The Commitment of Our Lenten Journey ~ A Message from Fr. Robert

Transcription

1 March Phillips Road, Tallahassee, Florida (850) Rev. Fr. Robert J. O Loughlin The Commitment of Our Lenten Journey ~ A Message from Fr. Robert We are soon to begin our Great Lenten journey towards Pascha! As some of you know I am a big college basketball fan and this month is known as March madness as various colleges try to make it to the Final Four. These athletes have been quite serious in their commitment. Their gifts and talents must be developed through sacrifice and effort, and with much perseverance and endurance they can be become part of the best team possible. As Christians, we should always be in pursuit of getting closer to God and His heavenly Kingdom. Seeking out our salvation is a serious matter that demands our full attention and effort. It can be difficult to keep our spiritual effort at full alert all the time, day in and day out. This is why the Church offers us different periods of the year to get back on track and refocus on our spiritual lives. This is the reason for Lent. It is a limited time to remind us about what is essential in life and to give us a little push to set aside our worldly pursuits and focus on what is eternal. And through this struggle we can better prepare to celebrate the greatest feast of the year, Christ s Resurrection! Lent combines spiritual exercises with physical exercises we increase our prayer along with our fasting; we participate in more worship as we strive to increase our almsgiving; we read the Bible more as we participate in acts of forgiveness and love. Remember, the season of Lent is supposed to be a season different from our normal schedule and life. The Church challenges us to stop following our busy schedules and take up a different pace of life, one that is slower and more reflective. We can be filled with joy as we reflect upon drawing closer to Christ in preparing to celebrate His Resurrection, and yet, at the same time, we should put a special focus on our own sinfulness, on our own shortcomings, and the reality that we haven t put as much effort in our spiritual journey as we should. During this period, we should try to increase our discipline of prayer. We can utilize our prayer books and if you need any guidance, please come and talk with me. As we strive to increase our personal prayers, Lent also calls us into a cycle of more communal prayers. We have additional Church services throughout Lent including our weekly Wednesday Pre-Sanctified Liturgy, and Friday Salutations to the Theotokos, along with Saturday Vespers and Sunday Divine Liturgy. Together with prayer, the most obvious aspect of Lent is fasting. Our Church challenges us to fast by changing and limiting our appetite. The first and main purpose of fasting is to draw closer to God. Fasting is a discipline to train our passions. Fasting is spiritual training in self-control. The discipline of fasting reveals the things that control us. We are to remember that fasting is not only about the types of food we eat, but also about the amounts of food. And as we fast, remember that food itself isn t what is important. Fasting is a tool to limit and discipline ourselves, as well as to make us conscious of our dependence on God. This implies not only fasting from food, but fasting from sinful habits as well! The Pharisees were very self-righteous about their fasting, and it is easy for us to become self-righteous as well. Remember that our fast is about us and God, not about impressing others, or ourselves. Finally, together with increased prayer and fasting should come more acts of almsgiving. This includes the giving of our time, talents and treasures to those in need. Lent should be more of a time when we try to visit the sick or the lonely, and to reach out to someone in need. Another discipline that the Church asks us to focus upon is that of reading and meditating on Holy Scriptures. Spiritual reading has always been a tool that opens our minds and hearts to the Spirit of God. Lent is a time to strengthen our relationship with Christ by our extra prayers, and reading Scriptures. It can be a time to weed out the unnecessary activities and create more time for our communication with God. There are many blessings that can be provided during this journey in growing closer to Christ and may God give us all the strength along the way. Wishing you a Blessed Lenten journey, Fr. Robert

