The Sunday of Forgiveness (“Cheesefare Sunday”)

Schedule for This Week

Wednesday, February 26, 5:30 pm: Compline & Parish Council Meeting

Saturday, March 1, 5:00 pm: Vespers (opportunity for Confession following)

Sunday, March 2, 9:00 am: Orthros

                                     10:00 am: Divine Liturgy, followed by Forgiveness Vespers

Further Out: The Annual Parish Meeting will be held after Liturgy on Sunday, March 9. Please plan to attend.

THE EPISTLE

Sing praises to our God, sing praises. Sing praises to our King, sing praises.

O clap your hands, all ye nations.

The Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Romans. (13:11-14:4)

Brethren, salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed; the night is far gone, the day is at hand. Let us then cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us conduct ourselves becomingly as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. As for the man who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not for disputes over opinions. One believes he may eat anything, while the weak man eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him who abstains, and let not him who abstains pass judgment on him who eats; for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Master is able to make him stand.

THE GOSPEL

The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew. (6:14-21)

The Lord said to His Disciples: If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father Who is in secret; and your Father Who sees in secret will reward you. Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Saints Commemorated on this Day: 

Martyr Hesychios the Senator; Theodotos, bishop of Cyrene in Cyprus; Virgin-martyr Euthalia of Sicily; and Arsenios, bishop of Tver; Holy Father Nicholas Planas of Athens (+ 1932).