St. Matthew the Apostle Orthodox Church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana

2010-06-25T20:26:00.000-07:00

We've moved!
Please visit our new web site:

www.stmatthewbr.org

2010-06-19T06:43:00.000-07:00

The 4th Sunday after Pentecost

Hieromartyr Methodius of Patar

Saturday, June 19

Great Vespers 5:00 PM

Confessions after Vespers

Sunday, June 20

Third Hour Prayers ~9:45 AM

Divine Liturgy 10:00 AM

2010-06-11T08:05:00.000-07:00

The 3rd Sunday after Pentecost

Saturday, June 12

Great Vespers 5:00 PM

Confessions after Vespers

Sunday, June 13

Third Hour Prayers 9:45 AM

Divine Liturgy 10:00 AM

2010-06-03T10:46:00.000-07:00

The 2nd Sunday after Pentecost

All Saints of North America

All Saints of Russia

No Vespers Saturday Evening, June 5

Sunday, June 6

Third Hour Prayers 9:45 AM

Divine Liturgy, with Christmation 10:00 AM

Confessions may be made before liturgy, beginning at 9:30 AM

2010-05-28T06:39:00.000-07:00

Sunday of All Saints

The 1st Sunday after Pentecost

Saturday, May 29

Great Vespers 5:00 PM

Confessions may be made after Vespers

Sunday, May 30

Third Hour Prayers 9:45 AM

Divine Liturgy 10:00 AM

2010-05-21T07:29:00.001-07:00

Holy Pentecost

Day of the Holy Trinity

Saturday, May 22

Great Vespers 5:00 PM

Sunday, May 23

Choir Practice 9:00 AM

Third Hour Prayers ~9:45 AM

Festal Divine Liturgy 10:00 AM

Vesperal Kneeling Prayers immediately after Liturgy

Church Picnic / Cookout at 3:00 PM

Maps and Directions available at the Church

2010-05-14T16:18:00.000-07:00

The 7th Sunday of Pascha

Afterfeast of the Ascension

Sunday of the Holy Fathers

of the First Ecumenical Council

Saturday, May 15

Great Vespers 5:00 PM

Sunday, May 16

Adult Catechism 9:00 AM

Third Hour Prayers ~9:45 AM

Divine Liturgy 10:00 AM

2010-05-12T10:29:00.000-07:00

The Ascension of our Lord

God and Savior Jesus Christ

Thursday, May 13

Divine Liturgy 10:00 AM

God has gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet.

Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises!

- Psalm 47:5-6

2010-05-08T06:47:00.000-07:00

The Sixth Sunday of Pascha

Sunday of the Man Born Blind

Saturday, May 8

Great Vespers 5:00 PM

Sunday, May 9

Adult Catechism 9:00 AM

Third Hour Prayers ~9:45 AM

Divine Liturgy 10:00 AM

2010-04-30T09:49:00.000-07:00

The Fifth Sunday of Pascha

Sunday of the Samaritan Woman

(Saint Photini / Svetlana / Claire)

Saturday, May 1

Great Vespers 5:00 PM

Sunday, May 2

Children's Class 9:00 AM

Third Hour Prayers ~9:45 AM

Divine Liturgy 10:00 AM

2010-04-23T07:20:00.000-07:00

Sunday of the Paralytic

The Fourth Sunday of Pascha

Schedule for this Weekend

Saturday, April 24

Great Vespers 5:00 PM

Sunday, April 25

Adult Catechism 9:00 AM

Third Hour Prayers ~9:45 AM

Divine Liturgy 10:00 AM

2010-04-23T07:10:00.000-07:00

April 23:

The Great Martyr George

This glorious and victorious saint was born in Cappadocia the son of wealthy and virtuous parents. His father suffered for Christ and his mother then moved to Palestine. When George grew up, he entered the military, where in his twentieth year, attained the rank of a Tribune and as such was in the service of the Emperor Diocletian. When Diocletian began the terrible persecution against Christians, George came before him and courageously confessed that he is a Christian. The emperor had him thrown into prison and ordered that his feet be placed in a stockade of wooden hobbles and that a heavy stone be placed on his chest. After that, the emperor commanded that George be tied to a wheel under which was a board with large nails and he was to be rotated until his entire body became as one bloody wound. After that, they buried him in a pit with only his head showing above the ground and there they left him for three days and three nights. Then George was given a deadly poison to drink by some magician. But, through all of these sufferings, George continuously prayed to God and God healed him instantly and saved him from death to the great astonishment of the people. When he resurrected a dead man through his prayer, many then accepted the Faith of Christ. Among these also was Alexandra, the wife of the Emperor Athanasius, the chief pagan priest and the farmers: Glycerius, Valerius, Donatus and Therinus. Finally the emperor ordered George and his wife Alexandra beheaded. Blessed Alexandra died on the scaffold before being beheaded. St. George was beheaded in the year 303 A.D. The miracles which have occurred over the grave of St. George are without number. Numerous are his appearances, either in dreams or openly, to those who have invoked him and implored his help from that time until today. Enflamed with love for Christ the Lord, it was not difficult for this saintly George to leave all for the sake of this love: rank, wealth, imperial honor, his friends and the entire world. For this love, the Lord rewarded him with the wealth of unfading glory in heaven and on earth and eternal life in His kingdom. In addition, the Lord bestowed upon him the power and authority to assist all those in miseries and difficulties who honor him and call upon his name. - from the Prologue of Ochrid

2010-04-17T05:34:00.000-07:00

Sunday of the Holy

Myrrhbearing Women

Saturday, April 17

Great Vespers 5:00 PM

Sunday, April 18

Adult Catechism 9:00 AM

Third Hour Prayers 9:45 AM

Divine Liturgy 10:00 AM

2010-04-10T05:03:00.000-07:00

The Second Sunday of Pascha

Sunday of Saint Thomas

Saturday, April 10

Great Vespers 5:00 PM

Sunday, April 11

No Adult Catechism

Third Hour Prayers 9:45 AM

Divine Liturgy 10:00 AM

2010-03-30T07:05:00.001-07:00

Nocturn, Paschal Matins,

and Divine Liturgy

of Great and Holy Pascha

Saturday Night, April 3

beginning at 10:00 PM

bring bells for the Paschal Procession - and also bring

something to share for the Feast after the Liturgy!

(no services on Sunday morning, April 4)

Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!

2010-03-27T06:00:00.000-07:00

Lazarus Saturday, March 27

Great Vespers 5:00 PM

Confessions may be made after Vespers

Palm Sunday, March 28

Choir Practice 9:00 AM

Third Hour Prayers 9:45 AM

Blessing of the Palms and Divine Liturgy 10:00 AM

Festive Coffee Hour (Fish, Wine, and Oil) after Liturgy -

Bring Something to Share!

2010-03-22T09:17:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, March 24

Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts - 6:00 PM

Forefeast of the Annunciation

2010-03-13T04:21:00.000-08:00

The Fourth Sunday of Great Lent

Sunday of Saint John Climacus

Saturday, March 13

Great Vespers 5:00 PM

Confessions after Vespers

Sunday, March 14

Adult Catechism 9:00 AM

Third Hour Prayers 9:45 AM

Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil 10:00 AM

2010-03-09T07:11:00.000-08:00

Please Remember:

Divine Liturgy of the

Presanctified Gifts

Wednesday, March 10 at 6:00 PM

2010-03-04T12:02:00.000-08:00

The Third Sunday of Great Lent

The Veneration of the

Holy & Life Giving Cross

Saturday, March 6

Great Vespers 5:00 PM

Confessions after Vespers

Sunday, March 7

Children's Class 9:00 AM

Third Hour Prayers ~ 9:45 AM

Veneration of the Holy Cross, followed by the Divine Liturgy 10:00 AM

+ + + Please bring flowers to adorn the Cross + + +

2010-02-25T10:27:00.000-08:00

The Very Rev. Fr. John Behr

on the Triumph of Orthodoxy

At the heart of our faith stands this mystery of Christ – let us never change it for anything else! Even before the first Sunday of Lent became the Sunday of Orthodoxy, commemorating the restoration of the icons, it still pointed in the same direction. From many centuries earlier, the first Sunday of Lent was given over to remembering the prophets; that is why we heard so much about them in the hymnography last night and again this morning in the Gospel and the Epistle during the liturgy. This commemoration of the prophets is really another aspect of the same mystery: the icons confirm what the prophets foretold.

