Publish-header
Dormition of the Mother of God Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2019-04-21
Bulletin Contents
Welcome to Saint Mary's Orthodox Church
Liturgical/Class Schedule
Hymns of the Day
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Saints and Feasts
Wisdom of the Fathers
From Father Vincent's Desk
Saint Mary's News
Palm Sunday Family Life
Palmsunday
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Dormition of the Mother of God Orthodox Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (570) 640-2517
  • Street Address:

  • 187 Justin Lane

  • Bluefield, WV 24701

Contact Information

Father Vincent Dranginis
Pastor

(570) 640-2517

Mr. Michael Peters
Parish President

(304) 922-0310

Services Schedule

Saturday Confessions: 5:00pm and after Vespers if needed

Saturday Vespers: 6 pm

Feast Day Vespers: 6pm

Sunday Orthros/Matins: 8:30am

Sunday Divine Liturgy: 10:00am

Feast Day Divine Liturgy: 9:00am

Orthodox Catechism Class: For the Lenten Season Wednesdays at 6:00pm

 

Past Bulletins


Welcome to Saint Mary's Orthodox Church

Welcome to The Dormition of the Mother of God Orthodox Christian Church (Saint Mary's) which is a parish of the American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Church of the USA whose presiding Bishop is His Eminence, Metropolitan Gregory of Nyssa. The American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese is an Autonomous Diocese under the spiritual protection of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople of which His All-Holiness, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew is the ruling Patriarch.

We are thankfully to Almighty God that you are here in God's House to Worship with us Today!

If you are new to the Orthodox Church you will find that our worship is abit different than what you maybe used to, or it maybe entirely new all together! It's okay!!! All of us were new to the Faith at one time or another, but we encourage you to participate as you feel comfortable. The Blue Book in your pew has the whole Service of what we call the Divine Liturgy in it so you can follow along.

Please, if you have any questions about what you see or hear today at the Divine Liturgy, we have a Coffee Hour in the Church Hall after service that you are invited to attend! Come and join us for fellowship to have something to eat and have all your questions answered either by Our Pastor Father Vincent or a friendly member of the Church.  

If you have been on a long or short spiritual journey looking for the True Church you have found it here in the Orthodox Church!

We pray that what you find and experience here is none other than the peace of Christ Jesus Our Risen Lord and the Kingdom of Heaven!

If you are ready or interested in becoming an Orthodox Christian please see Father Vincent at Coffee Hour or contact him at (570) 640-2517 or email him at vincedranginis@gmail.com

 

 

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Liturgical/Class Schedule

 

 Great and Holy Week is Here!!!

Wake-Up from your Deadly Spiritual Slumber!!! Stop making excuses for your Sinful Soul for it Lacks the Oil of the Spiritual Life!!! Come and Meet The Bridegroom Jesus Christ, as He comes to His Wedding Feast and be filled with the Divine Oil of His Grace!!!

***Please make every effort especially during The Great Fast to come to Church early on Sunday Mornings to attend both Orthros/Matins and The Divine Liturgy!***

***Remember with your extra EFFORT in working out your Salvation in fear and trembling; by attending these Divine Services, and ALL THE SERVICES of The Holy Church, The Holy Trinity will come and make their Dwelling in your Body and Soul!***

***By simply attending The Divine Services, you will be starting upon the path to Repentance; the process of being made into a Temple of The Holy Spirit and you will begin in time, to Glow with the Divine Energies of Holy God!!! What a Great and Glorious Gift of Love from Holy God!!!***

***Please do not miss these God given opportunities! They are offered for your Salvation!!! **

 

Saturday April 20th The Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom 9:00AM - Lazarus Saturday & The Venerable Theodore Trichinas, Apostle Zacchaeus & The Child-Martyr Gabriel  

Saturday April 20th Baking Lazarus Cookies with Pani Christyn 10:30AM

Saturday April 20th Choir Practice for Holy and Great Week 3:00PM - If you would like to help sing the services during Great Week, You Must Come to this Practice! No exceptions!

