The Great Fast
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The traditional Lenten disciplines -- fasting and abstinence, almsgiving, silence, keeping vigil, and increasing the time devoted to lectio divina each day -- are not ends in themselves. They are the tried and true means by which one arrives at having a pierced and broken heart, at some measure of compunction and contrition.
Questions about how to interpret the fasting rules are best found with a prayerful heart and the help of a priest or spiritual father, keeping a humble spirit of sacrifice in preparation for Pascha. It is also important to remember that expectant and nursing mothers, infants, those with serious health conditions, and those under physician’s orders are exempt from the laws of strict abstinence, or truly any fasting discipline. This is because fasting is not an end unto itself. It is an important part of achieving a prayerful spirit that is prepared for the joy of Pascha.
Fasting is also not the only way in which we achieve this. “Bright sadness” is a popular term for Lent. This is best found in the main service of Lent, in the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts. This is also called the Liturgy of Saint Gregory. The “Presanctified Gifts” are the Body of Christ consecrated on Sunday, and reserved in the tabernacle. This is because the Divine Liturgy is seen as a joyful service and is not generally offered Monday through Friday during Great Lent. Vespers is celebrated, with special verses for each night reflecting the Lenten themes. The Scriptures come from Genesis and Proverbs.
The Prayer of Saint Ephrem is recited halfway through the service, accompanied by prostrations. This is THE prayer of Lent, summing up the need for repentance, sorrow for sins, and ongoing conversion. Ephrem was a Syriac deacon, mystic, and theologian of the ancient Church.
The prayer is said in three sections, each verse followed by either a deep bow, or kneeling on the floor and lowering one’s head in prostration: Lord and Master of my life, spare me from the spirit of indifference, despair, lust of power, and idle chatter.
Prostrations during the Presanctified Liturgy take place at the bringing out of the single candle, representing Christ; at the Prayer of Saint Ephrem; and when the Holy Eucharist is brought out in procession. The Holy Eucharist is transferred from the altar to the Preparation Altar during the psalms. It is then carried in a solemn, silent procession around the church and into the sanctuary, where It is incensed and covered. The Holy Bread is mingled with wine so as to assist with swallowing the Sacred Gifts, and this is how Communion is distributed.
Instead, bestow on me, Your servant, the spirit of integrity, humility, patience, and love.
Yes, O Lord and King, let me see my own sins and not judge my brothers and sisters: for You are blessed forever and ever. Amen.
From Fr. Alexander Schmemann in Great Lent:Throughout the entire Lent, it is imperative that we give at least one evening to attend the Liturgy οf the Pre-sanctified Gifts with the spiritual experience it implies - that of total fasting, that of the transformation of at least one day into a real expectation of judgment and joy. No reference to conditions of life, lack of time, etc., are acceptable at this point, for if we do only that which easily “fits” into the conditions of our lives, the very notion of Lenten effort becomes absolutely meaningless. Not only in the 20th century, but in fact since Adam and Eve, “this world” was always an obstacle to the fulfillment of God’s demands. There is, therefore, nothing new or special about our modern “way of life.” Ultimately it all depends again on whether or not we take our religion seriously, and if we do, eight or ten additional evenings a year at church are truly a minimal effort. Deprived of that evening, however, we are depriving ourselves not only of the beauty and the depth of the Lenten services, not only of a necessary spiritual inspiration and help, but of that which… makes our fasting meaningful and effective.
All of these things prepare us spiritually for Holy Week, when we begin the conclusion of our walk with Christ to the cross in hopeful anticipation of the victory to come.