As many as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Alleluia

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1 March 2012 A Publication of St. Andrew Orthodox Church 4700 Canyon Crest Drive, Riverside, California Beloved Parishioners of St. Andrew, Blessings and greetings on this Middle Day of the Lenten Fast. Throughout all the weeks of Great Lent we pray earnestly for the catechumens of the church throughout the world: those preparing to be baptized and/or chrismated and to take their places as full members of and within the Orthodox Church of Christ. On the Sundays of Lent following the Gospel and Homily we pray the "Litany of the Catechumens" and on Wednesday nights at the Presanctified Liturgy we pray the same. Beginning this week, the 4th week of the fast, at the presanctified services we add a 2nd litany for those catechumens who are prepared to be received into the church on Great and Holy Saturday. This year the Holy Saturday Baptismal Liturgy will be on April 14th, just hours before we celebrate Holy Pascha. Of our parish's 26 catechumens, we intend to receive 11 on Great Saturday. You will find the names of these persons in this newsletter, and I ask that you include these dear ones in your daily prayers. The final weeks of lent and catechesis are always challenging for these soon to be neophytes (new-plants) of the church. The devils rage because they are about to lose their trophies, and to have their ill-gotten gains plundered, that is recovered by Christ the Lord. The Lord Christ reigns at the right hand of His Father in heaven, and is overseeing and superintending the fulfillment of His mission to redeem the world and to baptize all the nations. He is doing this one catechumen at a time in the holy parishes throughout the world. Our calling is to assist this catechumens into the life of Christ, of the Church, and to care for these new plants so that they grow strong and healthy and bear much fruit. Please pray for them by name, and open your heart to them as soon to be fellow parishioners. I assure you of my love and prayers. Fr Josiah As many as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Alleluia V. Rev. Josiah Trenham, Pastor Church Phone (951) Fax (951) For information and schedule of services, go to

2 Page 2 St. Andrew Orthodox Bible Reading Plan Part 5 Mar Apr May

3 Page 3 HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. THE OLD TESTAMENT..49 Books 5 Books of Law 18 Books of History 7 Books of Wisdom 19 Books of Prophecy Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomy Joshua Judges Ruth 1,2 Samuel (1,2 Kingdoms) 1,2 Kings (3,4 Kingdoms) 1,2 Chronicles 1,2 Ezra Nehemiah Tobit Judith Esther 1,2,3 Maccabees Psalms Job Proverbs of Solomon Ecclesiastes Song of Songs (by Solomon) Wisdom of Solomon Wisdom of Sirach Hosea Amos Micah Joel Obadiah Jonah Nahum Habakkuk Zephaniah Haggai Zachariah Malachi Isaiah Jeremiah Baruch Lamentations Epistle of Jeremiah Ezekiel Daniel About 400 years between Testaments THE NEW TESTAMENT..27 Books 5 Books of History 21 Books of Doctrine 1 Book of Prophecy Life of Christ History of Church Matthew Mark Luke John Acts Romans 1, 2 Corinthians Galatians Ephesians Philippians Colossians 1, 2 Thessalonians 1, 2 Timothy Titus Philemon Hebrews James 1, 2 Peter 1, 2, 3 John Jude Revelation God used some 40 men over nearly 16 centuries in writing the Bible

