It is understood that Orthodoxy is always closely linked to faith. Thus, we speak of the "right and true faith," in order to distinguish it from the "adulterated faith." Orthodoxy is the true glory and glorification of God--the genuine notion of God--while a heresy is a manufactured glory, a morbid glorification of God. Orthodoxy and heresy thus confront each other in the area of Faith, and that is exactly where they diversify. What, therefore, is "faith" and how is it perceived in the life of the Church as the Body of Christ?

Every word is preceded by thought. And the remembrance of death and sins precedes weeping and mourning. The remembrance of death is a daily death; and the remembrance of our departure is an hourly sighing or groaning.

The Gospel for the first Sunday of Lent ended with an allusion to the ministry of Angels. And Angels are also called to mind by the Epistle for this day (Hebrews 1:10-2:3). The sacred text compares the ministry of Angels with that, which is so much greater, of the Savior Himself. If disobedience to the messages to us by the Angels is justly punished, how much greater will be the punishment of the man who neglects the salvation that is announced and brought by Christ. For 'to which of the Angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool'?

On Friday afternoon during Holy and Great Lent the hymn called the 'Akathist' is recited or chanted. It is a long poem of praise to the Most Holy Virgin and Mother of God. It comprises twenty-four stanzas set out in alphabetical order and broken up into four portions. These portions are read one after another--one each Friday--during the first four Fridays of Holy Lent. On the fifth Friday, the Akathist is chanted entirely.

In the same way as on the previous Sunday, fasting figures as a secondary theme in the Divine Liturgy of the day. This Sunday is called 'Meat-fare Sunday', because it is the last day on which the consumption of meat is authorized. From the next day, Monday, one should, if one can, abstain from meat until Pascha. On the other hand, the use of milk, butter and cheese is allowed during all the days of this week, including Wednesday and Friday. During the Divine Liturgy a portion of the first epistle of Saint Paul to the Corinthians (8:8-13 and 9:1-2) is read in which the holy Apostle, in substance, says the following: Eating or not eating meat in itself is not a matter of importance, but this liberty which we have must not scandalize or be a stumbling-block to the weak.