On Saturday of the third preparatory week before Great Lent (Cheesefare Week – fast-free), the Divine Liturgy was celebrated and presided over by the rector of our parish, Archpriest Vadim Zakrevsky.
On this day the Holy Church also commemorates:
• The Synaxis of All Venerable Fathers who shone forth in asceticism (a movable commemoration celebrated on the Saturday of Cheesefare Week);
• The Holy Great Martyr Theodore Stratelates (319).
In his sermon during the divine service, the rector emphasized the importance of the Gospel reading of this day, which in many respects is a continuation in meaning and essence of the Gospel proclaimed at the previous Divine Liturgy. In particular, it continues the theme of the condemnation of the scribes and Pharisees, who performed many of their deeds for display.
Thus, in today’s Gospel reading, it was underscored that Christ called His disciples not to practice almsgiving publicly, that is, in such a way that many people would know of it; for it is said that such a person will receive glory and praise from men, yet his ostentatious action will bring him no reward in heaven.
Likewise, we are exhorted not to offer long prayers for the sake of appearance, and this for two reasons. Certainly, one may and indeed should pray both throughout the divine services in church and privately according to one’s need. There is nothing improper in prolonged prayer; however, when such prayer is made deliberately for show, it is this very disposition that the Lord condemns.
The second thought expressed in this context is that the Lord knows our needs even before we turn to Him with our petitions or ask for their fulfillment in prayer. Therefore, there is no necessity for excessive words in setting forth our requests and needs before Him, since the Lord is aware of them all — indeed, even before we ourselves utter them in prayer.
Since virtually the same theme, though illustrated by different examples, was raised in the two Gospel readings proclaimed at successive Divine Liturgies within the cycle of the Church’s services, we may conclude that the Lord’s admonitions concerning hypocritical and ostentatious actions are of exceptional importance.
After the service, a talk with the priest took place.
