Μεγάλη Σαρακοστή: Πορεία προς το Πάσχα

by Alexander Schmemann

Πολλά μάς χωρίζουν από την πρώτη εκκλησία. Ένα όμως από αυτά που μας ενώνουν είναι το αίτημα κατήχησης των ενηλίκων. Σε μια κοινωνία που φλερτάρει με τον μηδενισμό και την αθεΐα, η ανάγκη να κατανοήσουμε τι σημαίνουν τα σύμβολα και η τάξη της Εκκλησίας μας επανέρχεται.

Στην αρχαία Εκκλησία σκοπός της Σαρακοστής ήταν να προετοιμαστούν οι κατηχούμενοι για το Βάπτισμα που τότε γινόταν στη διάρκεια της αναστάσιμης θείας Λειτουργίας.

Παρόλο που σήμερα πολλοί είμαστε ήδη βαφτισμένοι, εκείνο που προδίδουμε είναι αυτό που λάβαμε κατά το Βάπτισμά μας. Το Πάσχα όμως παραμένει η ευκαιρία για την επιστροφή μας. Η Μεγάλη Σαρακοστή αποτελεί την προετοιμασία για τη δική μας "διάβαση", το δικό μας "Πάσχα", την νέα μας εν Χριστώ ζωή.

Ο π. Αλέξανδρος με βλέμμα γεμάτο αγάπη μάς καθοδηγεί και μας συνοδεύει στην προετοιμασία αυτή.

Genres: Theology, Christianity, Religion, Nonfiction, Christian, Spirituality, Church

272 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1969

About the author

Protopresbyter Alexander Schmemann was a prominent Eastern Orthodox theologian and priest of the Orthodox Church in America.

Reviews

[Haley Baumeister · Rating 4 out of 5]

A helpful, beautiful primer from the Orthodox tradition, but beneficial for any Christian. As with For The Life Of The World, was amused by his friendly but matter of fact comments toward Western Christianity - whether Catholic or Protestant.

“As we make the first step into the "bright sadness" of Lent, we see—far, far away—the destination. It is the joy of Easter, it is the entrance into the glory of the Kingdom. And it is this vision, the foretaste of Easter, that makes Lent's sadness bright and our lenten effort a "spiritual spring." The night may be dark and long, but all along the way a mysterious and radiant dawn seems to shine on the horizon.”

“Thus on Easter we celebrate Christ’s Resurrection as something that happened and still happens to us. For each one of us received the gift of that new life and the power to accept it and to live by it. It is a gift which radically alters our attitude toward everything in this world, including death. It makes it possible for us joyfully to affirm: "Death is no more!" Oh, death is still there, to be sure and we still face it and someday it will come and take us. But it is our whole faith that by His own death Christ changed the very nature of death, made it a passage—a "passover," a "Pascha"—into the Kingdom of God, transforming the tragedy of tragedies into the ultimate victory. "Trampling down death by death," He made us partakes of His Resurrection. This is why at the end of the Paschal Matins we say: "Christ is risen and life reigneth! Christ is risen and not one dead remains in the grave!”

[M.G. Bianco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fr. Alexander Schmemann is great, as usual. His explanation of Lent is, at times, tied directly to the liturgical practices during Lent of the Eastern Orthodox Church. These practices are historical and--liturgically--quite amazing. The explanation, though, is not without benefit to non-Eastern Orthodox Christians and Churches. There is much to glean from Fr. Schmemman's book on the penitential practices and aspects of Lent. There is also a great appendix at the end of the book on the Eucharist, or Lord's Supper, and what it means to take it worthily/unworthily--and what role, for an Eastern Orthodox Christian--the sacrament of penance would play in taking the Eucharist. Even there, there is much for non-Orthodox Christians to glean from his discussion.

Definitely a worthwhile read during this Lenten season, and probably re-reads in future Lenten seasons.

_________________________

Reread again in 2019. I see some things so much more clearly now, of course. Some things make more sense to me now, too, just by having been through more Lents and more services. This reading did inspire me to purchase the Lenten Triodion and the Triodion supplement, in order to better understand the theology of Lent and fasting through the reading of those hymns and prayers. If I learned nothing else from Great Lent (and I did learn much more), that was worth reading it for.

[7jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to read about how the Ortodox people keep Lent – this book is especially about the 40-day lent (no meat, no dairy, no wine and no olive oil) they keep before Easter week. The author often wants to urge people not to backslide on this and have the right motivation, not just go through motions.

