The First Week of Great Lent in St. Nicholas Church

"Let us begin the all-holy seaon of fasting with joy”

-Stichera in the 2^nd tone from Monday of the First Week

The first week of lent for the parishioners of St. Nicholas Church was a week dedicated entirely to Christ and His Holy Church. It is difficult to describe the feeling of prayer and spiritual peace that was felt by those who were present for the many Lenten services during the week. Through prayer and fasting the parish was spiritually united like never before.

The week began with the reading of the Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete. Because of the small size of the church, everyone could clearly hear the words of the canon as they penetrated the hearts and souls of the faithful. There is not a single Orthodox soul that cannot be deeply touched and moved by the awesome words of the Great Canon. The sun would set at almost the exact same time as the Great Canon would end, casting a tranquil shadow on the small church and giving the many candles an opportunity to create a beautiful prayerful environment. As if on cue, when the candles took over the reading of the psalms began for the Great Compline. The flickering candles gave just enough light to illume the icons while casting shadows on the rest of the church for the faithful to find a quiet corner to pray in.

The first Presanctified Liturgy was served on Wednesday morning beginning with the lenten hours. Hearing the familiar melodies of the presanctified hymns for the first time this year was like coming home after being away for a very long time. The full splendor of the prayers and hymns written by St. Gregory was felt during the singing of “Let my praise arise” by a trio in the middle of the church. The gentle sounds and smells of the censer filled the air as the faithful prayed on there knees asking God to forgive the many sins committed throughout the year.

After the Presanctified Liturgy on Friday morning, the mood instantly changed in the church and this was felt through the singing. The melodies changed from a minor chord into major for the molieben to St. Theodore whose memory is celebrated on the first Saturday of Great Lent. After a week of constant prayer, extreme fasting and prostrations, the Holy Church prescribes the feast of St. Theodore to lift the weak human spirits of the faithful. The Typicon even allows the faithful to partake of a glass of wine after the Presanctified Liturgy. After the moleiben Fr. Serge blessed the traditional “kutia” (barley) in honor of the miracle performed by St. Theodore when he saved the people from eating food which was defiled by the blood of sacrificial animals. A humble luncheon was served in the church hall following the liturgy when the faithful enjoyed a glass of wine and “kutia” in honor of the holiday.

Throughout the entire week, the parish was alive not only in prayer but in labor. After every liturgy, members of the parish brotherhood were busy working on several projects around the church. The parish klir was busy building new icon stands while other brothers were taking measurements and cutting out boards for new icons that were commissioned for the altar. Since the church is almost 100 years old, there are many projects that are under way to help renovate the house of God. With so much work being done around the church, the first week of lent closely resembled a week of monastery life as parishioners prayed, ate and worked together in the church the entire day.

The week ended with the great feast of the Triumph of Orthodoxy. On Saturday evening the church was filled with parishioners, and upon completion of the vigil the entire parish went to Holy Confession. Even after a long week of fasting, there was a special feeling of spiritual and physical rejuvenation which was felt by all the parishioners as they stood shoulder to shoulder waiting to confess their sins before Christ Himself. The first week of Great Lent ended with the Divine Liturgy for the Triumph of Orthodoxy as the entire parish partook of the Body and Blood of Christ.

The parish was shaken after the liturgy by the very somber news that His Eminence Metropolitan Laurus had passed away early in the morning. The news of the newly departed First Hierarch came as a huge shock to the parish as the loss of our spiritual father. The best way to describe the repose of our dear Vladika is through the words of a parishioner who said:

“Today's news is so unbelievable because there was no illness to prepare us for the death.  But something wonderful actually happened and for me it was like the joy I felt on the Epiphany.  Here is a clear sign from God Himself that the reunification was meant to be.  God praised His obedient servant by giving him a noble death.  He stood for the good of the Orthodox faith and died on Orthodox Sunday. His 40th day will be on Holy Thursday.  His burial will be on the day of repose of his spiritual "ava" Archbishop Vitaly Maksimenko who ordained him. This is no coincidence! It is also catholic Good Friday and many of us have the day off and will be able to say our good-byes to our beloved bishop.  Everything was so orchestrated by God to show us His mercy and care for us sinners.  Nothing is accidental in life.  The Metropolitan's passing in such a beautiful way gives me the justification that our actions have been upheld by God.  The reunification was the right choice and God Himself has publicly announced it in this timely death. I feel joy in my heart like a small Pascha for the Church Abroad."

May God grant our newly departed Metropolitan memory eternal! The funeral services will be held at Holy Trinity Monastery and a small group of parishioners lead by our rector will be in attendance.