"Behold the beauty of repentance, which makes souls malleable, as we enter the season of abstinence. Let us all enter it in peace of mind so that we may receive pardon for our iniquities".

(The Triodion)

Dearly Beloved,

A few days ago, we heard the message of Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomaeos to all Orthodox Christians of the Mother Church throughout the world regarding the beginning of this solemn season of Great and Holy Lent. The Patriarch invited all the Faithful to renew their faith in Christ, the Saviour and Redeemer of the human race and their love for the Church, which proclaims the teaching of Divine Love, which Christ the God-man revealed to the world. The Preaching, Teaching, Passion, Sacrifice on the Cross, Burial and Resurrection have for centuries been the basis of the life of the Church and the hope of humanity.

Since the foundation of the world, the Saints of God, such as the Prophets and Patriarchs of Ancient Israel, the Apostles, Martyrs, Teachers and Fathers of the Church - monks and nuns as well as married men and women - have lived Christ's Teaching and bequeathed to the world an immortal example of dedication, sacrifice and obedience to Christ. By their living and holy example, their love for man, unceasing prayer, self-control, ascesis, fasting, charity, forgiveness and tears of repentance, they sanctified humanity.

Great Lent reminds us of the achievements of the Saints, of their countless struggles by which they were found to be deserving of their lives and strived to preserve the "image and likeness of God" their Creator. In each week of Lent we commemorate holy and historic events in the life of the Church, such as the Sunday of Orthodoxy and the Veneration of the Holy Cross, as well as the radiant example and wisdom of the great children of the Church, such as St Gregory Palamas, Archbishop of Thessaloniki; St John, the author of the Ladder; St Mary of Egypt, whose repentance and self-denial as inspired many others. Furthermore, the service of the Salutations to the Mother of God strengthens our faith. We are thus reminded of the Church's glorious history and the labours of its children for the glory of Christ the Great Shepherd. We are reminded of our divine origins and also our rich, spiritual and cultural tradition, which nourishes the whole world.

During these days in particular we are invited to take the path of the Friends of God. With them we shall experience secretly within our soul the mystery of our unique Faith. Let follow the example of God's Friends who, with our Lady the Mother of God at the head, pray unceasingly and intercedes to God for the peace of the whole world, for the stability and reconciliation of all nations, for the prevalence of righteousness in all the earth, and for man's return to God. And so, with complete faith let us entrust our cares and problems, our struggles and concerns, to Him Who offers us the invitation, “Come, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I shall give you rest” (Matt. 11:28).

Great Lent also reminds us of our sinfulness and distance from God, inviting us to repentance and forgiveness. Let us ask God to pardon our iniquities, our faults and passions, and let us humbly return to God the Father, as did the Prodigal of the Gospel. Only thus shall we be able to find healing of the wounds of soul and body, be liberated from greed, hatred, wickedness, and all those sinful passions which plague and torment young and old. Thus we shall restore to our own life peace of soul and mind, and the love of God will prevail in us and overcome so many of the problems, economic and social, personal and national, which plague contemporary society. As the hymnist writes, “The spring of abstinence, the bloom of repentance, has dawned. Let us cleanse ourselves, brethren, of every defilement, and let us cry to the giver of light, saying, ‘Glory to You, only Lover of Mankind” (The Triodion).

Wishing you all a good Lent, and that you may pass through this season in spiritual and physical health in the expectation of the joy of our Saviour's Resurrection, I remain with love in Christ and prayers.

London, GREAT LENT 2012

Gregorios, Archbishop of

Thyateira & Great Britain