Meditations For Great Lent: Reflections on the Triodion

by Vassilios Papavassiliou

The Lenten Triodion exhorts us, “Let us observe a fast acceptable and pleasing to the Lord.” Using hymns from the Triodion and the Scripture readings appointed for the season, Meditations for Great Lent shows us how to make our fast acceptable: to fast not only from food but from sin; to fast with love and humility, as a means to an end and not an end in itself. Keep this gem of a book with you to inspire you for the Fast and to dip into for encouragement as you pursue your Lenten journey.

Genres: Christian, Spirituality

96 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Stuart · Rating 5 out of 5]

For the past few years I have felt that the Orthodox Lent is much better than Catholic Lent. Maybe it is just Catholics in America, but with the minimal amount we American Catholics are required/asked to give up (no meat on Fridays and fasting on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday), it seems paltry. Reading this book, Meditations on Great Lent, only reinforced my belief. Using the Triodion (the service book Orthodox use during Great Lent), the author (Vassilios Papavassiliou) walks his readers through the season of Great Lent by explaining the significance that the Gospel reading and/or hymn for each Sunday has in preparation for the great feast of Easter.

While reading through this book, I was amazed at how well the Orthodox Church calendar is laid out. Each Sunday in Great Lent builds upon the last Sunday. For example, in the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee, one learns about genuine humility. The following Sunday, the Sunday of the Prodigal Son, we move from humility to repentance. The Sunday of the Last Judgment then makes us reflect on how we are living our life in relation to our neighbor. The greatest message I gained from this book though was on fasting. "There is more to Lent than fasting, and more to fasting than food." Fasting is a tool used during Lent, but we are called to fast from sin, not just food.

If you are Orthodox and want to understand Great Lent better, then this book is for you. If you are Catholic or a Protestant denomination and want to see how the Orthodox celebrate Lent or see a richer version of Lent, this book is for you. It is a short book with short chapters, but each one is full of wisdom. Therefore, I give this book 5 out 5 stars. However, I would like to add that no book, not even this one, can serve as a substitute for attending the services associated with Lent. So pick up this book and let it serve as your guide for this Lenten season of "bright sadness," which prepares us for the greatest feast of the year, Easter!

[Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great reminder of what is important to focus on during Lent.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always a good re-read each year.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book and I love all the books in this series. The author is one of my favorite Orthodox authors. I rated this book only 4 stars because it was far too short! It is a fountain of Orthodox goodness on Great Lent, but one which runs dry rather quickly! I still recommend it, especially for those who are newer to the faith. It would be a perfect Lenten read for a catechumen preparing for Holy Baptism on Great and Holy Saturday.

[Sara Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful and Clear

Well written lovely blessed introduction to Lent for one newly come to Orthodoxy and to be baptized on May 4 2024. Truly beautiful and challenging for anyone.

[Ted · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good elementary read for thinking about Great Lent. Wonderful attitude about Lent and fasting that don't limit it to a Pharisaical diet. Lent is a time for us to practice our love for others.

[Debbi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not too in-depth but very nice otherwise.

[Tom Schmdit]

Great, quick refresher on why Lent is important and how it is broken into separate Sundays. Explanations are wonderful and the book is great resource for both new converts and cradle Orthodox.