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TODAY IS GREAT MONDAY! The week of Jesus Christ's suffering begins!
On Great Monday, as Christ walks towards voluntary suffering, Saint Theophan the Recluse teaches us how to follow Him with heart and body through repentance, fasting, and prayer. His words, written over a century ago, still awaken awareness of the deep meaning of Great Week today.
TL;DR
- Great Monday begins Holy Week, the final week of the Easter fast, dedicated to Jesus Christ's suffering.
- The day commemorates Joseph, son of Jacob, whose story is seen as a prefiguration of Christ's suffering, betrayal, and eventual triumph.
- The cursed fig tree symbolizes the barrenness of the Jewish synagogue, which did not bear the expected spiritual fruit.
- The week involves strict fasting, increased prayer, silence, and spiritual preparation.
- Saint Theophan the Recluse's teachings emphasize following Christ through repentance, fasting, and prayer.
- The article touches upon interpretations of the fig tree's curse and the significance of sin.
- Questions arise between literal gospel readings and church tradition, with Father Matthias Froze offering a new perspective.