Christ is Risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life!

Transcription

1 May 2014 A Publication of St. Andrew Orthodox Church 4700 Canyon Crest Drive, Riverside, California Dear and God-Loving Parishioners Christ is risen! Blessings and best wishes for a celebrative and joy-filled season of the Pentecostarion. Paschaltide is the season that follows Holy Pascha, and is punctuated by the Sunday celebrations of St. Thomas, the Myrrhbearing Women, the Healing of the Paralytic, the Samaritan Woman, and the Blind Man. It concludes with two Great Feasts: the Great Feast of the Glorious Ascension of the Lord on the 40th day after Pascha, and the Great Feast of Holy Pentecost on the 50th day after Pascha. Smack in the middle of the Pentecostarion is the Feast of Mid-Pentecost, which we will celebrate this coming Wednesday, May 14th. Today I received a call from a priest friend who wished for me to share an encouraging word with him since he had had a marvelous Great Lent but was seeking to establish a proper prayerful disposition and bearings for this Paschal season. I reminded him as I will remind you all, dear parishioners, that we Orthodox Christians do not just have a Triodion (the liturgical book for Lent) but also a Pentecostarion (the liturgical book for Paschaltide). They are the same size!, and this tells us something about emphases. Just as the Triodion forms in us a spirit of deep repentance during Lent, so the Pentecostarion forms in us a spirit of faithfilled rejoicing in the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. If we are as attentive to the divine services of the Pentecostarion as we are to the services of Great Lent we will find our bearings, and Pascha will take on definitive meaning for us. Glory to His Third-Day Resurrection! Fr Josiah Christ is Risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life! V. Rev. Josiah Trenham, Pastor Church Phone (951) Fax (951) For information and schedule of services, go to To submit articles contact Lucy Hanna, editor, at lucy.hanna@sbcglobal.net

2 In Tribute to His Eminence Metropolitan PHILIP Page 2 On his 40th day Memorial Service Very Esteemed Hierarchs, Reverend Clergy, Honorable Members of the Archdiocese Board of Trustees, and Beloved Faithful of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America: Christ is risen! With a peaceful heart, I am writing these lines upon commemorating the 40th Day memorial service for the eternal repose of the soul of His Eminence, Metropolitan Philip of New York and all North America. On this occasion, I am wondering about the most precious thing that God ever granted to man: his heart. If any of us watches himself, he realizes what kind of work takes place there, a work of love and unity. Parents are aware of such work, because life and experience shape them in such a way that they are called to overcome themselves, be attentive, take care, be responsible, and be able to sacrifice themselves for another's sake. They learn to love and understand, to some extent, what love is about. If such can be the experience of parenthood, what, then, can be the experience of priesthood, and especially that of a high priest, i.e. of a bishop and eventually of an archbishop? Who can know what the heart of such a man is really about? Who can reveal it? Who can stay there and not be amazed or get afraid at the same time? Indeed, such a mystery is only unfolded and disclosed by God, our Creator and our Father. Nevertheless, such a mystery can be approached by analogy, according to our proper experience. Within such a perspective, I am not trying to investigate the heart of our beloved brother and concelebrant, Saiedna Philip. I just admire his love for man and God, his patience, his hope, his struggle, and his service to his brethren, and pray for his eternal repose in peace. Regarding this mystery, we all are aware that only God is perfect and that He calls us, in our weakness, to serve Him and humanity at the same time. As human beings, regardless of our positions or roles in life, even when we serve Him in our families, at church or anywhere, to some extent we often sin, we are sometimes unjust, we can be wrong, we make errors, we cause harm, we deceive, we lack for love, etc. Our growth from our fallen state to perfection is revealed by the transformation of our heart, which summarizes our own whole transformation. We cannot but admire the special experience of a high priest, whose perfect image is the heart of Christ that was revealed to us at best during the time of His Passion. Describing the heart of a high priest gives us a glimpse behind the veil, to the work that takes place within, while fulfilling his ministry. Indeed, his heart is a place of prayer. A high priest is a man par excellence who prays and instills prayer in the heart of his flock. His heart is also a place of unity. Being a place of prayer, the heart of a high priest is where all for whom he prays and of whom he is in charge, are gathered and united, regardless of their imperfections: sinfulness, deficiencies, divisions, immaturity, disobedience, etc. In addition, his heart is a place of forgiveness. Being a place from where unity stems, the heart of a high priest is where reconciliation occurs, from him to the others as well as between all the brethren. His heart embraces everyone. Forgiveness is his arm that he extends to all in order to contain them. He forgives and educates his flock to have forgiveness be a reality between them. Moreover, his heart is a place of offering. Such a heart is an invisible altar, where he offers, on behalf of all, everyone's sufferings, and beseeches the divine mercy for them in order that peace, love and forgiveness be granted to everyone, and that unity finds a better standard in his flock. His heart is also a place of revelation. Being an invisible altar, the heart of a high priest is a place of revelation, where God puts the appropriate words, knowledge, solutions or even silence, so that everything can be put in order in a divine way. For that reason, his heart is a place of listening. Indeed, such a heart has the faculty to listen to God's revelation and to the brethren's burdens and sufferings, yearnings and difficulties. While growing as a good listener, he is able to convey their words to God, and convey to them God's love, will and countenance. No doubt, such a heart is a place of shelter and refuge, where the grace of God will reside, and simultaneously, where his brethren will find a shelter and refuge. They feel the divine security and protection beside such a heart. Therefore, the heart of such a high priest is an inviolable place, where an undefiled mystery takes place. It is the mystery of the Providence of God towards humanity that

