Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete

Categories: hymns, parish-life, feast-days

Date: 23 March 2007 22:05:33

Where shall I begin to lament the deeds of my wretched life? What first-fruit shall I offer, O Christ, for my present lamentation? But in Your compassion grant me release from my falls.

The service of the complete Great Canon of St Andrew of Crete, together with a reading of St. Sophronius' Life of St Mary of Egypt, is one of the longer services in the Orthodox Church, coming in at just over three hours. Traditionally, the Great Canon is split into four parts and one part is chanted on each of the first four evenings of Great Lent; and then the entire Canon, together with the Life of St Mary, is chanted on the Thursday of the Fourth Week of Great Lent [we moved it from Thursday to Friday, due to availability reasons]. And it is truly one of the most beautiful services of the Church: overflowing with Old Testament references, including sinful deeds as well as godly examples, and with the constant refrain, "Have mercy on me, O God; have mercy on me", it is truly a necessary, for me, Lenten service as it sums us exactly what our mindset and desire should be during Great Lent:

I have reviewed all the people of the Old Testament as examples for you, my soul. Imitate the God-loving deeds of the righteous and shun the sins of the wicked.

The ninth and final canticle recalls the events in the life of Christ and, through many petitions, such as those below, we ask for mercy of Christ:

Like the robber I cry, "Remember me!" Like Peter I weep bitterly, "Release me, O Saviour!" I croak like the publican; I weep like the harlot. Accept my lamentation as You once did the Canaanite woman. (Luke 23:42; Matthew 26:75; Luke 18:13; Luke 7:37-38; Matthew 15:22-28)

A robber accused YOu, and a robber confessed You to be God, for both were hanging on a cross with You. But open even to me, O most compassionate Saviour, the door of Your glorious Kingdom as to Your faithful robber who acknowledged You to be God. (Luke 23:32-42)

And, of course, the Life of St Mary of Egypt: a truly miraculous and hope-inspiring account: that reminds us all, not only of the changed life of one of the greatest of Christian saints, but of God's infinite love and protection, and his desire that all, no matter where they are or what they have done, should find and enter the Kingdom of Heaven through Christ.

My joy at writing of the service is not to say that I did no tire over the three hours: mind and body groaned at times but, by the grace of God, I believe I did indeed gain benefit from the service that shows the need for, and furthermore calls us to, true repentance. And, as so often during the long services present in the Byzantine rite, even though I may be very tired, there is always a sense, when I see we've moved to the last page, that it is over too soon: that I desire to stay longer. It may seem contradictory -- quite possibly it is -- but it is how I feel. My flesh may be weak, as St Paul wrote, but, God willing, my spirit is strong and desires deep and true communion with the life-creating Trinity through the Church's services.

Thanks indeed be to God.

The dullest election in recent years calls for my vote today, followed by our Parish Lenten Day Retreat. My wishes to all for a blessed weekend.