The Service of Forgiveness!!
The Solemn Beginning of the Great and Holy Fast
Forgive your neighbor when he hurts you,and then sins will be forgiven when you pray.

STAND

The first week of the Great Fast is called the 'CLEAN WEEK' since during this time the People of God purify themselves in a special way by the practice of strict fast and abstinence and through more intense prayer. 7he fall of Adam and Eve and their expulsion from Paradise are commemorated on the Sunday that Introduces the First Week of the Great Fast.

Priest: Blessed is our God, always, now and ever, and forever.

People: Amen.

Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, Who are everywhere present and fill all things, treasury of blessing, and giver of life, come and dwell within us, cleanse us of all stain, and save our souls, O Gracious One.
Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal, have mercy on us. (3x)

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever. Amen. Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us; Lord, cleanse us of our sins; Master forgive our transgressions; come to us, Holy One, and heal our infirmities for Your name's sake.
Lord have mercy. (3x)

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever. Amen.
Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Tby will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Priest: O Heavenly King, strengthen our civil authorities, establish the Faith on a solid foundation, give peace to the nations, and secure protection for this holy place; establish our departed ancestors and brothers in the mansions of the just, and deign to receive us who repent and confess, for You are the merciful God and the Lover of Mankind. Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us.

People: Amen.

PRAYER OF ST. EPHREM
Priest and people pray this Lenten prayer together.

O Lord and Master of my life, keep from me the spirit of indifference and discouragement, lust of power and idle chatter. (Prostration/kneel; stand)

Instead, grant to me, Your servant, the spirit of wholeness of being humble mindedness, patience and love. (Prostration/kneel; stand)

O Lord and King, grant me the grace to be aware of my sins and not to judge my brother; for You are blessed now and ever and forever. Amen. (Prostration/kneel; stand)

Priest: On bended knee, let us pray to the Lord.

People: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: O Lord, Jesus Christ, our God and hope of all on land and of those far away at sea, you have established these holy days of fasting by Your law and the prophets, as a way for our mortification and repentance. At the proper time, You manifested Yourself in the flesh on this earth, and by Your fast of forty days and nights, You sanctified the practice of fasting and commanded us to follow Your example. As a merciful and gracious God, enable us to begin these holy days of the Great Fast with perfect repentance, with humility instead of hypocrisy, with fervent prayer, with hunger and thirst, with frequent prostrations, and with a contrite heart. Enable us also to complete this time of the Great Fast without fault and with a pure conscience, keeping our faith intact and achieving victory over sin. Send us an angel of peace to watch over our lives, to protect us from all snares of our enemies, and to assist us in the performance of good deeds. Strengthen us by Your power so that we may accomplish the spiritual works of the Great Fast. Then, with our passions in control and our souls and bodies properly cleansed, we will be worthy to partake, without condemnation, of Your most pure Body and Your most precious and life-giving Blood. For You are the merciful and gracious Lover of Mankind Who come down to earth to save all; and we give glory to You and Your Eternal Father and Your all-holy gracious, and life-giving Spirit, now and ever, and forever.

People: Amen.

STAND

DISMISSAL

Priest: Glory be to You, 0 Christ, our God, our hope; glory be to You.

People: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Give the blessing!

Priest: May Christ our true God, have mercy on us and save us through the prayers of His most pure Mother, and of the glorious and illustrious Apostles and of our holy Father John Chrysostom Archbishop of Constantinople and of all the saints, for He is gracious and loves mankind.

People: Amen.

Then, prostrating before the assembled Body of Christ, the Priest begs from the Faithful their forgiveness, saying:

Priest: Holy brothers and sisters, forgive me, the sinner, and pray for me.

People: God forgives May the Lord forgive you, Father, and have mercy on you. Also forgive us Father, and pray for us!

Priest: God forgives! May He have mercy on us and forgive us all.

The people come forward and embrace the priest and receive the anointing with oil. The people then approach one another and mutually seek forgiveness. Resurrection hymns (Paschal Stichera) and Lenten Hymns are sung.