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Saint Catherine Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2019-03-10
Bulletin Contents
This Week and Upcoming Events
Event Flyers
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Wisdom of the Fathers
Saints and Feasts
Metropolis of Atlanta
Message from Archbishop Demetrios
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese News
Assembly of Bishops News
Hellenic College Holy Cross News
Eden
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Saint Catherine Greek Orthodox Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (561) 833-6387
  • Fax:
  • (561) 833-6391
  • Street Address:

  • 110 Southern Blvd.

  • West Palm Beach, FL 33405

Contact Information

Father Andrew Maginas

FrAndrewMaginas@mail.goarch.org | (561) 833-6387

Services Schedule

Sunday Services:

  8:45 am     Orthros

10:00 am     Divine Liturgy

 

Past Bulletins


This Week and Upcoming Events

 Christ is in our midst!  He is and ever shall be!

Our services are streamed live on the internet.
at our Saint Catherine website - www.stcatherine-wpb.org

Click Here for the Live Stream during scheduled services! 

 

This Week at Saint Catherine
Saturday, March 9 ~ 2nd Saturday of Souls
       9:00 am   Orthros
     10:00 am   Liturgy and Memorial
       6:30 pm   Greek Independence Day Dinner Dance Celebration

Sunday, March 10 ~ Forgiveness Sunday (Cheesefare)
       8:45 am   Orthros  -  Download the Orthros Service
     10:00 am   Divine Liturgy
     10:00 am   Sunday School
     * Parish Assembly Meeting after Liturgy *
       6:00 pm   Forgiveness Vespers with anointing with Holy Unction

Monday, March 11 ~ Clean Monday ~ Great Lent Begins
       6:00 pm   Great Compline

Tuesday, March 12
     AHEPA / Daughters of Penelope
       6:00 pm   Refreshments
       7:00 pm   Meetings

Wednesday, March 13
       6:00 pm   Presanctified Liturgy

Thursday, March 14
       9:30 am   Paraklesis (in church)
     10:15 am   “Explore the Word” Bible Study (Small Hall)

Friday, March 15
       7:00 pm   1st Salutations, Lenten Supper and Study

Saturday, March 16 ~ 3rd Saturday of Souls
       9:00 am   Orthros
     10:00 am   Liturgy and Memorial
     District GOYA Retreat 10 am - 3pm, at Saint Mark



Highlights of Upcoming Services and Events
Sunday, March 17 ~ Sunday of Orthodoxy
       8:45 am   Orthros
     10:00 am   Divine Liturgy with procession of icons.  << All adults and children are invited to bring an icon from home and participate >>
     10:00 am   Sunday School
                         note: no Sunday School 3/24 and 3/31
       5:00 pm   Pan Orthodox Great Vespers at Saint Mary

Tuesday, March 19
     Philoptochos
     10:30 am   Board Meeting
     12:00 pm   Lunch Meeting

Wednesday, March 20
       9:00 am   Presanctified Liturgy
       6:30 pm   Paraklesis (in church)
       7:15 pm   “Explore the Word” Bible Study (Small Hall)

Thursday, March 21
       7:00 pm   Parish Council Meeting

Friday, March 22
       7:00 pm   2nd Salutations, Lenten Supper and Study

 
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New Logo for YouTube done In-house  Many of our Divine Liturgies have been recorded and can be viewed at www.youtube.com.  Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Saint.Catherine.Greek.Orthodox.Church

 

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Event Flyers

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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Eighth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from John 20:11-18

At that time, Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him." Saying this, she turned round and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom do you seek?" Supposing Him to be the gardener, she said to Him, "Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away." Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned and said to him in Hebrew, "Rabboni!" (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, "Do not hold me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brethren and say to them, I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God." Mary Magdalene went and said to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord"; and she told them that He had said these things to her.

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Plagal Fourth Tone. Psalm 75.11,1.
Make your vows to the Lord our God and perform them.
Verse: God is known in Judah; his name is great in Israel.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Romans 13:11-14; 14:1-4.

Brethren, salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed; the night is far gone, the day is at hand. Let us then cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us conduct ourselves becomingly as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

As for the man who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not for disputes over opinions. One believes he may eat anything, while the weak man eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him who abstains, and let not him who abstains pass judgment on him who eats; for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for God is able to make him stand.

