Brothers & Sisters,
Christ is in our midst!
There is a lot going on in our parish as we enter fall. Please read the entirety of this email.
This Sunday, we commemorate the Beheading of the Holy and Glorious Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptist John. We read in the Gospels that John had publicly reprimanded Herod for taking his brother’s wife as his own, so Herod had him imprisoned. Although Herod really wanted John dead, he feared the many people who believed John to be a prophet. During his riotous birthday party, Herod was so pleased with the dancing of his wife’s daughter Salome that he promised her anything she wanted. Her mother prompted her to say, “the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” Even though Herod regretted his promise, he had to abide by it because his guests had heard him. So, he commanded that John be beheaded and that the head be given to Salome, who in turn, gave it to her mother.
We will continue to stream Sunday services at this link or on Facebook:
https://zoom.us/j/6683059084?pwd=azNnT3hlUDRUR3Y4K1liTFhpaUZmUT09
BEHEADING OF THE HOLY AND GLORIOUS PROPHET, FORERUNNER AND BAPTIST JOHN
Saturday, August 28th @ 5:00 PM – Great Vespers
Sunday, August 29th @ 9:00 AM –Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy
11TH SUNDAY OF MATTHEW
Saturday, September 4th @ 5:00 PM – Great Vespers
Sunday, September 5th @ 9:00 AM –Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy
THE NATIVITY OF OUR MOST HOLY LADY THE THEOTOKOS AND EVER-VIRGIN MARY
Tuesday, September 7th @ 6:00 PM – Vesperal Divine Liturgy
During this Great Feast, we remember how in preparation for the mystery of His Incarnation, Christ chose the holiest from each generation of His ancestors according to the flesh until He came to Joachim and Anna, the righteous forebearers of God. The parents of the Theotokos. They enshrined the holiness of all the ancestors, and correspondingly He was well pleased that His Mother according to the flesh should be born of them.
SUNDAY BEFORE HOLY CROSS
Saturday, September 11th @ 5:00 PM – Great Vespers
Sunday, September 12th @ 9:00 AM –Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy
THE ELEVATION OF THE VENERABLE AND LIFE-GIVING CROSS
Monday, September 13th – All-Night Vigil
@ 5:00 PM – Festal Vespers
@~6:00 PM – Festal Orthros
@~7:00 PM – Divine Liturgy
Come when you can come! If you are not able to make it in time for Vespers, come to Orthros, if you’re not able to make it in time for Orthros, come to Divine Liturgy! What is important – is to come to this Great Feast!!!
Fasting Calendar:
On August 29th, we commemorate the beheading of Saint John the Forerunner. The Orthodox Church keeps this day as a strict fast day as a reminder that we are to live a different style of life than Herod whose riotous living led him to behead the Forerunner. In memory of this event, some Orthodox Christians keep the custom of not using plates on this day, since John’s head was served on a dish/platter. Instead, only bowls are used. Also, the food that is served on this day should not require the use of a knife, since a sharp instrument was used to behead him.
Other Happenings:
Do you live in the Caldwell area? We have a gentleman who needs a ride to and from Church on Sundays who lives off of Linden and Indiana Avenue in Caldwell. If you are able to help him out, contact Me for details!
Men’s Golf Driving Range Outing: 2:00 PM on August 28th @ Lakeview Golf Course (4200 W Talamore Blvd, Meridian)
“We learn so many things from golf – how to suffer, for instance.” – Bruce Lansky. The Men of Holy Transfiguration will meet for an afternoon of fellowship and co-suffering at the driving range. Dust off your clubs and come join us!
General Parish Book Study: “The Religion of the Apostles: Orthodox Christianity in the First Century” by Fr Stephen De Young – Wednesday, September 1st following the daily service until 8:00 PM. We will discuss Chapter 4 – “The Spiritual Powers of Evil and Human Rebellion.” PLEASE JOIN US!
Educational Conference: Friday, September 10th & Saturday, September 11th – “The Inner Heaven of Man: The Healing of the Mind, Heart, and Will according to St. Nicholai of Zica the Serbian saint who compiled the Prologue of Ohrid” by Father John Finley
Catechism Classes begin Sunday, September 12th @ 1:00 PM
Are you or do you know someone who is interested in the Faith of the Orthodox? Join us in the Nave as we begin this year’s Catechism classes. In the first TWO introductory classes, we will answer the questions
- What is Catechism?
- What is the Orthodox Church?
- The Foundations of the claim – The Orthodox Church is the original Christian Church, established by our Lord Jesus Christ upon the foundation of the Apostles, Himself being the chief cornerstone, and enlivened by the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost.
- What is the Gospel?
- How do I become an Orthodox Christian?
SUNDAY School Happenings!
Sunday, September 19th –
Blessing of the Sunday School Teachers & Students in anticipation of classes starting the next week. Bring your kids to Divine Liturgy that day so they may be blessed by Father for the school year!!!
2nd Annual Sunday School Kickoff – Join us in celebrating the start of Sunday School. All will gather for Agape at Storey Park following service that day. Food will be provided by that week’s agape meal group. Bring your picnic blankets and chairs. Everyone is welcome! The kids will play and the rest of us can visit. (Note: Park located on corner of Meridian and Franklin; 205 E Franklin Rd, Meridian, ID 83642)
Sunday, September 26th –
The Beginning of Sunday School: Details and registration will be emailed out via HTOCSundaySchool@gmail.com.
Contact Mary J. (Sunday School Director) with questions.
Russian Food Festival – Oct 2nd: Please MARK your calendars! For the past 4 years, we have helped our sister parish Saint Seraphim of Sarov Russian Orthodox Church with their Russian Food Festival. They cannot manage the food festival on their own. Our parish has committed to helping them make the festival successful. If anyone of you has gone to the festival, you know that there are hundreds of people that come to enjoy homemade, fresh, and delicious Russian food which takes A LOT of time to prepare. Saint Seraphim share a portion of the proceeds of the festival with us. Typically, crunch time is the week prior to the opening and through the festival itself – Sept. 27th – Oct. 3rd! Please put this on your calendars today!
Asking your prayers,
Deacon Matthew