Meditations for Great Lent: Reflections on the Triodion

by Vassilios Papavassiliou

Publisher:

Ancient Faith

, 2012

Overview

The Lenten Triodion exhorts us, “Let us observe a fast acceptable and pleasing to the Lord.” Using hymns from the Triodion and the Scripture readings appointed for the season, Meditations for Great Lent shows us how to make our fast acceptable: to fast not only from food but from sin; to fast with love and humility, as a means to an end and not an end in itself. Keep this gem of a book with you for inspiration during the Fast and for encouragement as you pursue your Lenten journey.

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Key Features

• Offers a glimpse into the spiritual depth and meaning of Lent
• Presents a hymn of the Triodion for each chapter
• Provides a brief commentary on each Lenten theme given

Contents

• A Guide to the Season of the Triodion
• Humility: The Sunday of the Tax Collector and the Pharisee
• Repentance: The Sunday of the Prodigal Son
• Ascetic Love: The Sunday of the Last Judgment
• Fast from Sin: Meatfare Week
• Do Not Pass Judgment
• Forgive and You Will Be Forgiven: Forgiveness Sunday
• Return to Paradise
• Passions and Virtues: The Prayer of St. Ephrem
• The Virtue of Joy: Clean Week
• The Cross and Resurrection: The Sunday of the Cross
• The Canon of St. Andrew: Clean Week and Fifth Thursday of Lent
• Journey to Pascha

Top Highlights

“the purpose of Lent is to return to God, not simply to change our diet” (Page 20)

“Agape is the purest form of love. It is love for all people” (Page 69)

“We abstain from food not simply as an exercise in ascesis, sobriety, and self-control, but out of love for others. Let us suppose that I normally spend x amount of money a week on meat. That amount I have not spent during the weeks of Lent I spend not on substitutes—not on gorging myself on delicacies which, while they may fall within the prescribed rules of fasting, betray its spirit and purpose. Nor do I spend it on other pointless luxuries I could easily do without—be it a film I want to see or a pair of fancy shoes to add to my already vast collection. Rather, I give the money to those who do not have food or drink or clothing or shelter. I give it to those who are in need.” (Pages 28–29)

“greatest test, is patience in the face of suffering—the ability to endure wrongs and afflictions patiently.” (Page 63)

“Lent calls us to learn to love our neighbor as ourselves, and it does so not just in theory, but in practice. For through Lent the Church gives us a means of carrying out the commandment of love: by fasting.” (Pages 30–31)

Product Details

• Title: Meditations for Great Lent: Reflections on the Triodion
• Author: Vassilios Papavassiliou
• Publisher: Ancient Faith
• Publication Date: 2012
• Pages: 96

About Vassilios Papavassiliou

Archimandrite Vassilios Papavassiliou is a priest of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain. He was born in London in 1977 and holds degrees in pastoral and social theology, classics, and Byzantine music. He is the author of Meditations for Great Lent, Meditations for Advent, Thirty Steps to Heaven, and Journey to the Kingdom: An Insider’s Look at the Liturgy and Beliefs of the Eastern Orthodox Church and numerous articles on Christian Orthodox faith and theology.