Out and Back Again

In our Orthodox tradition, tomorrow is the Sunday of Forgiveness, as we enter Lent, remembering the expulsion of Adam & Eve from paradise, among other things. From the Matins service:

Sweet seemed to me the taste of the fruit of knowledge in Eden when I took my fill of eating, but the end of it was gall. Woe to thee, O wretched soul! See how uncontrolled desire has made thee an exile from Paradise!...

I lament, I groan, I weep as I look upon the cherubim with the sword of fire set to guard the gate of Eden against all transgressors. Woe is me! I cannot enter unless Thou, O Saviour, dost grant me free approach.

O Christ my Saviour, boldly I put my trust in the abundance of Thy mercies and in the Blood that flowed from Thy divine side; for through Thy Blood Thou has sanctified the nature of mortal man, O loving Lord, and hast opened unto those that worship Thee the gates of Paradise that of old were closed to Adam. (Lenten Triodion, translated by Mother Mary and Archmadrite Kallistos Ware)