Great Lent: A School of Repentance. Its Meaning for Orthodox Christians

Great Lent is presented as a yearly pilgrimage—a “school of repentance” where each Orthodox Christian is invited to deepen the very heart of the faith. The author gently reminds listeners that repentance is not merely a ritual of confession, but a lived transformation that begins with humility and a sincere return to the Father. By framing the season as a time to loosen the bonds of injustice, feed the hungry, and open homes to the homeless, the text sets a vivid picture of spiritual fasting that goes far beyond the plate.

The book also walks the listener through the preparatory weeks that precede the forty days, highlighting how the Church uses four Sundays to focus on core virtues. Through the stories of the Publican and the Pharisee and the prodigal son, the narrative shows how humility and a heartfelt desire to return to God become the foundation for the Lenten journey. Listeners are encouraged to engage with the liturgy, prayer, and fasting as tools that make these weeks rich, meaningful, and truly transformative.