3 Page 3 is approached from within our hearts, mixed with our life in order to transform our being and existence into God's realm, peace and blessedness. Such is the love of God: He opened to us the way our heart can be transformed into such a marvelous state. If we choose to speak about the heart of a high priest, it is because of his fatherhood to many. However, such a fact does not diminish at all the experience that every one of us has been given and does not hinder the possibility of having the same transformation that we have been describing. I am glad that, this year, all our archdiocesan activities will turn around this biblical verse: You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, with all your mind, and your neighbour as yourself (Luke 10:27). It is indeed an opportunity for all of us to meditate upon our spiritual upbringing in order that our education and behavior help us into getting closer to such a divine transformation. My prayer on such a day is extensive, not only for the repose of the heart of His Eminence, Metropolitan Philip, but also for our own growth in such a wonderful transformation for God's glory and His Church's service and ministry. +Silouan Metropolitan of Buenos Aires and all Argentina & Patriarchal Vicar of New York and all North America On Kneeling During the Divine Liturgy... According to the ancient practice of the Orthodox Church we do not prostrate or kneel during prayer from Pascha until the Kneeling Vespers of Pentecost (Canon 20 of the First Ecumenical Council). The same sacred canon which prohibits kneeling during the 50 days to Pentecost also prohibits kneeling on all Sundays of the year as well. We refrain from kneeling during the Pentecost period in honor of Christ s Resurrection. So also we should refrain from kneeling on Sundays, for each Sunday is also a celebration of the Resurrection. We do kneel at the Epiclesis however at celebrations of the Divine Liturgy on all days other than Sunday (outside of the 50 days from Pascha to Pentecost) and on those occasional Sundays when the celebration of a feast of the Master (such as Christmas or Theophany) displaces our ordinary weekly celebration of the Resurrection. Throughout the year at all divine liturgies Father Josiah and those serving the holy altar prostrate briefly at the descent of the Holy Spirit and change of the gifts. This is a prostration of adoration, not of penitence, is done briefly without remaining in a bowed position, and is an appropriate gesture of worship for all at this point in the Holy Liturgy throughout the year. On the fourth Sunday after Pascha, the Holy Orthodox Church remembers St. Photini, the Samaritan Woman (John 4:1-42). St. Photini meets Christ at Jacob s Well in the city of Sychar in Samaria. The Jews generally had no dealings with the Samaritans because there was much animosity between the two peoples, but Christ showed that He had come for all people. Christ asks the woman for a drink from the well, but she is stunned that a Jew would ask a Samaritan for a drink. Christ then explains that He can give her water of a sort that would make her never thirst again. The water to which Jesus was referring is the water of Baptism, which is the first step to eternal life. St. Photini is eventually baptized, and becomes a martyr, along with her children and sisters. Many convert to the faith because of her love for God and willingness to give up her life for Him. As often happened in the Old Testament, a man would meet his wife at a well. In this case, St. Photini becomes a bride of Christ after their first meeting.

4 Volume 23 Issue 5 Page 4 ST. ANDREW COMMUNITY NEWS... Congratulations and many years to the 17 newly-illumined people of St. Andrew (including 3 children) who were received into the Orthodox Church on Great and Holy Saturday, April 19, Abbott, Mitchell Duffy, Nathan Evans, Laura Jean Gonzalez, Keith Jimenez, Carrina Grace Lasad Laurman, Theodorus Parkinson, Mathias Parrish, Debra Sirko, Joachim Sirko, Joseph Sirko, Julian Emmanuel Sirko, Veronica Skrocki, Jeanne Stoltenberg, Hannah Taylor, Bryson Trent Torres, Kevin...and finally in the arms of godfather, Nectarios Pla Yes Father, I m ready. I ve been ready for this day for a very long time. Go ahead, dunk me!!!! It s alright Father, we re almost done! Don t forget this ear Father!...here I am Lord. I am all Yours now...

