Forgiveness Sunday

Gamma Gamaliel

Today has been Forgiveness Sunday in the Orthodox Church.

We ask one another's forgiveness in a ceremony after the Liturgy.

Rather than post this in Ecclesiantics, I thought I'd post it here. It's not a discussion about this practice or equivalents in other Christian traditions. Rather, I thought I would extend it to you all and ask your forgiveness for anything I have posted that has upset anyone, caused offence or simply caused you to roll your eyes ('not both/and again...').

For ill-considered, ill-mannered or irritating posts, I ask your forgiveness.

cgichard

God forgives and I forgive, brother.
I too ask forgiveness from anyone on this forum whom I may have offended in any way.

Piglet

I can't think of anything of yours that requires forgiveness, GG, but I'll happily echo what you're saying - if any of my posts need forgiving, I hope people will be so kind!

Telford

Gamma Gamaliel wrote: »

Today has been Forgiveness Sunday in the Orthodox Church.

We ask one another's forgiveness in a ceremony after the Liturgy.

Rather than post this in Ecclesiantics, I thought I'd post it here. It's not a discussion about this practice or equivalents in other Christian traditions. Rather, I thought I would extend it to you all and ask your forgiveness for anything I have posted that has upset anyone, caused offence or simply caused you to roll your eyes ('not both/and again...').

For ill-considered, ill-mannered or irritating posts, I ask your forgiveness.

Of course I forgive you even though I can't think of anything relevant.

Cameron

Although I cannot recall anything to give me a reason for offence I am glad to forgive you @Gamma Gamaliel and all others here.

I humbly ask the same in return for any of my own actions, wilful or thoughtless.

MaryLouise

Forgiveness Sunday sounds like a great way to begin Passiontide, and like others I'm not sure there's anything to forgive, @Gamma Gamaliel. If long-term posters stick to or revert to a communication style that they see might be a little problematic but that they can't change, surely acceptance is more useful than forgiveness?

Twangist

I can certainly echo what the others have said (at the rusk of overegging the pudding 😉) in that nothing to for me to forgive.
To quote @Cameron I humbly ask the same in return for any of my own actions, wilful or thoughtless.
Forgiveness Sunday sounds like it could be a powerful thing.
What is the background to it?

Sarasa

Thanks for this thread @Gamma Gamaliel . I too can’t think of anything where you have caused upset, but then I rarely venture into the areas of the ship where disagreements are more likely.

Gamma Gamaliel

Twangist wrote: »

I can certainly echo what the others have said (at the rusk of overegging the pudding 😉) in that nothing to for me to forgive.
To quote @Cameron I humbly ask the same in return for any of my own actions, wilful or thoughtless.
Forgiveness Sunday sounds like it could be a powerful thing.
What is the background to it?

Yes, it is a powerful thing - and be quite moving. It was really sweet yesterday as the priest bent down to start the ceremony with the little ones. They clearly didn't understand what was going on but gave him a hug back.

I don't know the origin or background but it takes place on the Sunday before Lent begins - it's started today. Late this year. It's also known as Cheesefare Sunday as you're not meant to have dairy produce until after Easter. Although as I'm told Archbishop Gregorios used to say, 'Any British person who gives up milk in tea must be a fanatic ...'

😉

Like any ritual it can become formalised and clunky but I found it very 'liberating' yesterday and it meant I spoke or interacted with people I've seen but not engaged with before. Ok, it's odd asking forgiveness of people you've not consciously offended but in my case I felt I was asking forgiveness for sins of omission - for not interacting so much previously with people of different ethnicities to my own but tending largely to engage with British converts or those whose English is of a high standard.

Lord have mercy!

Gamma Gamaliel

Oh, and @MaryLouise yes, acceptance is important too.

Ex_Organist

Gamma Gamaliel wrote: »

I don't know the origin or background but it takes place on the Sunday before Lent begins - it's started today.

It appears to be historically a monastic practice. Seminaries and some parishes try to do the full round of services for at least the first day of Lent (possibly the whole of the first week).

The ceremony of mutual forgiveness appears to be failry ancient. It is described in the Life of Saint Mary of Egypt, a text written early in the Seventh Century by Saint Sophronios of Jerusalem.

Fixed coding - Nenya, All Saints Host

Gamma Gamaliel

Thanks Ex_Organist.

Leaf

I came back to this thread to kneel beside you, Gamma Gamaliel. I don't know that I can grant the absolution you seek, but I'm happy to join with you on the journey toward greater insight and respect for this community.