4 Page 4 The following article is from the daily meditation by DYNAMIS for the Sunday of the Cross: DYNAMIS is a daily Bible meditation based upon the lectionary of the Holy Orthodox Church. DYNAMIS is a project of the Educational Committee of St. George Orthodox Christian Cathedral in Wichita, Kansas. DYNAMIS Web site is free: To obtain any of their meditations for the current month or for the last twelve months, or for questions concerning Orthodoxy or editorial comments, contact their editorial address: dynamis@dynamispublications.org Web Site: Hebrews 4:14-5:6 NKJ Epistle for the Third Sunday of Great Lent: Veneration of the Cross 14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. 1 For every high priest taken from among men is appointed for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2 He can have compassion on those who are ignorant and going astray, since he himself is also subject to weakness. 3 Because of this he is required as for the people, so also or himself, to offer sacrifices for sins. 4 And no man takes this honor to himself, but he who is called by God, just as Aaron was. 5 So also Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, but it was He who said to Him: "You are My Son, Today I have begotten You." 6 As He also says in another place: "You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek..." The Throne of Grace: Hebrews 4:14-5:6, especially vs. 16: "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." The Apostle advises that we approach "...the throne of grace..." The invitation might sound quaint to the host of people who live without monarchs and royalty. The only 'enthroned' or 'presiding' persons we are likely to 'approach' are magistrates or judges. Most likely, we do not approach them 'boldly, for the courts of justice are not uniformly known to be thrones of 'grace.' There are some countries in the world where monarchs still reign as heads of state; but, mostly, we 'moderns' have little to do with such sovereigns or their thrones. Of course, as Orthodox Christians, we do meet the Church's Bishops who preside liturgically from thrones. Yet even in Church, most members do not normally approach our hierarchs on their thrones, except for the few who serve at worship. However, the Apostle is inviting us all to "...the throne of grace..." And what is this "...throne of grace..."? Who is seated on it? What mercy and grace might we seek by approaching this throne? And, honestly, can we come 'boldly? The Apostle Paul reminds us (along with Saint Timothy) that in Christ Jesus' "...own time, He Who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, Who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, Whom no man has seen or can see, to Whom be honor and everlasting power..." will manifest Himself (1 Ti. 6:15-16). When we enter His courts, among those assembled before His throne, we are not going to be mistaken about this royal Person. Saint Paul is clear: we all will appear before Him one day. Saint John Chrysostom asks: "Of Whom are these things said? Of the Father, or of the Son? Of the Son, undoubtedly."

5 Page 5 If we are blessed to attend an Orthodox Church this Sunday, we will be able to venerate Jesus' Cross, and prostrate ourselves before the Lord Who stretched out His hands on this Cross to draw the world to Himself by Resurrection. "What a ladder [the Cross is] over which we ascend to the heavens, raising with praises Christ the Lord!" Before this Throne, we are freed in mind from the world and may sing with the Church, "Come, ye believers, let us adore the life-giving Tree, whereon when Christ the King of glory stretched His hands, He lifted us to the first bliss, us whom the ancient enemy having led captive by desire drove away from God...[and let us sing] O Lord Who wast crucified...have mercy upon us." If we prostrate before this monarch on His 'Throne,' then we will meet the true Lord, the reigning Christ, our King and our God. Notice that today's Epistle reveals Christ as Lord, as reigning Monarch of all that is, visible and invisible, Who also is our Great High Priest (see vss. 4:14,15; 5:5). For, as the God-man, Christ Jesus "...has passed through the heavens..." (vs. 14). Now, King of all, He also is High Priest for all. Indeed, we have a King Who can and does "...sympathize with our weaknesses..." (vs. 15); for He became, and remains eternally, fully human like us, as He was in time, except forever "...without sin" (vs.15). Remember His ministry among us in the flesh; He fixed an eternal bond by which we may know Him as 'One of us,' as 'One Who understands,' as One from Whom "...we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (vs. 16). Do not hold back from His Majesty; come to His throne, the "...throne of grace..." as the Apostle encourages (vs. 6). Be bold like the sinful woman who washed His feet with her tears and anointed them with the fragrant oil of repentance (Lk. 7:38). Bow to Him who heals. Affirm Christ as Lord, as King and as God. Let us acknowledge Him as our Life-Giver and Savior, our Sovereign Who knows our hearts better than we know our selves. Cry unto Him, Have pity upon me, a sinner, that I may approach and touch Thee, O Christ my God. Diocese of Los Angeles and the West Antiochian Women s 33rd Annual Spring Retreat St. Nicholas Cathedral March 31, 2012 Theme: THE FIRST DAYS OF CHRISTIANITY Speaker: Mother Victoria, Abbess of St. Barbara Monastery Archbishop JOSEPH, presiding The Very Reverend David Hovik, Spiritual Advisor Costs: $60.00 including meals. Retreat is open to women 18 and older of all Orthodox jurisdictions Make check payable to Antiochian Women, Diocese of the West and write Retreat on the Memo line Registration, coffee and refreshments start at 8:00 a.m. The retreat will start at 9:00 a.m., with lunch at noon. Vespers followed by an address by Archbishop Joseph will be held at 3:30 PM. Dinner and a wrap-up session will follow Vespers.. Please Note: Due to an unforeseen scheduling conflict, the venue has changed (from Camp Saint Nicholas at Frazier Park) to St. Nicholas Antiochian Cathedral in Los Angeles at 2300 W. Third St., Los Angeles, Instead of the usual 3-day format, this year s retreat will be a one-day event on March 31st. It s not too late to sign up. To register or arrange for carpooling, please see Beth Krammes or Lucy Hanna.

