Liturgy during Lent

[Miserissima]

Hello friends,

Please talk to me about Cheesefare Sunday: I didn’t get any cheese on Sunday!

Seriously, though, what does cheese have to do with forgiveness?

Also, what changes are expected to the Divine Liturgy during Lent?

 

[Cavaradossi]

Hello friends,

Please talk to me about Cheesefare Sunday: I didn’t get any cheese on Sunday!

Seriously, though, what does cheese have to do with forgiveness?

Also, what changes are expected to the Divine Liturgy during Lent?

The Sunday before Clean Monday is called cheesefare because it is the last Sunday one can eat cheese until Pascha (same with judgment Sunday, which if also called meatfeare Sunday). You can expect that the Liturgy will be slightly longer, as the Divine Liturgy of St. Basil is used more frequently during lent than the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom. Also, do not be surprised if you hear alleluia being sung with greater frequency in lenten services.

 

[Miserissima]

The Sunday before Clean Monday is called cheesefare because it is the last Sunday one can eat cheese until Pascha (same with judgment Sunday, which if also called meatfeare Sunday). You can expect that the Liturgy will be slightly longer, as the Divine Liturgy of St. Basil is used more frequently during lent than the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom. Also, do not be surprised if you hear alleluia being sung with greater frequency in lenten services.

Thank you!

May I add on a question to your answer: why is the Alleluia sung during Lent in the Byzantine Rite?

 

[MonkMoses]

Also the Divine Liturgy is NOT served on weekdays during Lent. The Liturgy of the Pre Sanctified Gifts is traditionaly served on Wednesdays and Fridays during the Great Fast.

 

[Cavaradossi]

Thank you!

May I add on a question to your answer: why is the Alleluia sung during Lent in the Byzantine Rite?

I think the idea is that Lent is a mixed sort of season. There is a penitential character with lent but also a joyful attitude towards the opportunity for fasting and repentance. Because lent is not thought of as being purely penitential, it makes sense that the alleluia is not omitted from the liturgy in Eastern practice. You will also find that during Matins, the usual God is the Lord… has been replaced with alleluia, although I an not sure why that change is made.

 

[ByzCathCantor]

I think the idea is that Lent is a mixed sort of season. There is a penitential character with lent but also a joyful attitude towards the opportunity for fasting and repentance. Because lent is not thought of as being purely penitential, it makes sense that the alleluia is not omitted from the liturgy in Eastern practice. You will also find that during Matins, the usual God is the Lord… has been replaced with alleluia, although I an not sure why that change is made.

You will find that the opposite is true in the Latin Rite - that is to say, Alleluia’s are dropped. I just read a good article on all of this and will try to relocate and post it here.

And remember, this past Sunday was also called Forgiveness Sunday, as Forgiveness Vespers are celebrated that Sunday evening as we enter the Great Fast.

 

[Cavaradossi]

You will find that the opposite is true in the Latin Rite - that is to say, Alleluia’s are dropped. I just read a good article on all of this and will try to relocate and post it here.

And remember, this past Sunday was also called Forgiveness Sunday, as Forgiveness Vespers are celebrated that Sunday evening as we enter the Great Fast.

Well, were you on the old calendar or the revised Julian calendar like me, last sunday would be meatfare and you would still be eating cheese this week.

By the way, do you happen to know why God is the Lord is replaced by alleluia at matins during lent? I’m still trying to figure that out.

 

[ByzCathCantor]

By the way, do you happen to know why God is the Lord is replaced by alleluia at matins during lent? I’m still trying to figure that out.

I’m tracking down a good reference on this for you and all. Stay tuned!

 

[5Loaves]

At least in our Russian tradition, and I believe I’ve noticed in the Greek Orthodox, no bells on the censers during Great Lent.

Except for Sundays, prostrations are frequent, especially in the praying of the Prayer of Saint Ephrem.

As Fr. Moses mentioned, Divine Liturgy is not served on weekdays during Lent. However on the Feast of the Annunciation of the Theotokos when it falls on a weekday Divine Liturgy is celebrated. This year the Feast falls on a Sunday. (We are also allowed to eat fish on her Feastday as we are always festive on a Feastday )

 

[CDB1718]

standrewucc.org/pictures/lentschedule.pdf

The Season of Alleluia!
The 40 day observance preceding the celebration of Pascha (“Easter” in the Christian West) is marked by an increased emphasis on prayer in the lives of the individual faithful; by an extended schedule of services at the parish churches; by greater attention to good work and almsgiving; as well as the commonly known abstinence from particular foods, especially meat.

The most important of the Church’s Lenten seasons, the Great Lent is introduced through a series of commemorations which prepare the parishioner for the rigors of the 40 days. Although much is given up, the emphasis is primarily positive: the spiritual athlete gets in shape by deepening his or her spirituality, praying for the departed, getting involved in good works, and recognizing those areas of strength and weakness within him or herself.
Quite naturally, this season is often described as “The Season of Alleluia” in the Byzantine Christian Tradition, because of the greater frequency of sung Alleluias in the divine services: although we are fasting, we do so as a people who know the Resurrection!