Judgment Sunday (Meatfare Sunday)
The foregoing two parables -- especially that of the Prodigal Son -- have presented to us God's extreme goodness and love for man. But lest certain persons, putting their confidence in this alone, live carelessly, squandering upon sin the time given them to work out their salvation, and death suddenly snatch them away, the most divine Fathers have appointed this day's feast commemorating Christ's impartial Second Coming, through which we bring to mind that God is not only the Friend of man, but also the most righteous Judge, Who recompenses to each according to his deeds.
It is the aim of the holy Fathers, through bringing to mind that fearful day, to rouse us from the slumber of carelessness unto the work of virtue, and to move us to love and compassion for our brethren. Besides this, even as on the coming Sunday of Cheese-fare we commemorate Adam's exile from the Paradise of delight -- which exile is the beginning of life as we know it now -- it is clear that today's is reckoned the last of all feasts, because on the last day of judgment, truly, everything of this world will come to an end.
All foods, except meat and meat products, are allowed during the week that follows this Sunday.
Join the GOA Center for Family Care Sunday, March 7th at 8PM ET for an opportunity to interact with Director, Fr. Alex, and ask him questions live and hear about his new book Practicing Prayer.
Are you looking for a weekly curriculum for your parish? Check out the Small Group resources and bring people together with this project from the department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries (Y2AM), part of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.
The Department of Religious Education has released the following new resources in support of the ongoing curriculum update and revisions for parish religious education programs.
Standing before you and in the presence of our all-seeing Lord, I am struck by the enormity of the task before me. To stand before the Holy Altar Table of our Lord as his διακονος, as His servant seems to me to be at once a glorious privilege and a fearful burden. A glorious privilege, because the Lord Himself is glorious, and to stand near Him at the Holy Altar of Sacrifice is to partake in glory itself.
Throughout the Lenten and Paschal season, The GOA Center for Family Care will be posting the upcoming Sunday's Gospel lesson and corresponding activities and Family Connection activities on their Facebook page.
Today His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America convened the Holy Eparchial Synod via teleconference for a regularly scheduled meeting. The proceedings focused on the preparation for the 200-year Anniversary of the Greek Revolution.
Steve Christoforou was on ΕΡΤ Α.Ε. over the weekend (Greek public radio and TV), talking about the ministry work of the Archdiocesan Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, especially programs like "Be the Bee."
Rev. Protopresbyter Fr. George Vaporis fell asleep in the Lord February 26th, 2021. Fr. Vaporis is survived by his belowed Presbytera Kalliopi and their four children: Michael, Katherine, Basil, and Markella and 7 grandchildren.
The website, developed by the Archdiocesan Department of Internet Ministries, will serve as the main point of information and advertisement regarding the various events of the 200th Anniversary across the Archdiocese and throughout the Omogenia, as well as provide access to the many educational programs that will be offered online and, when possible, in person.