle of robust faith nearly 1700 years ago. It was the first week of Great Lent, and the faithful were fasting, as was their tradition. In an attempt to kill the faithful Christians, the pagans poisoned all the food sources, but God rescued them through the miracle of the Kollyva and Saint Theodore. Through a vision, Saint Theodore learned of the pagan plot and told the people to make kollyva rather than purchase food from the market. Thus, they were saved from the pagans.

You may not realize it yet, but today is the last day of the first week of Great Lent, sort of. It may only be Friday, but today something changes. You see, in the Church calendar, every day is not “created equal”, and this is most evident during Great Lent. Allow me to explain.

Last night, I celebrate one of my favorite services, which contains one of my favorite prayers. At the end of the Presanctified Liturgy is a prayer that puts our entire Great Lenten Journey into perspective. It assists us not only to keep up the effort, but even to double down. I help us understand the value of Great Lent.

Standing on the Soleas, facing the Holy of Holies, the priest prays:

Today is day three of our Great Lenten journey, and let’s be honest, you’re beginning to feel the pressure of fasting. I know I am. If this is your first year taking the Fast seriously, or if you’re an experienced Orthodox, by Wednesday of the first week of Great Lent, we all need a boost. It isn’t a physical boost, but a spiritual boost.

Yesterday’s Daily Lenten Journey mentioned how we should fast during Great Lent. Today I want to talk about prayer. Great Lent is a season during which the Church invites us to INCREASE our prayer life, both private and corporate. It might seem counter-intuitive since our Lord, just this past weekend told us to go into our inner room to pray, but we NEED both private and corporate prayer during Great Lent.

Each year for the past several years, we here at Be Transfigured Ministries has offered our Daily Lenten Journey to assist you in with Great Lent. Through daily readings and inspiration, we pray our words will guide you into making this year’s Great Lenten Journey a new opportunity to grow closer to Christ, and as always to Live A New Life In Christ. This year will be no different.