2 Page 2 If an emergency or special need should arise, please contact Fr. Rob immediately at Next Spaghetti Dinner: March 4th Our next ECHO Sundays are March 6 and April 3. Please drop off your non-perishable food donations into the bins located in the Hellenic Center and Patmos Hall. Dear Parishioners, It was a pleasure to behold all the wonderful events in our Parish during the month of February. The hard work of the volunteers to make these events successful is greatly appreciated. I am pleased to report that the 2016 dates for the Greek Festival have been set. Please put October 21 and 22 on your calendar. Look for baking dates to be released in the near future. Sincerely, Catherine Branch OUR LENTEN JOURNEY PREPARING FOR THE PASSION & RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD Great Lent is a time for self-examination and self-denial a time for taking control of our lives and our bodies. The purpose of the fast is to give us a greater awareness of our dependence on God. It is a time to improve ourselves and our relationship with God. Lent is a time for greater works of mercy and charity for those less fortunate than us. It is a time for visitation of the sick and assistance to the poor, and generally a more joyful relationship with those who are close to us our family and friends. Most of all, Lent is a time of joy and a new beginning. We cleanse ourselves mind, body and soul through the physical and spiritual fast, keeping a Christian attitude in all that we do. All this is done to prepare us for the Great Feast of Pascha the Resurrection of Christ. This brochure has been compiled to assist you on your Lenten Journey, guiding you in fasting, prayer, repentance & confession, Bible reading and in receiving Holy Communion. May God bless you and guide you, and may you reach your Paschal destination with the joy of renewed faith in Christ. (Brochures available in the Narthex) DEPARTMENT OF STEWARDSHIP, OUTREACH & EVANGELISM GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AMERICA Remember to set your clocks forward one house. Daylight saving time 2016 begins on Sunday, March 13 at 2:00 am!

3 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 6 13 Judgement/Meatfare Sunday Orthros 9:30 a.m. & Divine Liturgy 10:30 a.m. Youth Sunday Church School Philoptochos Family Fun Day Daylight Savings time Forgiveness/Cheesefare Sunday Orthros 9:30 a.m. & Divine Liturgy 10:30 a.m. No Church School Vespers of Forgiveness 20 Orthros 9:30 a.m. & Divine Liturgy 10:30 a.m. Sunday of Orthodoxy Procession of Icons in lieu 7 Parish Council Mtg. 5:30 p.m Great Lent Begins Great Compline Orthodox Life Class 16 + Pre-Sanctified Liturgy Followed by Lenten Covered Dish Philoptochos Mtg. 4 + Spaghetti Dinner 11:00 am - 7:00 pm Salutations to the Theotokos 5 19 Saturday of Souls Divine Liturgy 9:00 am Saturday of Souls Divine Liturgy 9:00 am Great Vespers 5:00 pm Saturday of Souls Divine Liturgy 9:00 am Page 3 of Church School f 27 Orthros 9:30 a.m. & Divine Liturgy 10:30 a.m. Church School Greek Independence Day & Annunciation Luncheon Pre-Sanctified Liturgy Followed by Lenten Covered Dish Oratorical Festival 30 + Pre-Sanctified Liturgy Followed by Lenten Covered Dish 31 + ANNUNCIATION of the Theotokos Divine Liturgy 9 am 26 Joy Gathering Great Vespers 5:00 pm Pangari Schedule for *Denotes a 9:30 start time 03/06 - Gorb*/Perrigan/Fetzko (c) 03/13 - Branch*/Atayants/Mathes (c) 03/20 - Fetzko*/Joanos/Eudy (c) 03/27 - Atayants*/Gorb/Perrigan (c) 04/03 - Mathes*/Branch/Joanos (c) Calendar Symbol Key + = Strict Fast = Wine and Oil allowed = Dairy & eggs allowed = Father Away March 2016 s = Fish Allowed

