Brothers & Sisters,
I hope you are having a fruitful Lenten struggle!
The second Sunday in Lent is dedicated to the memory of St. Gregory Palamas, a great Byzantine theologian, canonized in 1366. This Sunday is sometimes called the 2nd Triumph of Orthodoxy because Saint Gregory guarded the Church’s hesychastic tradition from the rationalism that was creeping in from the West. Hesychia means inner stillness, the peace of the heart. In the Orthodox Church, hesychia is a complete science for healing thoughts, the heart, and the senses. Theology means speaking about God based on knowledge and experience of Him. Hesychia is the way in which we acquire this spiritual knowledge of God.
IMPORTANT! PLEASE use this link to book an appointment with Father Mark for confession, spiritual counseling, and pastoral guidance. There are still a great number of spots available through the first week of April. PLEASE BOOK YOUR LENTEN CONFESSIONS ASAP! Father Mark will not be hearing confessions during HOLY WEEK.
Also, we have not announced this widely but we are now allowed 40 people in the Nave – previously it was only 30. I continue to schedule people in the nave so If you have not been scheduled in the last 4 weeks, please let me know! Sign up to attend this weekend’s service in the other locations of the Temple here!
Join us live for all services at this link or on Facebook:
https://zoom.us/j/6683059084?pwd=azNnT3hlUDRUR3Y4K1liTFhpaUZmUT09
WEEKLY LENTEN SERVICES (no sign-ups)
Wednesdays @ 5:30 PM – Lenten Hours
Wednesdays @ 6:00 PM – Presanctified Liturgy of St. Gregory the Dialogist (fast from at LEAST 1:00 PM if you plan to commune)
Fridays @ 6:00 PM – Little Compline with the Akathist Hymn to the Theotokos
THE ANNUNCIATION OF THE THEOTOKOS (no sign-ups)
Thursday, March 25th @ 6:00 PM – Vesperal Divine Liturgy
SAINT GREGORY OF PALAMAS
Saturday, March 27th @ 5:00 PM – Great Vespers
Sunday, March 28th @ 9:00 AM – Orthros & Divine Liturgy
SUNDAY OF THE HOLY CROSS
Saturday, April 3rd @ 5:00 PM – Great Vespers
Sunday, April 4th @ 9:00 AM – Orthros & Divine Liturgy with the procession of the Holy Cross.
Fasting Calendar: Strict fast with and allowance for wine and olive oil on Saturday & Sunday. Fast is lightened on Thursday, March 25th for the Great Feast of the Annunciation of the Theotokos with an allowance for Fish, Wine, and Oil.
Other Happenings:
Camp Saint Mary of Egypt – After initial hope, unfortunately, due to a myriad of circumstances and considerations, it has become too formidable to be able to have camp this year. Camp Saint Mary of Egypt is canceled this year.
Invitation from Khouria Michelle for the Women of the Parish– “Coffee with Khouria: where you can Laugh a latte” – Saturdays from 8:00 AM to 8:45 AM on ZOOM. An opportunity to fellowship with the other woman of the parish. https://zoom.us/j/6683059084?pwd=azNnT3hlUDRUR3Y4K1liTFhpaUZmUT09 Following “Coffee with Khouria” there will be a book study of Abba Dorotheos’ “Discourses and Sayings”.
Catechumen Class – Saturday, March 27th @ ~3:30 PM (before vespers): We will continue our discussion of the Initiation Rites of the Orthodox Church. We will meet in person at the Church and stream over Zoom.
Please let me know if you have any questions!
Asking your prayers,
Deacon Matthew