The time the book was written (1969) shows in the urging to take time off radio/tv – I wonder what he’d think of the media today. Also here appear now and then the contempt he feels towards Western churches; I don’t find similar in any Western side religious writing, apart from some remarks from Catholics of certain time for Lutherans, but that’s very minor and easy to miss.

However, I still found this book useful even if I don’t have any intention to becoming an Orthodox; a view on their Lent culture (and that the 40-day rule was finalized around 10th century). All the details on the spiritual sides of each part were interesting and the prayer etc. excerpts were beautiful. I guess this would inspire even the Western ones to take more interesting in fasting sometimes, fasting more. The attached part on Eucharist is also good.

So it’s a 3.5 book more than 4, one interesting view and worth it for me.

[Mimi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This read a bit quicker than I expected, so instead of reading at the beginning of Lent, I ended up finishing up right before going into Lent. However, it is good to orient oneself towards the fast with such wise words echoing in your brain, almost as much as it is to start Lent whilst reading.

[Carol Bakker]

In my Christian life, I do not observe Lent, although I attend Good Friday services and sing my lungs out in the joy and triumph of Easter Sunday.

When dear friends, my beloved Latin teacher (a retired classics prof) and his wife (a retired Anglican Rector), enthusiastically told me of their conversion to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, I asked for one book to read to better understand the big O. Without hesitating Bernie replied, Great Lent.

I found Schmemann's writing very foreign. Very other. So different that it was hard to grasp. I would read the beginning of a sentence aloud and ask my husband how he would complete it, e.g. The positive [virtue] counterpart to sloth is ____. We both bombed those quizzes.

However, I was intrigued with psalms and fasting, two important pieces of my life right now. The Orthodox chant through the complete Psalter twice each week (!) during Lent. Schmemann called the psalms a verbal icon of Christ. I regularly fast for health reasons, but have been wanting to delve deeper into the spiritual aspect of fasting. His thoughts were helpful. There was much to ponder.

What struck me how differently Protestants and Orthodox view authority. My husband's question was Where, in the Bible, are we told to observe Lent?* I don't discount the reverence my Orthodox friends have for Scripture, but there were more references to The Church, The Fathers, and Tradition.

Some quotes:

The basic disease is sloth. It is that strange laziness and passivity of our entire being which always pushes us "down" rather than "up" — which constantly convinces us that no change is possible and therefore desirable. It is in fact a deeply rooted cynicism which to every spiritual challenge responds "what for?" and makes our life one tremendous spiritual waste. It is the root of all sin because it poisons the spiritual energy at its very source.

If Christ Himself was tempted while fasting,
we have not a singe chance of avoiding that temptation.

* But we're inconsistent, because we do observe Advent!

[mRizk · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must-read, especially for a sense of the wonderful Lenten atmosphere, specifically within Eastern Orthodoxy. It sets the tone to approaching the Great Fast.

[Austin Spence · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was looking for more topical musings on lent rather than a devotional, so this scratched the itch well. This refocused my attention on the preparation of lent and need for bread.

However, at times it morphed into sacramental/ liturgical musings that clergy might find more interesting, yet I found amusing at best.

[Hobie]

I like Schmemmann.

[Monique Mathiesen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The last part on penance was confusing, but the rest of the book was really helpful in understanding the purpose and meaning of this Lenten season. May God bless our struggle and may we hunger for Him.

[Ruci Tukana · Rating 5 out of 5]

As we commemorate the Lent Seasonfor 2020, let's offer the lives of the Coronavirus victims to the Lord and seek Divine Intervention!

[Benjamin Stahl · Rating 3 out of 5]

A useful reflection upon and guide through the Lenten period predating Easter, told from an Eastern Orthodox perspective, this book might not be for everyone, nor even all Christians, but it does contain a good amount for spiritual benefit during this holy season.

[Gregory · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another liturgical classic from Alexander Schmemann. He helpfully explains the principles behind the development of the Orthodox Church Year, and shows how all of our worship leads up to Easter. You don't have to be Orthodox to profit from this book, as Schmemann is generous with criticisms of his own tradition, as well as the Western tradition. He closes with practical observations on how to focus on God in the midst of busy, frentic, and secular life-style. This is the main point of the book--how to bring every area of our lives under the Lordship of Christ. At times, Schmemann sounds quite Reformed ... or is this just basic Christianity?

[Steven Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this every year and glean something different each time. A masterpiece.

[Diego Alvarado · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was recommended this book by a spiritual father. Before reading, I had not a single ounce of knowledge of what Lent was. I just picked it up and began to read.

