HELLO DEVOTED PARISHIONERS AND ORTHODOX CHRISTIANS OF ST. JOHN'S. WE ARE OPEN, AND THE RESTRICTIONS AND PRECAUTIONS ARE STILL IN PLACE. HOWEVER NOW WE ARE ALLOWED TO HAVE 25 PEOPLE IN CHURCH. THIS INCLUDES THE PRIEST, CHANTER, 1-2 PARISH COUNCIL MEMBERS AND 21 PARISHIONERS. EVERYONE IS REQUIRED TO WEAR MASKS AND/OR GLOVES WHILE IN THE CHURCH. ONLY THOSE WHO ARE IN GOOD HEALTH WILL BE ABLE TO ENTER. IF YOU ARE OVER 65 IT IS UP TO YOU IF YOU WISH TO ATTEND. IF YOU HAD CONTRACTED OR ARE STILL SUFFERING, OR RECUPERATING FROM THE VIRUS YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ENTER.
IF YOU BRING KOLYVA IT MUST BE WRAPPED IN PLASTIC WHEN IT IS BROUGHT INTO CHURCH, AND IT MUST BE TAKEN OUT THE SAME WAY. IT WILL NOT BE DISTRIBUTED IN CHURCH.
EVERY THURSDAY EVENING AT 7:30 P.M. I HOST AN ONLINE BIBLE STUDY. IT IS OPEN TO ALL WHO WISH TO ATTEND. PLEASE EMAIL ME AT THE CHURCH EMAIL ADDRESS OR TO MY PERSONAL EMAIL ADDRESS FOR THE WEEKLY LINK.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE 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 IN THE FUTURE.
IF YOU HAVE NOT SENT IN THIS YEAR'S STEWARDSHIP 2020 PLEASE DO THAT TODAY. THE 2020 FORM IS ON OUR WEBSITE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY!
WE ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT "PI BAKERIE" IS OPEN AT 512 BROOME STREET, NYC. SINCE ARTOPOLIS CLOSED IN ASTORIA YOU CAN NOW FIND ALL THE FABULOUS GREEK PASTRIES, DELIGHTS TO SATISFY YOUR TASTE BUDS. PLEASE VISIT AND TELL REGINA WE SENT YOU. ENJOY!
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THE ENEMY WE FACE
During this time of great agitation, turmoil, and uncertainty we need some assurance that God is still with us. Because of our fallen nature we face many obstacles in our life, some we can see and are obvious, and others are very surreptitious. This is what we have to realize, that both exert constant pressure upon us. I know it may sound corny to some, but it is a real and clear present danger to every citizen of this world. The spiritual warfare that all Baptize Orthodox Christians face is immense and daunting. However, with the grace of God and the spirit that now dwells within us we can overcome. The following is taken from the “Sophia” website, and I think it will make clear to what ends evil will go to in order to turn us away from God.
“This second article on warfare and Orthodoxy plans to focus on the warfare that every baptised Orthodox Christian is called to engage in, the spiritual warfare. Many great books have been written on this very subject, and this author would recommend the four volumes of the Evergetinos, Unseen Warfare by St Theophan the Recluse, and The Field and The Arena by St Ignatius Brianchaninov. These provide step by step methods by which we can start to take our spiritual lives seriously and engage in spiritual exercise. First among these books is the Ladder of Divine Ascent of St John Climacus, which is traditionally read during Great Lent. What follows is but a brief summary of the idea of spiritual warfare.
Spiritual warfare is not like material warfare. There are no breaks, no truces and no ceasefires. There is either complete victory or utter defeat. We have an enemy in Satan who attacks us at all times and never rests, and so we too must match these efforts. Like soldiers, we need to be disciplined and not fall out of line. If a soldier becomes separated from their army, they are easier for the enemy to pick off and kill. So too we must never separate ourselves from God and the Church.
We must remember that we are spiritual athletes. Our aim might be higher than an Olympic gold medal or a World Cup, but we can take some inspiration from the amount of training that athletes put in. If they work so hard for these worldly successes, how much more should we work out of love for God? We, like the athletes, have our spiritual exercises. We have prayer, through which we can lay our problems and our sins at the feet of God like a sacrifice brought before an altar (Psalm 50:19). We have fasting, by which we sacrifice our tastes and desires and strengthen our resolve. We can read the Bible and spiritual books, and through these fill our minds with what is good and true. We partake of Holy Communion, and “taste and see that the Lord is good” (Divine Liturgy of St John Chrysostom).
It is for us to start to follow the commandments, to fight our passions, to pray, and to fast. To do this, the best way is to get an objective opinion from a spiritual father. The first step is obedience to the directions given by the spiritual father. If we listen and obey we are already practicing humility, one of the greatest virtues, by sacrificing our wills. Follow his advice faithfully and lay everything before him and you cannot go wrong. If we desire to follow Christ, we must deny ourselves and take up our crosses (Mark 8:34).
If this is enough to get you down, remember that the thought that this is simply too much is another temptation designed to lead us into despair. Remember the words of St Paul to rejoice always, to pray without ceasing and give thanks at all times (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). Fight the good fight like St Paul, and remember that the Holy Trinity, the Theotokos, the saints and the angels are with us every step of the way. We have so many people here to help us, so many books and examples from the lives of saints to inspire us and so much guidance from the Fathers.
'Therefore take up the whole armour of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.'" (Ephesians 6:13-17).” AMEN!
What a year this has been for all of us, and especially for you. I want to say how proud I am, of how each of you has contributed to the completion of this extraordinary school year. None of us ever expected that such a world would come crashing in on our daily lives and expectations. All of you have had to cope with the pandemic, and all of you have come through with grace and dignity.
The Spring 2020 edition of PRAXIS magazine is now fully available online. The topic of Orthodox Youth around the World was selected to honor the Christmas 2019 declaration of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew that 2020 would be the “year of pastoral renewal and due concern for the youth.”
The Center for Family Care of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America’s summer series, “Soak Up the Son: The Wonder of God’s Creation” began on Monday, June 15th. Soak Up the Son is a summer program designed for families. This 10 week seasonal series is offered as a reminder “to commit ourselves and one another and our whole lives to Christ our God.” New episodes will air every Monday at 12PM EST, on the GOA Center for Family Care website (family.goarch.org) and Facebook page (www.facebook.com/centerforfamilycare). From there, the program can be modified to your liking, and according to your family dynamics.
On Saturday, June 13, 2020, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America Office of Education honored graduates from the Greek Orthodox Archdiocesan Schools with a virtual commencement. Hundreds of graduates from all the District Greek Orthodox Archdiocesan Schools participated while families and friends watched via the Greek Education Facebook page.
The Department of Inter-Orthodox, Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America has produced an interview series entitled, “A Conversation on Racial Reconciliation,” with Archdeacon John Chryssavgis. This series, as well as an updated resource center, are in response to the events following the death of Mr. George Floyd.