But we are now also taken a step further. In the Liturgy we heard, in the Gospel, that when Christ called Philip, Philip went to tell Nathanial that: “We have found the one about whom Moses wrote in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote – Jesus of Nazareth” (John 1:45). Or, as we sang last night, the prophets spoke of the one who from all eternity was born from the immaterial and bodiless womb of the Father, yet was made flesh by being born from the Virgin, and so was seen by us on earth. The message of the apostles – that Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ spoken of by the prophets – this is what the icons confirm: he has come visibly in the flesh.

Then in the Epistle we heard of the sufferings endured by the prophets as they looked to the things that God had planned for us. Or again as we sang last night: “the prophets refused to worship the creation instead of the Creator; they renounced the whole world for the Gospel’s sake, and in their suffering they were conformed to thy Passion which they had foretold.” The prophets, by concentrating all their hearts and strength on the promise of God, the Gospel, refusing to compromise with the world, and enduring all the suffering that this entails, in this way they themselves were conformed to Christ’s passion, in this way THEY became images of Christ.

And let us make no mistake about this, this is what WE are also called to: not simply to be proud of our orthodoxy – that we have icons – but to become icons ourselves. We are to be sharers in Christ’s passion, to be crucified with him, and so be conformed to the image of the Son of God. Thus, the Epistle finished by exhorting us: Being surrounded by this cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders us, let us throw off the sin that so easily entangles us, so that we can run with perseverance the race that is set out before us. We are, the Apostle says, to fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, so that he now sits at the right hand of the Father (Heb 12:1-2).

What amazingly powerful words! The orthodoxy that we celebrate today is fulfilled not simply by having the right answers to particular questions, nor by preserving traditions for the sake of their antiquity, or particular practices because we think that they will make us better Christians. No, the goal is to have our attention captivated by, our gaze fixed upon, our ears opened to, and our hearts enthralled with our Lord Jesus Christ. He is for us the beginning and the end of all things: he is the one who began our faith and the one who will bring it to fulfillment.

- from the St. Vladimir's Seminary website. Read the entire sermon here.

2010-02-19T10:56:00.001-08:00

The First Sunday of Great Lent

The Sunday of Orthodoxy

Saturday, February 20

Great Vespers 5:00 PM

Confessions after Vespers

Sunday, February 21

Adult Catechism 9:00 AM

Third Hour Prayers 9:45 AM

Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil 10:00 AM

Office for the Triumph of Orthodoxy will follow the Liturgy

2010-02-15T11:58:00.000-08:00

Great Lent Begins

Clean Monday, February 15

Wednesday, February 17

Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts 6:00 PM

Let us joyfully begin the all-hallowed season of abstinence; and let us shine with the bright radiance of the holy commandments of Christ our God, with brightness of love and splendor of prayer, with the purity of holiness and the strength of good courage. So, clothed in raiment of light, let us hasten to the Holy Resurrection on the third day, that shines upon the world with the glory of eternal life. - from the Lenten Triodion, Mattins for Week One

2010-02-13T17:53:00.000-08:00

Sunday, February 14

The Expulsion of Adam & Eve from Paradise

Cheesefare Sunday

Readers' Workshop 9:00 AM

Third Hour Prayers ~9:45 AM

Divine Liturgy 10:00 AM

Vesperal Prayers for Forgiveness Sunday will follow at the end of

the Divine Liturgy, concluding with the Ceremony of Forgiveness

2010-02-06T09:34:00.001-08:00

Sunday of the Last Judgment

Meatfare Sunday

Saturday, February 6

Great Vespers 5:00 PM

Confessions after Vespers

Sunday, February 7

Children's Class 9:00 AM

Prayers of the Hours 9:45 AM

Divine Liturgy 10:00 AM

2010-02-01T12:51:00.000-08:00

The Meeting of our Lord and Savior

Jesus Christ in the Temple

Tuesday, February 2

Divine Liturgy at 10:00 AM

"Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy word; for mine eyes hast seen Thy salvation which Thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples, a light to enlighten the Gentiles, and to be the glory of Thy people Israel.”

- The Song of Simeon, Luke 2:29-32

2010-01-30T07:07:00.000-08:00

Sunday of the Prodigal Son

Saturday, January 30

Great Vespers 5:00 PM

Confessions after Vespers

Sunday, January 31

Adult Catechism 9:00 AM

Third Hour Prayers ~9:45 AM

Divine Liturgy 10:00 AM

Also commemorated on this day are the New Martyrs and Confessors of Russia - those Orthodox Christians who suffered and died during the yoke of Communism from 1917 to 1991. This commemoration follows the practice of the Russian Church on the Sunday closest to January 25, the date of the martyrdom of Metropolitan Vladimir of Kiev, the first hieromartyr under the Bolsheviks.

2010-01-23T06:14:00.001-08:00

Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee

Saturday, January 23

Great Vespers 5:00 PM

Confessions may be made after Vespers

Sunday, January 24

Adult Catechism 9:00 AM

Third Hour Prayers ~9:45 AM

Divine Liturgy 10:00 AM

2010-01-15T17:33:00.000-08:00

The Sunday of Zacchaeus

The Fifth Sunday before Great Lent

In response to the recent earthquake in Haiti, we will be assembling Health & Hygiene bags for distribution by International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC). Each bag, including postage, costs $15. Please consider contributing the cost a bag (or one for each member of your immediate family). Checks should be made out to St. Matthew Orthodox Church, with "Haiti Relief" in the memo space, and placed in the Alms Box. We will also be making a contribution to the IOCC's work from our Alms Collection.

Saturday, January 16

Health & Hygiene Bag Assembly for Haiti Relief 4:00 PM

Great Vespers 5:00 PM

Confessions may be made after Vespers

Sunday, January 17

Adult Catechism 9:00 AM

Third Hour Prayers ~9:45 AM

Divine Liturgy 10:00 AM

A Message from His Beatitude, Metropolitan JONAH

January 14, 2010

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, faithful hierarchs, clergy and laity of the Orthodox Church in America,

All of us are familiar with the saying, "one picture is worth a thousand words." And, during the past few days, as all of us have seen countless media images of the unimaginable human suffering taking place in Haiti as a result of this week’s earthquake, the truth of this saying has taken on new meaning.

A great deal can be said at a time like this. It is indeed tragic to witness one of the world’s poorest, yet so often forgotten, countries suffer yet another devastating blow; as one news commentator observed, "an entire country has been destroyed in a matter of seconds." The media images flashing before our eyes -- of destroyed homes and schools, of rescue teams working feverishly to uncover survivors buried in the rubble, of families whose lives are forever changed, seemingly left with little or no hope -- offer us a chilling reminder that everything we hold precious can change in an instant and that nothing other than "the hope that is in us" is a certainty. Beyond this, what more can be said?

Any words we might utter must be given life through action -- and, in this case, immediate action. With my blessing, the Metropolitan Council Charity Committee is sending $10,000.00 to International Orthodox Christian Charities, in the hope that the parishes and faithful of our Orthodox Church in America will join us by offering their own expressions of hope. Hence, I humbly ask that, on Sunday, January 17, special collections be taken in all parishes for IOCC’s Emergency Relief Fund, and that the offerings received be sent directly and immediately to IOCC, PO Box 630225, Baltimore, MD 21263-0225. Over and above this request, I encourage those families and individuals who can do so to send personal gifts, which may be made on-line at www.iocc.org, by calling toll free at 877-803-4622, or by mail to the aforementioned address.

By putting our words and faith into action -- together -- we can provide a ray of hope to those who so desperately need it at this time, the "least of the brethren." In so doing, may we come to recognize that "our brother IS our life," worthy of "the hope that is in us."

With love in Christ,

+Jonah

Archbishop of Washington

Metropolitan of All America and Canada

2010-01-13T12:35:00.000-08:00

Disaster Response for Earthquake

Victims in Haiti

January 13, 2010 - International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) is responding to the most devastating earthquake to hit the island nation of Haiti in 200 years. Authorities have not put an estimate of how many were killed by yesterday's magnitude 7.0 earthquake, but thousands are feared dead. People are still trapped in destroyed buildings and leveled shantytowns and there is growing concern about the lack of sanitation, water and electricity.