Saturday April 20th Confessions 5:00PM -  Confessions are also available after Vespers

 Saturday April 20th Great Vespers 6:00PM- The Start of Holy and Great Week - The Glorious Entry of Our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ into Jerusalem/Palm Sunday

 Sunday April 21st Orthros/Matins  8:30AM

 Sunday April 21st The Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil The Great 10:00AM -The Start of Holy and Great Week - The Glorious Entry of Our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ into Jerusalem/Palm Sunday

Great & Holy Week

 Sunday April 21st Bridegroom Matins 6:00PM - Behold!!! The Bridegroom Comes at Midnight! Blessed are those that He finds watching and waiting with purity of heart for His Glorious Arrival! For they will be welcomed into His Divine Wedding Feast!  

 Great and Holy Monday April 22nd Bridegroom Matins 6:00PM

Great and Holy Monday April 22nd The Liturgy of The Pre-Sanctified Gift of Saint Gregory the Dailogist 7:00PM -  Saint Theodore the Sykeote, the Relics of Saint Vsevolod & The Apostle Nathaniel 

Great and Holy Tuesday April 23rd Bridegroom Matins 6:00PM

Great and Holy Tuesday April 23rd The Liturgy of The Pre-Sanctified Gift of Saint Gregory the Dailogist 7:00PM -  Great Martyr George the Trophy-Bearer & Alexandra the Empress

Great and Holy Wednesday April 24th The Liturgy of The Pre-Sanctified Gift of Saint Gregory the Dailogist 5:00PM-  Martyr Sabbas Stratelates, Wonderworker Elizabeth & Saints Iorest & Sava

Great and Holy Wednesday April 24th Holy Unction 7:00PM

Great and Holy Thursday April 25th The Vesperal Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil The Great 9:00AM- The Commemoration of The Mystical Supper

Great and Holy Thursday April 25th - The Reading of The Twelve Passion Gospel 7:00PM

Great and Holy Thursday April 25th - Confessions 8:30PM

Great and Holy Friday April 26st  - Day of Strict Fast - Royal Hours & The Placing of The Cross 9:00AM

Great and Holy Friday April 26st - Day of Strict Fast - Cross Procession 6:30PM

Great and Holy Friday April 26st - Day of Strict Fast - The Burial Service of Our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ 7:00PM

Great and Holy Friday April 26st - Lamentations at The Tomb 8:30PM

Great and Holy Friday April 26st - Grave Watch 9:30PM - The Holy Church will be open for Personal Prayer all of Friday Night and Saturday Morning ending with Divine Liturgy at 9:00AM

Great and Holy Friday April 26st - Last Opportunity for Confessions before Pascha 9:30PM

Great and Holy Saturday April 27th - The Vesperal Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil The Great with Holy Baptisms and Chrismations 9:00AM - The Commemoration of Christ's Descent into Hades - Hieromartyr Simeon Kinsman of our Lord & Saint Eulogius

Great and Holy Saturday April 27th - Removal of The Burial Shroud from the Tomb 7:30PM

Great and Holy Saturday April 27th - Resurrection Matins 8:00PM

BRIGHT WEEK - FAST FREE WEEK!!

Pascha Sunday April 28th The Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom 10:00AM - Great and Holy Pascha!!! - The Feast of Feasts - The Holy Day of Holy Days - The Glorious Resurrection of Our Great God and Savior Jesus Christ

Pascha Sunday April 28th - Blessing of Easter Foods 11:45AM

Pascha Sunday April 28th Agape Vespers 3:00PM

RESURRECTION MATINS AND DIVINE LITURGY WILL BE CELEBRATION EVERY DAY OF BRIGHT WEEK!!! - MONDAY THE 29TH THROUGH SATURDAY THE 4TH AT 9:00AM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Hymns of the Day

Apolytikion for Palm Sunday in the First Tone

O Christ our God, You confirmed the resurrection of all * before the time of Your Passion by raising Lazarus from the dead. * Therefore, we as the children of Israel carry the symbols of victory * and cry out to You, the Conqueror of death: * "Hosanna in the highest! * Blessed is He Who comes in the Name of the Lord."

