“To err is human; to forgive divine.” 

 This well-known quote is from Alexander Pope’s 1711 poem An Essay on Criticism. It means that it’s normal to make mistakes, but that being able to forgive is a good and noble act. 

 Forgiveness doesn’t mean forgetting . 

 Did you know that the Greek word for forgiveness means so much more than just releasing or letting go of a hurt. It also means “sharing the same space.” 

 That’s a different kind of perspective isn’t it? 

 Think about it – if you can be comfortable and confident sharing the same space with someone then they should not become your enemy or do you harm. 

 Forgiveness Vespers is the time when Lent is officially and liturgically announced and inaugurated. 

 This morning during the Service of Divine Liturgy, we heard the words of Christ: “If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses…” (Matt. 6:14-15).

 So at this short and sweet service this evening we ask forgiveness from each other and we perform the rite of reconciliation with a loving hug. 

What is the meaning of this rite to begin the Lenten season? 

 For many people, Lent primarily, and almost exclusively, means strict fasting – practically an end in itself like a “good deed“ or earning brownie points. But Lent is way more than that. It’s also about improving our relationship with God and those around us. 

 Don’t forget that forgiveness is one of the mainstays of our faith. It is, after all, a religion of love and forgiveness. 

 So what could be more appropriate than beginning our Lenten season in this truly comforting and comradely way?

It helps us to acknowledge our need for forgiveness from God and from anyone we may have harmed in any way . We can both ask for and give forgiveness. 

 It’s the ideal moment to put aside all those unnecessary niggles and pent-up perceived problems and share a happy clear space with everyone around us. 

 Tonight the church is also readied for the Lenten period ahead drawing on its purple hue for the altar cloths and the priests’ vestments. 

 At the end of the service, everyone proceeds to the front of the church to kiss the Holy Bible and Blessed Cross and to exchange a plea of repentance with the priest and to hug our fellow parishioners and ask for forgiveness. It’s both a cathartic and a humbling experience. 

 Afterwards we greet each other by saying “Kali Sarakosti” meaning a good 40-day Lent. 

 Another name for Forgiveness Sunday is “Cheesefare Sunday”, because for devout Orthodox Christians it is the last day on which dairy products may be consumed until Easter as we finalised our meat intake last Sunday which was Meatfare Sunday.

 Tomorrow is called Katheri Deftera or Clean Monday, because people have confessed their sins, asked forgiveness, and will begin Great Lent with a clean slate. 

 The main purpose of Sarakosti is considered to be the cleansing of body and spirit but it also highlights self-discipline in increased prayer and mindfulness of our attitude to others as we reflect and repent on our thoughts and actions and feel genuine gratitude to God for all that we have. 

 We live in an era of instant gratification, information overload and a decline in true values so Great Lent gives us a chance to take stock and to scale back on our hectic lives and to find some inner peace and balance. 

 It also enables us to sift through all the peripheral “stuff” that chokes our lives so we can see straight again and focus on what is truly important.

 But, most of all, this is the time to be aware of what we say and do to others and how we want to be perceived. And to be compassionate and generous in our attitudes, actions and aims. 

 Kali Sarakosti and may God forgive us all.XXX

(Text and photos: Pepe Sofianos)