4 Page 4 Thanks so much to our Holy Mother of God Community for your generosity on Souper Bowl Sunday in raising funds for the IOCC (International Orthodox Christian Charities) and for Hunter and Maria for informing our community of the wonderful mission and works of the IOCC. Sun March 6th - Next GOYA meeting What is International Orthodox Christian Charities? IOCC is the humanitarian aid agency of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America. IOCC works in cooperation with the Orthodox Church and on behalf of Orthodox Christians. In carrying out its mission, IOCC applies the highest professional standards and renders itself fully accountable to the public and its donors. What is the mission of IOCC? IOCC, in the spirit of Christ s love, offers emergency relief and development programs to those in need worldwide, without discrimination, and strengthens the capacity of the Orthodox Church to so respond. Who benefits from the services of IOCC? Since its inception in 1992, IOCC has provided $580 million in humanitarian relief, sustainable development and self-help programs to people in need. All assistance is provided solely on the basis of need, and benefits families, refugees and displaced persons, the elderly, school children, orphans and people with disabilities. Where is IOCC providing assistance? IOCC programs have helped people in more than 50 countries across Europe, Asia, Africa, North and South America. Since the need for help is great, IOCC continually works to expand its programs to other areas. What types of services does IOCC provide? Agriculture and Food Security programs help rural families raise their levels of nutrition, standard of living and agricultural productivity. Emergency Response programs address the immediate needs of people suffering from natural disaster, war or civil unrest. Education programs help improve access to learning for children and youth, as well as nurture local leaders who advocate for their communities and promote the general welfare. Health programs help protect the well-being of communities through prevention and intervention. Water and Sanitation programs help improve access to clean and safe water and minimize public health threats in vulnerable communities. Economic Opportunity programs give people the tools to work their way out of poverty with dignity. Church School Students are invited to bring an Icon from home to carry in the procession The next JOY gathering: Saturday March 26th Sunday of Orthodoxy Procession of icons Sunday March 20th The Orthodox Church commemorates the restoration of icons in the church after decades of struggle against the Iconoclast heresy. Once again, we will have the procession of icons after the Divine Liturgy in the Church. All students are encouraged to bring an icon from home, remembering the procession, which took place centuries ago, lead by the Empress, St. Theodora. The parish St. John s Oratorical Festival will take place Wednesday, March 23rd following Presanctified Liturgy. We look forward to hearing our youth as they: -Explore a deeper knowledge of the Orthodox faith -Think critically about current issues -Speak to our Church community

5 Page 5 And Then They Will Fast Excerpts from an article at by: His Eminence Metropolitan Isaiah of Denver Christian fasting is the most effective weapon one can have next to prayer. The two together in the name of Jesus can do wonders. One day His disciples asked Jesus why they could not heal a boy by expelling a demon from within him. They asked, "Why could we not cast it out?" The Lord's reply was, "This kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting." In the Gospels Jesus instructs us to fast in secret. Why? Obviously, faith is an inner power; the real power of a person is in his spirit. This spiritual power is developed by the heart and the mind, which work in concert to strengthen the inner man. Man is energized and renewed by God esoterically, through his inner being and his inner heart. Anyone can have this kind of spiritual strength and power if he practices the Christian discipline of prayer and fasting. It is important to remember that many of God's most devout servants, who had the power of healing others because of their inner strength, were themselves physically infirm, such as Saint Paul the Apostle. Fasting, moreover, makes one realize that he is dependent on God, even if he may have no infirmities. He knows that without God he can do nothing. Increased prayer and fasting are encouraged by the Church during Great Lent as a means to purification and preparation. Both physical and spiritual purification are stressed so that the believer may feel prepared to experience a spectacular event, the event of the Lord's return. His Bride, the Church is always in anticipation of the glorious return of Her Bridegroom. This anticipation is brought into focus during the first Divine Liturgy of Holy Week, the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, which is celebrated on Holy Monday morning. The Gospel reading of the Liturgy, which is taken from Saint Matthew's Gospel (24:3-35) speaks of the disciples of the Lord asking Him when His return will take place, as well as the end of the world. Fasting and prayer, therefore, during this time of the year is not simply because it is Great Lent but because the Church is awaiting the return of Her Bridegroom. What is prayer? Department of Religious Education Prayer is doxology, praise, thanksgiving, confession, supplication and intercession to God. "When I prayed I was new," wrote a great theologian of Christian antiquity, "but when I stopped praying I became old." Prayer is the way to renewal and spiritual life. Prayer is aliveness to God. Prayer is strength, refreshment, and joy. Through the grace of God and our disciplined efforts prayer lifts us up from our isolation to a conscious, loving communion with God in which everything is experienced in a new light. Prayer becomes a personal dialogue with God, a spiritual breathing of the soul, a foretaste of the bliss of God's kingdom. How is one to pray? Only the Holy Spirit can guide us to pray as we should. Just as a child learns to walk by walking, one can best learn to pray by praying, trusting in the help of God. Put your whole soul into your prayer. Think about the meaning of every word you pray. Make it your own personal prayer. Be persistent in prayer. Do not yield to carelessness or neglect. Strengthen your prayer through a lively faith in the Lord, a spirit of forgiveness toward others, and genuine Christian living. As we pray deeply within our hearts we grow in prayer. By the grace of God we suddenly catch a glimpse of the miracle of the presence of the Holy Spirit working within us. At first it is only a spark but later it becomes a flame freeing and energizing our whole being, provided we do nothing to grieve the Holy Spirit; and if we do sin we repent of our sin immediately and ask for God's forgiveness. To experience the fire of God's holy love, to give it space within us to do its cleansing and healing work as a breath of the Holy Spirit, and to use it as light and power for daily living -- such are the goals as well as the fruits of true prayer. Copyright: Holy Pascha, April 14, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America Source: My Orthodox Prayer Book