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Sixth Tone

Angelic powers were before Your grave,* and the guards became like dead men;* Mary stood at the grave, seeking Your most pure Body.* You captured death, but were not tempted by it.* O Giver of life, You met the Virgin.* O Lord, You arose from the dead.* Glory to you!

Apolytikion of The Temple in the First Tone

O Birth Giver of God, in giving birth you retained virginity;* and in your falling asleep you did not forsake the world.* You are the Mother of Life and have passed into Life,* and by your prayers have delivered our souls from death.

Apolytikion for Palm Sunday in the Fourth Tone

We have been buried with You through Baptism, O Christ our God,* and we have become worthy of immortal life by Your Resurrection!* So we cry out to You:* "Hosanna in the highest!* Blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord!"

Resurrectional Kontakion in the Sixth Tone

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. Christ, as the origin of all Life,* You raised the dead from the valley of darkness.* You, as God, restored all the righteous.* You Resurrected the human race.* You are the Savior, as well as the Resurrection, the Life and the God of all.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Sixth Tone

In heaven You are carried upon a throne: * on earth You rode upon a colt, O Christ our God. * You received the praise of angels and the hymns of children crying out to You: * "Blessed is He Who came to restore Adam."

Resurrectional Theotokion in the Sixth Tone

Now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen! O Lord, You named Your Mother the ever Blessed One.* You accepted the Passion of Your own free will.* On the Cross, You showed Yourself radiantly.* You sought to restore Adam,* saying to the angels, "Rejoice in Me!* For I have found the lost piece of silver!"* For all is founded in Your Wisdom, O God:* Glory to You!
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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Palm Sunday
The Reading is from Matthew 21:1-11; 15-17

At that time, when Jesus drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, he sent two disciples, saying to them, "Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me. If any one says anything to you, you shall say, 'The Lord has need of them,' and he will send them immediately." This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying,

"Tell the daughter of Zion,
Behold, your king is coming to you,
humble and mounted on a donkey,
and on a colt, the foal of a donkey."

The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; they brought the donkey and the colt, and put their garments on them, and he sat thereon. Most of the crowd spread their garments on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. And the crowds that went before him and that followed him shouted, "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!" And when he entered Jerusalem, all the city was stirred, saying, "Who is this?" And the crowds said, "This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth of Galilee." But when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying out in the temple, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" they were indignant; and they said to him, "Do you hear what they are saying?" And Jesus said to them, "Yes; have you never read,

'Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings,
you have brought perfect praise'?"

And leaving them, he went out of the city to Bethany and lodged there.

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Fourth Tone. Psalm 117.26,1.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Verse: Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His mercy endures forever.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Philippians 4:4-9.

BRETHREN, rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let all men know your forbearance. The Lord is at hand. Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, do; and the God of peace will be with you.

Gospel Reading

Palm Sunday
The Reading is from John 12:1-18

Six days before Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazaros was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. There they made him a supper; Martha served, and Lazaros was one of those at table with him. Mary took a pound of costly ointment of pure nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was to betray him), said "Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?" This he said, not that he cared for the poor but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box he used to take what was put into it. Jesus said, "Let her alone, let her keep it for the day of my burial. The poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me."

When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, they came, not only on account of Jesus but also to see Lazaros, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests planned to put Lazaros also to death, because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.

The next day a great crowd who had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!" And Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it; as it is written, "Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey's colt!" His disciples did not understand this at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that this had been written of him and had been done to him. The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazaros out of the tomb and raised him from the dead bore witness. The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign.

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Saints and Feasts

Palmsunday
April 21

Palm Sunday

On Sunday, five days before the Passover of the Law, the Lord came from Bethany to Jerusalem. Sending two of His disciples to bring Him a foal of an ass, He sat thereon and entered into the city. When the multitude there heard that Jesus was coming, they straightway took up the branches of palm trees in their hands, and went forth to meet Him. Others spread their garments on the ground, and yet others cut branches from the trees and strewed them in the way that Jesus was to pass; and all of them together, especially the children, went before and after Him, crying out: "Hosanna: Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord, the King of Israel" (John 12:13). This is the radiant and glorious festival of our Lord's entry into Jerusalem that we celebrate today.

