WE ARE EXTENDING THE DEADLINE FOR JOURNAL ENTRIES SINCE WE ARE STILL RECEIVING THEM. THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST AND BLESSINGS!
WE ARE STILL IN NEED OF DONATIONS FOR THE RENOVATIONS. SO PLEASE TAKE THE TIME AND BE AS GENEROUS AS YOU CAN TO HELP KEEP ST. JOHN'S A VIABLE COMMUNITY FOR TODAY AND THE FUTURE.
THE GREEK DANCE CLASS ON WEDNESDAY HAS CONCLUDED FOR THE SUMMER AND WILL RESUME ON SEPTEMBER 4, 2019.
BIBLE STUDY ON THURSDAY WILL BE IN SESSION DURING MOST OF THE SUMMER. PLEASE CALL THE CHURCH OR ASK ANYONE AT THE CANDLE STAND FOR INFORMATION.
IF YOU HAVE NOT SENT IN THIS YEAR'S STEWARDSHIP PLEASE DO THAT TODAY.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY!
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THE PERI AND THE ANGEL!
Last week’s message dealt with the meaning of the 4th of July and the destructive elements that exist in Americans today. As you can see from my message I am very adamant about the significance and potential that life in America has to offer those who live here. Freedom and liberty are its cornerstones, and as Americans can this grace grant us anything toward our salvation?
Most Americans are very patriotic and see the gift we have been given by being born or have immigrated here. However, there is a wonderful story by a wise and Holy man named Theophan the Recluse, who lived in Russia from 1815-1894. He wrote many books dealing with how one should live a spiritual life in a time when Russia was marked and consumed by decadence and ostentation. One book was of course entitled “The Spiritual Life: And How To Be Attuned To It.” Another “The Path To Salvation: A Manual of Spiritual Transformation,” and many others that deal with how one can always be in tune with the spirit that lives within them after baptism.
St. Theophan took to heart the words of St. John the Baptist, when he proclaimed “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven, is at hand!” It is this theme which permeates his writing, and for good reason. In one spiritual story, he gives the reader a wonderful example of how to live a life centered on the words of St. John and is entitled “The Peri And The Angel.”
“A peri is a spirit, one that was induced to fall away from God but that came to its senses and returned to Heaven. After arriving at the gates of Heaven, however, he found them closed. The angel guarding them said, 'There is hope that you can enter, but bring a worthy gift."'
“The peri flew to the earth. He saw a war. A valiant soldier was dying, and in dying tears, he was praying to God for his fatherland. The peri caught a tear and took it to Heaven. The gates, however, did not open. The angel told him, "It is a nice gift, but it cannot open the gates of Heaven for you. This means that all civic virtues are good, but they alone do not lead to Heaven."
"The peri flew back to earth. He saw a plague. A handsome man was dying. His betrothed was selflessly caring for him, but she was becoming infected herself. No sooner had she closed his eyes than she, too, fell dead on his chest. There were tears. The peri caught one and brought it, but the gates of Heaven were still closed. The angel said to him, 'It is a nice gift, but it cannot open the gates of Heaven for you. This means that family virtues alone also will not bring one to heaven. Search! There is hope."'
"The peri returned to earth once again. He found someone who was repenting. He took a tear and brought it. As he approached Heaven, all the doors were already open to him. Thus, bring, if you will, such tears to the Lord. There is joy in Heaven that someone weeps and is contrite, feeling his sinfulness. This is the most trustworthy path for us, Repent and believe the gospel (Mark 1:15). May the Lord bless you!”
As you can see from the story, repentance is the only way the gates of heaven will open, along with one's heart to the love of God. This will bring the person closer to God. There are many other stories that St. Theophan writes to those who call upon his wisdom for guidance, and he delivers the remedy like a doctor in an operating theater with great surgical accuracy. May we find the strength to dig within our own heart and cut out and burn what is silently killing us, that is, our own fleshly lives.
