Orthodoxy in America
The Feast of Holy Theophany
The focus of this great feast is the Lord’s baptism in the river Jordan by St. John the Forerunner. We call this feast Holy Theophany, for it is revealed at Jesus Christ’s baptism that He is the Son of God. Indeed, the Holy Trinity is revealed at His baptism, for the Father says, “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased,” and the Holy Spirit descends upon Him in the form of a dove.
The meaning of the Feast of Christmas is fulfilled at Theophany, for now it is made clear that the One born in Bethlehem is truly God, come to restore our fallen nature and to renew the entire creation by uniting humanity with divinity in Himself. For the entire creation was subjected to futility because of the rebellion of our first parents. As St. Paul wrote to the Romans, “the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now” for it also “will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. "
But we must take our reflections on this feast one step further. It was the great power and grace of Christ that cleansed the waters and prepared the way for the true baptism of all believers. But it was the love and compassion of Christ that caused Him to enter into the water and take on the sins of all mankind. Christ, who had no need of cleansing, stepped into the waters of the Jordan, and took on all the evil and pollution of mankind for all time. What great love this is! He did not take on the burden of the sins of His friends only, but of all mankind. Those who loved Him and those who hated Him and had no gratitude for what He did.
Let the feast of Theophany renew our strength to keep our fidelity to the Savior with Whom we have united, Whom we have accepted into our hearts through the sacrament of Baptism, and to Whom we must be faithful to the end of our lives.
Amen.
Service Schedule
Tues., Jan. 5 Vespers at 6PM Theophany…Blessing of Water
Please bring a container for holy water.
Wed., Jan. 6 Theophany… Divine Liturgy at 10AM …Blessing of water
Church Reopening
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Dear Parishioners of St. Mary’s Orthodox Church, Our church is open! We sent a letter to His Grace, Metropolitan Tikhon stating all the efforts we intended to do in order to make the Church safe for our parishioners. These efforts include thorough cleaning after every service with recommended cleaners, having hand wipes, hand sanitizers, masks, plastic gloves and digital thermometers located at the entrance of the Church, accurately measuring and marking where to sit inside of the church to maintain appropriate social distancing , and posting the CDC guidelines both outside and inside of the Church to alert people of what is required to enter the Church. As a result, His Grace Tikhon granted us permission to open the Church. Since February, monetary donations have declined to the point where the total of offerings are not nearly enough to cover monthly expenditures. We are now experiencing a Financial Crisis. Understandably, attendance has been down, however, the expenses to keep the Church open remain the same. The Church Council is meeting to see what can be done to reduce our expenses. However, big ticket items such as Insurance on the Church and Rectory, the Pastor’s Salary, yearly Fuel for Church and Rectory and Electricity for Church and Rectory are necessary to remain open. In addition to all these costs, we have general maintenance expenses. I realize it is difficult for all of us now. Some people are out of work or are experiencing other problems. I encourage you to come to the Church. It is safe. All CDC rules and regulations are enforced to create a safe environment. If you are not able to come to Church, please consider sending your offerings. Every donation will help to keep our Church functioning during this difficult time. God Bless You! Yours in Christ, Barbara Driscoll, Church Council President . The following safety precautions will be observed 1) Sign-in Sheet – the date and type of service and a list of persons attending (including children over the age of 5) will kept on file in the parish office for each time the church is opened for services. Each household shall provide a telephone number to facilitate contact tracing if necessary. 2) Those coming to church should take their temperature at home that day. Those with a temperature of 100.4 or above should not enter. We have a no contact infrared thermometer available at church to use before entering for those who did not have a thermometer at home. 3) Choir – we have a designated area for the choir which can accommodate 5 stands keeping social distance rules. 4) Collection plate – a box for offerings was placed by the doors of the church. 5) Candles shall not be handled by worshippers. Instead, we have an appointed person that lights candles for those present in the church to prevent contamination. 6) Those who are symptomatic or ill will not be allowed to attend. 7) If it is discovered someone who is ill with the coronavirus has been in church, services may not be held in the church for at least two weeks. 8) Those who are compromised with regard to their health or elderly will be encouraged to stay home. 9) The church is cleaned and disinfected before and after each service by designated cleaning people. We are using hospital grade Cavicide and 70% alcohol based disinfectants. We have hand sanitizers, Clorox Wipes, gloves and masks available for anyone who needs. They are visibly displayed at the entrance of the church, by the candle desk and on a table in the middle of the church. 10) A sign with all the rules and disclosures, as well as release of all claims, was posted on the Church doors and visibly through the church entrance hallway. Only those persons who have the permission of the rector to be present may enter. |
Pashal Message from Our Metropolitan TikhonTo the Venerable Clergy, Monastics, and Faithful of the Orthodox Church in America,
Christ is Risen! Indeed, He is Risen!
