First Sunday of Lent and Forgiveness Sunday

Today is Forgiveness Sunday in the Eastern Orthodox Church. It's officially the last day of the Maslenitsa festival in Russia. Lent starts tomorrow, on Clean Monday, in both the Russian and Greek churches.

But this is the first Sunday of Lent for those of us in the Western Church.

Agenda Today:

1. Journal queries
2. Make Tyropita (Cheese Pie)
3. Have a fire
4. Ask forgiveness and offer forgiveness

1. Journal queries:
What have I learned so far from my Lenten fast and study? What is the next step to take?

2. Make Tyropita (Cheese Pie):

Forgiveness Sunday is also known as Cheesefare Sunday. Today is the last day that dairy products are permitted.  Sweet or savory cheese pies are popular traditional Greek foods today.

This recipe is pretty easy to make, and very, very rich and good. You can use your favorite cheeses and herbs, and either store-bought puff pastry or home-made pie pastry.

Ingredients: 

• 2 sheets of puff pastry, or pie pastry for a 2-crust pie
• 1/4 c. butter
• 3 large eggs
• 1/2 c. milk
• 6 oz. feta
• 6 oz. myzithra cheese (or ricotta)
• 8 oz. Gruyere cheese
• Freshly ground pepper to taste
• 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh mint or other fresh herbs

Yield: Makes 1 pie-

1- Thaw out the puff pastry for 40 minutes, just so you can unfold the sheets. Or you can make regular pie pastry for a bottom and top crust, and chill for 30 minutes.

2- Melt the butter and leave to cool. Beat the eggs and milk in a mixing bowl. Crumble the feta and grate the other cheeses, mix together with the eggs, and add freshly ground pepper to taste. Stir in the chopped herbs, and set aside.

3- Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Brush the sides and bottom of a glass pie plate with some of the melted butter.

4- Roll out one sheet of puff pastry, or half of the pie pastry,  on a floured board, until it's big enough to cover the pie plate and extend past the edges a couple of inches. Fill with the cheese mixture.

5- Roll out the second puff pastry or pie pastry, and cover the pie. Trim the edges a bit, then roll both top and bottom edges inward together to seal the pie so no filling can escape.

6- Brush with the remaining melted butter and score the top into servings without cutting it through. Bake in preheated oven for 30 - 45 minutes or until golden brown.

2017 Maslenitsa fire

3. Have a fire:
On Forgiveness Sunday evening in Russia, the whole town gathers to throw the Maslenitsa effigy doll onto a huge bonfire. The doll symbolizes winter; they hope that all their problems will leave along with winter.

When I have this fire with children, we talk about the symbolism of burning away the winter so that spring can return. And because most of us have a primitive love of burning things, it takes only a minute for my students to be gleefully on board. We march together out to the fire circle, say a few words of thanks, stick the doll into the ground and watch it burn.

Last year I made a smaller doll which went around with me for two weeks in my coat pocket and on my handlebars. 

And then on Sunday I lit a tiny fire, and had a private moment, thinking about the year past and all I was grateful for.

4. Ask forgiveness and offer forgiveness:

This year I didn't make a doll, and I didn't have a fire, but I did light a candle and take a moment to say a prayer for my neighbors.

The traditional theme of the Lenten fast is repentance and reconciliation with God. The Eastern Orthodox Church reminds us that we can't have that without first being reconciled with one another. Tonight they have a special Forgiveness Vespers, and at the end everyone takes part in the Ceremony of Mutual Forgiveness-- each person will bow down, first before the priest, and then each other, asking, “Forgive me, a sinner” and the proper response is “God forgives you”. 

Each person asks forgiveness from, and offers forgiveness to, each other person, then exchanges the kiss of peace. 

Quakers don't usually go in for any kind of ceremony, but I can imagine that it's a powerful moment. Wesley J. Smith says "The service is a healing balm. It is hard to bear grudges when all have shared such an intimate mutual humbling. Indeed, Forgiveness Vespers is emotionally intense, tears often flow and hugs of true reconciliation are common."

As a Quaker, I have had to figure out simple ways to ask for and offer forgiveness and feel that humbling moment, and I do it as often as I can, with honest words, a note, or a silent prayer. A wise man said to forgive our neighbors even when they sin against us repeatedly, even until seventy times seven (Matthew 18:21-22). So, tonight I offer this prayer:

I offer forgiveness to those in this country who deny the science of climate change. I offer forgiveness to my neighbors who think it's not their problem, or don't have the energy to change their lifestyle. And I offer forgiveness to myself for being so slow to take the time to study the issue and take action myself.

In offering forgiveness, I hope to be able to set down this burden of indignation and rage, and move on to mitigating the problems we have created.