IOCC has mobilized its disaster response team and is coordinating with our Orthodox and ecumenical partners to monitor and respond to the emerging needs in Haiti. "Our prayers are with the people of Haiti who have lost loved ones in this disaster that has brought even more suffering to one of the poorest nations in the hemisphere," said IOCC Executive Director & CEO Constantine M. Triantafilou. "IOCC will be working with our fellow ACT Alliance members who are already in place to provide humanitarian aid to those affected by the earthquake."

For more information about the IOCC response and how to contribute, click here.

2010-01-02T08:09:00.000-08:00

Prepare the Way of the Lord:

The Theophany of our Lord

God and Savior Jesus Christ

Pre-feast of the Theophany

Saturday, January 2

Pannikhida, followed by Great Vespers 5:00 PM

Confessions may be made after Vespers

Sunday before the Theophany

Sunday, January 3

+No Classes for Children or Adults+

Third Hour Prayers 9:45 AM

Divine Liturgy 10:00 AM

The Feast of the Theophany

Wednesday, January 6

Divine Liturgy 10:00 AM

2009-12-16T07:48:00.000-08:00

Upcoming Services for the

Nativity of of our Lord

God and Savior Jesus Christ

Saturday, December 19

Great Vespers 5:00 PM

Confessions may be made after Vespers

Sunday Before the Nativity, December 20

Adult Class 9:00 AM

Third Hour Prayers 9:45 AM

Divine Liturgy 10:00 AM

Thursday, December 24

The Eve of the Nativity of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ

Vesperal Divine Liturgy 6:00 PM

Christ is Born! Glorify Him!

2009-12-12T06:58:00.000-08:00

The 27th Sunday after Pentecost

Sunday of the Forefathers of Christ

Commemoration of the Repose of

Venerable Herman of Alaska,

Wonderworker of All America

Saturday, December 12

Great Vespers 5:00 PM

Confessions my be made after Vespers

Sunday, December 13

Adult Catechism 9:00 AM

Third Hour Prayers ~9:45 AM

Divine Liturgy 10:00 AM

Venerable Herman of Alaska

Wonderworker of All America

2009-12-05T18:11:00.000-08:00

Sunday, December 6

Commemoration of Saint Nicholas

the Wonderworker

Archbishop of Myra in Lycia

Children's Class - 9:00 AM

Third Hour Prayers - 9:45 AM

Divine Liturgy - 10:00 AM

Holy Nicholas, well-pleasing to God, pray for us!

2009-11-26T17:47:00.001-08:00

O give thanks unto the LORD,

for He is good;

For His mercy endureth for ever.

- Psalm 135:1

Everyone capable of thanksgiving is capable of salvation and eternal joy.

- Protopresbyter Alexander Schmemann

Schedule for this Weekend

The 25th Sunday after Pentecost-Tone 8

Martyr Paramon and 370 Martyrs in Bithynia

Saturday, November 28

Great Vespers 5:00 PM

Confessions may be made after Vespers

Sunday, November 29

Adult Class 9:00 AM

Third Hour Prayers 9:45 AM

Divine Liturgy 10:00 AM

2009-11-21T06:27:00.000-08:00

November 21:

The Entrance of the Theotokos

Service Schedule for this Weekend:

Saturday, November 21

Great Vespers 5:00 PM

confessions may be made after Vespers

Sunday, November 22

Adult Catechism 9:00 AM

Third Hour Prayers 9:45 AM

Divine Liturgy 10:00 AM

2009-11-16T09:37:00.000-08:00

His Holiness Patriarch

PAVLE of Serbia

September 11, 1914 - November 15, 2009

May His Memory be Eternal!

“None in this noisy era spoke so softly and yet was heard so widely as he. None spoke less and yet said more. None in our delusional age confronted truth with such calmness as he.” - M. Betskovic, Serbian Poet

2009-11-11T11:24:00.000-08:00

Schedule for this Weekend:

Saturday, November 14

Great Vespers 5:00 PM

confessions may be made after Vespers

Sunday, November 15

Adult Class 9:00 AM

we'll be reviewing the first half of Archimandrite Meletios Webber's

Bread & Water, Wine & Oil

Third Hour Prayers ~9:45 AM

Divine Liturgy 10:00 AM

This Sunday marks the beginning of the Nativity Fast, our spiritual preparation for Christmas. It is also the Vigil of the Commemoration of our Heavenly Patron, Saint Matthew the Apostle and Evangelist. We'll share a festive coffee hour after Liturgy (observing the parameters of the fast, allowing fish, wine, and oil). If you are able, please bring something to share. And please make every effort to join us for these services.

Experience the wonder of Orthodox Christianity! Come and See!

Holy Matthew, well-pleasing to God, pray for us -

For thou art the sure helper and intercessor for our souls!

2009-11-09T06:26:00.000-08:00

A New Issue of The Orthodox Church,

the quarterly publication of the OCA,

is now available online as a PDF

Click here.

2009-11-06T17:34:00.000-08:00

November 8, 2009

The 22nd Sunday after Pentecost

Synaxis of Archangel Michael

and the Bodiless Powers

9:00 AM - Adult Class

9:45 AM - Third Hour Prayers

10:00 AM - Divine Liturgy

The Synaxis of the Chief of the Heavenly Hosts, Archangel Michael and the Other Heavenly Bodiless Powers: Archangels Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Selaphiel, Jehudiel, Barachiel, and Jeremiel was established at the beginning of the fourth century at the Council of Laodicea, which met several years before the First Ecumenical Council. The 35th Canon of the Council of Laodicea condemned and denounced as heretical the worship of angels as gods and rulers of the world, but affirmed their proper veneration.

A Feastday was established in November, the ninth month after March (with which the year began in ancient times) since there are Nine Ranks of Angels. The eighth day of the month was chosen for the Synaxis of all the Bodiless Powers of Heaven since the Day of the Dread Last Judgment is called the Eighth Day by the holy Fathers. After the end of this age (characterized by its seven days of Creation) will come the Eighth Day, and then "the Son of Man shall come in His Glory and all the holy Angels with Him" (Mt. 25:31).

2009-11-05T06:46:00.000-08:00

Wrong Turns and the Providence of God

Fr. Stephen Freeman, a priest of our diocese who visited with us in Baton Rouge several years ago, has a very helpful post on his blog that should be pondered. Here's an excerpt:

These are some thoughts on the Providence of God and its work in our lives.

I think there is absolutely such a thing as Providence (not that we have much of a clue as to what God’s plan is in our life). Rather Providence is the trust that our lives are in the hand of a good God who is working all things together for our salvation (even when we sin and take a wrong turn). There is a common understanding of Providence, common in our culture, that would tend to see only onehighway for our life [God's plan] and that would argue that wrong decisions can only be corrected by returning to the previous point and starting over. Thus when we take a wrong turn – we must go back and correct it and get back on the previous route.

This reminds me of the GPS unit in my car which occasionally, having run out of “on-the-map” solutions, says, “If possible make a U-turn!”

There is another understanding of Providence, more common in the Eastern Fathers, in which God’s work in our lives is seen as far more creative. There is not one route, but one destination. Thus if we make a wrong turn, God is quite capable of continuing to bring us to union with Him. The problem is not that of a route, but of our heart.

Read it all here.

2009-10-31T07:40:00.000-07:00

The 21st Sunday after Pentecost: November 1

Commemoration of Sts. Cosmas and Damian,

Wonderworkers and Unmercenaries

Children's Class - 9:00 AM

We'll continue exploring the Church and the ways we worship, and also look at the Feast of the Presentation of the Theotokos. All of the children are welcome - parents, too!

Third Hour Prayers - 9:45 AM

Divine Liturgy - 10:00 AM

2009-10-22T11:27:00.000-07:00

Schedule for this Weekend:

Memorial Saturday

October 24

Panikhida, or Memorial Prayers for the Departed - 5:00 PM

Followed immediately by Great Vespers

Confessions may be made after Vespers

The 20th Sunday after Pentecost

October 25

Adult Catechism - 9:00 AM

Third Hour Prayers - 9:45 AM

Divine Liturgy - 10:00 AM

2009-10-16T06:44:00.000-07:00

Sunday, October 18:

The 19th Sunday after Pentecost

Commemoration of the

Holy Apostle and Evangelist Luke

Our adult catechism class will meet at 9:00 AM to continue our discussion of Archimandrite Meletios Webber's Bread & Water, Wine & Oil. We will finish looking at the chapter on asceticism and move onto the sanctification of time. Please join us!

