At the Divine Liturgy: Romans 13:11-14:4, Matthew 6:14-21. The Gospel reading from Matthew emphasizes the importance of forgiveness, reminding us that our Heavenly Father will forgive us if we forgive others. This message of reconciliation and forgiveness is central to the theme of the Sunday of Forgiveness.
During the Vespers service on Sunday evening, a special ceremony of mutual forgiveness takes place. This ceremony is a powerful reminder of the importance of reconciliation and unity within the Christian community. As we prepare to enter into Great Lent, we are called to forgive one another and seek forgiveness from others, in order to truly experience the transformative power of the Lenten fast.
Conclusion
The Sunday of Forgiveness marks the end of the pre-Lenten period and prepares us for the journey of Great Lent. Through the themes of Adam’s expulsion from Paradise and the call to forgiveness, we are reminded of our need for repentance and reconciliation with God and one another. As we enter into the Lenten season, may we strive to let go of grudges, seek forgiveness, and open our hearts to the transformative power of God’s love and mercy.
Regenerate At the Divine Liturgy: Romans 13:11-14:4, Matthew 6:14-21.
The Sunday of Forgiveness is also known as Cheesefare Sunday. This is the last day that dairy products can be eaten before the Lenten fast. The full fast begins the following day on Clean Monday, the first day of Great Lent. On the evening of the Sunday of Forgiveness, the Church conducts the first service of Great Lent, the Vespers of Forgiveness, a service that directs us further on the path of repentance and helps us to acknowledge our need for forgiveness from God and to seek forgiveness from our brothers and sisters in Christ. This is the first time that the Lenten prayer of St. Ephraim accompanied by prostrations is read. At the end of the service, all the faithful approach the priest and one another asking for mutual forgiveness.
Orthodox Christians are encouraged to enter Great Lent in repentance and confession by attending these services, coming for the Sacrament of Confession, and dedicating themselves to worship, prayer, and fasting throughout the Lenten period. The first day of Lent, Clean Monday, signifies the beginning of a period of cleansing and purification of sins through repentance.
On the Saturday before this Sunday, the second of three Saturdays of the Souls are held. This is a special commemoration when the Church offers a Divine Liturgy and Memorial Service for the departed faithful. This is considered a universal commemoration of the dead. Through the memorial services, the Church is commending to God all who have departed and who are now awaiting the Last Judgment. This specific Saturday is a general commemoration of all the ascetic Saints of the Church, both men and women. As we set out on the Lenten fast, we are reminded that we will make this journey as members of a family, supported by the intercessions of the Saints.
Hymns and Prayers of the Feast of the Prodigal Son
Exapostelarion of Matins (Tone Two)
Wretch that I am I disobeyed Your good commandment, O my Lord. And being stripped of Your glory, alas, with shame I am laden. And I have been evicted from the pure delights of Paradise. O merciful and compassionate, have mercy on me who rightly has been deprived of Your goodness.
We were expelled of old, O Lord, from the Garden of Eden, for wrongly eating from the tree. But, O my God and Savior, You once again have restored us through Your Cross and Your Passion. Thereby, O Master, fortify and enable us purely to finish Lent and to worship Your holy resurrection, Pascha our saving Passover, by the prayers of Your Mother.
Prokeimenon of Vespers (Tone Plagal Fourth)
Idiomela: Turn not away Thy face from Thy child for I am afflicted; hear me speedily. Draw near to my soul and deliver me.
Stichos: Thy salvation, O God, hath set me up. The poor see and rejoice.
Kontakion (Tone Plagal Second)
O Master, Guide to wisdom, Giver of prudent counsel, Instructor of the foolish and Champion of the poor, make firm my heart and grant it understanding. O Word of the Father, give me words, for see, I shall not stop my lips from crying out to Thee: I am fallen, in Thy compassion have mercy on me.
Source: GOARCH