The branches of the palm trees symbolize Christ's victory over the devil and death. The word Hosanna means "Save, I pray," or "Save, now." The foal of an ass, and Jesus' sitting thereon, and the fact that this animal was untamed and considered unclean according to the Law, signified the former uncleanness and wildness of the nations, and their subjection thereafter to the holy Law of the Gospel.

Jcbrdgrm
April 22

Holy Monday

The holy Passion of our Saviour begins today, presenting Joseph the all-comely as a prefiguring of Christ. He was the eleventh son of Jacob, and his first son by Rachel; because he was so beloved of his father, his own brethren came to envy him and cast him into a pit. Later they sold him to foreigners for thirty pieces of silver, who later sold him again in Egypt. Because of his virtue, his master gave him much authority in governing his house; because he was fair of countenance, his master's wife sought to draw him into sin with her; because of his chastity, he refused her, and through her slanders was cast into prison. Finally, he was led forth again with great glory and was honoured as a king. He became lord over all Egypt and a provider of wheat for all the people. Through all this, he typifies in himself the betrayal, Passion, death, and glorification of our Lord Jesus Christ (see Gen., chapters 37, 39 41).

To the commemoration of Patriarch Joseph is added also the narration concerning the fig tree, which on this day was cursed and subsequently dried up because of its unfruitfulness. It portrayed the Jewish synagogue, which had not produced the fruit demanded of it, that is, obedience to God and faith in Him and which was stripped of all spiritual grace by means of the curse (Matt. 21:18-20).

Nymphios
April 23

Holy Tuesday

Today we bring to mind the parable of the ten virgins, which our Saviour related as He was coming to His Passion. This parable teaches us that the accomplishment of the great work of virginity should not make us careless in other matters, especially in almsgiving, wherewith the lamp of virginity is made radiant. Furthermore, it teaches us that we should not be remiss about the end of our life, but should be prepared for it at every moment, like the wise virgins, so that we may meet the Bridegroom, lest He come suddenly and the doors of the heavenly bridechamber be shut, and we also, like the foolish virgins, hear that dread sentence: "Amen, I say unto you, I know you not" (Matt. 25:1-13).

Xcannointing
April 24

Holy Wednesday

Two women - say the more discerning interpreters of the Gospel - anointed the Lord with myrrh; the one, a long time before His Passion; the other, a few days before. One was a harlot and sinner; the other, chaste and virtuous. The Church commemorates this reverent act today. While mentioning herein the person of the harlot, it also mentions Judas' betrayal; for, according to the account in Matthew, both of these deeds took place two days before the Passover, on Wednesday.

That woman, then, anointed Jesus' head and feet with very precious myrrh, and wiped them with the tresses of her hair. The disciples, especially the avaricious Judas, were scandalized, supposedly because of the waste of the myrrh, which could be sold for a great price and given to the poor. The Lord Jesus reproved them and told them not to trouble the woman. Indignant, Judas went to the high priests, who were gathered in the court of Caiaphas and were already taking counsel against Jesus. On agreeing with them to betray his Teacher for thirty pieces of silver, Judas sought from that time opportunity to betray Him (Matt. 26:14-16). Because the betrayal took place on Wednesday, we have received the tradition from Apostolic times to fast on Wednesday throughout the year.

Supper
April 25

Holy Thursday

On the evening of this day, which was the eve of the feast of unleavened bread (that is, the Passover), our Redeemer supped with His twelve disciples in the city. He blessed the bread and the wine, and gave us the Mystery of the Divine Eucharist. He washed the feet of the disciples as an example of humility. He said openly that one of them was about to betray Him, and He pointed out the betrayer by revealing that it was he "that dippeth his hand with Me in the dish." And after Judas had straightway gone forth, Jesus gave the disciples His final and sublime instructions, which are contained in the first Gospel Reading of the Holy Passion (John 13:31-18:1 known as the Gospel of the Testament). After this the God-man went forth to the Mount of Olives, and there He began to be sorrowful and in anguish. He went off alone, and bending the knees He prayed fervently. From His great anguish, His sweat became as it were great drops of blood falling to the ground. As soon as He had completed that anguished prayer, lo, Judas came with a multitude of soldiers and a great crowd; on greeting the Teacher guile fully with a kiss, he betrayed Him.