Third Hour Prayers will begin around 9:45 AM, with the Divine Liturgy at 10:00 AM.

2009-10-09T17:36:00.000-07:00

The 18th Sunday after Pentecost:

Commemoration of the Fathers

of the Seventh Ecumenical Council

Schedule:

Saturday, October 10

Great Vespers 5:00 PM

Confessions may be made after Vespers

Sunday, October 11

Adult Catechism 9:00 AM

Third Hour Prayers ~9:45 AM

Divine Liturgy 10:00 AM

2009-09-24T07:34:00.000-07:00

News from the Synod of Bishops

This report from the OCA Synod of Bishops was glorious to read. Thanks be to God for faithful hierarchs!

Posted 09/23/09

SYOSSET, NY [OCA Communications] -- The Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America and the OCA's Metropolitan Council completed the first day of their fall sessions Tuesday, September 22, 2009.

The day opened with the celebration of the Divine Liturgy, at which His Beatitude, Metropolitan Jonah. presided. In his sermon, Metropolitan Jonah cautioned all gathered against surrendering to the passions, the most destructive of which are spiritual in nature -- resentment, gossip, fear, and retribution. He stressed that the faithful, meeting together in love, render service to Christ and for the good of all involved.

Following the Divine Liturgy, members of the Holy Synod and Metropolitan Council met in joint session to begin a discussion on conciliarity. Many issues were addressed in an open dialogue. It was stressed that the ecclesiatical structure of the Orthodox Church in America was motivated by an intentional effort to recover an ancient paradigm of the concilar process that was lost in the Church for centuries. Participants in the discussion acknowledged that this process had broken down in recent years. However, they affirmed the fundamental principle of conciliairty and the mission of the OCA to evangelize the North American continent, are the bedrock of the Church's life.

The Holy Synod and Metropolitan Council then met in separate sessions. During the Holy Synod's sessions, hierarchs met with the two episcopal candidates nominated by the Diocese of New York and New Jersey for consideraiton in the election of a diocesan bishop. After meeting with each candidate separately, the Holy Synod elected the Very Rev. Michael Dahulich, Dean of Saint Tikhon's Seminary, to the office of Bishop of New York and the Diocese of New York and New Jersey. The Synod announced that Bishop-elect Michael's consecration will take place after the new year.

...

In addressing the strategic plan, Metropolitan Council members entered into a long and passionate discussion about the mission and vision of the OCA. It was observed that in recent times the mission of the Church has become identified almost exclusively with the idea of a unified Church in North America. Members of the Council stated that, while Church unity is desirable and must be a goal in the life of the OCA, Church structures are far less important than the proclamation of the Gospel.

Evangelization must be the Church's first priority, and this is work that is not dependent on, or has to wait for, a unfied Orthodox body in North America. It was also stressed that Evangelization must focus on the culture, or more accurately the cultures, within North America, in particular on those segments of society which are yet unchurched.

Read it all here.

2009-09-23T10:41:00.000-07:00

Please Remember:

Saturday, September 26

Great Vespers at 5:00 PM

Confessions may be made after Vespers

Sunday, September 27

Adult Class at 9:00 AM

Third Hour Prayers at ~9:45 AM

Divine Liturgy at 10:00 AM

Announcement: On Sunday, October 4 we will have Children's Sunday School at 9:00 AM. Our plan is to have the children's class on the first Sunday morning of each month.

Given our limited space, the Adult Class will not meet that day.

2009-09-18T08:33:00.000-07:00

Discussion of Archimandrite Meletios'

Bread & Water, Wine & Oil:

An Orthodox Christian Experience of God

continues Sunday morning, September 20 at 9:00 AM

Third Hour Prayers begin ~9:45 AM

Divine Liturgy will be served at 10:00 AM

Everyone is welcome. Come and See!

2009-09-15T07:14:00.000-07:00

September 14:

Universal Exaltation of the Precious

and Life-Giving Cross

of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ

Before Thy Cross,

We bow down and worship, O Master!

And Thy holy Resurrection

We glorify!

The photo depicts the Holy Cross placed in the midst of our Mission Church for veneration by the faithful and adorned with fresh flowering basil. According to an ancient tradition, the Cross is adorned with flowers and basil on this day to commemorate the basil which grew up around the foot of the Cross after the crucifixion of Christ our God, where the tears of His Most-Pure Mother mingled with the Precious Blood of her Son.

2009-09-07T13:08:00.000-07:00

The Nativity of our Most Holy Lady

the Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary

Tuesday, September 8

Divine Liturgy - 10:00 AM

2009-09-04T11:16:00.000-07:00

Adult Education Class Resumes

Sunday, September 6 at 9:00 AM

We will be reading Archimandrite Meletios'

Bread & Water, Wine & Oil:

An Orthodox Christian Experience of God

Archimandrite Meletios (Webber) is superior of the Monastery of Saint John of Shanghai and San Francisco (OCA) in Manton, California. The first part of this text explores various themes in the Orthodox life. Part two focuses on the Holy Mysteries, or Sacraments, of the Orthodox Church.

Everyone is welcome to participate - please come whether or not you have a copy of the text!

The class will be followed by Third Hour Prayers around 9:45 AM.

The Divine Liturgy will be served at 10:00 AM.

2009-08-21T10:42:00.000-07:00

Please remember:

Saturday, August 22 - Great Vespers 5:00 PM

Sunday, August 23 - Divine Liturgy 10:00 AM

2009-08-15T14:09:00.000-07:00

Fr. Seraphim Hipsh to Visit Sunday, August 16

The Tenth Sunday after Pentecost

Afterfeast of the Dormition

of the Mother of God

Please join us for Divine Liturgy at 10:00 AM as we celebrate the Lord's Day and continue to keep the feast of the Dormition of our Lady the Most Holy Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary. We will welcome Fr. Seraphim Hipsh, Dean of the Dallas Deanery, on his first visit to our mission.

The Liturgy will be followed by a festive coffee hour. If you are able, bring something to share!

2009-08-07T07:15:00.000-07:00

The Ninth Sunday after Pentecost:
Afterfeast of the Transfiguration
Glorification of Venerable Herman of Alaska

Service Schedule for this Weekend

Saturday, August 8
Great Vespers 5:00 PM
Confessions may be made after Vespers

Sunday, August 9
Third Hour Prayers 9:45 AM
Divine Liturgy 10:00 AM

2009-08-05T15:12:00.000-07:00

The Transfiguration of our Lord,
God, and Savior Jesus Christ

Thursday, August 6

Divine Liturgy - 10:00 AM

2009-08-03T08:04:00.000-07:00

Holy Baptism: July 2009

Great art Thou, O Lord, and wondrous are Thy works,

and no word shall be sufficient to hymn Thy wonders!

The handmaiden of God, Juliette, is baptized in the Name of the Father. Amen!

And of the Son. Amen!

And of the Holy Spirit. Amen!

The seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit. Amen!

The handmaiden of God is churched!

Thou art baptized. Thou art illumined. Thou hast received anointment with the holy Chrism. Thou art sanctified. Thou art washed: in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory to Him forever!

2009-07-31T17:19:00.000-07:00

August 2: The 8th Sunday After Pentecost

Translation of the Relics of the

Proto-Martyr and Archdeacon Stephen

Third Hour Prayers 9:45 AM

Divine Liturgy 10:00 AM

2009-07-24T08:35:00.000-07:00

This Weekend:

Saturday, July 25

Great Vespers - 5:00 PM

Confessions may be made after Vespers

Sunday, July 26

Holy Baptism, with Chrismation - 9:15 AM

Divine Liturgy, with Crowning - 10:00 AM

A Festive Coffee Hour will follow the services on Sunday morning.

Share the joy and wonder of the Orthodox Christian Faith -

Come and See!

2009-07-07T10:42:00.000-07:00

Inverview: A Mission in the World
Archbishop HILARION of Volokolamsk

The Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate distributed “A Mission in the World,” an interview of Archbishop Hilarion of Volokolamsk by Expert Magazine (Issue No. 23 [661] June 15, 2009). His Eminence was formerly the Moscow Patriarchate's representative in Western Europe and now heads the Department of External Church Relations.

Expert Magazine: Your Eminence, one hundred days have passed since the enthronement of Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia. What has changed in church-society relations since? Have any new tendencies emerged?

