Journey to Pascha Series - Lesson #1: Triodion Week 1: The Public and the Pharisee

 

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.

Let take a closer look at the week of the Publican and the Pharisee (Fast Free)

The Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee is the first of four preliminary Sundays before the beginning of Great Lent. The services for this Sunday emphasize themes of humility and repentance, contrasting the attitudes of the Publican and the Pharisee in the Gospel reading.

Key aspects of the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee, as described in the sources, include:

• The contrast between humility and pride: The parable of the Publican and the Pharisee is used to highlight the importance of humility in approaching God. The Pharisee, who boasts of his righteousness, is condemned, while the Publican, who humbly asks for mercy, is justified.

• Repentance and change of mind: True repentance involves a "change of mind" (Greek: metanoia) and a recognition of one's own sinfulness. The Publican's self-dissatisfaction and longing for change make room for God to act in his life.

• Rejection of self-righteousness: The fault of the Pharisee lies in his self-satisfaction and lack of desire to change, which prevents God from working within him. The services encourage the faithful to avoid the Pharisee's pride and instead emulate the Publican's contrite prayer.

• Liturgical elements:

• Vespers on Saturday evening includes stichera from the Triodion that focus on the themes of humility and repentance. The service includes a repeated hymn: "Brethren, let us not pray as the Pharisee: for he who exalts himself shall be humbled. Let us humble ourselves before God, and with fasting cry aloud as the Publican: God be merciful to us sinners".

• The Canon at Mattins includes canticles that use the parable of the Publican and the Pharisee as a lesson for the faithful. The canon emphasizes the need to emulate the good actions of the Publican and hate the evil sin of the Pharisee.

• Sessional hymns at Mattins further explore the themes of humility and repentance, urging the faithful to desire good things and avoid bad.

• The Gospel reading for the day is Luke 18:10-14, which recounts the parable of the Publican and the Pharisee.

• Thematic connections: The Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee serves as a starting point for the Lenten journey, emphasizing the need for humility and a sincere desire for repentance. It is a call to acknowledge one's own sinfulness, rather than comparing oneself favorably to others.

The Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee is a call to humility and a genuine change of mind, preparing the faithful for the Lenten season.

Selected Hymnography from the Publican and the Pharisee

TONE 1 

Brethren, let us not pray as the Pharisee: for he who exalts himself shall be humbled. Let us humble ourselves before God, and with fasting cry aloud as the Publican: God be merciful to us sinners 

A Pharisee, overcome with vainglory, and a Publican, bowed down in repentance, came to Thee the only Master. The one boasted and was deprived of blessings, while the other kept silent and was counted worthy of gifts. Confirm me, O Christ our God, in these his cries of sorrow, for Thou lovest mankind.

Matins Exapostilarion TONE 8

O Lord, Thou hast condemned the Pharisee who justified himself by boasting of his works, and Thou hast justified the Publican who humbled himself and, with cries of sorrow, begged for mercy.

For Thou dost reject proud-minded thoughts, but Thou dost not despise a contrite heart. Therefore, in abasement, we fall down before Thee who hast suffered for our sake: grant us forgiveness and great mercy.