Lot watering the Tree of the Cross, which was made of cedar, cypress and pine. Icon from the Monastery of the Cross, Jerusalem.
Holy Great Lent in the Eastern Orthodox Church begins on February 26th this year, and this period of time can be for us all a great spiritual victory, when we allow faith in Christ Our Lord to be a part of our lives daily.
Christ the Lord conquers the world, and that victory, is ours also. The Holy Apostles conquered the world, and that victory is ours also. Both the saints and the holy martyrs of our church have conquered the world, and that victory is again ours. There is nothing of greater power in the world, then the Christian faith, the Holy Orthodox Faith we all love. The swords that cut off this Faith are blunted and broken, but the Faith has remained. We know well from the history of our Church that many have tempted themselves to suffocate our Faith in Christ and His Church, however this Faith has again remained, the victory is ours!
When the world rushes upon us, with illusions; especially with the temptations of its exterior beauty, the illusion of riches, of pleasure, and of transitory glory, with what shall we resist and by what shall we be the victors but by this Faith? Truly, by nothing but this invincible Faith, which knows something better than any of the good things of this world.
We should never be spiritually interested in the face that the world offers us, but only to spiritually behold the face of our Lord God, and to behold Him, and in all His Glory, honor, and worship. Truly, nothing is so important for all Christians then to apply our Faith, which only teaches us endurance, and unchanging values in the Kingdom of God. What a great spiritual victory, as again this victory is ours!
Holy Great Lent is a great spiritual opportunity for us to remind ourselves that we can be victorious by faith in our Lord God! Do not ever be shameful about having faith, and being God loving Christians! We must spiritually resist that which is unholy, and seek that which is truly holy, as we all know that Our Gracious Lord Jesus Christ is the "Conqueror" of the world, who helps us also to conquer the world by faith in Him. Our purpose on this earth as Christians is to seek the Kingdom of Our Lord God, therefore let us humbly, as well as piously seek it in faith and with faith. Our Lord God, shall reward us, as we truly become victorious, as we have found true Faith! The victory is ours!
Never for one moment believe that God does not hear you when you pray to Him. Pray with all your mind, heart, and soul, in the morning, in the afternoon, and in the evening, as well as when the our loving Church calls us to pray. Go to Church to pray and in faith be victorious! Think about attending during Holy Great Lent the many services held during the week days: Great Compline, the Presanctified Divine Liturgy, and the Akathist to the Mother of God. Please also do not neglect the Memorial Services for the departed in the Lord, the Vesper services on Saturday evening, or both the Matins, and the Holy Divine Liturgies that are celebrated on Sundays that especially commemorate this period of Holy Great Lent. Prepare to attend the Holy Week services, and the Glorious Paschal Divine Liturgy which is celebrated on April 15th this year.
We have a great spiritual opportunity during Holy Great Lent, let us earnestly with great Christian love struggle, and behold Christ Our Lord, who is the Resurrection and life without death. What a victory, and the victory is ours! Let us well spend our time especially during Holy Great Lent, in reading the lives of both the saints and martyrs of our Church. Do not neglect to read as well the Holy Scriptures, including the Holy Fathers, and the teachings of our Church. Study about the lives of the Holy Apostles, and try to learn more about the Mother of God the Theotokos. Learn how to fast, and fast with great love for Christ, who truly listens to us when we pray and fast. Finally do not forget to help those who need us, as well as crying out to us in God loving faith for our great Christian kindness, be a great almsgiver and you shall be victorious in Faith. What a spiritual victory, which is ours!
Our faith in Christ Our Lord brings victory, let our faith in Him begin….
O Lord Jesus Christ, Thou Conqueror of the world, help also to conquer the world by faith in Thee. To Thee be glory and praise for ever. Amen!