So that time of year is here again when we celebrate Easter.

I know most of you are thinking I’m a week behind, but actually most of you (in the Western world anyway) were a week ahead. Without going into lots of detail about Julian vs. Gregorian calendars, I will say simply that the “East” and “West” (Christendom) differ on when Easter should be.

For us it is this weekend, and so many Orthodox Christians will be in Church all weekend, followed by gluttonous feasting. So pretty much everywhere in Eastern Europe, Russia, the Middle East, and Africa (am I forgetting anyone?) - Christians are in preparation of Easter.

The week leading up to Pascha (Easter) is called Holy Week. If you’re in the right place there are services every day this week, and as the week goes on, the services seem to get longer culminating in a late service on Saturday lasting a few hours.

What comes next?

Beef of course!

This has been an amazing Lenten journey for many in my life. I’m thankful to have all of you, and your positive influence. Tonight as we contemplate what sacrifice is, I am reminded that things aren’t nearly as bad as I sometimes think they are.

Peace be with all of you, and Happy Easter!

Oh no … It’s come … I’m finally experiencing my first problems with my TDI.

Today Anna’s Dad (Papa), Anna, and I drove down to Denver to visit a small Russian market/deli. It was really a cool place. Unfortunately I didn’t understand a lot of the packaging, but most of the products looked so foreign, yummy, and “cool”. Something about international-ethnic-type markets that I find very interesting.

Anyway, after purchasing what was needed (some sort of Russian cottage cheese I think for the Pascha we’ll be making tomorrow night) we began the trek home. Somewhere between there and here I realized that my car had lost all power. I couldn’t get above 60 on the highway, and had all sorts of confused people trying to get around me. After doing some reading (dialysis does allow me lots of research time), it appears that there might be an issue with the turbo (or some contributing component).

Oh geez… that doesn’t sound very affordable. Hopefully things will resolve in quick order.

This is about par for the course though it seems - this Lent has been an unbelievably difficult time for so many people it seems. Not that the turbo going out on my car is “unbelievably difficult”, but the cumulative effect of 8 weeks of annoyances and inconveniences has been seemingly difficult for some people around me.

This is Holy Week, and Easter is around the corner (I know, most of you celebrated yesterday, but we like to do everything different in the Orthodox Church).

Hopefully my car issues will be solved, and I’ll be able to drive to services this week!

*sort of smiles - sort of cringes*

Tuesday I experienced my first funeral in the Russian Orthodox faith.

Put simply, it was an amazing experience.

I had planned to write a little something about the service, but as I run through things to say in my head, I realize that I have already said it all.

It was truly amazing.

I keep writing, and deleting, and writing, and deleting - not knowing what exactly I should say, and not wanting to unknowingly cross any sensitive boundaries.

Baki, you were an amazing woman.

We miss you, and know that you are smiling on us right now.

This week we attended a couple of evening services while visiting here in LA, and it really hit me why we do what we do during this time of year.
As we head into Great Lent I feel more aware of what I’m thinking and doing, and more importantly, “why”.
For Orthodox Christians this time of year is one of fasting, prayer, and repentance - leading to the greatest feast of the year, Holy Pascha (Easter). Throughout the next several weeks many of us will be “giving up” things that we typically enjoy including meat, dairy, eggs, sweets, TV, movies, and anything else that might become a stumbling block.
There’s a lot of confusion as to why people abstain during Lent, so I’ll try to explain why it is we do this.
One major reason we volunteer to abstain from things during lent is to practice saying “no” to ourselves. The thinking is that if succeed in saying “no” to ourselves when we want a cheeseburger, we will have an easier time saying “no” when we are tempted to lie, or act hurtful towards someone.

Another major reason for fasting is to save. We save time by not preparing such lavish meals, and we save money by not purchasing expensive foods. This time, and this money both can be given to others, and aid us in more frequent alms giving.

During Lent Orthodox Christians are called to eat less, repent more, and give more to all of those in need. Fasting gives us ample opportunity and means to give more to those around us.
Go ahead an purchase the cheeseburger, but rather than eat it, give it to the guy on the corner whom you’ve gotten in the habit of avoiding every morning. Instead of spending $4 on a venti soy vanilla latte, give the $4 to the gentleman in the parking lot asking if he can wash your windshield for you.

As you can see, the idea of fasting during Great Lent is not to punish ourselves by giving up things we enjoy - rather the idea is to practice self control by saying “no” to ourselves, and in doing so we are able to give more freely to those around us in need. With enough practice, perhaps we can stop focusing so much on ourselves and what we think we need, and can focus more on those around us. When I say “those around us” I am not only referring to the poor and needy on the street corner. I am also referring to those around us in our lives every day in need of something. We all have family members, friends, and loved ones who are in some sort of need. This can be emotional, physical, financial - whatever. The point is that there are lots of “others” out there in need - not just the obvious ones.

I wish you all a wonderful journey through Lent, whatever that means for you personally, and hope you learn something new about yourself.