Today we celebrate the feast of feasts, the radiant joyful feast of the Lord’s Resurrection. He became a man likeus,andwascrucified,suffered,andwasburiedforus.Andtoday,afterthreedaysinthetomb,He rises from the dead, offering us all the promise of Resurrection unto eternal life.
Our life in the Resurrection begins even now. Although we still live in the flesh, we should not live according to the flesh, onlythinkingofourownbodilyneedsanddesires.JesusChrist’sResurrectioncalls us, regardless of our situation in life, to live spiritually mature lives even now. The essence of such a spiritual life is to lay down one’s life for others, inimitationofChristwhodiedforthebenefitofall.This is the callingofthenewlifethatChrist’sResurrectiongivesus:“sothatasChristwasraisedfromthedead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4).”
To the Venerable Clergy, Monastics, and Faithful of the Orthodox Church in America,
Christ is Risen! Indeed, He is Risen!
Today we celebrate the feast of feasts, the radiant joyful feast of the Lord’s Resurrection. He became a man likeus,andwascrucified,suffered,andwasburiedforus.Andtoday,afterthreedaysinthetomb,He rises from the dead, offering us all the promise of Resurrection unto eternal life.
Our life in the Resurrection begins even now. Although we still live in the flesh, we should not live according to the flesh, onlythinkingofourownbodilyneedsanddesires.JesusChrist’sResurrectioncalls us, regardless of our situation in life, to live spiritually mature lives even now. The essence of such a spiritual life is to lay down one’s life for others, inimitationofChristwhodiedforthebenefitofall.This is the callingofthenewlifethatChrist’sResurrectiongivesus:“sothatasChristwasraisedfromthedead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4).”
Christ is Risen! Indeed, He is Risen!
+Tikhon Archbishop of Washington Metropolitan of All America and Canada
Palm Sunday and Holy Week
When Jesus entered Jerusalem after raising Lazarus from the dead, the whole city exploded in joy and anticipation.The multitudes greated Him with palms and covered the road with their garments crying “Blessed is He Who comes in the Name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!” (Mark 11:9-10). And what did they mean by “the coming kingdom of our father David?” They meant the death of Rome, free Jerusalem, and Messianic kingdom. This is not, however, the kingdom that was actually coming. Messiah didn't come to kill Romans. He would be killed by the Romans to save the whole world.
On Palm Sunday, we begin the celebration of Holy Week—a 10-day long procession to the Cross, to the tomb, and to the Resurrection. And as we get ready, our Lord extends the same invitation to us as He extended to James and John. He first says to each of us, “are you able and willing to drink the cup that I drink from? Are you able to walk with me through Holy Week? Are you willing to be by my side, and to carry my Cross with me?” It is our privilege and responsibility to accompany Christ to Golgotha to the extent that our lives make that possible, especially by our participation in the services that guide us to Golgotha and beyond—to the empty tomb.
Despite of quarantine, we can still do that thanks to many live-streamed services offered by OCA and many other orthodox monasteries and churches:
http://www.orthodoxmonasteryellwoodcity.org/chapel
https://www.youtube.com/user/StJohnDC (these services are mostly in Slavonic)
Please notice: no pussywillows will be available this Sunday. Fr. Vladimir will bless pussywillows on and keep them in cool place to be distributed after quarantine is over.
Helpful resources
It's very important for us to keep praying in this difficult times. In fact, we should use this opportunity to pray more than we usually do as we have more time home. Please find live streams of services. Due to fast changing situation, some churches may be closing. We hope that at least some will still work.
