Forgiveness Sunday

Reading from the Synaxarion:

The Holy Fathers have appointed the commemoration of Adam's exile
from the Paradise of delight here, on the eve of the holy Forty-day
Fast, demonstrating to us not by simple words, but by actual deeds, how
beneficial fasting is for man, and how harmful and destructive are insatiety
and the transgressing of the divine commandments. For the first
commandment that God gave to man was that of fasting, which the
first-fashioned received but did not keep; and not only did they not become gods,
as they had imagined, but they lost even that blessed life which
they had, and they fell into corruption and death, and transmitted
these and innumerable other evils to all of mankind. The God-bearing
Fathers set these things before us today, that by bringing to mind what
we have fallen from, and what we have suffered because of the
insatiety and disobedience of the first-fashioned, we might be diligent to
return again to that ancient bliss and glory by means of fasting and
obedience to all the divine commands. Taking occasion from today's Gospel
(Matt. 6:14-21) to begin the Fast unencumbered by enmity, we also ask
forgiveness this day, first from God, then from one another and all creation.

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone
You descended from on high, O compassionate One, and condescended to
be buried for three days, so that from the passions You might set us
free. Our life and resurrection, O Lord, glory be to You.

Resurrectional Kontakion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone
When You had risen from the grave, You also raised those who had died
and resurrected Adam; and now Eve is celebrating in Your
Resurrection, and the ends of the world keep festival, for Your rising from the
dead, O Most-Merciful.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal of the Second Tone
O Master, Prudence, Guide of Wisdom, Instruction to the foolish and
Defender of the poor, strengthen my heart and grant it discernment. Give
me words, Word of the Father, for behold, I shall not keep my lips
from crying out to You, "O Merciful One, have mercy on me who has
fallen."