[Mary Naeem]

Pope Shenouda III







Furthermore, the Church established the fast of Jonah also in preparation for Lent.
The fast of Jonah or Nineveh occurs two weeks before Lent and has the same rite and tunes. It heralds the coming of Lent and prepares the congregation to repentance which is the essence of the fast of Nineveh.
In the same way that the Church has taken pains to prepare the its offspring for Lent. We should do our part by receiving it with the same concern.