On the Sunday of Forgiveness, just before Great Lent begins, we bow before each other and ask forgiveness, and forgive each other as God forgives us.
We should know that today we ask for forgiveness from our brothers and sisters in Christ so that we may begin the race in the stadium of Great Lent unhindered by any animosity... Let us remember that God's mercy and forgiveness to us is often hidden in our mercy and forgiveness to others. Our Lenten journey is not an isolated or individual affair but a "family" event. Therefore we are reminded in todays' reading from the Holy Gospel that unless there is mutual forgiveness between one another, there can be no true reconciliation with God. More...
Many thanks to Sergey for these wonderful photos!