We stand at the threshold of the spiritual journey of Great Lent, and we must focus our thoughts and emotions on prayer so that a new dawn of life may be born within us. The spiritual journey of Great Lent carries within it an indescribable mystery that leads the faithful toward the mystery of the Resurrection. It is enough for us to dedicate ourselves to the pious life of prayer and fasting, committing with our whole being to remain in God's protective hands, and gradually, we will discover the new person within us.

With this commitment, we naturally open our hearts to God with sincere confession, so that we may welcome the Risen Lord with purified hearts and souls.

We all, without exception, have the God-given grace to "awake from sleep," allowing God to provide for our needs.

How should we give meaning to the spiritual journey of Great Lent in our life of faith? Simply put, we must strive to become like Christ and fill our lives with the messages radiating from His Gospel. When we put these messages into practice, we illuminate our inner world. Therefore, let us read at least one passage from Christ’s Gospel daily and turn it into a prayer of our soul. Then, throughout the day, let us continuously repeat it until the same message becomes intertwined with our spiritual being.

For example, let us read the words of the Apostle Paul without interruption, and soon, we will feel that they have already become a prayer and an inspiration, offering our lives a renewed perspective: "For now it is high time to awake out of sleep."

It is essential that each of us listens to and understands the Apostle’s message through personal contemplation. Let us seek within ourselves the divine gift embedded in our being by God—the power of prayer. So, let us take our first step: to fast and to pray, so that we may walk with Christ.

These words serve as an introduction for the Christian believer standing at the doorstep of Great Lent. Therefore, let us enter through the door of Great Lent and continue our journey with steadfast and tireless prayer until we are met by the Son of God—Christ Himself.

With blessings,
 

Archbishop Hovnan Derderian
Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America

February 2025