5 Page 5 Look who s engaged! On Sunday, May 4, 2014, Fr. Josiah blessed Michael Osadchuk and Erin Bernard on their engagement. The parish of St. Andrew rejoices with the newly engaged couple and their families for this much anticipated event. May God grant them many years! Where did he pop the question? Well of course at the Mission Inn, their summer hangout!! When? On Bright Monday, April 21. And she said YES... Congratulations to St. Andrew Parishioner Jon Brubaker. Jon, who is a teacher at Mountain View Middle School in Beaumont for the past 7 years, was recently named 2014 Middle School Teacher of the Year for the State of California. He was selected from more than 70 educators in a two-step, statewide process. Jon and his wife Jana and children Anastasia and Zachary joined St. Andrew Church about a year ago. They have been a blessing to all of us. God grant Jon and his family many years! Memory Eternal Olga... The parish of St. Andrew was saddened by the repose of one of its long time members. At 97, Olga Howerter was the oldest member in our parish. Olga fell asleep in the Lord on Tuesday, April 29, 2014 in her home in Hemet, and was found by Dorothy Henderson - ever the servant and beloved friend of Olga - when Dorothy was bringing her some Prosphora from Sunday's liturgy. We will always remember Olga with this beautiful radiant smile.. Funeral services will be on Friday, May 9th as follows: 9 am: Visitation 11 am: Funeral Noon: Mercy Meal in St. Andrew Fellowship Hall 1:30 pm: Burial at Beaumont Cemetery May God rest her soul and may her memory be eternal. Christ is risen!

6 Page 6 St. Andrew bids adieu to the Hartungs On April 27, the Sunday of St. Thomas, the parish of St. Andrew bid Fr. Luke Hartung and his four young children farewell. The Hartungs are moving back to the Pacific Northwest where Fr. Luke will be serving at a small parish in Walla Walla, Washington. We have been blessed to have them with us for the last year and a half. We wish them Godspeed and we will miss them. Fr. Maximos visits St. Andrew Parish. Father Maximos (Constas) is a Monk of the Holy Mountain and a Visiting Professor at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology. He is a New Yorker, has his PhD from the Catholic University of America, and was for almost 7 years a professor at Harvard Divinity School before he left for Mt. Athos to become a monk. He and Fr. Josiah met and became friends at a conference on St. Maximos Confessor in Belgrade, Serbia several years ago at which Fr. Maximos was the Keynote Speaker. On Bright Tuesday Fr. Maximos' English translation of St. Maximos' Ambigua was published. This is the first-ever complete English translation of one of the most difficult patristic texts in existence. Our Father in God, Archbishop Joseph, brought Father Maximos to our Diocese of Los Angeles to teach and to give lectures to the clergy this last February. This last week Fr. Maximos was delivering a lecture in concert with the Getty Villa's Byzantine Icon exhibit, and we were all delighted that he was able to worship with us on Sunday, May 4th and edify us with some profound words on the Myrrhbearing Women prior to his departure to his home on the East Coast.

7 Page 7 St. Andrew to host the 2015 Parish Life Conference... Our St. Andrew parish is honored to be the host for 2015 Parish Life Conference. The dates are July 1-5, The newly-remodeled Irvine Marriott Hotel will be our gathering spot where we will enjoy the fellowship of our fellow Orthodox Christians from around our Diocese and beyond. We will listen and learn from the Bible Bowl, Teen Oratorical Contest, workshops and presentations. We will lift up our hearts in worship through our daily services. It is also an opportunity for the Antiochian Women, Teen SOYO, Order of St. Ignatius and the Fellowship of St. John the Divine to meet and conduct their business. It is therefore imperative for as many of us, the members of St. Andrew Church, to attend the 2014 PLC to learn and familiarize ourselves with what goes on from handling of registrations to planning the events, etc. The 2014 PLC will be hosted by St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in San Francisco July 2-6, Please see the information below and make your plans as soon as possible to attend. Take your whole family if you can and make it a family vacation and learning experience. For all those who expressed an interest in serving on one of the committees of the 2015 Parish Life Conference, we will be finalizing the committees at our next monthly meeting on Sunday, May 18, following the Divine Liturgy. For a list of committees still open, please see George Younes or Lucy Hanna, Conference Co-chairs. His Eminence Archbishop JOSEPH Presiding

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