Great Lent: A School of Repentance. Its Meaning for Orthodox Christians

Alexander SchmemannProject Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

Rating 4.0

Word count: 27K words
Chapters: 3

Summary

Project Gutenberg was the first provider of free electronic books, or eBooks. Michael Hart, founder of Project Gutenberg, invented eBooks in 1971 and his memory continues to inspire the creation of eBooks and related technologies today.Great Lent: A School of Repentance. Its Meaning for Orthodox ChristiansAuthor: Schmemann, Alexander, 1921-1983,Language: English, Class: BX: Philosophy, Psychology, Religion: Christianity: Churches, Church movements, Release Date: Jun 13, 2011

Editor's review

Schmemann's short book centers on Great Lent, understanding it as a "school of repentance" rather than a set of external dietary rules. Against the background of Orthodox tradition, the author explains the meaning of Lent layer by layer: repentance is not self-punishment but a reorientation of one's relationship with God and with others; abstinence, prayer, and almsgiving are interconnected and together form a discipline that renews life. The writing is concise and suitable as a guide for daily Lenten reading or group study. For readers unfamiliar with Orthodox terminology, the book also contains enough explanatory passages to serve as an introduction to understanding the liturgical year and the spiritual life. There is no need to rush; reading slowly chapter by chapter in the rhythm of Lent yields better results.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Believers and inquirers who wish to understand the meaning of Great Lent in the Orthodox tradition
Church workers leading Lenten groups who need concise spiritual materials
General readers interested in the Christian liturgical year and the theology of repentance
Readers looking for a short spiritual booklet that can be read chapter by chapter each day

Not a good fit for

Academic researchers expecting systematic theology or detailed historical scholarship
Readers who only want comparative information on differences in fasting rules among denominations
Readers with no interest in religious spirituality who seek secular self-help methods

Reading tips

Read chapter by chapter according to the weeks of Lent, leaving time for reflection and journaling after each short section.
When encountering key words such as "repentance," "abstinence," and "almsgiving," write one or two sentences in response, relating them to your own life.
Read alongside relevant Scripture passages to help understand the liturgical and theological background in the book.
If used in a group, it is recommended to share around one theme each session rather than reading the whole book before discussing.

About the publisher

Project Gutenberg United States · Founded in 1971

Project Gutenberg is a digital publishing project focused on public-domain ebooks. Its publishing direction centers on classic literary works whose copyright has expired, covering genres such as poetry, drama, fiction, and epic. Representative books include Lyrical Ballads by Wordsworth and Coleridge, Proust's Du côté de chez Swann, Shakespeare's Macbeth and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Homer's The Iliad, Dante's La Divina Comèdia: Purgatòri, Cervantes's The History of Don Quixote, Volume 2, and Grahame's The Wind in the Willows. Its author resources consist mainly of classic Western writers such as Wordsworth, Proust, Shakespeare, Homer, Dante, Cervantes, Grahame, and Tolstoy. Its publishing feature is the provision of freely accessible ebooks in EPUB and Kindle formats; it is not a traditional publisher, and publicly available information is limited.

FAQ

Is this book suitable for non-Orthodox readers?

Yes. Although the author writes against the background of Orthodox tradition, the discussion focuses on the universal significance of repentance and spiritual discipline, and most terminology is explained. Non-Orthodox readers can treat it as an introduction to the spirit of Lent and need not worry that liturgical details will be an obstacle.

How is Great Lent understood in the book?

The book calls Great Lent a "school of repentance," emphasizing that it is not a pile of external regulations but an inward turning practiced through abstinence, prayer, and almsgiving. The goal of Lent is to renew one's relationship with God and with others, not merely self-restraint.

The book is short; how should reading be arranged?

It is suitable for slow reading chapter by chapter in the rhythm of Lent, reading a short section each time and leaving time for reflection. It can also be used as daily spiritual reading alongside Scripture. If used in a group, it is recommended to share around one theme each session rather than reading it all at once.

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About the author

Alexander Schmemann Author · American · 1921–1983

Alexander Schmemann (1921–1983) was a Russian-born American Orthodox theologian. One of his works is held in this collection: Great Lent: A School of Repentance. Its Meaning for Orthodox Christians. Judging from the title and the author's standing, his writing addresses ordinary Orthodox believers, taking the liturgical season of Great Lent as its subject, explaining the place of repentance in the life of faith and what the season means for Orthodox Christians. Such writing combines liturgical explanation with spiritual guidance, turning church tradition into teaching that believers can understand and put into practice. Public information about his education, positions and specific career is limited, so no conjecture is offered here; his influence rests mainly on works on liturgy and church theology, which offer English-speaking readers an introductory guide to Orthodox tradition.