On the weekend of the 1st and 2nd of March, our community gathered for the regular monthly divine services. Sunday was the Sunday of Forgiveness, marking the beginning of the Great Lent.
At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, with the blessing of our Metropolitan, His Eminence Silouan, we celebrated a Memorial for the departed, as we were unable to do so on the Saturday of Souls the previous week. Following this, we did the Rite of Mutual Forgiveness, a tradition in the Orthodox Church to ask forgiveness of each other as we prepare ourselves for the journey of Great Lent.
It was a joy to see so many people in church this weekend! A special welcome to those who joined our community for the first time—we are grateful for your presence.
A word of gratitude on behalf of the whole community to those who prepared koliva and fanouropita, those who cooked for the lunch, helped in the kitchen, cleaned the church, and assisted with setting up and closing down. It was truly a communal effort, reflecting the words of St. Paul:
“There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all” (1 Corinthians 12:4-6).
Have a blessed Great Lent!
