The Sixth Commandment and Great Lent
Glory be to Jesus Christ!
March is a month of quiet transition. The days grow longer, winter begins to loosen its
grip, and beneath the surface change is already underway. Great Lent (Великий Піст)
is much the same — not dramatic or loud, but steady and interior. It is a season of
deliberate spiritual renewal.
This month we reflect on the Sixth Commandment:
“You shall not commit adultery” (Exodus 20:14).
In the light of Lent, this commandment calls us beyond merely avoiding sin. It calls us to
fidelity — purity of heart, integrity in relationships, and love that reflects Christ’s faithful
covenant with His Church. Fidelity is not only about external behavior; it begins in
thought, intention, and discipline of the heart.
Second Sunday of Great Lent — March 1
A Call to Vigilance
The Second Sunday of Great Lent deepens our commitment to spiritual attentiveness.
Lent is not about fear or legalism. It is about healing and clarity. It teaches us to see our
own weaknesses honestly and to rely more fully on God’s mercy.
The Sixth Commandment protects dignity, trust, and the sacredness of relationships. It
calls us to guard our commitments — in marriage, in family life, in fraternity, and in our
covenant with God. In a culture where fidelity is often weakened by convenience and
impulse, the Church calls us to steadiness, patience, and moral courage.
True fidelity is formed in small daily choices: what we allow into our minds, how we
speak about others, how we honor promises, and how we discipline our desires. Lent
gives us the time and space to examine these areas carefully.
The Lenten Path: Fasting, Prayer, and Almsgiving
The Fathers of the Church give us three pillars for the Great Fast. These practices form
the foundation of a faithful heart.
Fasting disciplines desire. It reminds us that we are not governed by impulse but
guided by grace. By restraining ourselves voluntarily, we strengthen the will and restore
proper order within the soul. Fasting extends beyond food; it includes restraint from
harmful speech, excessive distractions, and anything that weakens integrity.
Prayer purifies intention. Through prayer we learn humility and dependence on God.
Prayer exposes self-deception and softens pride. It brings light into the hidden places of
the heart, where fidelity is either strengthened or compromised.
Almsgiving restores communion. Love must move outward. Generosity, forgiveness,
and service protect relationships and heal wounds. The Sixth Commandment is not
merely a prohibition; it safeguards love so that it may flourish rightly.
Together, fasting, prayer, and almsgiving train us in mature, self-giving love.
The Daily Lenten Prayer of the UGCC
Each day during the Great Fast, the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church prays the Prayer
of Saint Ephrem. This prayer expresses the interior work of Lent and speaks directly to
the heart of fidelity:
Prayer of Saint Ephrem
O Lord and Master of my life! Drive from me the spirit of indifference and
discouragement, lust of power, and idle chatter.(Prostration)
Instead, grant to me, Your servant, the spirit of integrity, humility, patience, and love.
(Prostration)
Yes, O Lord and King! Let me see my own sins, and not judge my brothers and sisters;
for You are blessed, for ever and ever. Amen. (Prostration)
(Then with a simple bow, the following is repeated four times)
- God, be merciful to me a sinner.
- God, cleanse me of my sins and have mercy on me.
- I have sinned without number, forgive me, O Lord!
(Once more the entire prayer is recited without the usual prostrations. One prostration is
made at the conclusion.)
This prayer teaches vigilance over our own hearts. It removes indifference, pride, and
idle speech — all of which weaken fidelity. It asks God to grant integrity, humility,
patience, and love — virtues that strengthen every relationship.
March Feasts Along the Way - March 8 — Third Sunday of Great Lent (Veneration of the Holy Cross): The Cross
stands at the center of Lent, reminding us that faithful love perseveres through
sacrifice. - March 15 — Fourth Sunday of Great Lent: Fidelity is steady and daily, not
emotional or temporary. - March 22 — Fifth Sunday of Great Lent: God’s mercy restores hearts that turn
back sincerely. - March 25 — Annunciation: Mary’s “yes” reveals perfect trust and faithful
obedience. - March 28–29 — Lazarus Saturday and Palm Sunday: We enter Holy Week
prepared to follow Christ in humility and courage.
Each Sunday strengthens perseverance and prepares us for Christ’s Passion and
Resurrection.
During these weeks before Pascha, we also remember in prayer all departed Knights
of Columbus, asking the Lord to grant them eternal rest and light perpetual. Praying for
the departed is a work of mercy and a reminder that our fraternity in Christ extends
beyond this life into eternity.
Closing Reflection
Great Lent is not about perfection but about honesty, humility, and steady conversion.
The Sixth Commandment calls us to integrity — to guard our hearts, protect the dignity
of others, and remain faithful in commitment.
As the season gradually turns toward spring, may our hearts also be renewed through
prayer, fasting, and mercy. Let us walk attentively, pray for our departed brothers, and
prepare with confidence for the joy of Pascha.
Vivat Jesus!
Fr. Slavko
“I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit,
to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.” – Romans 15:13
Father Slavko Dumec
Saint Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church Edmonton
Phone: 780.467.6200
Website: https://stnicholasucp.ca
