Instructions of St Ambrose of Milan for the beginning of the Great Fast

Behold, Dearly Beloved, the sacred days are drawing near, the acceptable time, of which it is written: Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. (II Cor. 6: 2). And so you must be more earnest in prayer and in almsgiving, in fasting and in watching. He that till now has given alms, in these days let him give more; for as water quencheth a flaming fire, so does almsgiving wipe out sin (Eccles. 3: 33). He that till now fasted and prayed, let him fast and pray more: for there are certain sins which are not cast out, except by prayer and fasting. (Mt. 17: 20).


Should anyone cherish anger towards another, let him forgive him from his heart. Should anyone take unjustly what belongs to another, let him restore it; and if not fourfold, at least what he has taken; if he desires God to be merciful to himself (Luke 19: 8). And though a Christian should abstain at all times from cursings and revilings, from oaths, from excessive laughter, and from idle words, he must do this especially in these holy days, which are set apart so that, during these forty days, he may by repentance wipe out the sins of the whole year.

Let you believe, and believe firmly, that if in these days you have made a thorough confession of your sins, and repented as we have told you, you shall receive from our Most Merciful Lord the pardon of all your offences; as did the Ninivites, who earned deliverance in sackcloth and ashes (John 3). So you also, following their example, if you cry out to the Lord, you will invoke His mercy on you, so that serene and joyful you will celebrate the day of the Lord's Resurrection, and, thus blessed, you will after this life cross over to your heavenly home, by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who with the Father and the Holy Spirit livest and reignest, unto the ages of ages. Amen.