The first thing I noticed was that this book not only provides an excellent explanation and walkthrough of Lent but also of Christian asceticism and traditions.

Alexander Schmemann walks the reader through the liturgy and a variety of sacraments and provides the meaning behind them (as well as Lent). I deeply appreciated his modern critique of secularism and how this has infected not only the church and its sacraments but spirituality and mysticism as a whole. He provides valuable insights on how secularism and rationalism are limited, especially regarding the liturgy and sacraments, which has deeply helped my doubts and questions regarding them.

Furthermore, this book does a spectacular job with definitions and answering questions. What does it mean to fast? What is the Eucharist, actually? What is communion, and why is it important? What is repentance and why repent?

All these questions are precisely answered in this book without a sense of bias or means to control. All while simultaneously learning about the tradition of Lent.

Overall, I left this book having learned a great amount about these Christian traditions, why they exist, how they are important, and how their meanings are being lost and confused in modern times. The book is filled with an abundance of quotes from early church fathers, saints, the Bible, and liturgical hymns and songs, which provide deep insights, clarity, and a greater connection to the Christian Orthodox religion.

[Dave Babler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written with a pretty strong Orthodox bent, Great Lent provides the would be Lent practitioner with a beautifully constructed lens by which to view his journey. While some Christians in the western tradition may find it a challenge to connect with its content, that has little to do with Schmeman’s eloquence and more to do with cultural disconnect. But even in light of some of these difficulties, there are moments where his orthodox sensibilities offer new and enriching ways of understanding the Lenten season.

This book was certainly written with a particular audience in mind, but there is most certainly something in this book for anyone who celebrates the journey from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interspersed among the minutiae of Orthodox Lenten liturgies are some very good discussions of repentance, fasting and Christian observance of Saturday (the original sabbath), but for non-Orthodox readers there is a lot of liturgical discussion that has no direct application.

Appended to his discussion of Lent, Schmemann placed an essay on receiving communion - which despite his tendency to blame Orthodox problems on Catholic influence - is quite interesting and helpful. He goes astray, I think, when he appears to limit the proper place of sacramental confession to a readmission of the excommunicate (a group he appears to define very broadly). Schmemann's discussion of confession, excommunication and mortal sin is unclear and confused.

[Santi Ruiz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting look at Orthodox Lenten practice, but caught a little between styles. Parts are pitched to relative newcomers, while others go deep into the weeds on liturgical details, and its not clear who the end result is for. Short, worth skimming.

"In Christ, all of life, all of time, history, the cosmos itself have become expectation, preparation, hope, ascension."

[Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book on the Lenten season from Father Alexander Schmemann. He does not miss. Extremely helpful reading for any recent convert to the church that will help illuminate the purpose of, and the proper attitude towards, this most important part of the liturgical calendar.

[Aubriella · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! This book really helped me have a deeper understanding of the rich lenten services. And just how to keep lent throughout daily life.

[CN · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, that was a good start to Lent…punchy, direct, very different spirituality than I am used to but so well explained.

[Der Komitas]

I would like to find this book in Armenian translation. any help. thank you

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think the value of this book for me will increase over time, when I reread it as my knowledge and practice of lent develop.
For a neophyte, it was instructive in describing the prelenten services and the Presanctified Liturgy, though some of it was confusing and certainly went over my head.
Much of the book seemed to be corrective in regards to the attitude of contemporary Orthodox attitudes and practice. While I think some things have changed from his time, much has also remained the same, and the pitfalls he is addressing are often the same that people reject formal Christianity in fear of.
The book is instructive not only in the ins and outs of Lent but also more specifically on the practice of confession, the two types of fasting, and the reasons for communion.
"Man does not live by bread alone." Without material bread he shall surely starve, but with it he shall eventually die, as well.

[Trevor · Rating 3 out of 5]

An appropriate read, considering today marks the beginning of the season of Lent.

The book could be separated into three "sections": the first is the longest and describes the history and activity of the season of Lent in the Church, the second quickly describes practical ways Christians can practice Lent in their lives, and the third is an appendix dealing with the Eucharist.

The entire book is related to the specifically Orthodox understanding and practice of this season, but nonetheless has many valuable insights for any Christian within any tradition that seeks to live in and experience Lent in the fullest manner—as a preparation of mind, body, and soul for the celebration of Easter.

While it might not be "worth" reading in its entirety for people not interested in the Orthodox tradition, Chapter 5—"Lent in Our Life"—I would consider valuable insight for any believer.

