Prayer
The Prayer of Saint Ephrem the Syrian
Prayer comprises an integral part of Great Lent, and fasting in general, in the Orthodox church. The most beloved and well known Lenten prayer is probably that of Saint Ephrem the Syrian. It is recited at every Lenten service and also in private devotions, and is accompanied by prostrations.
Lord and Master of my life,
take from me the spirit of laziness, discouragement,
lust for power and idle talk.
Instead grant to me, Your servant,
the spirit of purity, humility, patience and love.
Lord and King, grant me the grace to be aware of my own sins
and refrain from judging others;
for You are blessed forever. Amen.
God, be merciful to me a sinner!
God, cleanse me of my sins and have mercy on me!
Lord, forgive me for I have sinned without number!
Evening Prayer of Saint Basil the Great from the Great Compline
Lord, O Lord, You delivered us from every arrow that flies in the daylight! Protect us against any difficulty that lurks in the darkness of night. Accept our uplifted hands as an evening sacrifice. Make us worthy to spend the night without blame and fully sheltered against all evil. Protect us against all disturbances or fear of the devil. Grant reverence to our souls and diligence to our minds, that we may understand Your dread and just judgments. Nail down our bodies with fear of You. Let our passions die out, so that in the stillness of this night we may be enlightened by the thought of Your commands. Keep far away from us all indecent dreams and harmful cravings. Awaken us in time for prayer, strengthened in the faith and able to obey Your commands. Through the mercy and kindness of Your only-begotten Son, with whom You are blessed, together with Your all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.
The Seven Penitential Psalms
Psalm 6
Psalm 32(31)
Psalm 38(37)
Psalm 51(50)
Psalm 102(101)
Psalm 130(129)
Psalm 143(142)
Complete Lenten Triodion
Troparia, Kontakia, Prayers and Stichiri from the Lenten Triodion
Akathist Hymn to the Mother of God
Chanted on the Fifth Saturday of Great Lent
A Canon of Repentance
Spiritual Reading
Reflections on the Issue of Fasting during Great Lent
Saint Ambrose of Milan on Repentance
Hymns on Fasting by Saint Ephrem the Syrian
Life of Saint Mary of Egypt
This is a wonderful account dealing with repentance and the forgiveness of God in one person's life. Read during the Great Canon of St. Andrew in the 5th week of Lent.
Lenten Sermons of Saint Leo, Pope of Rome
First Sermon
Second Sermon
Fourth Sermon
Eighth Sermon
Eleventh Sermon
Comprehensive Early Church Writings
Reasons to Fast
The Keeping of Lent
From the writings of Father Thomas Hopko
Pre-Lent
Great Lent
Lenten Fasting
Lenten Services
Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts
Sundays of Lent
Lenten Iconography
The Passion of Christ:
A Journey through Byzantine Iconography
Music
"God is with us" from the Great Compline in Byzantine Chant
Hymns from the Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete in Finnish
Lenten Hymns of the Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch
Sunday Apolytikia for Great Lent in Byzantine Chant
Recipes
Below are some wonderful resources for Lenten recipes. Some of the following recipes may contain dairy (milk, eggs, cheese, etc.) or olive oil, but since fasting rules differ, I have included them.
Fat Free Vegetarian Recipes
Recipes from the "Vegging Out" Kitchen
Good Stuff Vegetarian Recipes Online
Vegetarian Recipes
Ethiopian Vegetarian Recipes
More Ethiopian Vegetarian Recipes
Jewish Vegetarian Recipes
Greek Vegan Recipes
Vegetarian Recipes from Egypt
Middle Eastern Vegetarian Soups
Small Household Vegetarian Recipes
In a Vegetarian Kitchen
Natural Connection Vegetarian Recipes