6 Page 6 Come prepared to have a lot of FUN on Sunday, March 6 Next Meeting March 3rd in the Patmos Hall Thank you to everyone for your support for our annual following Divine Liturgy My Big Fat Gyro Feast held on February 26 Chili, games and prizes Fun for the whole family All proceeds will be donated to St. Nicholas National Shrine at the World Trade Center A National Shrine for Everyone Be sure to check our Facebook page for pictures from our Philoptochos events. Upon this rock I will rebuild my church. Matthew 16:18 The Akathist Hymn About the year 626, the Persians, Avars, and Slavs came with a great host and besieged the imperial city of Constantinople while the Emperor Heraclius and the main body of the Byzantine army were absent in the East. Enemy ships filled the sea, especially the Golden Horn, and on land the adversaries were ready for attack with foot-soldiers, horses, and engines of war. Though the citizens courageously withstood them, yet they were few in number and would be unable to repulse the attack of such a great host. Hence, they could not count on any other means of salvation, except the protection of the Theotokos. And truly, suddenly a violent tempest broke up all the ships and submerged them, and the bodies of the invaders were cast out near the Blachernae quarter of the city where the famous Church of the Theotokos The Akathist Hymn stood. Taking courage from this, the people went forth from the city and repulsed the remaining forces, who fled out of fear. In 673, the city was miraculously delivered yet again, this time from an invasion of the Arabs. Then in , led by the Saracen general Maslamah, the Arab fleet laid siege once more to the city. The numerical superiority of the enemy was so overwhelming that the fall of the Imperial City seemed imminent. But then the Mother of God, together with a multitude of the angelic hosts, appeared suddenly over the city walls. The enemy forces, struck with terror and thrown into a panic at this apparition, fled in disarray. Soon after this, the Arab fleet was utterly destroyed by a terrible storm in the Aegean Sea on the eve of the Annunciation, March 24, 718. Thenceforth, a special "feast of victory and of thanksgiving" was dedicated to celebrate and commemorate these benefactions. In this magnificent service, the Akathist Hymn is prominent and holds the place of honour. It appears that even before the occasion of the enemy assaults mentioned above, the Akathist Hymn was already in use as the prescribed Service for the Feast of the Annunciation, together with the kontakion, "When the bodiless one learned the secret command," which has the Annunciation as its theme. It was only on the occasion of the great miracle wrought for the Christian populace of the Imperial City on the eve of the Annunciation in 718 that the hymn "To thee, the Champion Leader" was composed, most likely by Saint Germanus, Patriarch of Constantinople. Historians have ascribed the Akathist Hymn to Patriarch Sergius of Constantinople (638), to Saint George the Confessor, Bishop of Pisidia (818), or even to Saint Photius the Great (891), all of whom lived either at the time of or after the above-mentioned sieges. However, it appears most likely from its language, content, and style that the true composer of the Akathist Hymn is Saint Romanus the Melodist (6th century).

