St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church 28 Feb 2020

St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church

28 Feb 2020 Lesson Lenten Preparation • Introduction: • Sign into CHAT with full name, type or ask questions • Voice - Keep voice muted and hit and hold down space bar to talk & release when finished • Please keep your video turned on • Lesson questions and answers from “Celebration: Feasts and Holy Days” Teachers Manual, Robert Snyder, Orthodox Christian Education Commission, 1995 • Location of other material in the lesson is annotated in notes section of ppt slides

Objectives • Understand the causes for the difference between the dates for Eastern & Western Pascha (Easter) • Understand the preparation for Great Lent

Opening Prayer In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. May the Lord Bless us and keep us. May He shine His light in our hearts. May He be merciful to us and grant us peace. Amen.

Why is Eastern & Western Pascha (Easter) Sometimes Different Dates? • Eastern Church – Orthodox Christianity • Western Church – Catholic & Protestant Christians • Pre-4 th Century • Pascha observed on Passover • Pascha observed on the first Sunday after Passover • First Ecumenical Council at Nicaea in 325 • Pascha observed on Sunday following the first full moon after the vernal equinox (spring 21 March) • The same calculation as Passover in the Lord’s lifetime because the Lord’s death coincided with Passover even though the Jewish observance of Passover changed. • In the 6 th Century “pascal cycles” were established: • East – 19 -year cycle • West – 84 -year cycle • In the 16 th Century different calendars were adopted… 13 days different. • East – Julian Calendar • West – Gregorian Calendar

So How is Pascha 2021 Determined? • Vernal Equinox 3 April Orthodox Julian Calendar. • First full moon after 3 April is 1 May according to the 19 -year Paschal cycle. • The following Sunday is 2 May…Pascha!! Whew…that’s complicated

Lenten Preparation • 14 Feb – Zacchaios Sunday • 21 Feb – Publican & Pharisee – Begin Lenten Triodion • 28 Feb – Prodigal Son • 7 Mar – Meatfare – Sunday of the Last Judgment • 14 Mar – Cheesefare – Forgiveness Sunday • 15 Mar – Beginning of Great Lent https: //www. goarch. org/-/how-to-prepare-for-pascha? inherit. Redirect=true

Objectives • Understand the causes for the difference between the dates for Eastern & Western Pascha (Easter) • Understand the preparation for Great Lent

Closing Prayer In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. May the Lord Bless us and keep us. May He shine His light in our hearts. May He be merciful to us and grant us peace. Amen. • Next lesson scheduled for 0900 Sunday 7 Mar 21