This week, Great Lent began at St. Herman Seminary.  Classes are cancelled for the first three days of the Fast as staff and seminarians attend a full liturgical cycle in the chapel, complete with Great Compline and the Kanon of St. Andrew each evening at the Cathedral.

Let us receive with joy, O faithful, the divinely inspired announcement of Lent.  Like Ninevites of old, like harlots and publicans who heard John preaching repentance through abstinence, let us prepare for the Master’s communion performed in Zion.  Let us wash ourselves with tears for its divine purification.  Let us pray to behold the fulfillment of Pascha, the true Revelation.  Let us prepare for adoring the Cross and Resurrection of Christ our God!  Do not deprive us of our expectation, O Lover of Man!

- (Cheese-fare Week, Tuesday Vespers Apostikha)