March 8, 2005

Dear Youth Workers [and all Orthodox faithful],

Greetings in Christ!

"What's the pre-sanctified Liturgy?" "Why do we fast?" "What's the big deal about Lent?"

Sound familiar? These are some questions you may hear from children and adolescents in your parish community as you approach the period of Great Lent, Holy Week, and Pascha. We recommend a little preparation for this time of the ecclesiastical year. Educating yourself about Lent and Pascha will benefit both you and your community. What are the main themes during these times? Why the change in services? What's the history of Lent? What do the Holy Week services mean? Here are some resources that can help educate you, the youth worker [and parishioner alike]. Remember, the best way to experience the meaning of Lent is to both learn about it and participate in it.

With Love in Christ,
The Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries

Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
83 Saint Basil Road, Garrison, New York 10524
Tel: 646.519.6180; Fax: 646.519.6191

e-mail: youthoffice@goarch.org and web: www.youth.goarch.org

RESOURCES FOR LENT

Lenten resources from the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese
http://www.goarch.org/en/ourfaith/pascha/

More of the same http://www.goarch.org/en/special/lent/articles.asp

OCA website - lots of information on Great Lent
http://www.oca.org/pages/orth_chri/orthodox-faith/worship/Great-Lent.html

Recommended Lenten reading, from the website of the GOA:
http://www.goarch.org/en/ourfaith/articles/article8128.asp

Resources and readings for Lent http://www.stpaulsirvine.org/html/greatlent.htm

Study guide: What is Great Lent? http://www.assumptionaz.org/studies/Lent/what.htm

Overview of Lent basics: services, fasting, vestments, special Lenten prayers, etc.
http://www.ausorthodox.com/wpost.htm

Audio files of Lenten and Holy Week music
http://www.goarch.org/en/multimedia/audio/lent.asp

Holy Week meditation and study guide
http://www.goarch.org/en/ourfaith/articles/article8430.asp


ARTICLES

Is Lent Still Relevant in an Age of Technology?
http://www.stmaryorthodoxchurch.org/orthodoxy/sermons/2003-03-28-kouyoumjian.php

Fasting From Iniquities and Foods
http://www.goarch.org/en/ourfaith/articles/article8125.asp

Patriarch Bartholomew's address on the commencement of Lent (1997)
http://home.it.com.au/~jgrapsas/pages/Lent_1997.htm

Lent as Season of Repentance, by [His Grace] Bishop Kallistos Ware
http://www.stpaulsirvine.org/html/season_of_repentance.htm


SERVICES

Lenten Triodion (Lenten services, readings, hymns, etc) online
http://www.ocf.org/OrthodoxPage/prayers/triodion/triodion.html