Gesimatide (Three Weeks Before Lent)

By Bp. Joseph Boyd (Ancient Church of the West) 

Gesimatide is the three week period leading up to Holy and Great Lent. Traditionally, it was a time for everyone to prepare for the hardships to come, physically and spiritually, in the vegan fasting of 40 days of Lent, and the 6 days of Holy Week. During this period, people ate winter “comfort food”, soups, pies and enjoyed the winter snow! Preparing for Lent means that we prepare for purification, for suffering, and for self-denial. During this time of purple-hued preparation, we experience a time of joy, before the darker realities of human sin and brokenness were revealed by the struggles of fasting, and look forward to the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and the reception of His paschal Light! 

Prayer for Septuagesima

O Lord, we beseech Thee to graciously hear the prayers of Thy people, that we who are justly afflicted by our sins, may be delivered through Thy mercy and for the glory of Thy name; through Jesus Christ Thy Son, our Lord, who livest and reignest with Thee and the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.

Prayer for Sexagesima 

O Lord our God, Who sees that we put not our trust in any thing that we do: mercifully grant, that by Thy power, we may be defended against all adversity; through Jesus Christ Thy Son, our Lord, who livest and reignest with Thee and the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.

Prayer for Quinquagesima

O Lord, we beseech Thee graciously hear our prayers; and releasing us from the bonds of our sins, guard us from all adversity; through Jesus Christ Thy Son, our Lord, who livest and reignest with Thee and the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.