Forgiveness Sunday

Saturday 21st February 2026ad

Good Shepherd Chapel, Abbotsford

As the faithful arrived, Metropolitan Raffaele serenaded the congregation from the organ, singing as he played. The altar, the church, and the clergy were vested in deep red — a colour of repentance, sacrifice, and divine love — setting the tone for the final Sunday before Great Lent.

The liturgy began with “The Lord is My Shepherd” as the clergy entered and prepared to serve. The Common Prayer united our voices, followed by the Kyrie, sung prayerfully by Metropolitan Raffaele at the organ.

As the Gloria rose, the altar was incensed, and then the entire church was censed, the organ swelling into a crescendo as fragrant smoke filled the sanctuary — a visible sign of prayer rising toward heaven.

Our newly appointed Reader Patrick proclaimed the Epistle, reminding us to clothe ourselves in the armour of life and salvation. We were urged not to judge one another — not over food, not over personal discipline, not over differences in strength or weakness. The Christian life is not comparison, but transformation.

The Gospel was brought among the people as the Agios was sung. Father Matthew read from St Matthew: if we forgive others their offences, God will forgive ours. We were reminded to fast in secret, not to store up treasures on earth, and that where our treasure is, there our heart will be also.

In his homily, Father Mark invited us to align ourselves with God as we enter Lent. Fasting, he explained, is not merely about abstaining from food; it is about rebuilding the whole self — physically, mentally, spiritually. What we do with the body echoes in the soul.

He reminded us that those who hold grudges are not spiritually free. Forgiveness is not weakness; it is liberation.

He shared the powerful story of Christians on a Libyan beach who were given a choice: convert or die. They chose Christ. Though their execution was filmed and spread widely, what shocked the world was the response of their families — they chose forgiveness. Forgiveness, he said, sets us free.

He reminded us that a heart full of anger struggles to love. Lent is the time to lay down resentment, to care for our bodies and minds, to pray for those who are lost, broken, and alone. He said that the Eucharist is medicine for the soul. It brings peace, reunites families, and gathers us around God in hope.

The liturgy continued as Metropolitan Raffaele sang the Kyrie while Father Matthew chanted. The gifts were brought forward as Abide With Me was sung, its words gently guiding us toward reflection.

The congregation exchanged the sign of peace, followed by the Creed. The Sanctus was sung with strength and reverence, and the gifts were blessed.

Father Mark explained that we were now entering the most sacred moment of the liturgy — calling upon God to descend and transform the gifts. We knelt in silence and prayer.

The church shifted into a gentle blue light as we honoured the Theotokos, praying the Hail Mary and singing her hymn.

Then the sanctuary returned to red and gold as the Our Father was sung. The Agnus Dei accompanied the preparation of the Lamb. Metropolitan Raffaele invited us to kneel or be seated as the preparation continued.

Metropolitan Raffaele joined the clergy at the altar and they shared Holy Communion. Before inviting the faithful forward, Metropolitan Raffaele shared a story from a monastery in Greece.

Monks, as we know, give up worldly possessions to focus on God. But, in this monastery an older monk wore a fine watch, and younger monks judged him for it.

When the old monk was dying, he gave the watch to the young monk who had cared for him. Only then did the young monk discover the watch was broken — but inside it was a photograph of the old monk’s family, who had died in an accident. The date of their death was written on the back of the old paper photograph.

The Metropolitan reminded us that time passes, and that we do not know the burdens others carry. Lent calls us to humility — to refrain from judging and to offer compassion instead. Lent is a time to “put things on” - take up the robes of Christ, not shed and deny ourselves.

The faithful were then invited to receive Holy Communion as Metropolitan Raffaele sang Il Signore è la Mia Vita, offering a beautiful, mystical improvisation at its conclusion.

The sacred gifts were returned to the side altar, and a Thanksgiving Hymn was sung. Metropolitan Raffaele rejoined the clergy at the altar as all knelt once more for the sanctification of the holy oil.

The clergy were anointed first, followed by the faithful, each receiving the sign of healing and mercy. The Kyrie was sung again as we prepared our hearts.

The liturgy concluded with the final hymn, and the community gathered afterward for fellowship and refreshments — stepping into Lent together, not burdened by grudges, but renewed by forgiveness.

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