Today is in the Byzantine Tradition is Cheesefare Sunday, in addition to being Forgiveness Sunday. As the Orthodox Church website shares:
The Sunday of Forgiveness is the last Sunday prior to
the commencement of Great Lent. During the pre-Lenten period, the services
of the Church include hymns from the Triodion, a liturgical book that
contains the services from the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee,
the tenth before Pascha (Easter), through Great and Holy Saturday. On
the Sunday of Forgiveness focus is placed on the exile of Adam and Eve
from the Garden of Eden, an event that shows us how far we have fallen
in sin and separated ourselves from God. At the onset of Great Lent and
a period of intense fasting, this Sunday reminds us of our need for God’s
forgiveness and guides our hearts, minds, and spiritual efforts on returning
to Him in repentance.
Thus in honor of this day I publicly ask all of you for your forgiveness for anything that I may have done or said or written that has damaged our relationship or hurt you in any way. God have mercy on me. Forgive me, brethren!
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