Weekly Message February 21, 2025

Dear Beloved in Christ,

This Sunday, we observe Meatfare Sunday, the next step in our journey toward Great Lent. It is a day that marks the last time we eat meat before Pascha, as we begin to gradually prepare our bodies and souls for the great fast.

The Church, in its wisdom, does not simply throw us into Lent all at once. Instead, it eases us into the discipline of fasting:

  •  Meatfare Sunday (This Sunday): The last day for eating meat until Pascha.

  •  Cheesefare Sunday (Next Sunday): The last day for eating dairy and eggs.

  •  Clean Monday: The official start of Great Lent, where the full fast begins.

What is the fasting discipline of Great Lent?

For Orthodox Christians, the traditional fasting guidelines of Lent include:

  •  Abstaining from meat, dairy, eggs, fish, wine, and oil (with some exceptions on certain days).

  •  Focusing on prayer, repentance, and spiritual renewal rather than just diet.

  •  Using fasting as a tool to draw closer to Christ, rather than seeing it as a burden.

Fasting is not simply about what we don’t eat—it is about what we fill ourselves with instead. The Church encourages us to replace indulgence with prayer, acts of mercy, and spiritual growth. It is a time to refocus our hearts, quiet our distractions, and prepare for the Resurrection.

As we begin the countdown to Great Lent, I encourage you to take this time seriously. Approach it with intention, with faith, and with the hope that by Pascha, we will not only celebrate Christ’s victory over death, but also experience renewal in our own hearts and lives.

May God strengthen us in this journey!

In Christ’s love,