482
edits
Changes
no edit summary
The '''Lenten Triodion''' is the service book of the Orthodox Church that provides the texts for the divine services for the pre-Lenten weeks of preparation, Great Lent, and Holy Week. It is called the ''triodion'' because the canons appointed for Orthros during this period are composed of three odes each. The weeks preceding of preparation, and especially the Sunday [[gospel]] readings, serve to exercise the mind, whereas the fasting of Great Lent]]focuses on the body, and Holy Week's services exercise the spirit. There are == Weeks of Preparation == The three weeks that commence on the fourth [[Sunday]]s involved, with appropriate readings from prior to [[Great Lent]] constitute the weeks of preparation. Each has its own distinct theme which is expressed in the [[Gospels]]readings appointed for the Divine Liturgies on these days:
:1. Sunday of the [[Publican and Pharisee]] ([[Gospel of Luke|Luke]] 18:9-14),
:2. Sunday of the [[Prodigal Son]] ([[Gospel of Luke|Luke]] 15:11-32), and
:3. Sunday of the [[Last Judgment]] (also called [[Meatfare Sunday]]; [[Gospel of Matthew|Matt]] 25:31-46).
:4. Sunday of [[Forgiveness Sunday|Forgiveness]] (also called [[Cheesefare Sunday]]; the expulsion of Adam from Eden is also a theme of this day); [[Gospel of Matthew|Matt]] 6:14-21.
The Church eases us into the Lenten [[fasting]] discipline during this period. The week following the Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee is fast-free. The week following the Prodigal Son is a normal week -- we fast as usual on Wednesday and Friday. In the week following Meatfare Sunday, no meat is eaten; eggs, fish, and dairy are permitted on any day.
Forgiveness Sunday brings the period of preparation to an end. The next day, [[Pure Monday]], begins Great Lent. The [[Vespers]] service served on the evening of Forgiveness Sunday includes the Rite of Mutual Forgiveness and is the first service of Great Lent.
{{stub}}
==Sources==
*[[February 20]], 2005 (Sunday of the [[Publican and Pharisee]]) [[sermon]] by Fr. Costin Popescu at St. [[Basil the Great|Vasilios]] [[Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America|Greek Orthodox Church]] in Peabody, MA.
*[http://www.ocf.org/OrthodoxPage/prayers/triodion/triodion.html Online Lenten Triodion from] the Community of the Holy Myrrhbearers
*[http://www.svspress.com/product_info.php?products_id=1632 The Lenten Triodion], tr. Bishop Kallistos and Mother Mary
[[Category:Liturgics]]