Dear Brothers and Sisters,
As we move into the Lenten Spring, we should remember this season of discipline for body, mind, and soul as a gracious opportunity, and not a grueling obligation!
This is a time to get ready for redemption. Great Lent is essentially two things: Repentance through prayer and Bodily Discipline through fasting. St. John Chrysostom has written, "Repentance is the medicine which destroys sin; it is a heavenly gift, a force of grace that transforms all. It does not reject the immoral and is not dismissive of the alcoholic and does not reject the idolater, the slanderer, or the arrogant. It regenerates everybody because it is a furnace for the purification of sin. The wound and the medicine; these are sin and repentance."
Prayer and fasting shelters the new growth of spiritual maturity in us, like buds that come out in spring and the fruit that follows the flower. Abba Agathon said, "All our care should be directed towards the fruit – we must guard the spirit; but it needs protection and help to grow from the foliage, the canopy of leaves and branches, which is bodily discipline."
As we all seek forgiveness from our Heavenly Father as prodigal children, I ask your forgiveness for all my weaknesses, shortcomings, and sins.
May our long-suffering, compassionate, and merciful Lord grant us a blessed and fruitful Fast!
Yours in Christ,
+Fr. Sasa Turkic
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Save the date: 2019 Saint John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival
Our annual parish oratorical will be held Sunday, March 31st following the Divine Liturgy. The oratorical festival is an important part of the religious education of our Orthodox Christian students. Our kid's are working hard on preparing their speeches. Please support our youth by attending this important annual event.
The district oratorical festival will be held April 13th at Markella & Demerits Greek Orthodox Church in Mary Ester Fl. Details to follow.
St. Athanasios Sunday School Director,
Mrs. Julie Papadelias
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Bible Study
The Bible Study at the St. Athanasios Church will be held on Sunday March10 and Sunday March 24th (from 11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.). There, we will learn about the Orthodox Tradition on the Bible. The classes are designed to introduce the basic teachings of Orthodox Christianity through the Church Fathers using the Church Lectionary and History, which has its roots in Apostolic times.
If you are interested in attending, please contact Fr. Sasa at (251) 233-3128.
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Holy Confession
The sacrament of Holy Confession has always been a central part of an Orthodox Christian’s spiritual journey during our pilgrimage with the Lord in life. Orthodox Christians interested in participating in this Holy Sacrament of Confession and Reconciliation can meet with me by appointment. Please call me at 251-233-3128.
Additional information can be found about Holy Confession and the other sacraments of our Church on our web site at http://www.stathanasios.al.goarch.org/ourfaith/sacraments
+Fr Sasa Turkic
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