Gospel Reading

Forgiveness Sunday
The Reading is from Matthew 6:14-21

The Lord said, "If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

"And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

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Wisdom of the Fathers

That great man Moses, when fasting, conversed with God, and received the law. Great and holy Elijah, when fasting, was thought worthy of divine visions, and at last was taken up like Him who ascended into heaven. And Daniel, when fasting, although a very young man, was entrusted with the mystery, and he alone under-stood the secret thing of the king. . .
St. Athanasios of Alexandria

Before we enter the Lenten fast, we are reminded that there can be no true fast, no genuine repentance, no reconciliation with God, unless we are at the same time reconciled with one another. A fast without mutual love is the fast of demons. . . We do not travel the road of Lent as isolated individuals but as members of a family.
His Grace Bishop Kallistos of Diokleia
20th Century

If we have true love with sympathy and patient labor, we shall not go about scrutinizing our neighbor's shortcomings. As it is said, "Charity shall cover the multitude of sins" (1 Peter 4:8). . . True love screens anything of this kind, as did the saints when they saw the shortcomings of men. Were they blind? Not at all! But they simply would not let their eyes dwell on sins.
St. Dorotheos of Gaza

The value of fasting consists not in abstinence only from food, but in a relinquishment of sinful practices, since he who limits his fasting only to an abstinence from meat is he who especially disparages it. The change in our way of life during these blessed days will help us to gain holiness. Therefore we should let our soul rejoice during the fast.
St. John Chrysostom
Fourth Century

For I know, yea I know many, not merely fasting and making a display of it, but neglecting to fast, and yet wearing the masks of them that fast, and cloaking themselves with an excuse worse than their sin.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 20 on Matthew 6, 4th Century

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Saints and Feasts

Eden
March 10

Forgiveness Sunday

The Holy Fathers have appointed the commemoration of Adam's exile from the Paradise of delight here, on the eve of the holy Forty-day Fast, demonstrating to us not by simple words, but by actual deeds, how beneficial fasting is for man, and how harmful and destructive are insatiety and the transgressing of the divine commandments. For the first commandment that God gave to man was that of fasting, which the first-fashioned received but did not keep; and not only did they not become gods, as they had imagined, but they lost even that blessed life which they had, and they fell into corruption and death, and transmitted these and innumerable other evils to all of mankind. The God-bearing Fathers set these things before us today, that by bringing to mind what we have fallen from, and what we have suffered because of the insatiety and disobedience of the first-fashioned, we might be diligent to return again to that ancient bliss and glory by means of fasting and obedience to all the divine commands. Taking occasion from today's Gospel (Matt. 6:14-21) to begin the Fast unencumbered by enmity, we also ask forgiveness this day, first from God, then from one another and all creation.

Allsaint
March 10

Quadratus the Martyr & his Companions

These Martyrs contested for piety's sake in Corinth during the reign of the Emperor Valerian (253-260).

Allsaint
March 11

First Monday of Lent - Clean Monday

Allsaint
March 11

Sophronius, Patriarch of Jerusalem

This Saint was born in Damascus. As a young man he became a monk at the Monastery of Saint Theodosius the Cenobiarch in Palestine, where he met John Moschus and became his close friend. Having a common desire to search out ascetics from whom they could receive further spiritual instruction, they journeyed together through Palestine, Syria, Asia Minor, and Egypt, where they met the Patriarch of Alexandria, Saint John the Almsgiver, with whom they remained until 614, when Persians captured Jerusalem (see also Saint Anastasius the Persian, Jan. 22). Saint Sophronius and John Moschus departed Alexandria for Rome, where they remained until 619, the year of John Moschus' death. Saint Sophronius returned to the Monastery of Saint Theodosius the Cenobiarch, and there buried the body of his friend. He laboured much in defence of the Holy Fourth Council of Chalcedon, and traveled to Constantinople to remonstrate with Patriarch Sergius and the Emperor Heraclius for changing the Orthodox Faith with their Monothelite teachings. After the death of Patriarch Modestus in December of 634, Sophronius was elected Patriarch of Jerusalem. Although no longer in the hands of the Persians, the Holy Land was now besieged by the armies of the newly-appeared religion of Mohammed, which had already taken Bethlehem; in the Saint's sermon for the Nativity of our Lord in 634, he laments that he could not celebrate the feast in Bethlehem. In 637, for the sins of the people, to the uttermost grief of Saint Sophronius, the Caliph Omar captured Jerusalem. Having tended the flock of his Master for three years and three months, Saint Sophronius departed in peace unto Him Whom he loved on March 11, 638.