[Samantha (AK) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel like "short but dense" is a good descriptor, here. This is one of those recommended books that shows up over and over again on Lenten reading lists, and its easy to see why.

Originally published in 1969, the content remains relevant to the reader of today. Starting with the theological significance of the Sundays before Lent, highlighting the major features of the season itself, and wrapping up with what it means to "take Lent seriously" in an age filled with noise, Fr. Schmemann is a stern but patient writer. Of particular interest was his reaction to the onset of the information age and its implications for people seeking quiet reflection--I can only imagine what he might say now!

Will certainly end up rereading.

[Полиграф · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is very readable, but it contains so much to ponder that it is definitely a candidate for multiple re-readings. Reading it during the weeks leading up to Lent seems the most logical, as one can then experience first-hand what Schmemann is writing about.

For those who are non-Orthodox but are interested in Orthodoxy, this book actually wouldn't be a bad place to start. There is a tremendous amount of information contained in these pages, both historical and theological. For those wondering what the purpose of things like a Church calendar or various liturgies are, Schmeman shows how all those things are in fact highly developed tools to help us in our spiritual endeavors.

[Christine Sunderland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alexander Schmemann's work always has miracles within it. This was no exception. The first chapters were excellent examinations of Lent and how to approach it, although dealing with the unique Eastern Orthodox Liturgy. Not as broad based as some of his other works. Still, Father Schmemann is a gifted writer who explains the sacramental nature of the world with great insight and love, not to say joy.

[Yanni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alexander Schmemann is a fine theologian - what a privilege I had to read this during Great Lent! He so clearly outlines the secular way of life to the sacramental living in Orthodox life - although he apparently says far more about this in "for the life of the world" I greatly look forward to reading this!

[Adam DeVille, Ph.D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite of all Schmemann's books--here he is at his most lyrical and insightful, indeed joyful.

[Rachael W · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book, especially at the beginning. I would suggest it as a must read Lenten book. Actually, I’d advise to read it prior to Lent as it will prepare you to participate in Lent more fully.

Some quotes from the book:


* But it is our whole faith that by his own death Christ changed the very nature of death, made it a passage - a ‘passover,’ a ‘pascha’- into the Kingdom of God, transferring the tragedy of tragedies into the ultimate victory.” (P. 12)
* “Indeed, we live as if he never came. This is the only real sin, the sin of all sins, the bottomless sadness and tragedy of our nominal Christianity.” (13)
* “Therefore Easter is our return every year to our Baptism, whereas Lent is our preparation for that return.” (14)
* “ For, indeed, what is love if not that mysterious power which transcends the accidental an external in the “other“ - his physical appearance, social rank, ethnic origin, intellectual capacity - And reaches the soul, the unique and uniquely personal “root” of a human being, truly the part of him and God?” (25)
* “Christianity cares little about the problematic future but puts the whole emphasis on the now - the only decisive time for love.” (26)
* “Let us stress once more that the purpose of Lent is not to force on us a few formal obligations, but to “soften” our heart so that it may open itself to the realities of the spirit, to experience the hidden “thirst and hunger” for communion with God.” (31)
* “ What at first appeared as monotony now is revealed as Peace; what sounded like sadness is now experience as the very first movements of the soul recovering its lost depth.” (33)
* “ The basic disease is sloth. It is that strange laziness and passivity of our entire being which always pushes us down rather than up - which constantly convinces us the no change is possible and therefore desirable. It is in fact a deeply rooted cynicism which to every spiritual challenge responds “what for?“ And makes our life one tremendous spiritual waste. It is the root of all sin because it poisons the spiritual energy and its very source.” (34)
* “ A wall created beings, man alone has been in doubt with the gift of speech. All father see it as a very seal of the divine image in man because God himself is revealed as the Word.” (35)
* “ Humility alone is capable of truth, of seeing and accepting things as they are and therefore of seeing God‘s majesty and goodness and love and everything.“ (36)
* “Christian asceticism is a fight, not against but for the body. For this reason the whole man-soul and body-repents. The body participates in a prayer of the soul just as the soul prays through and in the body. Prostrations, the “psycho-somatic” sign of repentance and humility, of adoration and obedience are thus the Lenten rite par excellence.” (38)
* “ If the Bible contains the divine revelation to men, it is also man’s inspired response to that revelation and thus the pattern and the content of man’s prayer, praise, and adoration.” (38)
* "The Martyrs are our companions, our inspirations during Lent which is our fight for the divine, the heavenly, and the eternal in us." (44)
* “It is first of all the sacrament of Christ’s coming and presence among his disciples, and therefore the celebration- in a very real sense- of his resurrection. Indeed it is the coming and presence of Christ at the Eucharist that is for the Church the “proof” of his resurrection.” (46)
* The Lenten Purpose: a spiritual journey that transfers us from one spiritual state to another. (63)
* “The events of sacred history are revealed as events in my life, Gods acts in the past as acts aimed at me and my salvation, the tragedy of sin and betrayal as my personal tragedy. My life is shown to me as part of the great and all-embracing fight between God and the powers of darkness which rebel against Him.” (64)
* We do not have "repentance as the shock of man who, seeing in himself the "image of the ineffable glory," realizes that he has defiled, betrayed, and rejected it in his life; repentance as regret coming from the ultimate depth of man's conscience; as the desire to return; as surrender to God's love and mercy." (65)
* "...sin is first of all the rejection of life as offering or sacrifice to God, or in other terms, of the divine orientation of life." (67)
* "He [Christ] entered life in time so that so that life and time may become the passage, the Passover into God's Kingdom." (69)
* "His Incarnation, Death, and Resurrection are the fulfillment of creation in which God rejoiced at the beginning." (69)
* “For it is always easier to reduce something spiritual to something formal rather than search for the spiritual behind the formal.” (88)
* "[Fasting] is connected with the very mystery of life and death, of salvation and damnation." (94)

