The Great Lent: From Cana to the Upper Room

The Great Lent: From Cana to the Upper Room

As the Holy Church enters the sacred season of the Great Lent, the faithful embark on a spiritual journey that begins with the joy of a wedding and culminates in the mystery of the Last Supper. Each step along the way reveals a deeper understanding of Christ’s mission, preparing the Church for the ultimate sacrifice and the joy of the Resurrection.

The Wedding at Cana: A Foreshadowing of the Eucharist

On the first day of Lent, the Church remembers the first public miracle of Jesus at the wedding in Cana. The transformation of water into wine was more than a simple act of kindness—it was a revelation of what was to come.

Wine, which was once an element of celebration, would later become the sign of the new covenant. At the Last Supper, Jesus would take the cup and declare, “This is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many” (Mark 14:24). From the very beginning of his ministry, Christ was preparing his people to receive the mystery of the Eucharist.

The abundance of wine at Cana foreshadowed the overflowing grace of the new covenant. Just as the best wine was saved for last, so too was the greatest gift—his own Body and Blood—given at the appointed time, fulfilling all that had come before.

The Feeding of the Five Thousand: The Bread That Endures

As Lent progresses, the Church also recalls the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves. When Jesus fed the multitude, he took the bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to the people—actions that would later be repeated at the Last Supper.

The leftover fragments collected after the miracle consisted only of bread, not fish. This detail holds deep significance. The bread remained because it pointed to something greater: the Eucharist, the true Bread of Life that would never perish.

Fish, while an important symbol of Christ and his disciples, served a different role. It was nourishment for that moment, but not meant for preservation. In contrast, the bread represented what was to be everlasting—just as in the Eucharist, the Body of Christ remains with his Church forever.

The Role of Fish in Christ’s Post-Resurrection Appearances

After his resurrection, Jesus appeared to his disciples and ate a piece of broiled fish before them (Luke 24:42-43). By doing so, he demonstrated that he was not a mere spirit but had truly risen in the flesh. Later, by the Sea of Tiberias, he prepared fish and bread for his disciples, once again confirming the reality of his bodily resurrection (John 21:9-13).

In the apostolic tradition, all three elements—bread, wine, and fish—carry significance. Bread and wine became the central elements of the Eucharist, as instituted by Christ himself. Fish, while deeply symbolic of Christ’s presence and mission, was associated with his post-resurrection appearances rather than the sacramental mystery of the Eucharist.

Lenten Abstinence and the Restriction of Fish

In the Syriac Orthodox tradition, the fasting regulations for Lent have varied over time and across regions. Historically, fish was not among the restricted foods in Syriac practice, as fasting primarily involved abstinence from meat and dairy. However, in the Malankara tradition, a stricter discipline emerged, prohibiting even fish during Lent.

This development may have been influenced by a desire for a deeper ascetic practice or by local monastic traditions. Regardless of the specific restrictions observed, the purpose of fasting remains the same: self-discipline, purification, and preparation for the great mystery of Pascha.

The Journey to Pascha: From Cana to the Upper Room

The Great Lent is not just a season of abstinence but a journey of transformation. It begins with the joy of Cana, where Christ reveals his power to bring new life. It continues with the multiplication of the loaves, where he provides a glimpse of the eternal nourishment of the Eucharist. Finally, it leads to the Upper Room, where he offers himself as the true Bread of Life and the Cup of Salvation.

At the Last Supper, Jesus fulfilled what had been foreshadowed throughout his ministry. He took the bread and wine and gave them new meaning:

• The bread, preserved in the miracle of the loaves, became his Body.

• The wine, made abundant at Cana, became his Blood.

Through these sacred gifts, Christ unites himself with his Church, offering eternal life to all who partake.

Thus, as the faithful journey through the Lenten season, they are invited to reflect on this divine preparation—from Cana to the feeding of the multitude, to the mystery of Peshaha. This path leads not to sorrow, but to the glory of the Resurrection, where the promise of the Eucharist is fulfilled in eternal life.