This year we commenced our season of repentance on the evening of Monday 2 March with Great Compline and the reading of the Great Canon of Saint Andrew of Crete.  Great Compline is a simple, solemn and characteristically Lenten service of psalms and prayers.  In accordance with Orthodox custom, Great Compline with further portions of the Great Canon was served on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings.  In addition, on the evening of Sunday 8 March we had Vespers with the First Passia.  At the Passia chapters 26 and 27 of Saint Matthew's Gospel were read in English.