On the first Sunday of Great Lent, March 17th, we commemorate the restoration of the holy icons to the Church marking a significant reaffirmation of our Orthodox belief concerning the relationship between God and creation. Throughout this great struggle the major issue was the exact nature of our Lord Jesus

Christ’s incarnation and its implications in the life of those who have believed and continue to believe in Him. In declaring the fullness of human nature assumed by the Son of God as expressed in the holy icons, the Church also affirms that human nature is a fundamental icon of God Himself. Human beings have been created in the image of God and are called to reflect God in themselves. And, by becoming true images of God, faithful Christians point the way for others to worship the Creator and not creation.

The season of the Fast that begins on March 11th, reminds us of the great responsibility we have to restore in ourselves the image of God that may have become dim and dull through sin or negligence. We are admonished to pray more often, to fast diligently, and to give to those in need. These virtues aren’t restricted to Great Lent. However, they are placed before us just like our goal of the Resurrection, to be- come more present and real. There is a double effect to this spiritual exercise: one is inward and the other is outward. By praying more we come into close and more intimate contact with our Creator; by strengthening our relationship with Him, and through Him all of our other relationships become strengthened. By fasting, we transfigure the material things in life: food, drink and entertainment. We learn to distin- guish between true life that comes from God and the illusion of life that the world offers. And finally, by making the giving to those in need a high priority we recognize the blessings God has given us and see the material world in its proper perspective: as a means for substance while giving glory to God.