Lenten Prayer of St. Ephrem the Syrian

Dear St. John’s Parish Family,

As we embark on the journey of Great Lent towards Pascha, the Church once again invites us to a time of self-examination, reflection, and repentance. The Prayer of St. Ephrem, which is prayed during the services of Lenten Vespers, provides a valuable framework with which to make the best of these days.

Lent is a time of new beginnings. Through the disciplines of fasting, prayer, and helping others, we are given the opportunity to re-set our focus, to re-align our priorities, and to come to terms with our need of God’s grace. Like the Prodigal Son, we are called to “come to our senses,” and return once again to our Father’s house.

Far from being a sad, morose season of the Church, Lent is characterized by “joyful sorrow” – sorrow, because we grieve over the myriad ways in which we have failed to love God “with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength,” as well as failing to “love our neighbor as ourselves.” But even in this sorrow, we are joyful,  for we experience the liberating joy of returning to God, and receiving His infinite love and mercy.

During this Holy Season, I invite you to make every effort to attend the additional services offered. On Wednesdays during Lent, we will offer the Presanctified Liturgy at 5:00 pm. On Fridays at 5:00 pm, with the exception of Fridays when I will be in Rock Springs, we will have Small Compline and Salutations to the Theotokos (seek Calendar for schedule.) Finally, on Sundays at 5:00 pm we will have Lenten Vespers. Vespers on Saturdays at 5:00 will continue as usual, with Confession available following the service.

My prayers are with you all for a blessed and fruitful Lent. Pray for me.

 

In Christ,

Fr. David

  

 

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