Archbishop Hilarion: The man who ascended to the throne of the Moscow Patriarchate is one who has been known for many years for his focus on mission and his capacity to shed light on matters. He has long been in active co-operation with all parts of the society, hosting a TV programme of his own and making regular appearances in the print media. Even before he was elected Patriarch, he was known and loved by millions of Russian Orthodox faithful throughout the world. He has gained authority in broad public circles. Metropolitan Kirill accumulated a unique experience during his work at the Department for External Church Relations and through his close cooperation with the late Patriarch Alexy II. This has fully prepared him for the new role he assumed upon his election to the Moscow Patriarchal throne. But the most important thing is that he is a man who is absolutely committed to the Church; there is no private agenda for him. He has deposited all his abilities and talents at the feet of Christ, as St. Gregory the Theologian put it.

Patriarch Kirill’s enthronement has given a new impetus to the entire complex of relations between the Church and the world external to it. Patriarch Kirill tends to issue challenges to the clergy and the whole Church in a very tough and clear way. At the same time, he is a church leader not only because of his position but also by virtue of his personality. He can inspire people, mobilizing them to a more pro-active missionary and educational work.

Read it all on the American Orthodox Institiute's Blog here.

2009-07-02T10:55:00.001-07:00

Schedule for this Weekend:

The Fourth Sunday after Pentecost, July 5

Third Hour Prayers - 9:45 AM

Divine Liturgy - 10:00 AM

2009-06-26T11:26:00.000-07:00

A Question and Answer Worth Pondering...

(hat tip to Fr. Stephen Freeman for the link)

2009-06-24T06:06:00.000-07:00

June 24: Nativity of the Holy, Glorious
Forerunner and Baptist John

The Gospel (Luke 1: 5) relates that the righteous parents of St John the Baptist, the Priest Zachariah and Elizabeth (September 5), lived in the ancient city of Hebron. They reached old age without having children, since Elizabeth was barren. Once, St Zachariah was serving in the Temple at Jerusalem and saw the Archangel Gabriel, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. He predicted that St Zachariah would father a son, who would announce the Savior, the Messiah, awaited by the Old Testament Church. Zachariah was troubled, and fear fell upon him. He had doubts that in old age it was possible to have a son, and he asked for a sign. It was given to him, and it was also a chastisement for his unbelief. Zachariah was struck speechless until the time of the fulfillment of the archangel's words.

St Elizabeth came to be with child, and fearing derision at being pregnant so late in life, she kept it secret for five months. Then her relative, the Virgin Mary, came to share with her Her own joy. Elizabeth, "filled with the Holy Spirit," was the first to greet the Virgin Mary as the Mother of God. St John leaped in his mother's womb at the visit of the Most Holy Virgin Mary and the Son of God incarnate within Her.

Soon St Elizabeth gave birth to a son, and all the relatives and acquaintances rejoiced together with her. On the eighth day, in accordance with the Law of Moses, he was circumcised and was called John. Everyone was amazed, since no one in the family had this name. When they asked St Zachariah about this, he motioned for a tablet and wrote on it: "His name is John." Immediately his tongue was loosed, and St Zachariah glorified God. He also prophesied about the Coming into the world of the Messiah, and of his own son John, the Forerunner of the Lord (Luke. 1: 68-79).

After the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ and the worship of the shepherds and the Magi, wicked king Herod gave orders to kill all male infants. Hearing about this, St Elizabeth fled into the wilderness and hid in a cave. St Zachariah was at Jerusalem and was doing his priestly service in the Temple. Herod sent soldiers to him to find out the abode of the infant John and his mother. Zachariah answered that their whereabouts were unknown to him, and he was killed right there in the Temple. Righteous Elizabeth continued to live in the wilderness with her son and she died there. The child John, protected by an angel, dwelt in the wilderness until the time when he came preaching repentance, and was accounted worthy to baptize the Lord. - from the Menologion at http://www.oca.org/

2009-06-23T06:13:00.000-07:00

Wisdom from Fr. John Breck

Now retired from teaching at St. Vladimir's in New York and St. Sergius' in Paris, Fr. John Breck resides in the Lowcountry of South Carolina. He continues to serve the Church in many ways, including a regular column posted on www.oca.org entitled, "Life in Christ."

These words conclude his most recent offering:

If today's atheists, made such by fad or by conviction, could know and experience the God all of us have the capacity to know, they would fall on their knees and shed tears of joy. This is not romantic wishful thinking. It's not evangelical exuberance. It's a simple fact, based on a reality so well expressed one time by a sister in a Catholic monastic community: "God," she said, out of the wellspring of her own knowledge and experience, "has placed in the inner depths of every person an insatiable longing for himself!"

The God who fulfills that longing is the God who has brought all of us into being, who has sacrificed himself for us out of his inexhaustible love, and who continues to embrace us and to lead us into an eternal and glorious communion with himself. He is the God who, as those license plates insist, "loves us!" From the depths of his heart he strives to bless and to save all of us, without exception. All of us, and perhaps especially those who -- because of painful experiences with clergy, or because of hypocrisy on the part of Christians they knew, or because of the heavyhandedness of those who would browbeat them into a fictitious conversion experience -- profess themselves to be materialists, secularists, pastafarians or atheists.

Read it all here.

2009-06-20T07:13:00.000-07:00

June 21:
Synaxis of the Saints of North America

Saturday, June 20: No Vespers

(Vespers next Saturday, June 27)

Sunday, June 21:

Third Hour Prayers - 9:45 AM

Divine Liturgy - 10:00 AM

2009-06-12T11:42:00.000-07:00

June 14: Sunday of All Saints

The 1st Sunday after Pentecost

Sunday Schedule

Music Workshop - 9:00 AM

Third Hour Prayers - ~9:45 AM

Divine Liturgy - 10:00 AM

2009-06-08T18:05:00.000-07:00

Palms, Passion, Pascha, Pentecost!
Glimpses of our Mission's Life
from the Vigil for Palm Sunday to Pentecost

On the Vigil of Palm Sunday, we joyfully celebrated Holy Chrismation. Here, a catechumen professes the Orthodox Faith at the Entrance of the Church.

On Great and Holy Friday, we recalled the Passion of Christ our God and venerated His Holy Shroud, also known as the Epitaphios or Plaschanitsa, adorning it with flowers.

Holy Pascha was Glorious! Christ is Risen!
Christos Anesti! Khristos Voskrese!
Al Maseeh Qam! Christos a Inviat! Kriste Aghsdah!

The Blessing of the Baskets after the Paschal Liturgy - meat and cheese in abundance!

Another Chrismation on the Vigil of Pentecost (Trinity Sunday)

The seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit. Amen!

After the Festal Divine Liturgy and Kneeling Vespers, everyone was ready for Coffee Hour - especially the little ones.

Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory to Him forever!

Blessed art Thou, O Christ our God,

Who hast revealed the fishermen as most wise

By sending down upon them the Holy Spirit -

Through them Thou didst draw the world into Thy net.

O Lover of Man, glory to Thee!

(Troparion for Pentecost-Tone 8)

2009-06-03T11:09:00.000-07:00

Holy Pentecost
Day of the Holy Trinity

Schedule for this Weekend:

Saturday, June 6

Great Vespers with Holy Chrismation - 5:00 PM

Pentecost Sunday, June 7

Music Workshop - 9:00 AM

Third Hour Prayers - 9:45 AM

Divine Liturgy - 10:00 AM

Vesperal Kneeling Prayers will follow the Liturgy

2009-05-29T19:34:00.000-07:00

Schedule for Sunday, May 31
The Seventh Sunday of Pascha
Afterfeast of the Ascension
Commemoration of the Fathers of the
First Ecumenical Council

Music Workshop 9:00 AM

Third Hour Prayers ~9:45 AM

Divine Liturgy 10:00 AM

2009-05-26T05:55:00.000-07:00

Thursday, May 28:

The Ascension of our Lord

Third Hour Prayers 9:45 AM

Divine Liturgy 10:00 AM

Troparion-Tone 4

O Christ God, You have ascended in Glory,

Granting joy to Your disciples by the promise of the Holy Spirit.

Through the blessing they were assured

That You are the Son of God,

The Redeemer of the world!

