“For in times of distress, we have no other help but You.
Lord of the powers, have mercy on us.” – Hymn from the Great Compline
Beloved brothers and sisters in the Lord,
How often have we gone to a movie theater before the time of showing, and seen messages on the screen about silencing our phones and conversation? I recall, some years back, a catch phrase that was being used for movie theaters to encourage quiet during the movie for the better experience of the viewer: “Silence is golden.” I don’t know about you, but I certainly feel that way when attending!
Are there other times in our lives when we find that silence is golden? Speaking for ourselves as parents, Presbytera Stella and I encourage our children to keep their voices low at certain times of the day so that they can nap. Christo now has come to know that during “quiet time,” we keep our voices down, don’t yell and don’t play so we can rest. We do this as parents, not to restrict their fun or their lives, but because we know the benefits of being silent periodically. Living in our world today, how often do we find those moments of quiet time which we all need, that when we find them, we realize that silence is truly golden?
The Orthodox Church understands that we all need “quiet time” as human beings, time to rest, calm down, and reflect on things. How often we are able to have such times in our personal lives notwithstanding, in the season of Great Lent, we are offered that whenever we can come to church: the colors are less bright, the hymns take on a more somber character yet still are filled with joy, and services are offered during the week which are not offered at any time the rest of the year! We experience a season which ushers more “quiet time” into our lives. Truly, it is a season wherein we are able to rest, calm down, and reflect not only on our own lives, but on everything the Lord has done, continues to do, and will do for us as we go on into our journey.
Great Lent allows us to pause, take a breath, and experience the truth that silence is indeed golden! Let us partake of this great blessing this year, and fully commit ourselves to resting our soul within prayer, fasting and almsgiving. In doing so, we too, will recharge our soul and come to experience the Feast of Feasts, Great and Holy Pascha, with deeper meaning and appreciation.
Wishing us all a blessed season of “quiet time.” Blessed Lent! Kali Sarakosti!
With love in Christ,
Father Nikolaos Bekris
Proistamenos
