... With the tolling of the bells from the tower of the Good Shepherd Chapel, Forgiveness Sunday’s Divine Liturgy began. The Metropolitan was anointed with oil and crowned before he blessed the metropolis with the tricarion crossed candles.
The reading was from the book of Romans and brought the good tidings from the Holy Apostles, and then alleluia was sung. Then the gospel of St Matthew was read. It spoke of fasting in secret and not being boastful in our worship of God.
A prayer for mercy and salvation for the church against corruption and contamination was offered by the clergy before the offerings were brought to the altar to the sound of beautiful chanting from Metropolitan Raffaele.
Once the offerings were blessed and transformed through the power of the Holy Spirit, they were honoured by the clergy and a prayer to Mary was made to look after those in need.
Our Father was sung and the presanctified lamb was prepared for Lent before communion was shared between the clergy and the congregation.
A strong scent of fresh flowers filled the building as the mysteries were consumed and the altar sensed three times in preparation for the Holy Unction. Then there was some chanting and more sensing which was accompanied by the scent of roasting fruit. The clergy prostrated before the altar three times. The Unction oil was blessed and the clergy anointed by the Unction oil in preparation for Lent. Then us too. Then more beautiful singing, then finish.
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