+ Share the joy of Orthodox Christianity! Come and See! +

2009-05-21T05:35:00.000-07:00

Schedule for this Weekend

Saturday, May 23

Great Vespers 5:00 PM

Sunday of the Blind Man, May 24

Liturgical Music Workshop 9:00 AM

Third Hour Prayers ~9:45 AM

Divine Liturgy 10:00 AM

Share the joy of Orthodox Christianity! Come and See!

2009-05-20T15:29:00.001-07:00

Holy Synod of Bishops
Honors Archbishop DMITRI
at Mid-Pentecost - May 12-13
with Hierarchical Liturgy
at St. Seraphim Cathedral in Dallas

His Beatitude, Metropolitan JONAH gathered with the bishops of the holy synod to honor Archbishop DMITRI upon his retirement. His Eminence was the first bishop of the Diocese of the South, providing decades of service as a missionary pastor to congregations stretching from New Mexico to the Carolinas. Eis polla eti, despota! Many Years, Master!

2009-05-15T06:14:00.000-07:00

May 17:
Fifth Sunday of Pascha
Sunday of the Samaritan Woman

Music Workshop - 9:00 AM
Third Hour Prayers - 9:45 AM
Divine Liturgy - 10:00 AM

2009-05-13T10:22:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, May 13: Midfeast of Pentecost

Today is the midpoint of the fifty days between the Feasts of Pascha and Pentecost. St John tells us (John 7:14) that "in the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the Temple, and taught." This coming Sunday, the Church will commemorate the meeting of our Lord with the Samaritan Woman at the well, which is foreshadowed in the Troparion appointed for this day:

Troparion-Tone 8

In the middle of the feast, O Savior,

Fill my thirsting soul with the waters of piety,

As You cried to all:

If anyone thirst, let him come to me and drink!

O Christ God, Fountain of life, glory to You!

2009-05-08T19:02:00.000-07:00

Schedule for this Weekend:

Saturday, May 9
Great Vespers 5:00 PM

Sunday of the Paralytic, May 10
Music Workshop 9:00 AM
Third Hour Prayers 9:45 AM
Divine Liturgy 10:00 AM

2009-05-07T06:08:00.000-07:00

Thoughts in Light of Holy Pascha

Years ago, after the customary reading of the Paschal Homily of Saint John Chrysostom at the Paschal Vigil, Metropolitan ANTHONY (Bloom) shared these thoughts with the congregation:

If I may I wish to add just a few words of my own. Christ is life and the victory of life. In the world in which He came, death was prevalent and seemed to be all-powerful over men; when He came, He defeated death by His resurrection. And nowadays we live in a world which is full of torment, of pain, of fear, of murder, of death, and we may say, “But where is the victory?”.. The victory is in each of us, the victory is in all those of us who believe that death cannot separate us from God, that death is no longer a victory of evil over us, but a triumph of us through our faith, because death is no longer separation. Saint Paul says that for him death is a meeting with Christ; as long as he lives in the flesh he is separated, partly, from God. But with his death he enters in full unity and communion with Him. This is our faith, but there is more to it in a sense, because life is triumphant in our midst. However frightening and dark the world is nowadays, we know that victory has already been won, that God has won and that we who believe in Him partake together with Him in His victory. And therefore, let us bring, to all around us, this message of life and glory!

Christ is risen!

(image from www.orthodoxwiki.org; quotation from www.mitras.ru/eng/eng_112.htm)

2009-04-30T05:47:00.000-07:00

Sunday, May 3:

The Holy Myrrhbearing Women

Liturgical Music Workshop - 9:00 AM

Third Hour Prayers - 9:45 AM

Divine Liturgy - 10:00 AM

Troparion-Tone 2
The angel came to the myrrhbearing women
at the tomb and said:
Myrrh is meet for the dead;
But Christ has shown Himself a stranger to corruption!
So proclaim: the Lord is risen,
Granting the world great mercy!

2009-04-29T07:00:00.000-07:00

His Beatitude, Metropolitan JONAH visits Moscow

The Most Blessed JONAH, Archbishop of New York and Washington and Metropolitan of All America and Canada, embarked on a visit to Moscow on April 25. Above, he is pictured in Moscow's Christ the Savior Cathedral with Patriarch KIRILL.

For more photos and coverage of His Beatitude's trip, visit www.oca.org

2009-04-23T09:46:00.000-07:00

Schedule for this Weekend

Saturday, April 25 - Great Vespers 5:00 PM

Thomas Sunday, April 26 - Music Workshop 9:00 AM

Third Hour Prayers 9:45 AM

Divine Liturgy 10:00 AM

2009-04-13T06:42:00.001-07:00

Service Schedule for Holy Week and Pascha

Great and Holy Thursday, April 16

Vesperal Liturgy of Saint Basil

10:00 AM

Great and Holy Friday, April 17

Vespers of Holy Friday,

with Veneration of the Shroud

3:00 PM

Great and Holy Saturday, April 18

Nocturn and Paschal Matins

8:00 PM

Holy Pascha Sunday, April 19

The Hours of Pascha

9:45 AM

Divine Liturgy of the Resurrection

10:00 AM

Together, let us keep the feast!

2009-04-08T12:24:00.000-07:00

The Entry of our Lord into Jerusalem:

Palm Sunday

Service Schedule:

Lazarus Saturday, April 11

Great Vespers, with Chrismation - 5:00 PM

Palm Sunday, April 12

Liturgical Music Workshop - 9:00 AM

Third Hour Prayers - 9:45 AM

Divine Liturgy - 10:00 AM

The Blessing of the Palm and Willow branches

will precede the Liturgy

Troparion - Tone 1

By raising Lazarus from the dead before Your passion,

You did confirm the universal Resurrection, O Christ God!

Like the children with the palms of victory,

We cry out to You, O Vanquisher of death; Hosanna in the Highest!

Blessed is He that comes in the Name of the Lord!

Troparion - Tone 4

When we were buried with You in Baptism, O Christ God,

We were made worthy of eternal life by Your Resurrection!

Now we praise You and sing: Hosanna in the highest!

Blessed is He that comes in the Name of the Lord!

2009-03-30T11:33:00.000-07:00

The Fifth Sunday of Great Lent:
The Sunday of Saint Mary of Egypt

Service Schedule:

Sunday, April 5

Music Workshop - 9:00 AM

Third Hour Prayers - ~9:40 AM

Divine Liturgy - 10:00 AM

Confessions may be made during the Hours before the Liturgy

Troparion - Tone 8

The image of God was truly preserved in you, mother,

for you took up the Cross and followed Christ.

By so doing, you taught us to disregard the flesh, for it passes away,

but to care instead for the soul, since it is immortal.

Therefore your spirit, holy mother Mary,

Rejoices with the angels!

2009-03-27T05:47:00.000-07:00

The Fourth Sunday of Great Lent:
The Sunday of Saint John of the Ladder

Service Schedule:

Saturday, March 28

Great Vespers 5:00 PM

Sunday, March 29

Music Workshop 9:15 AM

Hours ~9:40 AM

Divine Liturgy 10:00 AM

The Fourth Sunday of Lent is dedicated to St John of the Ladder (Climacus), the author of the work, The Ladder of Divine Ascent. The abbot of St. Catherine's Monastery on Mount Sinai (6th century) stands as a witness to the violent effort needed for entrance into God's Kingdom (Mt.10: 12). The spiritual struggle of the Christian life is a real one, "not against flesh and blood, but against ... the rulers of the present darkness ... the hosts of wickedness in heavenly places ..." (Eph 6:12). Saint John encourages the faithful in their efforts for, according to the Lord, only "he who endures to the end will be saved" (Mt.24:13).

2009-03-24T18:28:00.000-07:00

March 25: Feast of the Annunciation
of our Most Holy Lady, the Theotokos
and Ever-Virgin Mary

Vesperal Divine Liturgy - 6:00 PM

2009-03-23T07:23:00.000-07:00

Archbishop DMITRI Announces his Retirement

The following letter was sent to parishes and missions across the Diocese of the South on Sunday afternoon. Please remember our Diocese - and our beloved Vladyka - in your prayers in the days and weeks ahead.

March 22, 2009

Sunday of the Cross

To the Clergy and Faithful of the Diocese of the South:

I would like to take this opportunity first, to ask for your prayers and forgiveness as we continue our journey to Pascha. May our Lord grant you a blessed and fruitful Lent and Holy Week.