6 Page 6 St. Andrew Community News. New babies in January and February, Many Years! Congratulations to Brian and Shawna Jackson on the birth of their baby girl. Little Vera Jackson was born on January 21. She weighed 8 lb. 9 oz., and measured 20.5 inches. Congratulations to Terrence and Angeline Baxter on the birth of their baby boy. Little Gabriel Baxter was born or January 23rd. He weighed 9 lb. 5 oz., and measured 22 inches. Congratulations to Michael and Agape Silversmith on the birth of their little girl. Little Callia Silversmith was born on February 6. She weighed 9 lbs., and measured 20 inches. Left: Fr. Josiah blessing the boys on the Feast of the presentation of our Lord. Below: Story time with Father during Friday School. Soooo precious! Another Octogenarian at St. Andrew! On January 29, 2012 our dear brother Benjamin Alcala, known as the Voice, celebrated his 80th birthday. Following the Divine Liturgy as Father Josiah came out of the altar waving the heart with Ben s picture a recording of Ben singing Se im noo was playing in the background! Many years Ben! A belated congratulations to Jim and Dorothy Henderson on their 35th wedding anniversary. Many years!

7 Page 7 Godspeed to our current catechumens who are preparing for illumination on Holy Saturday *Tony Caltabiano *Zana Devitto *Lisa Mueller Eric Castleman *Daniel Diaz *Lawrence (Moses) Nash Paula Castleman *Rebekah Diaz *Crystal Nash Ashley Castro *AngeloDiaz *Maria Newton Velvet Castro Steve Hunt *Skip Parrish Moriah Castro Kemi Ingram *Douglas Shumway Samaria Castro Bethany Castro Zion Castro Elias Castro Prayer for Catechumens Anna Ingram Abi Ingram Matthew Ingram Martha Metroka * preparing for illumination on Great Saturday 2012 O Lord our God, Who dwellest on high and regardest the humble of heart; who hast sent forth as the salvation of the race of men Thine Only-begotten Son and God, our Lord Jesus Christ: Look down upon Thy servants the catechumens (NN.), who bow their necks before Thee; make them worthy in due season of the laver of regeneration, the remission of sins, and the robe of incorruption. Unite them to Thy holy, catholic, and apostolic Church, and number them with Thine elect flock: that with us they may glorify Thine all-honorable and majestic Name: of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Please Pray for healing of: Carol Dolenar, health Andrew Nova, cancer Naomi & Giovanni, health Pat Boynton, aunt of Kent Joris, cancer Kate Simcoe, cancer James Perry, father of Gina Bernard, cancer Carmen Ruben, health Rosemary Ward, sister of Leigh Trenham, health Xenia Falcon, health Conley Watson, health Nina Tormozova, health Sergei Tormozova, health Guillermo Mina, father of Sonia Ruben, health Ken Joris, father of Kent Joris, cancer Clifford Ashie, health Maria Economus, cancer Kathy Reese, sister of Kh. Catherine, cancer Helen Ashie, mother of Regina Roum, health Dale Krammes, father of Barry Krammes, health Ariana Frazier, recovering from surgery All suffering Christians in Egypt and Syria Myrrhbearers of St. Andrew 14th Annual Annunciation Tea Saturday, March 24, :00-3:00 p.m. Guest Speaker: Kh. Christina Reimann $5.00 per person Bring a Friend, a Lenten finger food and a flower for our Lady

8 St. Andrew Orthodox Church 4700 Canyon Crest Drive Riverside, CA St. Andrew Orthodox Church of Riverside is a parish of the Self-ruled Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, Diocese of Los Angeles and the West, the See of the Most Reverend Archbishop JOSEPH