Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
/ashwednesday.html
Yesterday, celebrating the Ash Wednesday, the Western Church began the forty days long Lenten period. During this time we
try to prepare ourselves for the great feast of Pascha (Easter). Its a time of self-examination, repentance, and of reflection – not only on our personal lives, but also on the social, cultural, economic and political reality that surrounds us and that we are a part of. The small portion of ash that we had our hair sprinkled with is a token of our beings very earthly, material character. The awareness that we are made of the same material that every thing in this world is made of and the awareness of our temporality define the start point of every spirituality that may be called biblical. Therefore “remember, man, that thou are dust and in dust thou shalt return”.
We begun the Lenten season receiving our portion of ash in Amsterdam (the Old Catholic church of St Peter & Pauls) and are going to spend the oncoming weekend in Chevetogne, Belgium. The Benedictines who live there live their liturgical life in both the traditions, i.e. the West, Catholic, and the East, Byzantine one. It is worth mentioning that they have been truly devoted to deepening the ecumenical dialog with Anglicans.
We encourage you to listen to the presiding bishops Lenten reflection that is to be found here and read some of the materials for this season available here on the ECUSAs website.
