Spirituality of the Great Fast

By Steve Puluka

I prepared a series of notes for the season of the Great Fast. We passed them out on each Sunday of the Great Fast. I used the book by Father Alexander Schmemann, "Great Lent: Journey to Pascha", as a guide. Each of these note sheets covered the material in one chapter of the book and added some pull quotes from scripture and liturgical texts. The book is credited on the first page of each insert with purchase information from Saint Vladimir's Seminary press. I love Father Alexander's work. I hope that these notes provide the gateway to purchasing and reading the full account in the original.

The second series is on the weekend scripture readings during the Great Fast. These cover the five weekend reading sets before Palm Sunday.

Bulletin Format Documents

Below are a set of PDF files for use as a bulletin insert. They are setup on a single 8.5 x 14 page in a booklet fold, two-sided format. You may reproduce as many as you like, as long as no fee is charged for the material. These are for non-profit use only.

Comments, corrections, suggestions are appreciated.  Use the e-mail link in the menu.

Great Lent: Journey to Pascha Series

Preparation-Chapter One
Descriptions of the preparation Sunday themes.
Worship-Chapter Two
The theme of Bright Sadness, the prayer of St. Ephrem, scripture readings during the fast and the Triodion.
Presanctified Liturgy-Chapter Three
The Presantified Liturgy and a discussion of communion and fasting.
Lenten Journey-Chapter Four
The canon of St. Andrew of Crete, Saturday and Sunday liturgical themes, the Holy Cross and Bethany & Jerusalem.
Lent in our Life-Chapter Five
Taking the fast seriously.
Thoughts for our Time-Appendix
Rediscovery of religion, communion and the Mysteries.

Scipture in the Great Fast Series

First Weekend
Second Weekend
Third Weekend
Fourth Weekend
Fifth Weekend


Comments Policy
Sister Dorothy Ann Busowski
Posts: 3
Comment
Lenten Series
Reply #3 on : Wed February 03, 2010, 12:54:23
What a great gift you are to the Church. Thank you so much for your Lenten Series. I shall use it for my personal enrichment during these days of Great Fast.
Sr. Barbara Jean
Posts: 3
Comment
Great Fast sheets
Reply #2 on : Wed February 03, 2010, 19:59:40
THanks so much Steve. Sr. Dorothy Ann sent it to me. I have Lenten missions to prepare so a summary in hand will be so helpful - will pass it on in more than one way.
God bless you and the family!
Very Rev. Dr. Bryan R. Eyman
Posts: 3
Comment
Great Fast Sheets
Reply #1 on : Wed March 03, 2010, 19:03:13
Steve,
I am using both series of sheets in my Sunday Bulletins! Both are great and my parishioners enjoy them. Could we hope for them to continue for Palm Sunday, Great & Holy Week, Pascha and the Post-Paschal Sundays? I hope that you will considor it.
God bless you and your family!

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