{"id":26957,"date":"2025-02-25T00:27:55","date_gmt":"2025-02-25T00:27:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/?p=26957"},"modified":"2025-02-25T00:27:55","modified_gmt":"2025-02-25T00:27:55","slug":"st-peter-news-february-25-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/st-peter-news-february-25-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"St. Peter News February 25, 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Garden
Sunday of Forgiveness (Cheese Fare)<\/h2>\n

Martyr Hesychios the Senator; Theodotos, bishop of Cyrene in Cyprus; Virgin-martyr Euthalia of Sicily<\/h4>\n
\n\"The<\/p>\n

The Expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Garden<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The Sunday of Forgiveness, the last of the preparatory Sundays before Great Lent, has two themes: it commemorates Adam’s expulsion from Paradise, and it accentuates our need for forgiveness. There are obvious reasons why these two things should be brought to our attention as we stand on the threshold of Great Lent.<\/p>\n

One of the primary images in the Triodion is that of the return to Paradise. Lent is a time when we weep with Adam and Eve before the closed gate of Eden, repenting with them for the sins that have deprived us of our free communion with God. But Lent is also a time when we are preparing to celebrate the saving event of Christ’s death and rising, which has reopened Paradise to us once more (Luke 23:43). So sorrow for our exile in sin is tempered by hope of our re-entry into Paradise.<\/p>\n

The second theme, that of forgiveness, is emphasized in the Gospel reading for this Sunday (Matthew 6:14-21) and in the special ceremony of mutual forgiveness at the end of the Vespers on Sunday evening. Before we enter the Lenten fast, we are reminded that there can be no true fast, no genuine repentance, no reconciliation with God, unless we are at the same time reconciled with one another. <\/p>\n

A fast without mutual love is the fast of demons. We do not travel the road of Lent as isolated individuals but as members of a family. Our asceticism and fasting should not separate us from others, but should link us to them with ever-stronger bonds.<\/p>\n

Read more on the Greek Orthodox website<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

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Forgiveness Vespers follows Social Hour This Sunday<\/h2>\n

Following the Social Hall, we will hold Forgiveness Vespers, a short service followed by the asking of forgiveness of each other to prepare us for Lent. All parishioners are encouraged to stay.<\/p>\n

\n\"Forgiveness\n<\/div>\n
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Services and Events This Week<\/h2>\n