The Lord Jesus was then apprehended and taken prisoner to the high priests Annas and Caiaphas. The disciples were scattered, but Peter, who was more fervent than the others, followed Him even into the court of the high priest, but in the end denied thrice that he was His disciple.

Then our divine Teacher was brought before the lawless Sanhedrin and was interrogated concerning His disciples and His teaching. The high priest adjured Him before God that He tell them whether He was truly the Christ. And having spoken the truth, He was judged guilty of death, supposedly as one who had blasphemed. Then they spat in His face, beat Him, smote Him with the palms of their hands, and mocked Him in every way, throughout the whole night until the morning.

Burial
April 26

Holy Friday

When Friday dawned, Christ was sent bound from Caiaphas to Pontius Pilate, who was then Governor of Judea. Pilate interrogated Him in many ways, and once and again acknowledged that He was innocent, but to please the Jews, he later passed the sentence of death against Him. After scourging the Lord of all as though He were a runaway slave, he surrendered Him to be crucified.

Thus the Lord Jesus was handed over to the soldiers, was stripped of His garments, was clothed in a purple robe, was crowned with a wreath of thorns, had a reed placed in His hand as though it were a sceptre, was bowed before in mockery, was spat upon, and was buffeted in the face and on the head. Then they again clothed Him in His own garments, and bearing the cross, He came to Golgotha, a place of condemnation, and there, about the third hour, He was crucified between two thieves. Although both blasphemed Him at the first, the thief at His right hand repented, and said: "Remember me, O Lord, when Thou comest in Thy Kingdom," to which our Saviour answered, "Today shalt thou be with Me in Paradise." As He hung upon the Cross, He was blasphemed by those who were passing by, was mocked by the high priests, and by the soldiers was given vinegar to drink mixed with gall. About the ninth hour, He cried out with a loud voice, saying, "It is finished." And the Lamb of God "Which taketh away the sin of the world" (John 1:29) expired on the day when the moon was full, and at the hour when, according to the Law, was slain the Passover lamb, which was established as a type of Him in the time of Moses.

Even lifeless creation mourned the death of the Master, and it trembled and was altered out of fear. Yet, even though the Maker of creation was already dead, they pierced Him in His immaculate side, and forthwith came there out Blood and Water. Finally, at about the setting of the sun, Joseph of Arimathea came with Nicodemus (both of them had been secret disciples of Jesus), and they took down the all-holy Body of the Teacher from the Cross and anointed it with aromatic spices, and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth. When they had buried Him in a new tomb, they rolled a great stone over its entrance.

Such are the dread and saving sufferings of our Lord Jesus Christ commemorated today, and in remembrance of them, we have received the Apostolic commandment that a fast be observed every Friday.

Holysaturday
April 27

Holy Saturday

On Saturday, the high priests and Pharisees gathered together before Pilate and asked him to have Jesus' tomb sealed until the third day; because, as those enemies of God said, "We suspect that His disciples will come and steal His buried body by night, and then proclaim to the people that His resurrection is true, as that deceiver Himself foretold while He was yet alive; and then the last deception shall be worse than the first." After they had said these things to Pilate and received his permission, they went and sealed the tomb, and assigned a watch for security, that is, guards from among the soldiers under the supervision of the high priests (Matt. 27:62-66). While commemorating the entombment of the holy Body of our Lord today, we also celebrate His dread descent with His soul, whereby He destroyed the gates and bars of Hades, and made His light to shine where only darkness had reigned (Job 3 8 : 17; Esaias 49:9; 1 Peter 3:18-20); death was put to death, Hades was stripped of all its captives, our first parents and all the righteous who died from the beginning of time ran to Him Whom they had awaited, and the holy angelic orders glorified God for the restoration of our fallen race.