Saint Sophronius has left to the Church many writings, including the life of Saint Mary of Egypt. The hymn "O Joyous Light," which is wrongly ascribed to him, is more ancient than Saint Basil the Great, as the Saint himself confirms in his work "On the Holy Spirit" (ch. 29). However, it seems that this hymn, which was chanted at the lighting of the lamps and was formerly called "The Triadic Hymn," was later supplemented somewhat by Saint Sophronius, bringing it into the form in which we now have it. Hence, some have ascribed it to him.

Symeonnewspious
March 12

Symeon the New Theologian

Saint Symeon became a monk of the Studite Monastery as a young man, under the guidance of the elder Symeon the Pious. Afterwards he struggled at the Monastery of Saint Mamas in Constantinople, of which he became abbot. After enduring many trials and afflictions in his life of piety, he reposed in 1022. Marvelling at the heights of prayer and holiness to which he attained, and the loftiness of the teachings of his life and writings, the church calls him "the New Theologian." Only to two others, John the Evangelist and Gregory, Patriarch of Constantinople, has the church given the name "Theologian." Saint Symeon reposed on March 12, but since this always falls in the Great Fast, his feast is kept today.

Allsaint
March 12

Theophanes the Confessor

Saint Theophanes, who was born in 760, was the son of illustrious parents. Assenting to their demand, he married and became a member of the Emperor's ceremonial bodyguard. Later, with the consent of his wife, he forsook the world. Indeed, both of them embraced the monastic life, struggling in the monastic houses they themselves had established. He died on March 12, 815, on the island of Samothrace, whereto, because of his confession of the Orthodox Faith, he had been exiled by Leo the Armenian, the Iconoclast Emperor.

Allsaint
March 12

Gregory Dialogos, Bishop of Rome

Saint Gregory was born in Rome to noble and wealthy parents about the year 540. While the Saint was still young, his father died. However, his mother, Sylvia, saw to it that her child received a good education in both secular and spiritual learning. He became Prefect of Rome and sought to please God even while in the world; later, he took up the monastic life; afterwards he was appointed Archdeacon of Rome, then, in 579, apocrisiarius (representative or Papal legate) to Constantinople, where he lived for nearly seven years. He returned to Rome in 585 and was elected Pope in 590. He is renowned especially for his writings and great almsgiving, and also because, on his initiative, missionary work began among the Anglo-Saxon people. It is also from him that Gregorian Chant takes its name; the chanting he had heard at Constantinople had deeply impressed him, and he imported many elements of it into the ecclesiastical chant of Rome. He served as Bishop of that city from 590 to 604.

Allsaint
March 13

Removal of the relics of Nicephorus, Patriarch of Constantinople

The main feast day of this Saint is June 2. The translation of his holy relics took place in 846, when Saint Methodius (see June 14) was Ecumenical Patriarch.

Allsaint
March 15

Agapius the Martyr & His Companions

The holy Martyrs contested for piety's sake during the reign of Diocletian (284-305), when Urban was Governor of Caesarea of Palestine. When Urban had commanded that together with a heathen festival, certain condemned Christians be publicly cast to wild beasts, Timolaus, a native of Pontus, Dionysius of Tripolis in Phoenicia, Romulus of Diospolis, Plesius (or Paisius) and Alexander from Egypt, and another Alexander from Gaza, tied their own hands and presented themselves to Urban when the exhibition was about to begin, professing their faith in Christ; they were immediately cast into prison. A few days later Agapios and Dionysius also presented themselves. All were beheaded together at Caesarea. Their martyrdom is recorded by Eusebius (Eccl. Hist.,Book VIII, ch.3, called The Martyrs of Palestine).

