Forgiveness – Father Gavril Galev
Posted By Macedon on March 1, 2025
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Three main themes appear in this Gospel, the theme of forgiveness, of fasting, and of the manner and purpose of our life.
First, let us begin with fasting. Tomorrow begins the Great Easter Lent, which according to the rules of the Church, the entire fast involves fasting without oil, except on Saturday and Sunday when oil can be used. Fish is permitted for consumption only on the feasts of Annunciation and Palm Sunday.
Of course, this rule is for those who are capable of doing so, but the Church is tolerant also for those who cannot, or are beginners, or have heavy physical work, for those who are pregnant, the sick, for whom this rule may be relaxed in accordance with the blessing of their spiritual father. That is why each of us should have a spiritual father and consult him regarding fasting or general Church and spiritual life. Let us fast with joy and ease. With humility, patience, love and filled with every virtue.
Just as every written language, alphabet, has its own consonants and vowels, so too is forgiveness one of those vowels in the alphabet of the Orthodox spiritual life, without which one cannot actually create a word or a sentence and understand the content of the book, that is, to understand the content of life.
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