This evening at 6:30 our parish will live stream in audio the service of the Great Penitential Canon of Saint Andrew of Crete. Thursday of the fifth week of the Great Fast assigns this beautiful and demanding work to be served in full, unlike the first week when it is served in four parts. And in connection with it, the life of Saint Mary of Egypt, which represents a quintessential example of repentance, is also read. This is particularly appropriate this year, as the day falls on the feast of Saint Mary of Egypt (April 1).

The Great Canon is a comprehensive reflection on the biblical record of sin. It includes numerous allusions to figures in the Old Testament that may not be as readily familiar to us as they were to Saint Andrew, who spent his life as a monk reading and reflecting on holy scripture. Therefore, the article at the following link on “The Who’s Who of the Great Canon” may be helpful.

http://www.pravmir.com/the-whos-who-of-the-great-canon-of-st-andrew-of-crete/

And to remind people of the Canon’s beauty, the following is a Slavonic recording of its kontakion (hymn), My Soul, My Soul, Arise!

Finally, for those who have been enjoying earlier installments, below is the third part of Father Paul Lazor’s reflections on Great Lent.