In this sermon we reflect on one of the most important themes of Great Lent in Orthodox Christianity: spiritual struggle and victory. Many people think of Lent only as a time of fasting and repentance, but the Orthodox Church teaches that these struggles lead toward the victory of Christ’s Resurrection. The Cross may look like defeat, but in the Gospel it becomes the instrument of salvation.

The Orthodox Christian life includes real spiritual effort. Prayer, fasting, and repentance reveal the passions that hold us back from God. During Lent we often see our weaknesses more clearly, and this can feel discouraging. Yet the Church reminds us that these struggles are part of the healing of the soul. When we fight against sin, we are learning to share in Christ’s victory.

This teaching matters because every Christian experiences moments of ...