St. Athanasios Greek Orthodox Church - Gulf Shores, AL : 2019-04-01 Bulletin

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Χριστὸς ἀνέστη!

CHRIST IS RISEN!

Христос воскрес!

Hristos a înviat!

The Resurrection is the greatest event in our human history, our Divine-human eternity. It is the day which delivers us out of all the worldly days and nights of this life, and brings us into the day without evening, the eternal day of God's Kingdom. "Pascha is the Feast of all feasts and Celebration of all celebrations, which surpasses all other feasts and celebrations just as the sun surpasses the stars" (St. Gregory the Theologian).

In the light of the Resurrection we comprehend our entire life and rejoice in it. This day of the Resurrection is a day to rejoice in life and Life Eternal. We must witness to this world and to this time the joy which the Resurrection of Christ brings us today, for this is a Joy which no one else can ever give us, and which cannot be taken away.

Faith in the Resurrection, which is given to us by the Risen Christ, the Son of God, frees us from the illusions that prevail in a life founded on a superficial relation to the world. ‘Like as the smoke vanisheth, so let them vanish away’ – these sacred words of the Church hymnography we hear during the days of Holy Pascha. If there is no faith in God, in His Life reigning in us, then the appearance of life, which is only an imaginary well-being that superficially accompanies us, will soon disappear and be replaced by the dark emptiness from which the contemporary man so often suffers.

Christ, however, penetrates this darkness with the light of His Resurrection, He fills empty human vessels with the fullness of His Life. He, the Conqueror of darkness, inspires us to strive for the true Light, so that our souls might blossom with a fragrant flower, the flower of the true beauty of holiness, the seed of which was planted in us from conception, in our mother’s womb.

Such is the Pascha of Christ – filled with the joy of spiritual attraction to the virginal source of eternal life and holiness. To this pure image, the Life-Giving Spring – the Most Holy Virgin and Mother of God, are addressed our Paschal exclamations:

‘Rejoice! Sanctified divine habitation of the Most High, rejoice! We who are given joy through thee, O Mother of God, cry out: Blessed art thou among women, All-undefiled Lady!’

In the spirit of this glorious, common and universal rejoicing in the Church, I greet with great Paschal joy all of you, dear brothers and sisters, who have your saving refuge in that fold of the Greek Orthodox Church.

May the light of the Resurrection illumine the hearts of all of you so that you may rejoice with all people in love, peace and concord through the Son and Word of God, who is the Light of the world, the Truth and the Life.

May the light of the Resurrection of Christ who gives us the power not to die (Jn 11:26) and abundant gratitude toward our God Who is worshipped in Trinity, be with you and with all of yours.

To Him alone, who arose from the dead, the Lord of glory, “who lords over life and rules over death,” who lives to the ages and “grants life to those in the tombs,” belong glory, honor and thanksgiving. Amen.

Ἀληθῶς ἀνέστη!

CHRIST IS RISEN INDEED!

Воистину воскрес!

Adevărat a înviat!

Your Intercessor before the Resurrected Christ,

Rev. Father Sasa Turkic

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Bible Study

The Bible Study at the St. Athanasios Church will be held on Sunday April 11th and Sunday April 25th (from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 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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Special Event

Smyrna, Destruction of a Cosmopolitan City will be shown after Coffee Hour on Sunday, May 5, 2019. Join us for Lunch and this Special Event.

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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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Archdiocese is having Technical Difficulties with this month's bulletin. The Gospel and Episle Readings is not in this months bulletin.

General Information

Contact Information

Services Schedule

Past Bulletins

Rev. Fr. Sasa Turkic

APRIL CHURCH SERVICES

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Third Mode

Apolytikion of Sun. of the Elevation of the Cross in the First Tone

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal Fourth Mode

Special Events

Easter Egg Hunt

Oratorical Festival