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Wisdom of the Fathers

The problem of our life is union with God, and sin completely prevents this; therefore flee from sin as from a terrible enemy, as from the destroyer of the soul, because to be without God is death and not life. Let us therefore understand our destination; let us always remember that our common Master calls us to union with Himself.
St. John of Kronstadt
My Life in Christ, Part 1; Holy Trinity Monastery pg. 20, 19th century

You may judge how great the power of prayer is even in a sinful person, when it is offered wholeheartedly, by the following example from Holy Tradition. When at the request of a desperate mother who had been deprived by death of her only son, a harlot whom she chanced to meet, still unclean from her last sin, and who was touched by the mother's deep sorrow, cried to the Lord: 'Not for the sake of a wretched sinner like me, but for the sake of the tears of a mother sorrowing for her son and firmly trusting in Thy lovingkindness and Thy almighty power, Christ God, raise up her son, O Lord!' And the Lord raised him up.
St. Seraphim of Sarov
Acquisition of the Holy Spirit: Chapter 3, The Little Russian Philokalia Vol. 1; Saint Herman of Alaska Brotherhood pgs. 83-84, 19th century

Interior crosses can found at all times, and more easily than exterior ones. You have only to direct your attention to yourself and examine yourself with a sense of repentance, and a thousand interior crosses will at once present themselves to you. . . Interior crosses are sometimes so burdensome that the sufferer can find no consolation whatever in anything. All this can happen to you too! But in whatever position you may be, and whatever sufferings of the soul you may feel, do not despair and do not think that the Lord has abandoned you. NO! God will always be with you and will invisibly strengthen you even when it seems to you that you are on the very brink of perdition.
St. Innocent of Alaska
The Lenten Spring, SVS Press, p. 148, 19th Century

This [the Cross] was given to us as a sign on our forehead, just as the circumcision was given to Israel: for by it we believers are separated and distinguished from unbelievers. This is the shield and weapon against, and trophy over, the devil. 'This is the seal that the destroyer may not touch you' (Ex. 12:23), as says the Scripture...The tree of life which was planted by God in Paradise prefigured this precious Cross. For since death was by a tree, it was fitting that life and resurrection should be bestowed by a tree.
St. John of Damascus
An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith, Book 4: Chapter 11; Eerdmans pg. 80, 8th century

You should venerate not only the ikon of Christ, but also the similitude of His cross. For the cross is Christ's great sign and trophy of victory over the devil and all his hostile hosts; for this reason they tremble and flee when they see the figuration of the cross.
St. Gregory Palamas
A New Testament Decalogue no. 2, Philokalia Vol. 4 edited by Palmer, Sherrard and Ware; Faber and Faber pg. 325, 14th century

If you would be victorious, taste the suffering of Christ in your person, that you may be chosen to taste His glory. For if we suffer with Him, we shall also be glorified with Him. Blessed are you if you suffer for righteousness' sake. Behold, for years and generations the way of God has been made smooth through the Cross and by death. The way of God is a daily Cross. The Cross is the gate of mysteries.
St. Isaac the Syrian
The Orthodox Way: Revised Edition, SVS Press, p. 129

Since, after the Cross and Resurrection of the Lord the nature of the sad things has been changed, we no longer accompany the death of the Saints with mournings and lamentations, but rather celebrate over their graves. For the righteous, death after Christ is a journey to a better, happier and more blessed life.
Nikolaos P. Vassiliadis
Mystery of Death, Chapter 9: Death Before and After Christ; The Brotherhood of Orthodox Theologians pg. 225

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From Father Vincent's Desk

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Glory be to Jesus Christ! Glory be Forever!

   Today we celebrate one of the Twelve Great Feasts of The Holy Orthodox Church! We Celebrate with Palm Branches in our hands The Glorious Entry of The Messiah, Jesus Christ Our God into the Holy City of Jerusalem. On this festive Sunday of Our Lord we call to remembance and at the same time actively Relive Our Lord's triumphant entry into the Holy City! The events of The Divine Economy or the Plan of Our Salvation in Christ, are not simply past events that happened over two thousand years ago, but they also happen today before our very eyes!! You and I are seeing Christ entering into Jerusalem Now in Real Time to offer His Life on the wood of the Cross for Our Salvation and Eternal Life and for the Salvation and Eternal Life of all the world!! We are being actively Saved Now by Our Savior Jesus Christ!!! He offered Himself Once and for All on the Altar of the wood of the Cross as Our Great High Priest to destory the evil works of the devil and all his demons and to abolish sin and death Forever!! This great victory of Jesus Christ set us free from the tyranny of sin and death the weapons of the devil, for Christ destoryed Hades and freed from it's grip all the souls of the righteous and opened once again the Kingdom of Heaven for all mankind! What we celebrate today is the beginning of this Great Mystery of our Salvation.

