The light-giving season

Lord, You have consecrated and given us this light-giving season of abstinence, enable us all to pass through it in compunction and sincerity, living in peace by the power of the Cross, only Lover of mankind!
Hymn of Matins, Wednesday, First week of Lent

Spiritual meat

The season of repentance is at hand: show the fruits of abstinence, O my soul! Consider those who repented in the past and cry aloud to Christ: I have sinned, O Loving Master; save me, as You saved the Publican who sighed with sorrow from his heart, for You alone are rich in Mercy!
Hymn of Matins, Tuesday, first week of Lent

Restrain yourself, soul, from harmful passions, from hate and envy and from every evil. Be nourished in the fast with the spiritual meat from Heaven, which is the Word of God.
Irmos of Matins, Tuesday, first week of Lent

As the Lord killed the enemy by fasting, so let us also come to destroy his arrows and spears, saying: get behind me Satan! When he comes to tempt us.
Irmos of Matins, Tuesday, first week of Lent

Apropos to the first day of the Great Fast

For eating is also a matter of habit.
Abba Dorotheos

This is the time of repentance. This is the day of salvation. This is the beginning of the fast. Be vigilant, my soul! Close the door of your passions and seek the Lord.

Let us present a good fast, well-pleasing to the Lord! A true fast is alienation from the evil one; the holding of one's tongue, the laying aside of all anger, the removal of all sensuality, of accusation, falsehood and sins of swearing. The weakening of these will make the fast true and well-pleasing.