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http://www.orthodoxmonasteryellwoodcity.org/chapel https://www.youtube.com/user/StJohnDC https://www.stjohnsmayfield.org/announcements/ https://www.acrod.org/organizations/cathedral/live/liveviewer https://myocn.net/holy-virgin-protection-cathedral/ https://www.stnicholasstratford.org/
Radio https://www.pravoslavnoeradio.com/
Gospel readings of the day with commentaries in Russian
OCA Church School offers online classes for the following sections: grades 3-5; grades 6-8; grades 9-12. Classes start on March 25 at 12:30pm Pacific Time, click on this link to be taken to the on-line Zoom classroom. Registration is not necessary. https://zoom.us/j/3596453184
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PRAYER IN TIME OF DEVASTATING EPIDEMIC AND DEATHBEARING PESTILENCE
0 Lord, our God, look down from Thy Holy Heaven on the supplication ofus, Thy sinful and unworthy servants, who have angered Thy graciousness by our transgressions, and have provoked Thy deep compas-sion, and enter not into judgment with Thy servants. But do Thou turn aside Thy fearsome anger that justly has seized us, appease the destructive threatening, avert Thy terrible sword that, although invisible, is cutting us grievously, and spare Thy poor and needy servants. Enclose not with death the souls of us who have fallen down in repentance with broken hearts and tears before Thee, our kindhearted, condescending and accommodating God.
114 For Thine it is to show mercy and to save, 0 our God, and unto Thee do we send up glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages
МОЛИТВА ВО ВРЕМЯ ГУБИТЕЛЬНОГО ПОВЕТРИЯ И СМЕРТОНОСНОЙ ЗАРАЗЫ
Господи Боже наш, призри с высоты святыя Твоея на молитву нас грешных и недостойных рабов Твоих, беззаконьми нашими Твою благость прогневавших, и милосердие Твое раздраживших, и не вниди в суд с рабами Твоими, но отврати страшный гнев Твой праведно на нас движимый, утоли губительное прещение, устави грозный Твой меч, невидимо безвременно секущий нас, и пощади нищих и убогих рабов Твоих, и не затвори в смерти души наша, в покаянии сокрушенным сердцем и со слезами к Тебе, Милосердому, Благоуветливому, и Благопременительному Богу нашему припадающих. Твое бо есть еже миловати и спасати ны, Боже наш, и Тебе славу возсылаем, Отцу и Сыну и Святому Духу, ныне, и присно, и во веки веков. Аминь.
Schedule of services this week
Tues., Dec. 31 Vespers at 5PM New Years Eve
Wed., Jan. 1 Cicumcision of The Lord Divine Liturgy at 10 AM….New Years Day
Sat., Jan. 4 Vespers 6PM followed by General Confession
Sun., Jan. 5, Divine Liturgy at 10 AM
Sun., Jan., 5 Great Vespers 5PM Theophany; The Blessing of Water
Mon. Jan., 6 Theophany; Divine Liturgy at 10AM. The Blessing of Water
Please remember to bring a container for the Holy Water.
Holy Theophany
On January 6th, Orthodox Christians gather together for the Feast of Theophany. This feast is the third most important feast day in the Orthodox Church (after Pascha and Pentecost). Yes, it’s even more important than Christmas! On this day, we commemorate the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan by St. John the Forerunner. Another name for the feast is Theophany, for it is shown—it is revealed at Jesus Christ’s baptism—that He is the Son of God. Indeed, the Holy Trinity is revealed at His baptism, for the Father says, “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased,” and the Holy Spirit descends upon Him in the form of a dove.
Nativity Of Our Lord Jesus Christ
Christ is born! Glorify Him!
Let's joyously celebrate coming of our Lord together
Dec. 24 at 5 PM Christmas Eve, Nativity Eve Vigil Services followed by the Holy Supper. Traditional Lenten food will be served. Stay with us, join our family in Christ.
Tue., Dec. 25, 10 AM Divine Liturgy, Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ followed by special brunch and Christmas concert.
Sing along with our church choir. Program includes traditional Christmas hymns, spirituals, and carols from all over the world along with modern festive songs.
Bring families and friends, everybody is welcomer!
Annual Thanksgiving Dinner
Turkey dinner will be hosted on Sunday, Nov. 10, after divine Liturgy. Tickets will be available at the door. Adults $15 and children 10 years and over $10.
Join us to celebrate end of the fall season, share the meal with us or take out home-made delicious food.
Our famous freshly baked nut rolls will be on sale.
Raffle drawing will be held after the dinner. Raffle tickets are still available.
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