April 10
Sunday of St. Mary of Egypt
The memory of this Saint is celebrated on April 1, where her life is recorded. Since the end of the holy Forty Days is drawing nigh, it has been appointed for this day also, so that if we think it hard to practice a little abstinence forty days, we might be roused by the heroism of her who fasted in the wilderness forty-seven years; and also that the great loving-kindness of God, and His readiness to receive the repentant, might be demonstrated in very deed.
We find ourselves in deep pain and sorrow of soul over the horror that has ensued from the invasion of Ukraine. I do not say, “Russia,” because many thousands of the Russian People are protesting this unprovoked and unreasonable attack at risk to their own lives and freedom. This attack must be squarely set upon the shoulders of Vladimir Putin, who is risking global peace for his own selfish political agenda.
In this first Pre-Sanctified of our Holy Fast, we embrace contrition and repentance for our lives, and indeed, for the life of our world. This is a deeply sad moment for our worldwide Church – a time when brother fights against brother and sister goes to war against sister
This is what I would like to address with you this evening, my dear friends. What is this fear of the Lord of which we speak, and of which we hear, in the prayers and praise of our Church?
Is it cowardice? Or maybe a trembling panic that terrifies us to the very core of our being?
We have now arrived at our Third Vespers of Contrition. These services provide a way for us to move from the relaxation of the Fast that we experience over the weekend, to the rigors we encounter the other five days of the week.
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ:
In this magnificent Cathedral, with your beloved Metropolitan, your faithful priests, and all of you, I am so glad to be celebrating this Mid-Point in our Lenten Journey: The Sunday of the Veneration of the Holy Cross.