   We see Our Savior riding upon the humble back of a donkey into the City of Jerusalem as a Great King who is victorious over the great deceiver the Devil, because yesterday Our Savior raised Lazarus from the dead who had been four days dead!! This event is a foretaste of His Own Resurrection that would occur after His Passion on the third day. Also, this rising of Lazarus from the Dead confirms Our Own Resurrection with Christ on the Last Day when our souls will be reunited with our glorified bodies, which will be the same type of glorified body as Our Lord has Now in Heaven and as He had when He appeared to the Apostles in the upper room after His Resurrection!!

  The Holy City of Jerusalem that Our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ desires to ride into today is the Jerusalem of Our Hearts and Souls!!! Yes that's Right!! We celebrate today Christ's Glorious Entry into the Jerusalem of our Hearts and Souls! That is why it is so real and we experience in real time this event of our Salvation! The question is; "Are we ready to receive Our Savior into our Hearts and Souls???" He stands at the door of our hearts and souls He is actively knocks!!! We need to ask ourselves is the door of our Heart and Soul willing to open to Christ Our King??? Or is it barricaded and boarded up from the inside??? In other words is the door that leads to our Hearts and Souls blocked up by the evil sins and passions that we have allowed ourselves to become comfortable with living in sin??? Have we done the real work to confess these soul destorying sins and passions??? Have we wepted over our sinful life??? Do we really desire with all of our heart and soul to be in Communion with Holy God??? Or are our hearts and souls still sleeping in the death of sin??? Are we lazy and do not want to come to the Holy Church??? Do we try to find every excuse imaginable to give ourselves the easy way out and to gratify our pleasure loving flesh with the material things of this world of darkness??? Do we find ourselves as the foolish virgins without the Oil of Divine Grace at the wedding feast waiting for the Divine Bridegroom who is Jesus Christ????

   If this is you, and you are not answering the Door of your Heart and Soul through Real Repentance when Christ is knocking, then WAKE UP NOW!!! Or you will be shut out of the Kingdom of Heaven, where there is No Christ!! No Theotokos!! No Angels and Saints!! Where there is No Salvation!! but only darkness, tears, pain, and the foulest of all smells!!!  

  The Answer, My Dear little Flock, is to Surrender to the will of God. Surrender your life to the one who gave you life. We are constantly bound and held captive by the temporal things of this passing and decaying world and this temporal life. We are prisoners of our own selves, of this   world, of our careers, of money, of the politicians who rule over us, we are even slaves to our own sins and passions. The only way to find peace, to find true happiness, to experience True Love is to Surrender yourself to God, to make Him your King, to live in Total Communion with Him. The way in which we turn our hearts from the kingdom of the self and the world into the Kingdom of God is through constant daily prayer, reflection, and meditation, frequent Holy Communion, frequent Confession, and reading and understanding the Sacred Scriptures found in the Holy Bible.

   So many people complain that they can not find time to come to Church, they can not find time to pray and read the Sacred Scriptures, they can not find time to Fast, or go to Confession and Holy Communion. Let me ask you; "Who or What is more important than Holy God and His Holy Church??? The reason people do not have time is that they are slaves to their own selves, to their own fallen will. The fact is quite simple!!! If we do not have time for God, then why on earth should God have any time for us??? But God always has time for us. He is constantly knocking at the door to our hearts and our souls, knocking at the door of our lives and asking to come in. Some of the Holy Fathers of The Church go so far as to liken God to a crazed lover who constantly seeks to be with the one that He loves who is Us, and Holy God would do absolutely anything to be with the people that He loves!!!