Finally, St. Theophan hits the nail on the head. No matter how patriotic and nationalistic I maybe it will never open the doors of heaven for me. The only answer is what the 50th Psalm states very accurately. “For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart –– these, O God, You will not despise, Do good in Your good pleasure to Zion; build the walls of Jerusalem. Then You shall be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering; then they shall offer bulls on Your altar. Amen!
Sunday, July 28, 2019
6th Sunday of Matthew
9:00 a.m. Orthros/10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy
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Thursday, August 1, 2019
Dormition Fast Begins
6:30 Bible Study
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Friday, August 2, 2019
6:30 p.m. Small Paraclesis
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Sunday, August 4, 2019
7th Sunday of Matthew
9:00 a.m. Orthros/10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy
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Tuesday, August 6, 2019
Holy Transfiguration
8:15 a.m. Orthros/9:15 a.m. Divine Liturgy
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Wednesday, August 7, 2019
6:30 p.m. Small Paraclesis
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Thursday, August 8, 2019
6:30 p.m. Bible Study
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Friday, August 9, 2019
6:30 p.m. Small Paraclesis
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Sunday, August 11, 2019
7th Sunday of Matthew
9:00 a.m. Orthros/10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy
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Tuesday, August 13, 2019
6:30 p.m. Small Paraclesis
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Thursday, August 15, 2019
Dormition of the Theotokos
8:15 a.m. Orthros/9:15 a.m. Divine Liturgy
6:30 p.m. Bible Study
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Sunday, August 18, 2019
9th Sunday of Matthew
9:00 a.m. Orthros/10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy
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Thursday, August 22, 2019
6:30 p.m. Bible Study
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Sunday, August 25, 2019
10th Sunday of Matthew
9:00 a.m. Orthros/10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy
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Wednesday, August 28, 2019
Great Vespers for our Patron Saint John the Baptist
7:00 p.m.
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Thursday, August 29, 2019
Beheading of John the Baptist
8:15 a.m. Orthros/9:15 a.m. Divine Liturgy
No Bible Study
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Sunday, September 1, 2019
Beginning of the Ecclesiastical Year
9:00 a.m. Orthros/10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy
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Monday, September 2, 2019
Labor Day Church Closed
Saint Irene, who was from Cappadocia, flourished in the ninth century. Because of her great beauty and virtue, she was brought to Constantinople as a prospective bride for the young Emperor Michael (842-867); however, as Saint Joannicius the Great foretold, it was God's will that she assume the monastic habit instead. She shone forth in great ascetical labours, and suffered many attacks from the demons; while yet a novice, she attained to the practice of Saint Arsenius the Great, of praying the whole night long with arms stretched out towards Heaven (see May 8). God showed forth great signs and wonders in her, and she became the Abbess of the Convent of Chrysovalantou. She was granted the gift of clairvoyance and knew the thoughts of all that came to her. She appeared in a vision to the king and rebuked him for unjustly imprisoning a nobleman who had been falsely accused. Through a sailor from Patmos to whom he had appeared, Saint John the Evangelist sent her fragrant and wondrous apples from Paradise. She reposed at the age of 103, still retaining the youthful beauty of her countenance. After her repose, marvelous healings beyond number have been wrought by her to the present day.
These Apostles of the Seventy are mentioned in Acts 6:5. Saint Prochoros became Bishop of Nicomedia and reposed in peace. Saint Nicanor was stoned to death in Jerusalem. Saint Timon became Bishop of Bostra in Arabia and ended his life in martyrdom by fire at the hands of the pagans. Saint Parmenas died in peace in Jerusalem.
Sixth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Luke 24:36-53
At that time, Jesus, having risen from the dead, stood in the midst of his disciples and said to them, "Peace to you." But they were startled and frightened, and supposed that they saw a spirit. And he said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do questionings rise in your hearts? See my hands and feet, that it is I myself; handle me, and see; for a spirit has not flesh and bones as you see that I have." And when he said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. And while they still disbelieved for joy, and wondered, he said to them, "Have you anything here to eat?" They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate before them.
Then he said to them, "These are my words which I spoke to you, while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and the psalms must be fulfilled. Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you; but stay in the city, until you are clothed with power from on high."
Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands, he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them, and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him, and they returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God.
Sixth Orthros Gospel
Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 24:36-53
Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς ἔστη ἐν μέσῳ αὐτῶν καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς· εἰρήνη ὑμῖν. πτοηθέντες δὲ καὶ ἔμφοβοι γενόμενοι ἐδόκουν πνεῦμα θεωρεῖν. καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· τί τεταραγμένοι ἐστέ, καὶ διατί διαλογισμοὶ ἀναβαίνουσιν ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ὑμῶν; ἴδετε τὰς χεῖράς μου καὶ τοὺς πόδας μου, ὅτι αὐτὸς ἐγώ εἰμι· ψηλαφήσατέ με καὶ ἴδετε, ὅτι πνεῦμα σάρκα καὶ ὀστέα οὐκ ἔχει καθὼς ἐμὲ θεωρεῖτε ἔχοντα. καὶ τοῦτο εἰπὼν ἐπέδειξεν αὐτοῖς τὰς χεῖρας καὶ τοὺς πόδας. ἔτι δὲ ἀπιστούντων αὐτῶν ἀπὸ τῆς χαρᾶς καὶ θαυμαζόντων εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· ἔχετέ τι βρώσιμον ἐνθάδε; οἱ δὲ ἐπέδωκαν αὐτῷ ἰχθύος ὀπτοῦ μέρος καὶ ἀπὸ μελισσίου κηρίου, καὶ λαβὼν ἐνώπιον αὐτῶν ἔφαγεν. εἶπε δὲ αὐτοῖς· οὗτοι οἱ λόγοι οὓς ἐλάλησα πρὸς ὑμᾶς ἔτι ὢν σὺν ὑμῖν, ὅτι δεῖ πληρωθῆναι πάντα τὰ γεγραμμένα ἐν τῷ νόμῳ Μωϋσέως καὶ προφήταις καὶ ψαλμοῖς περὶ ἐμοῦ. τότε διήνοιξεν αὐτῶν τὸν νοῦν τοῦ συνιέναι τὰς γραφάς, καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς ὅτι οὕτω γέγραπται καὶ οὕτως ἔδει παθεῖν τὸν Χριστὸν καὶ ἀναστῆναι ἐκ νεκρῶν τῇ τρίτῃ ἡμέρᾳ, καὶ κηρυχθῆναι ἐπὶ τῷ ὀνόματι αὐτοῦ μετάνοιαν καὶ ἄφεσιν ἁμαρτιῶν εἰς πάντα τὰ ἔθνη, ἀρξάμενον ἀπὸ ῾Ιερουσαλήμ. ὑμεῖς δέ ἐστε μάρτυρες τούτων. καὶ ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ ἀποστέλλω τὴν ἐπαγγελίαν τοῦ πατρός μου ἐφ᾿ ὑμᾶς· ὑμεῖς δὲ καθίσατε ἐν τῇ πόλει ῾Ιερουσαλὴμ ἕως οὗ ἐνδύσησθε δύναμιν ἐξ ὕψους.
᾿Εξήγαγε δὲ αὐτοὺς ἔξω ἕως εἰς Βηθανίαν, καὶ ἐπάρας τὰς χεῖρας αὐτοῦ εὐλόγησεν αὐτούς. καὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ εὐλογεῖν αὐτὸν αὐτοὺς διέστη ἀπ᾿ αὐτῶν καὶ ἀνεφέρετο εἰς τὸν οὐρανόν. καὶ αὐτοὶ προσκυνήσαντες αὐτὸν ὑπέστρεψαν εἰς ῾Ιερουσαλὴμ μετὰ χαρᾶς μεγάλης, καὶ ἦσαν διὰ παντὸς ἐν τῷ ἱερῷ αἰνοῦντες καὶ εὐλογοῦντες τὸν Θεόν. ἀμήν.
6th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Romans 12:6-14
Brethren, having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; he who teaches, in his teaching; he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who contributes, in liberality; he who gives aid, with zeal; he who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with brotherly affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Never flag in zeal, be aglow with the Spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in your hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.