[Corey Trowbridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Architecture of Repentance

Modern man has a fundamentally antagonistic relationship with time. We treat it either as a resource to be ruthlessly exploited or an enemy that relentlessly erodes our youth and vitality. Alexander Schmemann’s Great Lent: Journey to Pascha introduces a radical alternative: time as an intentional pilgrimage. While ostensibly a guide to an ancient liturgical season, this profound book is, in reality, a masterclass in psychological integration and moral awakening. Schmemann rescues the concept of self-denial from the bleak, puritanical moralism that so often taints it, framing it instead as the ultimate recovery of human meaning and individual liberty.

The brilliance of Schmemann’s work lies in his diagnosis of the human condition. He begins not with a list of bureaucratic rules or moralistic finger-wagging, but with the concept of exile. Modern people are intensely alienated—from their communities, from objective reality, and from their own deepest ideals. We sense this fragmentation, but lacking a coherent vocabulary, we often externalize our angst, projecting our inner turmoil onto societal structures or ideological enemies. Schmemann gently but firmly redirects our gaze inward.

Through the archetypal stories that precede the Lenten journey—such as the Prodigal Son—Schmemann maps out the devastating reality of our self-inflicted isolation. The journey home cannot begin until one realizes they are, in fact, living in a foreign land. This requires radical personal responsibility. You cannot march toward meaning while clinging to the comforting illusions of victimhood.

To combat this fragmentation, Schmemann outlines a rigorous architecture of structure and discipline. Fasting and prayer are not presented as arbitrary hoops to jump through for divine approval. Instead, they are highly calibrated tools designed to restore the proper hierarchy of the human person. When our base appetites and inner demons dictate our actions, we lose our liberty. By willfully adopting a structure of self-denial, the individual asserts the supremacy of the spirit over the blind demands of biology. It is a necessary friction—a voluntary confrontation with the messiness of our own unexamined lives—that tempers the soul.

Yet, Schmemann’s vision is not merely stoic endurance; it is deeply sacramental. The ultimate goal of this arduous journey is a a fundamental reorientation of how we perceive reality. The book insists that the human person is not a mere accident of biology or a node in an economic system, but a sacred image possessing infinite worth. The Lenten discipline is a polishing of that image. When we strip away the noise and the relentless consumption that define the modern era, we cultivate a deep perception. We begin to see the world not just as dead matter to be manipulated, but as a window into the transcendent. Joy, Schmemann argues, is the ultimate byproduct of this transformation—a bright, sorrowful joy that emerges only when one has squarely faced their own mortality and limitations.

Great Lent: Journey to Pascha is a masterpiece of psychological insight and spiritual instruction. Alexander Schmemann manages to seamlessly weave foundational Western understandings of objective truth and moral duty with a transcendent, sacramental vision of the cosmos. It is a staggering rebuke to the superficiality of modern self-help, offering instead an ancient, demanding, and ultimately liberating roadmap to true human flourishing. For anyone willing to bear the weight of ultimate responsibility and seek a genuine transformation of the heart, this book is indispensable.