In addition, please know that over the years your tireless efforts in service to Christ have been a tremendous source of inspiration and joy. We have labored together for ‘the Truth that sets man free’: in light of your personal dedication it may be said that, “I have (had) no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth” (3 John 4). With each conversion, with the start of each new mission I thank the Lord for “revealing Himself unto us,” and for providing His humble servant an opportunity to be a steward of such a flock as we have in the Diocese of the South.

Overseeing a Diocese, however, is a temporary calling by nature. Thus, after fifty five years in the priesthood and forty years as a bishop of the Orthodox Church in America, I have asked for retirement from the active episcopacy, effective March 31, 2009. It is not a decision I make lightly. I feel confident that with our current Synod of Bishops as well as Diocesan leaders (both clergy and laymen) already in place, that the work of the Orthodox Church in the South will continue. Together we have helped to lay the foundation which is Christ, and now it is time for others to build upon our labors (1 Corinthians 3). Again, I ask for your prayers. Be assured of my love and prayers for all of you.

In the love of Christ,

+ DMITRI

Archbishop of Dallas and the South

2009-03-21T07:25:00.000-07:00

March 22: The Third Sunday in Great Lent
The Veneration of the Cross

Service Schedule for Sunday, March 22:

Prayers of the Hours: ~9:40 AM

Veneration of the Cross and Divine Liturgy: 10:00 AM

Troparion of the Cross:

O Lord, save Thy people,

And bless Thine inheritance.

Give victory to Orthodox Christians

Over their adversaries.

And by virtue of Thy Cross,

Preserve Thy habitation!

2009-03-17T09:20:00.000-07:00

March 17: Saint Patrick
Bishop of Armagh & Enlightener of Ireland

Troparion - Tone 3

Holy Bishop Patrick,
Faithful shepherd of Christ's royal flock,
You filled Ireland with the radiance of the Gospel:
The mighty strength of the Trinity!
Now that you stand before the Savior,
Pray that He may preserve us in faith and love!

Kontakion - Tone 4

From slavery you escaped to freedom in Christ's service:
He sent you to deliver Ireland from the devil's bondage.
You planted the Word of the Gospel in pagan hearts.
In your journeys and hardships you rivaled the Apostle Paul!
Having received the reward for your labors in heaven,
Never cease to pray for the flock you have gathered on earth,Holy bishop Patrick!

2009-03-12T08:23:00.000-07:00

This Weekend...

Archpriest Ted Pisarchuk will present a workshop on Mission Building and Congregational Growth on Saturday morning, March 14, at 10:00 AM. All members of the congregation (including inquirers and catechumens) are encouraged to attend. We will share a light Lenten lunch and conclude with Vespers around 1:00 PM.

This will be the only service of Vespers for Saturday. Divine Liturgy will be served on Sunday at 10:00 AM, commemorating Saint Gregory Palamas and marking the third anniversary of the founding of our mission in Baton Rouge.

Please make every effort to attend both the Workshop and the Liturgy!

And Glory to God for all things!

2009-03-09T09:32:00.001-07:00

The Lenten Prayer of Saint Ephraim

Prayed every weekday throughout Great Lent, this prayer focuses the heart upon the difficult, life-giving work of repentance:

O Lord and Master of my life! Take from me the spirit of sloth, despair, lust of power, and idle talk. (prostration)

But give rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience, and love to thy servant. (prostration)

Yea, O Lord and King! Grant me to see my own transgressions and not to judge my brother, for blessed art Thou unto ages of ages. (prostration)

2009-03-05T10:44:00.000-08:00

March 8:

The First Sunday in Great Lent

The Sunday of the Triumph of Orthodoxy

Prayers of the Hours - 9:40 AM

Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil the Great - 10:00 AM

The Office of the Triumph of Orthodoxy will follow the Liturgy - please bring an icon of your Patron Saint for the Procession. If you do not have one, we will have icons to share.

The Adult Catechism Class will not meet -
we will resume in the near future.

2009-03-03T18:49:00.000-08:00

Forgiveness: The Gateway to Great Lent

A Sermon for Forgiveness Sunday
by Metropolitan Anthony Bloom

In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost.

We have come to the threshold of Lent. We are starting to move along a road that will lead us to Golgotha, to Calvary; so that one day, at the end of Lent, we will find ourselves standing before Christ crucified - crucified for our own sake, for the sake of each of us. We are starting on a journey that must end with God being able to forgive us, and to say, 'Go in peace'. But to achieve this we must begin to forgive one another.

To forgive does not mean to forget what has happened between us, but to shoulder the weight of another person's frailty, or at times of another person's evil. St. Paul says, 'Learn to carry one another's burdens.' And these burdens are very often the failure of each of us to be worthy of our calling; our incapacity to love one another, to accept one another, to serve one another, to help one another on the way that leads to God. And so let us, each of us, pass a judgement on our whole soul, on our whole life; judge ourselves justly and honestly, and ask forgiveness not only from God - this in a sense seems to us so often much easier than to ask forgiveness from our neighbour. But let us ask forgiveness from those whom we have offended in one way or another, but also from all those to whom we have not been a help on their journey to God. We are all frail, we are all in need of support. Do we give this support to one another? Or do we choose those whom we want to support because we like them, because supporting them is a joy, because supporting them means that they also respond to us by gratitude, by friendship?

Let us turn to each of those who will meet us face to face today, and when they say 'forgive' let us ask ourselves, 'What have I got to be forgiven for?' and bow down before the other person and respond in the same way, because who of us has been for others a light on his way to God, a support at moments of frailty?

Let us begin now our road to Calvary, so that when we stand face to face with Christ we should not be like those in the crowd, who hoped that Christ would come down from the cross and that it would be easy to be His disciples. Let us not stand in the crowd otherwise than the Mother of God and St. John. And let us not find good reasons not to forgive.

I remember a man who said to me, 'I can forgive every person who has sinned against me, I can even love them, but I hate the enemies of God.' And I thought of something which is told to us in the life of one of the saints, in which a priest was praying to God to punish those who betrayed Him by their lives if not by their words. And Christ appeared to him and said, 'Never pray for the punishment or the rejection of any one. If there was only one sinner in the world, I would choose to be incarnate again, and again to die upon the cross for this only sinner.'

Is that our attitude to each other? Is that our attitude to the vast world, so tragic, so evil, and so full of pain in its search for completeness, for fullness? God will forgive it - and let ourselves forgive one another. And remember, that if we do not forgive our brother, it is not only he who goes away with pain and tears in his heart, but we are wounded, because if we do not forgive, we are ourselves not healed. The evil that occurred to us at the hands of another person remains with us, damaging our soul, destroying us.

Let us learn to forgive, so that others may be healed; but also that we may be healed ourselves. Let us pray now together, with one soul, with one mind; and when we come and bow down before the icon of Christ and of the Mother of God, turn to one another with the readiness to be forgiven and to forgive, whatever the cost to us. Amen.

2009-02-24T19:49:00.000-08:00

The Ordination of Fr. Mark Christian
to the Sacred Order of Priests...

...took place at Saint Seraphim Orthodox Cathedral in Dallas, Texas on Sunday, February 22, 2009. According to the Lenten Triodion, this was the Sunday of the Last Judgment, or Meatfare Sunday, the third of our Pre-Lenten Sundays.

The day began with the enrollment of eleven catechumens at the cathedral. At the beginning of the Hierarchical Liturgy, Fr. Mark served as third deacon and took his turn leading several litanies.

His Eminence, the Most Reverend DMITRI, Archbishop of Dallas and the South preached on the Gospel Reading from the Gospel of St. Matthew. In his sermon, His Eminence reminded the congregation that our judgment in the last day will be concerned with the mercy and care we show for those whom the world considers worthless and marginal. By loving our neighbors, we demonstrate our love for Christ. And if we refuse to merciful and charitable, the day of judgment will not go well for us.

At the singing of the Cherubic Hymn at the Great Entrance, the deacon being ordained to the priesthood leads the procession with his head covered by the aer, the veil which typically covers the Holy Gifts.

As he approaches the altar guided by the other deacons, he makes a series of full prostrations. At the Royal Doors, he is met by the priests who lead him in procession around the altar, kissing each of its four corners.

This reflects the processions which take place in the Holy Mysteries of Baptism, Chrismation, and Marriage. In each of these sacramental actions, the person is being transfigured in relation to Christ and His Church.

After kneeling before the Bishop, the ordinand kneels before the Holy Altar with his head upon his crossed hands. The Bishop lays hands upon his head and says a series of prayers.