Allsaint
March 15

Holy Apostle Aristobulos of the Seventy, Bishop of Britain

Saint Aristobulos, the brother of Saint Barnabas, was ordained to be bishop in Britain by the Apostle Paul, who mentions him in his epistle to the Romans (16:10). He suffered many afflictions at the hands of the pagans, but also brought many to Christ. Having established the Church there, he finally reposed in peace.

Theotyrn
March 16

First Saturday of Lent: The Commemoration of the Miracle of Kollyva wrought by Saint Theodore the Tyro

Julian the Apostate, knowing that the Christians purify themselves by fasting most of all during the first week of the Fast -- which is why we call it Clean Week -- planned to defile them especially at that time. Therefore he secretly commanded that during those days the markets be filled with foods that had been defiled with the blood of animals offered in sacrifice to idols. But by divine command the Martyr Theodore (see Feb. 17) appeared during sleep to Eudoxius, then Archbishop of Constantinople. The Saint revealed to him the tyrant's plan, then told him to call the faithful together immediately on Monday morning and prevent them from purchasing those foods, but rather to make kollyva to supply their needs. The bishop asked what kollyva might be, and the Saint answered, "Kollyva is what we call boiled wheat in Euchaita." Thus, the purpose of the Apostate was brought to nought, and the pious people who were preserved undefiled for the whole of Clean Week, rendered thanks to the Martyr on this Saturday, and celebrated his commemoration with kollyva. These things took place in 362. Wherefore, the Church keeps this commemoration each year to the glory of God and the honour of the Martyr.

Allsaint
March 16

Sabine the Martyr of Egypt

The holy Martyr Sabine was from Hermopolis in Egypt, and was known for his zeal and piety. During the persecution of Diocletian, he concealed himself with other Christians in a small dwelling outside the city. But when he was discovered, and professed his faith in Christ, he was taken before Arian the Governor, and after he had been tortured he was drowned in the river. Concerning Arian the Governor, See also December 14.

01_firstlent1cp
March 17

Sunday of Orthodoxy

For more than one hundred years the Church of Christ was troubled by the persecution of the Iconoclasts of evil belief, beginning in the reign of Leo the Isaurian (717-741) and ending in the reign of Theophilus (829-842). After Theophilus's death, his widow the Empress Theodora (celebrated Feb. 11), together with the Patriarch Methodius (June 14), established Orthodoxy anew. This ever-memorable Queen venerated the icon of the Mother of God in the presence of the Patriarch Methodius and the other confessors and righteous men, and openly cried out these holy words: "If anyone does not offer relative worship to the holy icons, not adoring them as though they were gods, but venerating them out of love as images of the archetype, let him be anathema." Then with common prayer and fasting during the whole first week of the Forty-day Fast, she asked God's forgiveness for her husband. After this, on the first Sunday of the Fast, she and her son, Michael the Emperor, made a procession with all the clergy and people and restored the holy icons, and again adorned the Church of Christ with them. This is the holy deed that all we the Orthodox commemorate today, and we call this radiant and venerable day the Sunday of Orthodoxy, that is, the triumph of true doctrine over heresy.

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Metropolis of Atlanta

Message from Metropolitan Alexios

My Beloved Ones,

The Gospels of our Lord Jesus Christ are full of necessary tools to uplift Christians on our journey toward Theosis and salvation; but I do not think it is an accident that the Fathers have chosen the Gospel of Forgiveness Sunday to be full of so many lessons, all of which we will need to strengthen us on our forty-day Lenten Fast.

As we prepare to observe Καθαρά Δευτέρα and the Fall of Mankind in the Garden, it is important that we begin this season of humility and repentance in the right spirit, for as we read, “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Matthew 6:14-15) Just as our Heavenly Father continued to love His Creation even after our first instance of disobedience, so too are we called to begin Lent with a pure heart and mind.

Having done our most to forgive our brothers and sisters, and to ask for their forgiveness, we will be in the proper state to accept our Fast as that which it is: our preparation to undergo the events of our Lord’s Passion, Crucifixion and Resurrection; it is not, as Jesus tells His Disciples, a time to “…look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you” (Matthew 6:16-18). The purpose of fasting is not even to be a sacrifice. While we are “giving up” these foods, think about how much clearer the mind can be when we fast! Therefore, fasting is not something we do to be seen by others, but to help us grow closer to God.

