Three weeks before Lent proper begins we enter into a period of =pre-Lenten= preparation. It is a constant feature of the Orthodox tradition of worship that every major liturgical event--(Christmas, Easter, Lent)--is announced and prepared in advance. Knowing our lack of concentration, the "worldliness" of our life, the Church calls our attention to the seriousness of the approaching event, invites us to meditate on its significance. Thus, before we can =practice= Lent, we are given its meaning. This preparation includes four consecutive Sundays preceding Lent, each one of them dedicated to some fundamental aspect of repentance. 1. Humility (Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee) On the eve of this day (i.e. on Saturday at Vespers) the liturgical book of the Lenten season--the =Triodion= makes its first appearance and texts from it are added to the usual liturgical material of the weekly Resurrection service. They develop the first major theme of repentance: =humility=. The Gospel lesson (Luke 18:10-14) teaches us that humility is the condition of repentance. The parable of the Publican and Pharisee pictures a man who is always pleased with himself and who thinks that he complies with all the requirements of religion. He is proud of himself and self-assured. In reality, however, he has falsified the meaning of religion. He has reduced it to external observations and he measures his piety by the amount of money he gives to the temple. Religion is for him a source of self-admiration. The Publican humbles himself and humility justifies him before God. "Let us avoid the high-flown speech of the Pharisee"--says the Kontakion of the day--"and learn the majesty of the Publican's humble words." 2. Return to the Father (Sunday of the Prodigal Son)