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Four Evangelists Orthodox Church, Bel Air, Maryland

Four Evangelists Orthodox Church, Bel Air, Maryland

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You are here: Home / News / Forgiveness Sunday (Cheesefare Sunday) and the Beginning of Lent

Forgiveness Sunday (Cheesefare Sunday) and the Beginning of Lent

27 February 2025 at 09:10

Glory to Jesus Christ!

This coming Sunday, 02 March 2025, is Forgiveness Sunday, the last day before we enter the season of Lent. This day is also known as Cheesefare Sunday, as it is the last day we consume dairy items before we break the Fast together after the Paschal liturgy. (Please see Fr. Gregory with any questions regarding the Great Fast).


After the Liturgy on Sunday, we will serve a portion of Forgiveness Vespers, culminating with the Rite of Forgiveness.

The Rite of Forgiveness is a beautiful opportunity for each of us, recognizing our own sinfulness and need for repentance, to ask and receive forgiveness from each other. It is truly our gateway to Lent. As we ask and receive forgiveness from each other, the choir will begin to sing Paschal hymns in anticipation of the Resurrection of our Lord, which we will celebrate on the Feast of all Feasts, Pascha (Easter).


Please join us next week for the first of our Lenten services, beginning with the Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete:

  • Monday, 03 March at 6 PM – Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete
  • Tuesday, 04 March at 6 PM – Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete
  • Wednesday, 05 March at 6 PM – Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts

A full calendar of services for Lent, Holy Week, and Pascha will be posted soon.


The readings for Forgiveness Sunday (also the Sunday remembering the Expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Garden) are:

  • Romans 13.11-14.4 (Epistle)
  • Matthew 6.14-21 (Gospel)
Expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise
Expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Cheesefare, Forgiveness Sunday, Great Lent

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Four Evangelists Orthodox Church is a mission parish of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA, a jurisdiction under the archpastoral care of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.
Ukrainian Orthodox Church USA and the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople
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Sunday Divine Liturgy: 9am
Saturday Vespers: 6pm

See our general calendar for weekly service times.
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