The Journey to Holy Week and Pascha ~ A Message from Fr. Robert

Transcription

1 April Phillips Road, Tallahassee, Florida (850) Rev. Fr. Robert J. O Loughlin The Journey to Holy Week and Pascha ~ A Message from Fr. Robert We are soon to celebrate the feast of Palm Sunday before our journey through Holy Week on our way to the Resurrection. We know the joy of Palm Sunday is short lived, as the disciples were rejoicing after witnessing the greatest of Jesus s miracles, the raising of Lazarus from the dead after he was four days in the tomb. Yet, their faith would soon be tested and as He entered Jerusalem, Jesus saw the crowd and He realized they did not understand the purpose of His coming. By waving palm branches they were showing that they expected Jesus to be the one who would lead them to overthrow the Romans. The significance of receiving palms can assist us to renew our commitment to Christ. He came to show the way of love as He said, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. (Matthew 5:44) Through the Scriptures and worship services of Holy Week, we can journey together with Christ. We can choose to fit into our own busy schedules and responsibilities to enter into the Passion of Christ so we may live a new, different, better, more Christ-centered life. Holy Week can be seen as something of a spiritual rollercoaster, with its ups and downs, as for Christ s closest disciples, one minute they show great faith and the next they doubt. Through the liturgical services of the Church as we enter into Holy Week we can decide to look to accompanying Christ throughout His Passion, Death, and Resurrection. For by so doing, we can come to a better understanding of how we can imitate Him in our own struggles and sufferings. Holy Week is a time for us to think about Christ voluntarily going to the Cross. It is an opportunity to meditate on the meaning of the Cross and the degree of humility that Christ had in going to the Cross. As we know, there are many services scheduled and each service is rich in content and directs the mind, heart and soul to Jesus. Our souls need attention throughout our lives and Holy Week is a time to contemplate the condition of our soul. Holy Week affords us the opportunity to hear the accounts of Jesus crucifixion and His life. By attending Church during Holy Week, we can declare by our actions that services are an important part of our lives. Opportunities exist for receiving the Precious Body and Blood of Christ. Opportunities exist for anointing at the Service of Holy Unction. Holy Week is a movement toward the joy of Pascha. In addition, it can transform us if we enter it seeking transformation. The importance we attach to Holy Week is critical in our continued growth as Christians. May we remember the first commitment was His as He went to the Cross for us. And may we commit ourselves to Christ over the coming weeks and going forward. Wishing you and your families a blessed Pascha (Kali Anastasi!), Fr. Robert

2 Page 2 Schedule of Services for Holy Week and Pascha April 9th - Palm Sunday: Orthros 9:30 a.m. and Liturgy 10:30 a.m. Luncheon to follow Palm Sunday Evening, Bridegroom Service: 6:00 p.m. April 10th Holy Monday: Pre-Sanctified Liturgy, 9:00 a.m. Bridegroom Service 6:00 p.m. April 11th Holy Tuesday: Pre-Sanctified Liturgy, 9:00 a.m. Bridegroom Service 6:00 p.m. April 12th Holy Wednesday: Pre-Sanctified Liturgy, 9:00 a.m. Holy Unction, 5:00 p.m. April 13th Holy Thursday: Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil the Great, 9:00 a.m. Holy Passion Service, 7:00 p.m. April 14th Holy Friday: Royal Hours, 9:00 a.m. Vespers - Taking Down from the Cross (Apocathelosis), 3:00 p.m. Lamentations Service, 7:00 p.m. April 15th Holy and Great Saturday: Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil the Great, 9:00 a.m. Resurrectional Service, 11:00 p.m. April 16th Holy and Great Pascha/Easter: Agape Service, 11:00 a.m. Glendi to follow SAVE THE DATE! Community Gathering and Fellowship Friday, May 12, 2017 In the Hellenic Center *more information to follow Holy Friday Adorning the Kouvouklion Holy Friday is the most solemn day of our liturgical calendar. Please join us following the service of Royal Hours as we adorn the Tomb of Christ (Kouvouklion) with flowers. All are invited to come and help with the preparations. The Epitaphios (Christ s Burial Icon or Holy Shroud) will be laid inside the Kouvouklion at the afternoon service. Then, in the evening, our community will gather to sing the Lamentations and to join in a solemn procession at Holy Friday Night s service. *A light lunch will be available in Patmos Hall. HOLY MOTHER OF GOD GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH GENERAL ASSEMBLY MEETING April 30th Following Divine Liturgy HELLENIC CENTER Agenda 1. Call to Order - Nick Joanos 2. Opening Prayer - Father Rob 3. Priest's Comments - Father Rob 4. President's Comments - Nick Joanos 5. Approval of November 2016 General Assembly Minutes - 6. Treasurer Report - Mark Belcher 7. Update on 2017 Greek Festival 8. Closing Comments 9. Closing Prayer and Adjournment

