Editing Great Lent (section)

====Fifth Week====
{{Main|Great Canon}}
[[Image:Andrew of Crete.jpg|thumb|[[Russian icon|Russian Icon]] depicting [[Andrew of Crete|St. Andrew of Crete]] (left) and [[St. Mary of Egypt]]]]

On Thursday of the Fifth Week, the [[Great Canon]] of [[Andrew of Crete|St. Andrew of Crete]] is chanted in its entirety during [[Orthros]]. This is the longest Canon of the church year, and during the course of its nine [[Ode]]s, most every person mentioned in the Bible is called to mind and tied to the theme of repentance. In anticipation of the Canon, Vespers on Wednesday afternoon is longer than normal, with special [[stichera]] added in honor of the Great Canon. While the Great Canon itself is recited during [[Matins]] for Thursday, this service is usually celebrated by anticipation on the prior Wednesday evening, so that more people can attend.

As a part of the Matins of the Great Canon, the ''Life of St. Mary of Egypt'' by St. [[Sophronius of Jerusalem|Sophronius]], [[Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem|Patriarch of Jerusalem]] (634 - 638) is read, for her example of repentance and overcoming temptation.  On this day also is chanted the famous [[kontakion]],  "My soul, my soul, why sleepest thou..." by St. [[Romanos the Melodist]]. The next day (Thursday morning) a special Presanctified Liturgy is celebrated, and the fast is relaxed slightly (wine and oil are allowed) as consolation after the long service the night before.

Saturday of the Fifth Week is dedicated to the [[Theotokos]] (Mother of God), and is known as the "Saturday of the Akathist" because the [[Akathist]] to the Theotokos is prescribed to be chanted during Matins on that day, though as with the Great Canon, usually done in anticipation on Friday evening to allow more people to attend. 

The Fifth Sunday is dedicated to [[Mary of Egypt|St. Mary of Egypt]], whose ''Life'' was read earlier in the week during the Great Canon.  At the end of the Divine Liturgy many churches celebrate a "Blessing of [[dried fruit|Dried Fruit]]", in commemoration of St. Mary's profound asceticism.