Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life….
Therefore do not let sin exercise dominion in your mortal bodies, to make you obey their passions. No longer present yourself to sin as instruments of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and present yourselves to God as instruments of righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under the law but under grace. Romans 6: 4, 12-14
In the introduction of this written journey, I recommend that you begin the Lenten season with confession. In the Armenian Church, we always recite a general form of confession before receiving communion. Preparing ourselves for the Lenten journey allows us to deepen our spiritual experience during this solemn season. Once prepared, we can then join in prayer with Saint Gregory. His prayers become our prayers; we join ourselves in prayer with a righteous saint.
Let us pray with St. Gregory:
And now, my heavy laden soul,
what will you do?
For I am incapable of finding my own salvation…
God, Lord of souls and all flesh,
you are long-suffering and abounding in mercy.
Accept the gift of my prayers,
and grant the mercy of your grace and the forgiveness of my sins.
Amen
Prayer 2 A, B, C
