Difference between revisions of "Lenten Triodion"

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The '''Lenten Triodion''' is the period of three weeks preceding [[Great Lent]]. There are three [[Sunday]]s involved, with appropriate readings from the [[Gospels]]:
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The '''Lenten Triodion''' is the service book of the Orthodox Church that provides the texts for the divine services for the pre-Lenten weeks of preparation, Great Lent, and Holy Week.  It is called the ''triodion'' because the canons appointed for Orthros during this period are composed of three odes each.
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The weeks of preparation, and especially the Sunday [[gospel]] readings, serve to exercise the mind, whereas the fasting of Great Lent focuses on the body, and Holy Week's services exercise the spirit.
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== Weeks of Preparation ==
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The three weeks that commence on the fourth [[Sunday]] prior to [[Great Lent]] constitute the weeks of preparation.  Each has its own distinct theme which is expressed in the [[Gospels]] readings appointed for the Divine Liturgies on these days:
  
 
:1. Sunday of the [[Publican and Pharisee]] ([[Gospel of Luke|Luke]] 18:9-14),
 
:1. Sunday of the [[Publican and Pharisee]] ([[Gospel of Luke|Luke]] 18:9-14),
 
:2. Sunday of the [[Prodigal Son]] ([[Gospel of Luke|Luke]] 15:11-32), and
 
:2. Sunday of the [[Prodigal Son]] ([[Gospel of Luke|Luke]] 15:11-32), and
 
:3. Sunday of the [[Last Judgment]] (also called [[Meatfare Sunday]]; [[Gospel of Matthew|Matt]] 25:31-46).
 
:3. Sunday of the [[Last Judgment]] (also called [[Meatfare Sunday]]; [[Gospel of Matthew|Matt]] 25:31-46).
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:4. Sunday of [[Forgiveness Sunday|Forgiveness]] (also called [[Cheesefare Sunday]]; the expulsion of Adam from Eden is also a theme of this day); [[Gospel of Matthew|Matt]] 6:14-21.
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The Church eases us into the Lenten [[fasting]] discipline during this period.  The week following the Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee is fast-free.  The week following the Prodigal Son is a normal week -- we fast as usual on Wednesday and Friday.  In the week following Meatfare Sunday, no meat is eaten; eggs, fish, and dairy are permitted on any day. 
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Forgiveness Sunday brings the period of preparation to an end.  The next day, [[Pure Monday]], begins Great Lent.  The [[Vespers]] service served on the evening of Forgiveness Sunday includes the Rite of Mutual Forgiveness and is the first service of Great Lent.
  
During the first week of the Triodion, there is no [[fasting]].  During the second week, fasting is as usual (Wednesday and Friday).  In the week following Meatfare Sunday, no meat is eaten.  The Sunday following Meatfare Sunday is [[Cheesefare Sunday]] (also known as [[Forgiveness Sunday]]; during the week following, dairy is removed from the diet, initiating the strict fasting of Great Lent.
 
  
The Triodion, and especially the Sunday [[gospel]] readings, serves to exercise the mind, whereas the fasting of Great Lent focuses on the body, and Holy Week's services exercise the spirit.
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== Great Lent ==
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== Holy Week ==
  
 
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==Sources==
 
==Sources==
 
*[[February 20]], 2005 (Sunday of the [[Publican and Pharisee]]) [[sermon]] by Fr. Costin Popescu at St. [[Basil the Great|Vasilios]] [[Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America|Greek Orthodox Church]] in Peabody, MA.
 
*[[February 20]], 2005 (Sunday of the [[Publican and Pharisee]]) [[sermon]] by Fr. Costin Popescu at St. [[Basil the Great|Vasilios]] [[Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America|Greek Orthodox Church]] in Peabody, MA.
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*[http://www.ocf.org/OrthodoxPage/prayers/triodion/triodion.html Online Lenten Triodion from] the Community of the Holy Myrrhbearers
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*[http://www.svspress.com/product_info.php?products_id=1632 The Lenten Triodion], tr. Bishop Kallistos and Mother Mary
  
 
[[Category:Liturgics]]
 
[[Category:Liturgics]]

Revision as of 02:31, February 23, 2005

The Lenten Triodion is the service book of the Orthodox Church that provides the texts for the divine services for the pre-Lenten weeks of preparation, Great Lent, and Holy Week. It is called the triodion because the canons appointed for Orthros during this period are composed of three odes each.

The weeks of preparation, and especially the Sunday gospel readings, serve to exercise the mind, whereas the fasting of Great Lent focuses on the body, and Holy Week's services exercise the spirit.


Weeks of Preparation

The three weeks that commence on the fourth Sunday prior to Great Lent constitute the weeks of preparation. Each has its own distinct theme which is expressed in the Gospels readings appointed for the Divine Liturgies on these days:

1. Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee (Luke 18:9-14),
2. Sunday of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32), and
3. Sunday of the Last Judgment (also called Meatfare Sunday; Matt 25:31-46).
4. Sunday of Forgiveness (also called Cheesefare Sunday; the expulsion of Adam from Eden is also a theme of this day); Matt 6:14-21.

The Church eases us into the Lenten fasting discipline during this period. The week following the Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee is fast-free. The week following the Prodigal Son is a normal week -- we fast as usual on Wednesday and Friday. In the week following Meatfare Sunday, no meat is eaten; eggs, fish, and dairy are permitted on any day.

Forgiveness Sunday brings the period of preparation to an end. The next day, Pure Monday, begins Great Lent. The Vespers service served on the evening of Forgiveness Sunday includes the Rite of Mutual Forgiveness and is the first service of Great Lent.


Great Lent

Holy Week

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Sources