Metropolitan Herman performed a divine service with the reading of the last part of the Great Canon in the Root Desert

His Eminence was assisted by Abbot Seraphim (Kotelnikov) with the brethren of the monastery in holy orders. At the end of the divine service, Bishop Herman congratulated the faithful on the beginning of Great Lent and addressed them with the archpastoral word..

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Thursday, the last day of reading the Great Penitential Canon in the first week of Lent, St. Andrew continues to conduct a dialogue with his soul, urging her to repent.

He recalls again the assassins of Lamech and Cain., ancient Egyptian Woman Hagar, Slave, who gave birth to Abraham from her master.

He calls to be like the priest of God Melchizedek. This Man Is Surrounded by Mystery, almost nothing is known about him.. Melchizedek was the king of the city of Salima and a priest. He did not belong to the chosen people., however, his priesthood (in true religion) was above the priesthood of Aaronov. When Abraham Returned from Battle, he brought him bread and wine. In the Bible, he is called "the priest of God the Most High.". Tsar, the psalmist David called the future Messiah as "a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.". And the apostle Paul considered King Salim to be the prototype of Christ..

"My days passed like a dream of an awakening man.; therefore, like Hezekiah, I cry on my bed, to prolong the years of my life; but which Isaiah will visit you, soul, if not the God of all?» – he remembers the pious king of Judah, who zealously fought against idolatry and did much to revive the true faith. Seriously ill, Hezekiah lay on his bed and prayed fervently.. And Isaiah came to him and said, that in three days he would recover. And that's exactly what happened.. And only the Lord can visit and heal our soul..

The example of the repentance of St. Mary of Egypt is also recalled., former harlot. She was met by Elder Zosima, when he went to the desert to aggravate his monastic feat. And even such a God-fearing person at the first meeting was filled with amazement., because he saw an angel in the flesh.

The entire canon asks the author to instruct him to repent., as we should ask, especially in the days of Great Lent.

On Wednesday of the fifth week of Great Lent at the divine service, which is called the Mariinsky Standing, the canon of Andrew of Crete will be read again, but completely, without partitions into four parts. Along with the canon, the Life of Mary of Egypt will be read..

Source: website of the Diocese of Kursk