6th Sunday of Matthew
Πρὸς ῾Ρωμαίους 12:6-14
Ἀδελφοί, ἔχοντες δὲ χαρίσματα κατὰ τὴν χάριν τὴν δοθεῖσαν ἡμῖν διάφορα, εἴτε προφητείαν, κατὰ τὴν ἀναλογίαν τῆς πίστεως· εἴτε διακονίαν, ἐν τῇ διακονίᾳ· εἴτε ὁ διδάσκων, ἐν τῇ διδασκαλίᾳ· εἴτε ὁ παρακαλῶν, ἐν τῇ παρακλήσει· ὁ μεταδιδούς, ἐν ἁπλότητι· ὁ προϊστάμενος, ἐν σπουδῇ· ὁ ἐλεῶν, ἐν ἱλαρότητι. Ἡ ἀγάπη ἀνυπόκριτος. Ἀποστυγοῦντες τὸ πονηρόν, κολλώμενοι τῷ ἀγαθῷ. Τῇ φιλαδελφίᾳ εἰς ἀλλήλους φιλόστοργοι· τῇ τιμῇ ἀλλήλους προηγούμενοι· τῇ σπουδῇ μὴ ὀκνηροί· τῷ πνεύματι ζέοντες· τῷ κυρίῳ δουλεύοντες· τῇ ἐλπίδι χαίροντες· τῇ θλίψει ὑπομένοντες· τῇ προσευχῇ προσκαρτεροῦντες· ταῖς χρείαις τῶν ἁγίων κοινωνοῦντες· τὴν φιλοξενίαν διώκοντες. Εὐλογεῖτε τοὺς διώκοντας ὑμᾶς· εὐλογεῖτε, καὶ μὴ καταρᾶσθε.
6th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 9:1-8
At that time, getting into a boat Jesus crossed over and came to his own city. And behold, they brought to him a paralytic, lying on his bed; and when Jesus saw their faith he said to the paralytic, "Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven." And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, "This man is blaspheming." But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, "Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say 'Rise and walk?' But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins" he then said to the paralytic -- "Rise, take up your bed and go home." And he rose and went home. When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men.
6th Sunday of Matthew
Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 9:1-8
Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἐμβὰς εἰς πλοῖον διεπέρασε καὶ ἦλθεν εἰς τὴν ἰδίαν πόλιν. Καὶ ἰδοὺ προσέφερον αὐτῷ παραλυτικὸν ἐπὶ κλίνης βεβλημένον· καὶ ἰδὼν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς τὴν πίστιν αὐτῶν εἶπε τῷ παραλυτικῷ· θάρσει, τέκνον· ἀφέωνταί σοι αἱ ἁμαρτίαι σου. καὶ ἰδού τινες τῶν γραμματέων εἶπον ἐν ἑαυτοῖς· οὗτος βλασφημεῖ. καὶ ἰδὼν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς τὰς ἐνθυμήσεις αὐτῶν εἶπεν· ἵνα τί ὑμεῖς ἐνθυμεῖσθε πονηρὰ ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ὑμῶν; τί γάρ ἐστιν εὐκοπώτερον, εἰπεῖν, ἀφέωνταί σου αἱ ἁμαρτίαι, ἢ εἰπεῖν, ἔγειρε καὶ περιπάτει; ἵνα δὲ εἰδῆτε ὅτι ἐξουσίαν ἔχει ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ἀφιέναι ἁμαρτίας - τότε λέγει τῷ παραλυτικῷ· ἐγερθεὶς ἆρόν σου τὴν κλίνην καὶ ὕπαγε εἰς τὸν οἶκόν σου. καὶ ἐγερθεὶς ἀπῆλθεν εἰς τὸν οἶκον αὐτοῦ. ἰδόντες δὲ οἱ ὄχλοι ἐθαύμασαν καὶ ἐδόξασαν τὸν Θεὸν τὸν δόντα ἐξουσίαν τοιαύτην τοῖς ἀνθρώποις.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Greek Standard Text
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Narthex Press
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Greek Standard Text