The Second Sunday of Great Lent – St. Gregory Palamas

The procession of icons during Sunday of Orthodoxy Vespers is one of the most memorable events of the entire Liturgical year, as the holy icons we normally gaze upon from afar are brought into our midst reaffirming the proclamation of the 7th Ecumenical Council. Like many of the Church’s teachings, there is a significance to the timing of this commemoration and also different levels of understanding: on one hand we have the definitive historical context, but there is also practical reason that can benefit us every day during Lent. Last Sunday we venerated the likeness of the saints who are to be our models over the course of the Great Fast and beyond. Our re-dedication to a spiritual life and a more Godlike existence is made possible by embracing the lessons these saints taught.