The third week of the Great Lent is called Synagogue, to mean “the house appropriated to the religious worship of the Jews.” It is a Holy place for the “congregation or assembly of Jews, met for the purpose of worship or the performance of religious rites” (King James new version Dictionary)
The Second Sabbath of the Great Lent is named “Holy” in representing the Holiness of God and Sabbath. God is Holy; His Holiness is His uniqueness; meaning God is Holy in nature as the word Holy means blessed, pure and unique. Holy Angels, Holy Righteous, Holy Apostles, Holy Martyrs, Holy Fathers, Holy Scholars, Holy Bishops and Holy Monks embraced holiness from God.
Patience is literally defined as, “The suffering of afflictions, pain, toil, calamity, provocation or other evil, with a calm, unruffled temper; endurance without murmuring or fretfulness. Patience may spring from constitutional fortitude, from a kind of heroic pride, or from Christian submission to the divine will.” (KJV new version Dictionary)
The Great Lent (Fast) of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for 40 days after His baptism is one of the seven proclamations that our church commands us to fast. Christians follow the example of our Lord and fast it every year. It has eight weeks (52 days), eight Saturdays and eight Sundays; and each of the Sundays are named after the Psalm of Saint Jared; The First Sunday Zewerede: He who comes down, The Second Sunday is Kedest; Holy/Sanctify, The Third Sunday Mekurab: Temple, The Fourth Sunday is Metsagu: Infirmity, the Paralytic, The Fifth Sunday Debre Zeit: Mount of Olives, The Sixth Sunday is Gebre Here; Faithful Servant, The Seventh Sunday is Nicodemus: A ruler of the Jews and The Eight Sunday Hosanna/Savior: Palm Sunday.
God calls all humans for repentance; He says: “Return to me, and I will return to you.” Repentance is our way to salvation for we shall we be cleansed from our sins. Father Anthony Mourad of Coptic Orthodox Church defined Repentance as, “Repentance is both the Journey and the Destination of our salvation.” He added saying, “The Church labels this phenomenon by stating that there is both Repentance to life, as well as a life of Repentance.” (Malachi 3:7)
Human’s virtue lies on their goodness in heart in doing good by others with love. Our relations amongst shall be based by love and care-some on a daily basis. It means to share our feelings in times of sorrow and happiness. When we grieve for those who are sad and be delight for those who are happy, there exists love.
The story of Saint Symeon witnessing the Birth of Lord Jesus Christ enlightens the value of time. When Saint Joseph and Saint Mary bring the infant Jesus to the Temple and they bring with them a sacrifice of turtledoves. Before they can accomplish this though, Saint Symeon meets them at the entrance. There Symeon says, “Lord, you now dismiss your servant in peace as you have promise for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples; a light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of thy people Israel.” (Luke 2:29)
Fast of Nineveh is three days subsequent fast and repentance of the Ninevites by the warning message of the Prophet Jonah. It is known to be the fast of repentance, humility and the return to God. Thus, the Church considers this fast amongst the Great Fast; Lent and other Fasts.
Entreaty according to the King James Dictionary is “To make an earnest petition or request” People make entreaties for a variety of reasons. For example they say, “If God hears my heartache; I will do this it for him. If Saint Mary hears my vows or supplications, I will submit an umbrella for the service of Church.” Or else they promise to give as much their capacity. When their vows were fulfilled, they say, “Our Lady has given what I pleaded.” They submit an umbrella as an entreaty in her for honor in the Church.
The Hope in God is unshakeable and basically confidence in Him. Every humans hope in reaching our destiny is unquestionable if God is on our side. So, our hope depends on how much strength we have to hold on to His hands. Even if we are in a bad situation and circumstances, God is will heaves us through. We hope and pray that one step in our lives would be the stepping stone to our future.