NEW YORK – Archbishop Demetrios in his Great Lent encyclical to the entire membership of the Archdiocese of America calls for “intense prayer, fasting and service, so that we may draw closer to God, commune with Him, and experience His grace as we reflect on our lives, our relationship with Him, and our journey to salvation. In doing this we are challenged – challenged to face what separates us from God and His will; but we are also shown the way to overcome this separation both now and for eternity.”
The encyclical continues: “As we enter into this holy season, we will continue to be challenged as the truth of the Gospel and the presence of God lead us to examine our lives. We are challenged to address anything that separates us from Him and that prevents us from revealing His grace to others through our lives.
“We know that as we enter this solemn season we will be equipped to meet these challenges. It is a time that provides us with more opportunities to worship, more times during the ebb and flow of our daily lives to gather together to commune with God. We are called to more frequent prayer, to dedicate time each day to speak to God and to listen, and to live each moment prayerfully, affirming that He is present and guiding us. We are guided by the Church in fasting, abstaining from excess and from certain foods, as a means of living measured and discerning lives that place holiness and the will of God above all things.
“These disciplines of our faith equip us to reveal God’s grace in all that we do. Through our repentance, we are prepared to offer forgiveness to others. Through our contrition of the heart, we show the power of complete surrender to God. Through our dedication of our time to prayer and worship, we affirm the true purpose and goal of life. Through our obedience to His will, we are led in service to those in need. Through our commitment to Him, Great Lent prepares us to overcome anything that separates us and others from the love of God.”
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