St George Greek Orthodox Cathedral - Hartford, Connecticut

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Annual Greek Festival Information

As we begin our Lenten journey towards Christ’s glorious resurrection we must remember that it is just that; a journey. Lent is not a means unto itself, but a road that we are traveling towards our Pascha; our Passover. During the Lenten period, each of us must work towards the objective of the journey; the Savior’s suffering and triumphant Passover; His Last Supper, His Trial, Crucifixion and Third Day Resurrection.

It is not only a time a fasting, but one of prayer and good works as well as mutual love and reconciliation. In the special ceremony of mutual forgiveness at the end of Vespers of Sunday evening before we enter the Lenten fast, we are reminded that there can be no true fast, no genuine repentance, no reconciliation with God, unless we are at the same time reconciled with one another. A fast without mutual love is the fast of demons. St. John Chrysostom says on fasting: “Do you fast? Give me proof of it by your works. If you see a poor man, take pity on him. If you see a friend being honored, do not envy him. Do not let only your mouth fast, but also the eye and the ear and the feet and the hands and all the members of our bodies. Let the hands fast, by being free of avarice. Let the feet fast, by ceasing to run after sin. Let the eyes fast, by disciplining them not to glare at that which is sinful. Let the ear fast, by not listening to evil talk and gossip. Let the mouth fast from foul words and unjust criticism. For what good is it if we abstain from birds and fish, but bite and devour our brothers?” May He who came to the world to save sinners strengthen us to complete the fast with humility, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.

In anticipation of His Glorious Resurrection,

+Fr. George