7 Page 7 The Great Lent-A Week-By-Week Meaning (excerpts) by: Rev. Fr. George Mastrantonis The Seven Sundays of the Great Lent First Sunday of Lent-The Sunday of Orthodoxy (John 1:43-52) This Sunday commemorates the return of the Icons into the churches, according to the decision of the Seventh Ecumenical Synod (787). The Church determined that this celebration would take place each year on the first Sunday of Lent, as the Sunday of Orthodoxy, starting March 11, 843. On this Sunday every year the triumph of the faith of Orthodoxy is celebrated with ceremony. The Icon of Christ, according to St. John Damascus, is a distinct affirmation and a reminder of the fact of His Incarnation, which has a vital significance for the salvation of the faithful, an affirmation which prevails to this day in the Orthodox Church. The celebration of the day includes the procession with the Icon of Christ around the inside of the church with pomp and reverence. The Sunday of Orthodoxy calls upon the people to rededicate themselves to the deep meaning of their faith and to declare in unison, "One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all". Second Sunday of Lent-St. Gregory Palamas (Mark 2:1-12) This Sunday commemorates the life of St. Gregory Palamas (14th century). The Church dedicates this Sunday to St. Gregory for his orthodox faith, theological knowledge, virtuous life, miracles and his efforts to clarify the orthodox teaching on the subject of Hesychasm (from the Greek, meaning quiet.) Hesychasm was a system of mysticism propagated on Mt. Athos by 14th century monks who believed that man was able, through an elaborate system of ascetic practices based upon perfect quiet of body and mind, to arrive at the vision of the divine light, with the real distinction between the essence and the operations of God. Gregory became noted for his efforts to explain the difference between the correct teaching and this theory. Gregory was dedicated to an ascetic life of prayer and fasting, which are practices of Lent. Third Sunday of Lent-Adoration of the Cross (Mark 8:34-38; 9:1) This Sunday commemorates the venerable Cross and the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The Cross as such takes on meaning and adoration because of the Crucifixion of Christ upon it. Therefore, whether it be in hymns or prayers, it is understood that the Cross without Christ has no meaning or place in Christianity. The adoration of the Cross in the middle of Great Lent is to remind the faithful in advance of the Crucifixion of Christ. Therefore, the Dassages from the Bible and the hymnology refer to the Passions, the sufferings, of Jesus Christ: The passages read this day repeat the calling of the Christian by Christ to dedicate his life, for "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me (Christ)" (v ). Fourth Sunday of Lent-St. John of the Climax (Mark 9:17-31) This Sunday commemorates St. John of the Climax (6th century) who is the writer of the book called The Ladder (climax) of Paradise. This book contains 30 chapters, with each chapter as a step leading up to a faithful and pious life as the climax of a Christian life. The spirit of repentance and devotion to Christ dominates the essence of this book, along with the monastic virtues and vices. He was an ascetic and writer on the spiritual life as a monk-abbot of Sinai Monastery. These steps of the ladder as set forth by St. John are to be practiced by the Christian especially during this period of the Great Lent. Each step leading to the top step of the ladder, is the climactic essence of the true meaning of a Christian life. Fifth Sunday of Lent-St. Mary of Egypt (Mark 10:32-45) This Sunday commemorates the life of St. Mary of Egypt, who is a shining example of repentance from sin through prayer and fasting. She lived a sinful life for many years, but was converted to a Christian life. She went into the wilderness to live an ascetic life for many years, praying and fasting in repentance of her previous sinful life, and dying there. St. Mary's life exemplifies her conviction about Christ, which motivated the changing of her life from sin to holiness through repentance. Her understanding of repentance involved not a mere change from small things in her life, but an extreme change of her entire attitude and thoughts. The Church commemorates St. Mary for her recognition of her own sins as an example of how one can free oneself from the slavery and burden of wrongdoings. This recognition of sin is imperative during Lent for the faithful as a means of self-examination and preparation for a more virtuous life in anticipation of the Crucifixion and the Resurrection of Christ. Palm Sunday (John 12:12-18) This Sunday commemorates the triumphant entrance of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem. The people of Jerusalem received Christ as a king, and, therefore, took branches of palms and went out to meet Him, laying down the palms in His path. The people cried out the prophecy of Zechariah: "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel" (v. 13; of Zechariah 9:9). The celebration of the Jewish Passover brought crowds of Jews and converted Jews to Jerusalem. They had heard of the works and words of Christ, especially about the resurrection of Lazarus. All the events related to Christ had a Messianic meaning for the Jews at the time. This vexed the high priests and pharisees. As usual, Christ went to the Temple to pray and teach. That evening Christ departed for Bethany. The tradition of the Church of distributing palms on this Sunday comes from the act of the people in placing the branches of palms in front of Christ, and henceforth symbolizes for the Christian the victory of Christ over evil forces and death.

8 Holy Mother of God Greek Orthodox Church 1645 Phillips Road Tallahassee, Florida Return Service Requested Holy Mother of God Greek Orthodox Church 1645 Phillips Road Tallahassee, FL Office: Hall: Fr. Rob s Cell: Annunciation of the Theotokos Celebrated March 25th Website: Addresses: Father Rob: fr.robert@comcast.net Church Secretary: hmog@comcast.net Secretary Hours: Mon./Wed./Fri. 9am-2pm