All this is done to follow to take up our Cross and follow our Lord. “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal.” (Matthew 6:19-20) Meat and dairy will eventually spoil; all our material possessions will eventually pass away. Those things that cannot pass away do not belong to this world. As our Lord tells us in this solemn, but beautiful warning, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:21).

Armed with these lessons on the true spirits through which we are meant to forgive, and to fast, I wish you all, Καλή δύναμη και Καλή Σαρακοστή!

+ALEXIOS
Metropolitan of Atlanta

 

From the Chancellor's Desk

As we proceed through Great and Holy Lent, I invite you to reflect on how to make this period a spiritually fruitful time that will lead you to the ecstasy of a resurrected life. I thank Fr. Chris Foustoukos for sharing this beautiful reflection.

  1. Surrender your hands to Christ. Make them the hands of His Love. Write a letter this week to a friend long ignored. Tell that person how much you appreciate him/her.
  2. Surrender your tongue to Christ. Make it the tongue of His love. Telephone two or three people you have intended to phone but have not. Tell them what they mean to you or to say thank you or sorry.
  3. Surrender your deeds to Christ. Make them the deeds of His love. Take something you have made or bought to someone who means a great deal to you, but for whom you rarely express your love – a fresh loaf of bread – a small remembrance that has your love as a wrapping.
  4. Surrender your feet to Christ. Make them the feet of His love. Visit someone who is shut-in, lonely, or an absentee church member. Nothing can take the place of a personal visit in the home, nursing home or hospital. Don’t expect to be rewarded. Make it a gift.
  5. Surrender your heart to Christ. Make it the heart of His love. Make a list of at least 10 people – friends and enemies – for whom you will pray daily. Forgive them if they have wronged you. Ask for forgiveness if you have wronged them.
  6. Pray daily at home. Use a devotional aid such as Daily Lenten Meditations for Orthodox Christians by Presbytera Emily Harakas.
  7. Bring the proceeds of your Lenten fast (the money you saved by eating more simply and eating less) to church as your Lenten almsgiving or put it in your Orthodox Christian Mission Center Bank available in the Narthex for our use during Great Lent.
  8. Practice metanoia, repentance. Just as a clean engine always delivers power, so a life cleansed through repentance and forgiveness allows the power of God to flow through, enabling us to live truly resurrected lives.
  9. Watch less TV, or not at all, during Lent to devote more time to prayer and spiritual reading.
  10. Worship every Sunday. Attend special church services offered during weekdays.
  11. Lead your family in prayer and Scripture reading. Use the Lenten family practices recommended in the book Making God Real in the Orthodox Christian Home, by the Rev. Anthony Coniaris.
  12. Read through the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Meditate on one verse each day.

It is by practicing the askesis or discipline of the above that you will be able to say with Saint Gregory the Theologian at Pascha: “Yesterday, I was crucified with Him; today, I am glorified with Him. Yesterday, I died with Him; today, I am alive with Him. Yesterday, I was buried with Him; today, I rise with Him.

+Fr. George Tsahakis
Chancellor

 

Youth, Education & Hellenic Culture

The Metropolis of Atlanta GOYA Lenten Retreat is March 22-24, 2019 at our Diakonia Retreat Center. For more information please visit our Metropolis Website, and to register, please follow this link.

Camper Registration for St. Stephen’s Summer Camp 2019 opens  Wednesday, March 20 at 12:00 p.m. EST

Summer 2019 Dates are:

Week 1: June 23 -June 29

Week 2: June 30 - July 6

Week 3: July 7 - July 13

Week 4: July 14 - July 20

Week 5: July 21 - July 27

Staff Applications are due March 15. For more info on St. Stephen's Summer Camp, please visit its dedicated page on the Metropolis Website: https://www.atlmetropolis.org/st-stephens-summer-camp

For more news, activities, and upcoming events, please click this link!

 

Family Life Ministry

A growing branch of Family Life Ministry and generously powered by Leadership 100, Engage Orthodoxy is a place for anyone to find Orthodox Christian Content curated by a thoughtful and intentional administrative team.

