The Holy Fathers have appointed the commemoration of Adam's exile from the Paradise of delight here, on the eve of the holy Forty-day Fast, demonstrating to us not by simple words, but by actual deeds, how beneficial fasting is for man, and how harmful and destructive are insatiety and the transgressing of the divine commandments. For the first commandment that God gave to man was that of fasting, which the first-fashioned received but did not keep; and not only did they not become gods, as they had imagined, but they lost even that blessed life which they had, and they fell into corruption and death, and transmitted these and innumerable other evils to all of mankind. The God-bearing Fathers set these things before us today, that by bringing to mind what we have fallen from, and what we have suffered because of the insatiety and disobedience of the first-fashioned, we might be diligent to return again to that ancient bliss and glory by means of fasting and obedience to all the divine commands. Taking occasion from today's Gospel (Matt. 6:14-21) to begin the Fast unencumbered by enmity, we also ask forgiveness this day, first from God, then from one another and all creation.

Kontakion of Forgiveness (Cheesefare) Sun.

Plagal of the Second Tone

O Master, Prudence, Guide of Wisdom, Instruction to the foolish and Defender of the poor, strengthen my heart and grant it discernment. Give me words, Word of the Father, for behold, I shall not keep my lips from crying out to You, "O Merciful One, have mercy on me who has fallen."

• Forty Day Memorial for James Kastriches
• The family of Christopher Tsoulos is sponsoring coffee fellowship & light spread
• The Pontian Association will be selling Laganes for Clean Monday
• The Senior Class will be selling Frappe

• Forty Day Memorial for Evangelia Kroustalis 
• Six Month Memorial for Nikolaos Georgiou
• Coffee Fellowship is sponsored in Loving Memory of Nikolaos Georgiou by his family

• 40 Day Memorial for Bett Kofinas
• One Year Memorial for Haralabos Kakavitsas
• Coffee Fellowship is sponsored in Loving Memory of Haralabos Kakavitsas & Bett Kofinas by their families
• Metropolis Children's Medical Fund Tray