The new priest is then vested according to his new order, with epitrachalion (stole), zone (belt), and phelonion (chasuble).

A pectoral cross and service book are also presented to the new priest.

At the end of the Liturgy, Fr. Mark reads the Prayer before the Ambo:

And afterwards, greets and offers a blessing to the faithful.

Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory to Him forever!

Many thanks to Daniel Rudder, of www.crosscrafter.com, for the magnificent photography!

2009-02-14T06:36:00.000-08:00

The Recent Diocesan Conference in Jacksonville...

...at St. Justin Martyr Orthodox Church included the tonsuring of Fr. Mark Christian as Reader by His Eminence, the Most Reverend DMITRI, Archbishop of Dallas and the South, followed by his ordination as Sub-Deacon and Deacon by His Beatitude, the Most Blessed JONAH, Archbishop of New York and Washington and Metropolitan of All America and Canada.

This represents a tremendous milestone in our life as a mission congregation in Baton Rouge. Father Deacon's ordination to the Holy Order of Priests has been scheduled for Sunday, February 22 at St. Seraphim Cathedral in Dallas.

There will be no services in Baton Rouge this weekend, February 21-22.

Schedule for February 28-March 1:

Saturday, February 28: Great Vespers at 5:00 PM

Forgiveness Sunday (Cheesefare), March 1:

The Adult Class WILL NOT MEET. New Schedule TBA

Hours at 9:40 AM

Divine Liturgy at 10:00 AM, followed by Forgiveness Vespers

2009-02-04T07:23:00.001-08:00

The Enthronement of His Holiness, Patriarch KIRILL
of Moscow and All Russia

MOSCOW, RUSSIA [OCA Communications] -- On Sunday, February 1, 2009, a delegation representing the Orthodox Church in America took part in the enthronement of His Holiness, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, at Christ the Saviour Cathedral in Moscow.

The OCA delegation consisted of His Grace, Bishop Tikhon of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania; His Grace, Bishop Benjamin of San Francisco and the West; Archimandrite Zacchaeus, Representative of the Orthodox Church in America to the Moscow Patriarchate; and Archpriest Leonid Kishkovsky, Director of External Affairs and Interchurch Relations.

At the banquet following the enthronement services, His Grace, Bishop Tikhon read a letter of greeting to Patriarch Kirill from His Beatitude, Metropolitan Jonah.

"Your Holiness' election brings us great joy in knowing that the special relationship between the Russian Church and the Orthodox Church in America will continue," Metropolitan Jonah wrote. "The support and encouragement of the Mother Church to her American Daughter is of utmost value to us. As we move toward greater maturity as a Church and assume the full responsibilities of Autocephaly, which your predecessors endowed us with, we will look to Your Holiness as a collaborator in our common mission to establish the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."

Read it all here.

In news closer to home, the Diocesan website has posted an announcement regarding Mark Christian's scheduled ordination to the Holy Order of Deacons in Jacksonville, Florida.

2009-01-28T10:45:00.000-08:00

Zacchaeus Sunday: February 1

Saturday, January 31
Vespers 5:00 PM

Sunday, February 1:
Adult Class 9:00 AM
Hours 9:45 AM
Typika 10:00 AM

In Orthodox Churches following the Slavic lectionary, the Sunday of Zacchaeus signals the beginning of our preparatory period before Great Lent. The story of the tax-collector who climbed a tree to see Jesus reminds us that our Lenten devotion should begin with a recognition of sinfulness, just as Zacchaeus recognized his sins. He promised to make restitution by giving half of his wealth to the poor and by paying to those he had falsely accused four times as much as they had lost. In this, he went beyond the requirements of the Law.

Just as Zacchaeus "sought to see who Jesus was" (Luke 19:3), that same desire and effort to see Jesus starts the movement through Lent towards Holy Pascha.

2009-01-24T05:02:00.001-08:00

Sunday, January 25:

Commemoration of Saint Gregory the Theologian

The Holy New Martyrs and Confessors of Russia

No Vespers on Saturday, January 24

Sunday, January 25

Adult Catechism 9:00 AM

Hours 9:45 AM

Typika 10:00 AM

2009-01-13T10:41:00.000-08:00

Archpriest Joseph Fester
to Visit this Weekend

We are delighted to welcome Archpriest Joseph Fester, Assistant to His Eminence, Archbishop DMITRI and Dean of the South Central Deanery in the Diocese of the South.

Father Joseph also serves as Associate Priest at Saint Seraphim Cathedral in Dallas, with duties including conducting worship services, assisting in Cathedral communication efforts and other pastoral duties as assigned by the Archbishop.

Schedule:

Saturday, January 17

4:00 PM Great Blessing of the Waters

5:00 PM Great Vespers

Sunday, January 18

9:00 AM Adult Catechism

9:45 AM Third Hour Prayers

10:00 AM Divine Liturgy

A festive coffee hour will follow the Liturgy, with an opportunity to meet Father Joseph and learn more about the future of our mission in Baton Rouge, the Diocese, and the OCA.

2009-01-06T09:16:00.000-08:00

January 6:

The Theophany of our Lord

Schedule for this weekend:

Sunday, January 11

Adult Catechism 9:00 AM

Hours 9:45 AM

Typika 10:00 AM

When Thou, O Lord wast baptized in the Jordan
The worship of the Trinity was made manifest
For the voice of the Father bore witness to Thee
And called Thee His beloved Son.
And the Spirit, in the form of a dove,
Confirmed the truthfulness of His word.
O Christ, our God, Thou hast revealed Thyself
And hast enlightened the world, glory to Thee!

Troparion-Tone 1

2009-01-02T17:02:00.000-08:00

No Services January 3-4...

...regular Sunday schedule resumes January 11.

2008-12-24T12:27:00.000-08:00

Schedule for this weekend...

Saturday, December 27

Vespers 5:00 PM

Sunday, December 28

Adult Catechism 9:00 AM
Hours 9:45 AM
Typika 10:00 AM

2008-12-24T10:59:00.000-08:00

The Nativity of our Lord

Archpastoral Message of His Beatitude,

Metropolitan JONAH

for the Nativity of Christ 2008

Christ is Born! Glorify Him!

Dearly Beloved in Christ,

Lo, the time of our salvation draweth nigh!
Make ready, O Cave!
The Virgin approacheth to give birth!
O Bethlehem, land of Judah,
Adorn thyself and rejoice,
For from thee hath our Lord shone forth!
Hearken, ye mountains and hills,
And ye parts of Judea, which lie round about,
For Christ cometh,
That He might save man whom He created,
In that He loveth mankind!

From of old God worked with the people of Israel, the children of the Covenant, to bring forth Christ. He made the covenants with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; with Moses; with David. He sent the Prophets to announce His will, so that the people might be called to obedience and hence, to life. Finally God sent His Son into the world as the ultimate Mystery of the relationship between Himself and man: the New Covenant, God dwelling in man, and man in God.

Jesus is the revelation of the New Covenant given by God, the revelation of the very goal of creation itself: union, synergy, cooperation, love.

Christ is born! He comes in humility, to show us the way of God. Christ is born! He comes to empty Himself, and reveal God in human form. Christ is born! He became everything that we are, that we might become all that He is. Christ is born! Born in the cave and laid in the manger; yet His glory shone from the manger as from the Mercy Seat. Christ is born! All the angels and the whole creation rejoice! Christ is born! Empty of self in the poverty of humility. Christ is born! Radiant in the glory of His divinity, shining in the obscurity of human darkness. Christ is born! Enlightening with grace all creation. Christ is born! The pledge of the Age to Come: The radiant Coal of the deified New World.

Let us give thanks to God for the gift of salvation, which He has given us so generously by the incarnation of His Son. Let us also empty ourselves of self, so that by embracing His poverty, we might be filled with His life. Let us open our minds and hearts to Him in the persons of the poor and lonely, the destitute and afflicted, and thereby liken ourselves to Him. Let us accept the gift of grace, the deifying gift of the Holy Spirit, and thus being likened to Him by Him, our lives may be fulfilled in that radiant communion of love, which is nothing other than the Kingdom of God.

With joy and gratitude, utterly humbled by the Providence of God, and by your love, I remain faithfully in Christ,

Your servant,

+JONAH

Archbishop of Washington and New York

Metropolitan of All America and Canada