“Engage Orthodoxy” is not only the name of this new site, but it is also the name of a movement away from division and towards unity. Engage Orthodoxy is a movement towards community, involvement, Orthodox friendships, and relationships. EO seeks to bring the the faithful, the curious, the lost, and the searching TOWARDS their faith and Christ and in turn, towards each other. Engage Orthodoxy is a movement forward into the future of the faith. Join us as we move toward Christ, toward each other, and toward the church.

For more information, or to order “Woven: An Interactive Book for the Modern Teenage Girl on Orthodox Christianity” please visit, woveninhislove.org

We also share with you helpful links from the OCN and the Family Life Ministry of the Metropolis of Atlanta.

 

Journey of Marriage (Pre-Marital Seminar)

All couples marrying in the Metropolis must attend a Metropolis-sponsored Journey of Marriage seminar prior to their wedding. The couple will present their certificate of completion to their parish priest after the seminar.

  • May 4, 2019 - St. Andrew - Kendall, FL

To see the full list of seminars in Florida and in our entire Metropolis please visit: http://www.familylifeministry.atlanta.goarch.org/upcoming-events-2/

Registration is online.  Materials costs are included in the registration.

 

 The Strategic Plan

 Faith Forum (6/28/19)

 Want to learn the latest best practices on how to grow your parish?

 How about learning to create a plan for the future of your parish?

 How do I fund the essential ministries of my parish and become less dependent on fund raisers?

 Have I covered all the significant risks to my parish and what risks go beyond insurance coverage?

 Are my religious education programs covering all that they should and are they effective?  Is leadership training important to my role in the parish?

 If you and your fellow parishioners have ever discussed these topics and you want to learn more, then …

 PLAN TO PARTICIPATE AT THIS YEAR'S METROPOLIS CLERGY-LAITY ASSEMBLY, FRIDAY JUNE 28.

 MORE DETAILS TO FOLLOW   -   Click here for the online portal.

 Visit Click here to view a list of the completed goals.

 

Shop with Amazon, donate to the DRC

Amazon Smile is a program that allows for 0.5% of your eligible Amazon purchase to be donated to the Diakonia Retreat Center (No Added Cost To You). To find our Amazon Smile page, visit  https://smile.amazon.com/ch/91-2187047.

 

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Message from Archbishop Demetrios

Archbishop’s Encyclical for Holy and Great Lent 2019

03/08/2019

Great Lent is most certainly a challenge as we have experienced in the weeks of preparation for this season. We have reflected on the parables of the Tax Collector and the Pharisee and the Prodigal Son. We have considered the true nature and impact of repentance and humility. We have heard the words of our Lord concerning the Last Judgment and the manner of life and service that leads to eternal life.
https://www.goarch.org/-/archbishop-s-encyclical-for-holy-and-great-lent-2019
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Greek Orthodox Archdiocese News

Patriarchal Catechetical Homily at the Opening of Holy and Great Lent

03/07/2019

With the grace of God, the giver of all gifts, we have once again arrived at Holy and Great Lent, the arena of ascetical struggle, in order to purify ourselves with the Lord’s assistance through prayer, fasting and humility, as well as to prepare ourselves for a spiritual experience of the venerable Passion and the celebration of the splendid Resurrection of Christ the Savior.
https://www.goarch.org/-/patriarchal-catechetical-homily-at-the-opening-of-holy-and-great-lent
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Assembly of Bishops News

Fast Questions and Fast Answers about American Orthodox Christian Monasteries

03/04/2019

http://www.assemblyofbishops.org/news/2019/fast-questions-fast-answers-monasteries
There are eighty Orthodox Christian monasteries in the USA which represent great variety of ethnic and liturgical traditions. In fact, America is, probably, the only place in the world where - within the same country - one can visit Greek, Russian, Romanian, Serbian Orthodox monasteries and experience their different 'ethnic' liturgical styles, worship practices, church architecture, musicology and iconography.

Statement on the Sanctity of Life

01/31/2019

http://www.assemblyofbishops.org/news/2019/statement-on-the-sanctity-of-life
The Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America affirms the sanctity of life based on the firm conviction that life begins at the moment of conception. The Assembly remains steadfast in its conviction that any interference in the development of life is a serious issue, and therefore it regularly participates in a variety of relevant events and also releases pertinent statements on the topic.

