Getting Ready for the Passage

About Bishop St. Theophane the Recluse

About "old" and "new" calendar

February 24 (March 9)

IThess. 4:13-17; Jn. 5:24-30

Today the Holy Church shifts our attention beyond the confines of this earthly life, to our fathers and brothers who have passed away. By reminding us of their present state — which no one of us is about to escape in the future — the Church means to properly set our minds for the coming Cheese-fare week and following Great Lent.

Thus, let us heed to our mother — the Church, let us commemorate our fathers and brothers and think of our own passage to the other world. Let us bring to mind our sins and lament them, let us resolve to keep ourselves henceforth clean from any impurity, for nothing unclean shall ever enter the Kingdom of God [Rev. 21:27], and no one, being unclean, could justify himself at the Last Judgment. Don’t look for cleansing after death: we will remain just as we are on earth. So, let us think of our cleansing here and now, with no delay: who can be sure of living a long life? Anyone’s life can come to an end at any moment.

How, then, shall we appear in the other world, being unclean? How would we look in the eyes of our fathers and brothers who will meet us there? How are we going to answer their questions: “What is this bad thing which you have? — And this one? — And this?..." How awfully shameful! Hasten, therefore, to amend all our faults and show up in the other world in a better shape.

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