Representation of the Orthodox Church in America
to the Russian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate

News | 09-03-08 Forgiveness Sunday at St. Catherine the Great Martyr Church

On Sunday, March 9, 2008, the faithful clergy and laity of St. Catherine the Great Martyr Church gathered together in prayer during the celebration of the Divine Liturgy on the day that the Holy Church commemorates the Expulsion of Adam from Paradise. After the Divine Liturgy, the Vespers with the Rite of Forgiveness was celebrated. Prior to the Rite of Forgiveness, Archimandrite Zacchaeus, parish Dean preached a sermon in which he spoke about the importance of forgiveness and mutual love among the believers. Also, he asked forgiveness of the congregation for all his personal shortcomings and sins that have negatively affected the life of the parish.

Information about the feast:

As we begin the Great Fast, the Church reminds us of Adam's expulsion from Paradise. God commanded Adam to fast (Gen. 2:16), but he did not obey. Because of their disobedience, Adam and Eve were cast out of Eden and lost the life of blessedness, knowledge of God, and communion with Him, for which they were created. Both they and their descendents became heirs of death and corruption.

Let us consider the benefits of fasting, the consequences of disobedience, and recall our fallen state. Today we are invited to cleanse ourselves of evil through fasting and obedience to God. Our fasting should not be a negative thing, a mere abstention from certain foods. It is an opportunity to free ourselves from the sinful desires and urges of our fallen nature, and to nourish our souls with prayer, repentance, to participate in church services, and partake of the life-giving Mysteries of Christ.

At Forgiveness Vespers we sing: "Let us begin the time of fasting in light, preparing ourselves for spiritual efforts. Let us purify our soul, let us purify our body. As we abstain from food, let us abstain from all passion and enjoy the virtues of the spirit…." (www.oca.org)