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We offer hymns of thanks to the God of love as once again we enter Holy and Great Lent, the arena of ascetic struggle, fasting and abstinence, of vigilance and spiritual awareness, of guarding our senses and prayer, of humility and self-knowledge. We are commencing a new and blessed pilgrimage toward Holy Pascha, which has “opened for us the gates of paradise.” In Church and as Church, as we behold the Risen Lord of glory, we all journey together along the way of deification by grace that leads to the heavenly goods “prepared by God for those who love Him” (1 Cor. 2:9).
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On this day, the Church recalls the horrible tragedy that humanity suffered in the very beginning of history: The expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise.
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As we heard in the Gospel reading, the Lord describes to us vividly His Second Coming, and the importance of love for others in action that is the key to enter His heavenly kingdom. This great love can be seen in the lives of the saints, such as St. Polycarp, who is also commemorated today.
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Today’s parable of the Prodigal Son clearly highlights for us the sad consequences of turning away from God, as well as God’s infinite Paternal love for every person, no matter how sinful. In the life of the Church, we have many striking examples of being a faithful Christian. Many of these exemplary people became known as Holy Martyrs (Witnesses), responding to the great love that God has for humanity, which was ultimately demonstrated with the sacrifice of His Son at Calvary. Out of love for Christ, the Holy Martyrs were willing to give their lives for His sake. Among them is St. Theodore (Tyro), who is celebrated from tonight at Vespers (The Saint is called Tyro, due to him belonging to the military unit of the Tyrones---this name being to distinguish him from other Saints named Theodore).
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From today we enter the Triodion, during which the Church prepares us for the coming spiritual struggle of Great Lent. With the devotions, services and readings of this period, we are given what we need to acquire the virtues of obedience, illumination, true faith and love. All of these virtues can be seen in the life of St. Haralambos, whose memory we celebrate beginning with today’s Vespers.