On March 4, on Wednesday of the first week of Lent the Rector of St. George Church, Archpriest Igor Tarasov served the Compline with the reading of penitential Canon of St. Andrew of Crete.

This Canon is composed as a conversation of a person with his own soul. It reveals that often we imitate sinners mentioned in the Scripture but do not wish to follow the steps of the righteous ones. It also calls us to bring the fruits of repentance and not to exalt ourselves.

Following the service the Rector preached a sermon regarding the beginning of Lent. He compared that important season with spring which begins at this time of the year. Lent is supposed to be our spiritual spring because it is intended to renew our spiritual life and forces. Such renewal requires a lot of efforts and may cause some hardships because we may be tempted and tested. But with God’s help we may overcome those difficulties and become victorious in our endeavors.