The Patriarch of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East, His Holiness John X, spoke on the advantages of fasting and forgiveness — in his message to the Orthodox faithful ahead of the commencement of the Great Lent.
In his message ahead of the Great Lent, the 40-day period of fasting, prayer and contemplation preceding Orthodox Easter, the Metropolitan of Warsaw and All Poland, His Beatitude Savva , called on the faithful to open their hearts to the Lord, as part of preparations for Great Lent.