MINSK, 22 February (BelTA) - Orthodox believers celebrate Forgiveness Sunday today. This holiday concludes Maslenitsa week, after which Great Lent begins.
The Orthodox Church teaches: first reconcile with people, and only then seek the opportunity to be reconciled with God. Since ancient times, on this day people have asked each other for forgiveness for all visible and invisible offenses, and in response it was customary to say: “God will forgive” as if expressing the hope that in heaven the Lord will not hold it as a sin against a person for what they were forgiven for on this sinful earth. The Gospel of Matthew states: “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.”
On this day, during the evening service in churches, the Rite of Forgiveness is performed in memory of the ancient custom of Egyptian monks. Before the start of Great Lent until Easter, they would disperse into the desert for 40 days to devote themselves entirely to prayers. Some of them never returned: some were torn apart by wild animals, others perished in the lifeless desert. Everyone understood that their meeting on the eve of Great Lent might be their last. Therefore, as they parted, the monks asked each other for forgiveness for all their wrongs, voluntary or involuntary, as if before death. Over time, this became a tradition among all believers.
On Forgiveness Sunday, believers attending the liturgy have the opportunity to hear the Gospel reading, which speaks of the forgiveness of sins, fasting, and storing up heavenly treasures. The Church provides guidance to believers on proper conduct during Great Lent and calls upon parishioners to repent to one another for all trespasses, to reconcile, and to forgive. One of the rules states, “judge not thy neighbor”. The priests themselves set a good example and are the first to ask forgiveness from their flock.
On this day, it is customary to visit the graves of deceased relatives and loved ones to mentally repent for any offenses ever caused to them.
Great Lent begins for the Orthodox faithful on Monday, 23 February.
The Orthodox Church teaches: first reconcile with people, and only then seek the opportunity to be reconciled with God. Since ancient times, on this day people have asked each other for forgiveness for all visible and invisible offenses, and in response it was customary to say: “God will forgive” as if expressing the hope that in heaven the Lord will not hold it as a sin against a person for what they were forgiven for on this sinful earth. The Gospel of Matthew states: “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.”
On this day, during the evening service in churches, the Rite of Forgiveness is performed in memory of the ancient custom of Egyptian monks. Before the start of Great Lent until Easter, they would disperse into the desert for 40 days to devote themselves entirely to prayers. Some of them never returned: some were torn apart by wild animals, others perished in the lifeless desert. Everyone understood that their meeting on the eve of Great Lent might be their last. Therefore, as they parted, the monks asked each other for forgiveness for all their wrongs, voluntary or involuntary, as if before death. Over time, this became a tradition among all believers.
On Forgiveness Sunday, believers attending the liturgy have the opportunity to hear the Gospel reading, which speaks of the forgiveness of sins, fasting, and storing up heavenly treasures. The Church provides guidance to believers on proper conduct during Great Lent and calls upon parishioners to repent to one another for all trespasses, to reconcile, and to forgive. One of the rules states, “judge not thy neighbor”. The priests themselves set a good example and are the first to ask forgiveness from their flock.
On this day, it is customary to visit the graves of deceased relatives and loved ones to mentally repent for any offenses ever caused to them.
Great Lent begins for the Orthodox faithful on Monday, 23 February.
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