St. John Chrysostom

Dear Parish Family,

The Great Fast is our penitential preparation for the great feast of Pascha (Easter). It is one of the most ancient parts of the liturgical year. Its forty days symbolize the forty years the Israelites wandered in the desert. The Liturgy of Presanctified Gifts is celebrated during the weekday in the Great Fast. This symbolizes the manna given to the Israelites as they wandered in desert. “Amen, amen, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave bread from heaven; my Father gives you the true bread from heaven” (John 6:32).

In the Great Fast, we imitate Jesus our Lord, who fasted for forty days in the desert following his baptism. Our observance of the Great Fast is our renewal of our baptismal fervor.

Further details about the Great Fast, and a separate liturgical schedule, will be published in February.  But it is not too early to think about our penitential journey and the special acts of charity that we will understake.

Glory to Jesus Christ!

Fr. Tom