The Song of Tears

I will not be contradicting my conviction that knowledge is not bound to a particular season if I call upon you and myself to devote more time to reading during Lent. All of life is for us to grow in our awareness that God is the Truth. Just as we have eliminated certain foods from our tables during Lent, there are things that we must allow the reading of useful books to eliminate from its days. I have recommended to you so far to read two books during these days. Today, I will also add Olivier Clément's book "The Song of Tears," which is a "Commentary on the Great Canon of Saint Andrew of Crete" (published by An-Nour Orthodox Coop). My regret is that, in most of our congregations, we have dispensed with the reading of this canon in our services. "Clément's" book can assist us, particularly in reintroducing the reading of the canon, whether individually or collectively in mindful gatherings, until it is reinstated in its rightful place within the service. There is nothing more eloquent than walking in company with those who repented to God throughout the course of history! This is a book that supports this eloquence.