Journey to Pascha Series - Lesson #3: Triodion Week 3 - The Last Judgement (Meatfare)

 

Journey to Pascha 2025: Themes by Week

Triodion Weeks:

1. Triodion Week 1 - Publican and the Pharisee (Fast Free)
   Epistle: 2 Timothy 3:10-15
   Gospel: Luke 18:10-14
   Theme: Show compassion on the poor and yourself. Trust in God and not your deeds. Ask for His help.

2. Triodion Week 2 - The Prodigal Son (Normal Fast)
   Epistle: 1 Corinthians 6:12-20
   Gospel: Luke 15:11-32
   Theme: Schedule a confession. Pray facing East every morning.

3. Triodion Week 3 - The Last Judgement (Meatfare)
   Epistle: 1 Corinthians 8:8–9:2
   Gospel: Matthew 25:31-46
   Theme: Pray facing East this week. Christ is returning from the East.

We are about to commence the Holy and Great Lent. Let's explore the Eschatological themes of the Sunday of the Last Judgement

1. Meatfare Sunday (The Last Judgment)

• Theme: Preparation for the Final Judgment, based on Matthew 25:31-46.

• Spiritual Message: The faithful are reminded of the call to love and serve others, as acts of charity and mercy are central to salvation.

• Significance: This is the last day meat is permitted before Pascha. The focus on judgment encourages self-examination and readiness for the coming spiritual journey.

The Sunday of the Last Judgement, also known as the Sunday of Meat-Fare, is a significant day in the pre-Lenten period of the Triodion, focusing on the themes of divine judgment, repentance, and the importance of good deeds. It serves as a reminder of the eschatological dimension of Lent, emphasizing that the fast is a preparation for the Second Coming of Christ. This day also marks the last day on which the eating of meat is permitted until Easter Sunday.

Here's a summary of the key aspects of the Sunday of the Last Judgement:

• Emphasis on the reality of divine judgment: The services on this Sunday emphasize that while God is compassionate, He is also righteous and will judge all people based on their actions. The Gospel reading for the day, Matthew 25:31-46, presents the parable of the Sheep and the Goats, highlighting that the criterion for judgment will be the help given to those in need, rather than the strictness of fasting.

• Call to repentance: The Sunday of the Last Judgement serves as a warning to repent before the end comes. The hymns of the day emphasize the need for a genuine change of heart and turning back to God while there is still time. The Triodion states, "turn back while there is still time, repent before the End comes".

• Focus on the "last things": This Sunday sets before the faithful the "eschatological dimension" of Lent, meaning that the Great Fast is a preparation for the Second Coming of the Saviour and the eternal Passover in the Age to Come. It highlights the importance of being mindful of the end times and preparing spiritually.

• Commemoration of the dead: The Saturday before the Sunday of the Last Judgement includes a universal commemoration of the dead, connecting the themes of judgment with the idea that the departed are awaiting the Last Judgement. This commemoration emphasizes the ongoing bond of love that links all members of the Church, living and dead.

• Liturgical Elements:

• Vespers on Saturday evening includes stichera from the Triodion that vividly describe the scene of the Last Judgment, with themes of fear, trembling, and the river of fire. These stichera also include pleas for mercy and worthiness of salvation.

• The Canon at Mattins includes hymns that evoke fear of the Last Judgement and call for repentance. They also address the need for reconciliation with God before the end comes.

• The Kontakion for the day describes the fearful scene of Christ coming to earth in glory, the world trembling, and the books being opened. It includes a plea for deliverance from the unquenchable fire and worthiness to stand at Christ's right hand.

• The Gospel Reading is Matthew 25:31-46, which includes the parable of the Sheep and the Goats, with a focus on the importance of caring for others.

• Vespers on Sunday evening has no reading from the Psalter, but includes six stichera, three in the tone of the week from the Octoechos, and three for the saint of the day from the Menaion. There is no Entrance, unless prescribed by the Menaion.

• Thematic connections: The Sunday of the Last Judgement reminds the faithful that they are accountable for their actions. It emphasizes the importance of turning back to God and preparing for the Second Coming of Christ, not just in the future, but also in the present moment by making efforts to help others and be a good person.

The Sunday of the Last Judgement serves as a powerful reminder of the final judgment and the importance of living a life pleasing to God by repenting of sins and being compassionate to others. It calls the faithful to be mindful of the end times, to make efforts to help others in need, and to prepare spiritually for the Second Coming of Christ.

Selected Hymnography from the Sunday of the Last Judgement

Vespers on Saturday Evening (anticipating Sunday of Last Judgement)

Tone Six
(To the special melody: "Having set all your hope on the things of heaven...")

When Thou shalt come, O righteous Judge, to execute just judgment,
seated on Thy throne of glory,
a river of fire will draw all men, amazed, before Thy judgment seat.
The powers of heaven will stand beside Thee,
and in fear mankind will be judged according to the deeds each has done.
Then spare us, O Christ, in Thy compassion,
as we entreat Thee with faith,
and count us worthy of Thy blessings with those that are saved.

The books will be opened, and the acts of men will be revealed
before the unbearable judgment seat.
The whole vale of sorrow shall echo
with the fearful sound of lamentation,
as all sinners, weeping in vain,
are sent by Thy just judgment to everlasting torment.
Therefore, we beseech Thee, O compassionate and loving Lord:
spare us who sing Thy praise, for Thou alone art rich in mercy.

The trumpets shall sound, and the tombs shall be emptied,
and all mankind, trembling, shall be raised.
Those that have done good shall rejoice in gladness,
awaiting their reward, while the wicked shall wail in distress,
as they are sent to eternal condemnation.
O Lord of glory, have mercy upon us and make us worthy of Thy Kingdom.

I lament and weep when I think of the eternal fire,
the outer darkness, and the nether world,
the dread worm and the gnashing of teeth,
and the unceasing anguish that shall befall those
who have sinned without measure,
arousing Thee to anger, O Supreme in love. 

Among them, in my misery, I am first;
but, O Judge compassionate, in Thy mercy, save me.

When the thrones are set up and the books are opened,
and God sits in judgment—O what fear there will be then!
When the angels stand trembling in Thy presence,
and the river of fire flows before Thee,
what shall we do, we who are guilty of many sins?

When we hear Him call the blessed of His Father into the Kingdom,
but send the sinners to their punishment,
who shall endure His fearful condemnation?

But, O Savior, who alone lovest mankind, King of the ages,
before the end comes, turn me back through repentance
and have mercy on me.

From the Aposticha

Alas, my blackened soul! How long wilt thou continue in evil?
How long wilt thou lie in idleness?
Why dost thou not consider the fearful hour of death?
Why dost thou not tremble at the dread judgment seat of the Savior?

What defense then wilt thou make? What wilt thou answer?
Thy works shall stand to accuse thee,
thy actions shall reproach thee and condemn thee.

O my soul, the time is near at hand—
make haste before it is too late, and cry aloud in faith:
"I have sinned, O Lord, I have sinned against Thee;
but I know Thy love for mankind and Thy great compassion.
O Good Shepherd, deprive me not of a place at Thy right hand,
in Thy great mercy."