   Today, as we receive our Palm Branches at the end of the Divine Liturgy, let us take them to our homes and place them somewhere where we can always see them. Let the Palms remind us that Christ is the True King of our Families, that Christ is the True King of our Hearts and Souls, that Christ is the Only True Answer to any happiness and meaning in our lives.

   Finally, if we do proclaim Christ as our King, let us try and make Time for Him in our daily life, let us be Reminded that He is the One with Whom we will be spending Eternity. Let us be reminded that our careers, our education, our finances, our homes, all of the basic material needs in our lives are only  material and temporary things of this life that will pass away. Let us prioritise and place Christ the King as the primary concern in our lives. For, it is only when we have done this that we will find true peace and happiness in such a confused and complex world!

Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He Who comes in the Name of the Lord! The True King of Israel, and The True Almighty King of Our Hearts and Souls! Amen!

 

  

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Saint Mary's News

 Grave Watch Sign ups

On Holy Friday Evening after The Procession of the Cross, The Procession of the Epitaphios and the Burial Service of Our Lord, and the Service of Lamentations; The Holy Church will be open the entire night for private prayer to be with Our Crucified and buried Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ. This Holy Practice is known throughout Our Diocese as: The Grave Watch Hours of Prayer, this is an opportunity to watch and pray with Our Lord before His Great and Holy Resurrection. The Grave Watch will extend through the whole night on Great Friday into Great Saturday Morning until the Divine Liturgy at 9:00AM. I pray that all of you take advantage of spending a short hour with Our Lord on this Most Holy Night of the year. Sign-up sheets will be posted on the coffee Hall Doors for everyone who would like to participate.   

Flower Donations For Pascha

Holy Week and Pascha are quickly appoaching and we would like to decorate Our Holy Church with Flowers. As is the custom of the parish we will accept donations to help with the cost of the Flowers. Also, if anyone would like to purchase Flowers in memory of a departed loved one this is also a worthy practice. For anyone interested in supporting the purchase of the Pascha Flowers in either respect listed above, please see or contact Joyce Peters.   

Church Tile Project Up-Date

I am happy and excited to announce that our Church Floor Tile Project is moving right along as decided and planned by Our Church General Council Meeting. The color of tile has been chosen, the materials have been paid for, and the mosiac medallions for the sanctuary step are currently being made by our friend and local artist Jeff Travers, who has generously chosen to donate his art work to Our Holy Church! If anyone would like to help pay for the cost of the new flooring as a gift to the Church or as a donation in memory of a Loved One please let Father Vincent or Michael Peters know as soon as possible!! The removal of the old carpet and the installation of the new tile will begin on May 6th which is the week after bright week!

OCMC Alms Giving Box Update

Thank you to all who are actively heeding Our Lord's call to feed the hungry, give drink to the thristy, cloth the naked, and help to spread the Gospel to the four corners of the earth! Thank you for your continuing participation in this project to support our Orthodox Missions throughout the World. When you have finished filling your coin boxes please tape them up so they do not fall apart because of weight or so that the money does not escape. Today is Palm Sunday which is the 21st of April. So, all Coin Boxes should be returned to the Church by April 21st and then we will send them to OCMC the next day.

Orthodox Prison Ministry Almsgiving Basket

I spoke about this new opportunity for supporting the Prison Ministries last Sunday. There will be an Alms giving box in the back of the Church to support the Orthodox Prison Ministry for all who would like to heed the call of Our Lord to "visit" ie. "Support" those in the Prisons, please give generously from your heart! This collect will be taken up until Palm Sunday April the 21st which is today, and will then be sent to the Orthodox Prison Ministries Office the next day. Thank you in advance for your love and support for this worthy cause!

Clergy Convocation May 7th -10th at Camp Nazerath

Father Vincent and Pani Christyn will be away from the parish the week after Bright Week; May 7th through May 10th for the Annual Clergy Convocation with Metropolitan Gregory at Camp Nazerath in Mercer Pennsylvania. If here are any Emergencies during this time, place contact Father Samuel Haddad at (304) 541-8550. If Father Samuel is unreachable place contact Father Vincent and he will make the necessary arrangements to return.  

 

 

 

 

 

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Palm Sunday Family Life

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