The Discovery of the Relics of the Holy Martyrs at Eugenius (345-408) Great
Fast Day 3. Abstention from meat and foods that contain meat. According to liturgical prescriptions, the Divine Liturgy is not celebrated today.
Sixth Hour – Isaiah 2:3-11; Presanctified – Genesis 1:24-2:3; Proverbs 2:1-22.
Read Genesis 1:24-2:3
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever!
Over these last three days, as we read the the history of creation from Genesis, we frequently heard the phrase “and it was good.” After God creates, He looks at His creation and sees that it is good. How could it not be? God is all-good and everything He creates is good.
We humans are also created by God, as we read today, and we too are good, even “very good.” Despite our sinfulness and the various ways we forget about God or neglect His commandments, our sins do not change who we are. We are good, made in God’s image and engraved in the palm of His hand (cf. Isaiah 49:16). In these first four days of the Great Fast, some parishes will serve the Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete. This service contains many biblical references to sin, evil, and wretchedness, reminding those praying that they are not to imitate these wicked examples. This service frequently repeats the refrain: “Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.” This refrain is sung together with full body prostrations, and it calls us to remember our inherent goodness which is revealed to us through our repentance.
Our sins may be numerous, but God’s love and mercy are endless.