Meatfare Sunday and the Beginning of the Fast

Meatfare Sunday, The Sunday of the Last Judgment, has passed and Great Lent is following soon after Cheesefare Sunday.?

What do these days mean, and what is the fasting supposed to teach us? Below are a couple of articles from jurisdictional Websites that will help explain to us what this season of the year is really all about.

Meatfare Sunday - The Sunday of the Last Judgment.

From the Greek Archdiocese?

{josquote} The Sunday of the Last Judgment is the third Sunday of a three-week period prior to the commencement of Great Lent. On this day, focus is placed on the future judgment of all persons who will stand before the throne of God when Christ returns in His glory.{/josquote}

?Orthodox Fasting After Meatfare Sunday

From the Orthodox Church in America?

{josquote}The Orthodox rules for lenten fasting are the monastic rules. No meat is allowed after Meatfare Sunday, and no eggs or dairy products after Cheesefare Sunday.{/josquote}

Cheesefare Sunday - Sunday of Forgiveness

?From the Greek Archdiocese

{josquote}The Sunday of Forgiveness is the last Sunday prior to the commencement of Great Lent. On the Sunday of Forgiveness focus is placed on the exile of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden, and event that shows us how far we have fallen in sin and separated ourselves from God.{/josquote}