Posted 12:45 am Saturday, March 23, 2013
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VIDEO: East Texas Orthodox Christians begin Lent observances
BY REBECCA HOEFFNER
rhoeffner@tylerpaper.com
East Texan Orthodox Christians began their observance of Lent this week with special services and fasting.
Orthodox churches are on a different calendar than Western Churches. Catholics and Protestants are getting ready to celebrate Easter and the end of Lent on March 31.
rhoeffner@tylerpaper.com
East Texan Orthodox Christians began their observance of Lent this week with special services and fasting.
Orthodox churches are on a different calendar than Western Churches. Catholics and Protestants are getting ready to celebrate Easter and the end of Lent on March 31.
The Forgiveness Sunday service features a practice not seen at any other time of the year. After the traditional liturgy, the congregants bow to each other and say, “Forgive me, a sinner.” They stand and say, “I forgive, and God forgets.” Then they give each other three kisses on alternating cheeks.
It”s an emotional service. A few of the parishioners faces were wet with tears.
“This is an incredible service — my favorite of the entire year,” said Terry Cowan, parishioner at St. John of Damascus Orthodox Church in Tyler.
The rest of Lent involves a fast — abstaining from all food for the first three days, if the parishioner can do it safely. The rest of the Orthodox Lent involves abstaining from meat, eggs, dairy, wine and oil, Father John Mikita, priest at St. John of Damascus, said.
Father Michael Hull, priest at Holy Apostles Orthodox Church in Bullard, said, “During Lent, we focus on what the Lord has done for us. Forgiveness is the symbol of God”s blessing. People don”t seem to realize forgiveness was always available. Who knows what would have happened if Adam and Eve said, “We messed up, we're sorry.'"
At “Pascha,” the Orthodox Easter, parishioners bring baskets filled with things they”ve wanted to eat during Lent. A “tomb” is constructed inside the church and covered with flowers, Christine Mikita, the priest”s wife, said. Pascha is May 5.
“This is an incredible service — my favorite of the entire year,” said Terry Cowan, parishioner at St. John of Damascus Orthodox Church in Tyler.
The rest of Lent involves a fast — abstaining from all food for the first three days, if the parishioner can do it safely. The rest of the Orthodox Lent involves abstaining from meat, eggs, dairy, wine and oil, Father John Mikita, priest at St. John of Damascus, said.
Father Michael Hull, priest at Holy Apostles Orthodox Church in Bullard, said, “During Lent, we focus on what the Lord has done for us. Forgiveness is the symbol of God”s blessing. People don”t seem to realize forgiveness was always available. Who knows what would have happened if Adam and Eve said, “We messed up, we're sorry.'"
At “Pascha,” the Orthodox Easter, parishioners bring baskets filled with things they”ve wanted to eat during Lent. A “tomb” is constructed inside the church and covered with flowers, Christine Mikita, the priest”s wife, said. Pascha is May 5.