2019-2020 Undergraduate and Graduate Scholarships Available from the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America

01/29/2019

http://www.assemblyofbishops.org/news/2019/scholarships-greek-orthodox-archdiocese-of-america
Applications for two scholarships administered by the Department of Philanthropy of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America are now available to students from Orthodox Churches affiliated with the Assembly of Bishops.

Fast Questions and Fast Answers about the Geography of Orthodoxy in America

12/05/2018

http://www.assemblyofbishops.org/news/2018/fast-questions-fast-answers-geography
Fast Questions and Fast Answers about the Geography of Orthodoxy in America is the second essay in a group of mini-reports about Orthodox Church life in America. Surprising, stimulating, and, at the same time, important facts about the geographic distribution of Orthodox parishes and church members in America are discussed in this essay.

Message of the 9th Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America

10/04/2018

http://www.assemblyofbishops.org/news/2018/message-ninth-assembly-of-canonical-orthodox-bishops
We, the members of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America, gathered in Cleveland, Ohio, for our ninth annual meeting on October 2-3, 2018, greet you all with love in Christ as we offer glory and gratitude to Him.

Orthodox Christian Hierarchs Gather for Second Day of Annual Meeting

10/04/2018

http://www.assemblyofbishops.org/news/2018/assembly-second-day
The Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America is committed to encouraging spiritual unity, communication, and cooperation among the parishes of various jurisdictions situated in the same geographic areas. The work of local clergy brotherhoods is a critical part of this process of achieving greater unity.

Address of the Chairman His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America

10/03/2018

http://www.assemblyofbishops.org/news/2018/address-his-eminence-archbishop-demetrios-of-america
The door is open, but here are many adversaries for us, too. Many challenges. This is why it is vitally important to be together, to act together, to strengthen the work of this Assembly. Here we have the opportunity to discuss strategies for offering our Orthodox witness, to deal with problems that we face as churches, as well as problems that we may face with one another.

Ninth Annual Assembly Convenes in Cleveland

10/03/2018

http://www.assemblyofbishops.org/news/2018/ninth-annual-assembly-convenes-in-cleveland
The Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America convened its ninth annual meeting today in Cleveland, Ohio. The day began with a celebration of the Divine Liturgy at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Cathedral in Parma, Ohio.

Fast Questions and Fast Answers about American Orthodox Bishops

09/25/2018

http://www.assemblyofbishops.org/news/2018/fast-questions-answers-american-orthodox-bishops
Based on questions that American Orthodox hierarchs often receive from clergy and parishioners, this essay offers readers plenty of interesting facts about their lives as Bishops, as well as who they are as people.

New Map of Bishops and Parishes Available on the Assembly Website

08/07/2018

http://www.assemblyofbishops.org/news/2018/map-bishops-parishes
A new map, Orthodox Bishops and Parishes in the United States, is now available on the Assembly's website. The updated map shows: a) locations, names and jurisdictions of all active Orthodox bishops in the United States and b) the total number of Orthodox parishes in each county.

Directory of Pan-Orthodox Clergy Brotherhoods and Associated Pan-Orthodox Organizations

07/20/2018

http://www.assemblyofbishops.org/news/2018/directory-clergy-brotherhoods
The first-ever national state-by-state directory of the active local and regional Orthodox Clergy Brotherhoods and associated Pan-Orthodox laity organizations has been published by the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the USA. Thirty-six local or regional Orthodox Clergy Brotherhoods and nine Pan-Orthodox laity organizations are listed in this directory.

Orthodox Christian Churches in 21st Century America: A Parish Life Study

01/30/2018

http://www.assemblyofbishops.org/news/2018/study-orthodox-christian-churches-21st-century
The study 'Orthodox Christian Churches in 21st Century America' offers a comprehensive picture of the lives of local American Orthodox parishes, including such aspects as membership, worship, programs, religious education, youth, usage of electronic technologies, and much more. In addition, the study also addressed the crucial question: 'How are Orthodox Christian parishes faring today among the many other American local religious communities?'
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