We have concluded the reading of the Great Canon. It will be read once again on the fifth week, all at one, as is required by the Church typikon.

The whole Old Testament and New Testament history has passed before us through people and events. Beginning with the sinful life of our forefathers, moving on to the facts and events from the lives of holy and also sinful men, the wise and holy author of the canon painted before us with bright colors the history of the human race, making it possible to take away from it edifying stories for every human soul.

Throughout the first week of Holy Forty Days, Metropolitan George of Nizhny Novgorod and Arzamas read and experienced along with all of us the instructive history of the human race set forth in the Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete.