1. The document discusses the history, structure, and purpose of Great Lent, a 50-day period of fasting and spiritual preparation before Easter in the Eastern Orthodox tradition. 2. Great Lent originated as a 2-day fast before Easter but evolved into a 40-day period like Lent, including times of fasting, prayer, repentance, and focusing on scripture readings. 3. The structure of Great Lent includes specific fasting days and periods leading up to Holy Week and Easter, as well as guidelines for fasting from food like meat and dairy.

1. Great Lent A Journey to the Empty Tomb

2. I – Introduction MOSC FOCUS – Young Adult Ministry Director – N.E American Diocese Webinar

3. Sections: 1. history of great lent 2. structure of great lent 3. purpose of great lent 4. talking to children about lent 5. spiritual renewal through great lent

4. History of Great Lent Multiple Origins for 50 days before Easter Holy Week 2 day fast on Friday and Saturday before Easter – 3 rd century sources Evolved into a six day fast in Alexandria and syria

5. History of Great Lent 40 day Lent prior to Holy Week Period of Catechism for catechumens Penitential Period for repentant apostates – Peter of Alexandria’s canonical epistle Council of Nicea (325) determination of calculation of Easter & 5 th canon “ Watershed” – almost universal. Baptism on Easter / Holy week & This two periods have in between the two feast days of Lazarus & Palm Sunday

6. Structure of Great Lent One of the 5 lents 1. Pethratha – Sunday Evening (Mardi Gras – Fat Tues) 2. Shubkhono - Monday After Noon Prayer – Prayer for forgiveness of sins Kiss of peace & Sermon on Love. 3. Saturdays – H. Qurbana – no Fasting (Lenten) 4. Sundays – H. Qurbana – miracles of Christ 5. MidLent – The establishment of Mnortho/Gogoltha at center of Church; Num 21;

7. Structure of Great Lent 6. 36 th Sunday – Catholicate Day; Healing of the Blind Man. 7. 40 th Friday - Holy Qurbana – Prayers Change 8. Lazarus Saturday – raising of Lazarus – Christ’s entry into Jerusalem. 9. Palm Sunday 10. Holy Week Vade Dal Meno (Parable of 10 Virgins) –Monday evening Holy Thursday – Pesaha Feet washing Good Friday- Holy Saturday – Shubkhono Kymtha – Empty tomb

8. Structure of Great Lent What can’t I eat? Meat, Fish, Egg & Dairy for all 50 days. Fast until noon or 3pm. No fasting on Saturdays Advice – not overdoing it.

9. Purpose Our Lord’s advice Fasting in NT Asceticism - prostrations Reading of Scripture – Egeria – each day portions from various parts of scripture Repentance – shub & metanoia (Rom 12:2) Confession

10. Our Lord’s Advice Sermon on Mount – St. Matthew 6 – “when you fast” Response to disciples of St. John the baptist – St. Matthew 9:14-17 Matthew 17:21 – “Except through prayer and fasting” Our Lord fasted for 40 days.

11. Fasting in New Testament Acts 13:1-3 – fasting before commissioning of missionaries Acts 14:23 – appointing of elders with fasting.

12. Talking to your children about Lent Taking children along for church services Confession – going for confession Food – encourage them to give up something and to take up something;

13. Spiritual Renewal Fasting Prayer – Prayers of Great Lent Spiritual Reading – Scripture - Great Lent & Lenten Spring Immersion in the life of the Church Confession of sins Acts of Charity Feasting on Easter