The Lenten Spring has almost Sprung!

If it seems way too early for me to post my annual Lenten Rubrical Notes, it's because we are still in Theophany mode, but it's not too early! Really! Pascha is very early this year and yesterday was Zaccheus Sunday, so that means that Great Lent is right around the corner. Indeed, the Lenten Triodion begins this coming Sunday.

This year we will practice a slightly revised (and therefore easier to sing) By the Waters of Babylon, a new Now the Powers for Presanctified (Drevni Chant as found on Podoben.com), and will learn two new Christ is Risen's: one is a lovely Serbian one (in English and Serbian) that sounds kind of like bells pealing, and the other is a well-known Romanian one (in English and Romanian). Also, please keep in mind that we will be visiting St. Paul's in Savannah for Sunday of Orthodoxy this year, and I am attempting to split the service up so that we will sing for either priests' communion or communion of the faithful (By the Waters of Babylon and Open to Me).

January 24: (Publican and Pharisee) Open to Me after Psalm 50; the rest as usual. Open to Me for Priest's Communion.

January 31: (Prodigal Son) By the Waters of Babylon after the Polieley, and Open to Me after Psalm 50; the rest as usual. Thy Fatherly Embrace for priest's communion.

February 7: (Meatfare) By the Waters of Babylon after the Polieley, and Open to Me after Psalm 50; the rest as usual. By the Waters of Babylon for priest's communion.

February 14: (Cheesefare/Forgiveness Sunday) By the Waters of Babylon after the Polieley, and Open to Me after Psalm 50; the rest as usual. By the Waters of Babylon for priest's communion.

February 21: Sunday of Orthodoxy @ St. Paul's Orthodox Church this year. (Polieley is not sung, and neither is By the Waters of Babylon. Sing Open to Me after Psalm 50; the rest as usual. Open to Me for Priest's Communion)

February 28: (St. Gregory Palamas) Polieley is not sung, and neither is By the Waters of Babylon. Sing Open to Me after Psalm 50; the rest as usual. Open to Me for Priest's Communion

March 7: (Veneration of the Cross) Polieley is not sung, and neither is By the Waters of Babylon. Sing Open to Me after Psalm 50; the rest as usual. Open to Me for Priest's Communion.

March 14: (St. John of the Ladder) Polieley is not sung, and neither is By the Waters of Babylon. Sing Open to Me after Psalm 50; the rest as usual. Open to Me for Priest's Communion.

March 21: (St. Mary of Egypt) Polieley is not sung, and neither is By the Waters of Babylon. Sing Open to Me after Psalm 50; the rest as usual. Open to Me for Priest's Communion.

March 28: (Palm Sunday) - Yay!