“The hour of Great Lent is upon us, the most sacred season of the year. Forget the grievances you hold against one another, make peace with your enemies, do not answer those who speak ill of you, and strengthen your prayer,” reads the message issued by Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Ilia II, on the eve of Great Lent.

“The hour of Great Lent is upon us… This is the most singular and sacred season of the entire year, a forty-day passage marked by heartache, repentance, gratitude, and hope in equal measure, to which Holy Week itself is joined.

The observance of this fast is incumbent upon all who count themselves among the Orthodox faithful, excepting, of course, those with serious infirmities of health, so that we may, to the full measure of our strength, worthily receive the glorious day of the Resurrection of our Saviour.

Forget the grievances you hold against one another. Make peace with your enemies. Do not answer those who speak ill of you. Deepen your prayer. Recite without ceasing the Jesus Prayer and the prayer to the Mother of God, open unto us the gates of mercy, as well as the Fiftieth Psalm. Be strengthened each week through confession and communion, and clothe yourselves in love, in peace, and in goodness.

May God bless every one of you, grant you forgiveness of your sins, and give you the strength to be called faithful sons and daughters of the Lord. My dear spiritual children, I ask also that you forgive me my own sins and frailties.

Ever praying for you, Ilia II,” reads the Patriarch’s message.