On Sunday, February 14, Archbishop Georgy of Nizhny Novgorod and Arzamas officiated Vespers with a rite of forgiveness at St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. The service was co-officiated by Archpriest Sergei Matveev, Archpriest Alexander Myakinin, Provost of Nizhny Novgorod Theological Seminary, Father Eugene Panyushkin, Vice Director of the department responsible for interaction with correctional agencies, Archpriest Victor Polyakov, Director of the Department responsible for interaction with the Armed Forces and the Law-enforcement Agencies, and other clerics of the Nizhny Novgorod diocese.

After this service, the Great Fast begins which leads up to the Holy Resurrection of Christ.

The ruling archbishop mentioned that each of us following the Holy Scriptures should overcome our pride and honestly repent our sins before we enter Lent. “Sin enters one’s heart insensibly,” the archbishop said. “Modern world is full of sinful temptations and a person can by no means always fight against them. The power of repentant prayer help the faithful understand their sin and all its harmfulness to an Orthodox Christian’s soul.”

Forgiveness Sunday is a crucial preparation day before the beginning of Lent. The Church encourages all Orthodox Christians to reconcile each other and forgive grievances in order to begin the fast in pure heart.

Archbishop Georgy encouraged all the faithful to begin Lent in pure heart and read the prayer of Saint Ephrem the Syrian which is read at divine services at Orthodox temples during Lent.

“O Lord and Master of my life, take from me the spirit of sloth, despondency, lust for power and idle talk. But grant unto me, Thy servant, a spirit of chastity, humility, patience and love. Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to see mine own faults and not to judge my brother. For blessed art Thou unto the ages. Amen.”

At the end of the service, Archbishop Georgy of Nizhny Novgorod and Arzamas asked those present for forgiveness.