3 2 SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT Orthros 9:30 a.m. & Divine Liturgy 10:30 a.m. Church School ECHO Sunday 3 + Parish Council Mtg. 5:30 pm Pre-Sanctified Liturgy 6:00 pm Followed by Lenten Covered Dish 1 Page f Palm Sunday Orthros 9:30 a.m. & Divine Liturgy10:30 a.m. No Church School Palm Sunday Luncheon Bridegroom Service 6 p.m Great and Holy Pascha Agape Service 11:00 am Luncheon to Follow 12:00 noon Orthros 9:30 a.m. & Divine Liturgy 10:30 a.m. Church School Orthros 9:30 a.m. & Divine Liturgy 10:30 a.m. Church School General Assembly 10 + Pre-Sanctified Liturgy 9:00 a.m. Bridegroom Service 6 p.m Pre-Sanctified Liturgy 9:00 a.m. Bridegroom Service 6 p.m Pre-Sanctified Liturgy 9:00 a.m. Holy Unction Service 5:00 p.m Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil the Great 9 a.m. Holy Passion Service 7:00 p.m 14 Office Closed + Royal Hours 9 a.m Great Vespers: Taking Down from the Cross (Apocathelosis) 3:00 p.m. Lamentations Service 7:00 p.m 17 Fast Free 18 Fast Free 19 Fast Free 20 Fast Free 21 Fast Free Feast Day of the Theotokos of the Life-Giving Font Divine Liturgy 9:00 am Gyro Feast Sponsored by Philoptochos = Wine and Oil s = Fish Allowed Great Vespers 5:00 pm 15 + Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil the Great 9 a.m. Resurrectional Service 11:00 p.m 22 Fast Free Pangari Schedule for April *Denotes a 9:15 am, **10:15 & Coffee (c) start time 4/02 - Catsimpiris*/Belcher**/NJoanos(c) 4/14 - SJoanos/Mathes/Atayants/NJoanos 4/09 - SJoanos*/Kanelidis**/NJoanos** 4/15 - Catsimpiris/Kanelidis/Gavalas 4/10 - NJoanos 4/16 - Belcher 4/11 - NJoanos 4/23 - Gavalas*/Poulos**/Atayants(c) 4/12 - NJoanos/Mathes/Belcher 4/30 - Belcher*/Kanelidis**/Catsimpiris(c) 4/13 - Gavalas/Poulos 5/07 - SJoanos*/Atayants**/Mathes(c) 29 Calendar Symbol Key + = Strict Fast allowed = Dairy & eggs allowed = Father Away APRIL 2017

4 Page 4 Thanks GOYAns for cleaning the Church at the March meeting. Sat., April 8th -Lazarus Saturday-Folding of palms Anastasia Atayants Kristina Grigoryan Ivan Rabbath Valeria Atayants AHEPA News The AHEPA Patmos Chapter 317 is offering $300 scholarships to the college bound graduating high school seniors that apply and qualify. Please pick up the form in the office or see Mr. Mike Papageorge. The deadline is Sunday, April 30, Pete Koikos, President Greek Independence Day /Annunciation Celebration

5 TWO OFFICIAL PROTOCOLS FOR ALL THE FAITHFUL OF THE METROPOLIS OF ATLANTA Protocol No. 03/17 Holy Unction Page 5 Within the Holy Orthodox Church, many customs and traditions are associated with services. Some of these customs and traditions are kept and even encouraged by the Church to be used and upheld. Unfortunately, some of the customs and traditions are outside of the traditions of the Church, and have distorted the correct and proper teaching. This is especially true with the Sacrament of Holy Unction. Many of the Metropolis' and the Archdiocesan District have adoptive policies recognizing the sanctity of the sacrament and that, as with other sacraments of the Church, it is not one distributed by the laypeople. It is therefore time for us to do the same. Just as we do not give Holy Communion to the faithful to take home, neither do we give Holy Unction so that they would administer it either to themselves or to other family members. As you know, the clergy always administer the Mysteries. It may be that some of the faithful are confused by the similarity of "holy oil" taken from the kandili hanging before certain icons or the relics of saints, which is often given to the pious faithful. This oil is taken home, much like holy water, and is similarly used when a member of the family is ill or troubled. The custom of placing a cotton swab (or anything similar) in a plastic bag to be taken home by the faithful is not appropriate. There is no reason for doing this since the clergy administer the Mystery, and in addition, this cotton saturated with Holy Unction is all too often disregarded or simply thrown away in the trash. We have an obligation to clearly teach the faithful about the difference between Holy Unction and the holy oils received from places of pious veneration. The former should be handled as we do Holy Communion and the latter like holy water. Make every effort to stress to the faithful that the Sacrament WILL NOT be given to "take-home." Please distribute this protocol along with announcements in your mailings, newsletters, weekly bulletins, websites, social media, etc. so that the faithful are fully informed before the sacrament takes place. Included with this protocol is a sample insert for your publications. This protocol is to be applied so that we may have uniformity within the Holy and God-protected Metropolis of Atlanta, and, as St. James wrote: "Is any among you sick? Let him call for the presbyters of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. " (James 5:14) The Sacrament of Holy Unction All Parishioners should attempt to attend the service and be anointed with the blessed oil of Holy Unction. As the Priest anoints the forehead, cheeks, chin, palm and back of hands, we should ask God's forgiveness. Therefore, family members will no longer be permitted to take Holy Unction home, however the Priest may anoint those unable to attend the service of Holy Unction on Holy Wednesday on another day of Holy Week. For those who are shut-ins, homebound, or infirm, please contact your priest before Holy Week for a visitation and the offering of healing prayers and the Holy Sacraments. Funerals Within the Holy Orthodox Church there are many customs and traditions that are associated with the passing of a loved one. Many people have expectations on how the service should be conducted and who will speak at the service. This may also be true with the family, who is grieving the loss of their loved one. This allows the Priest to explain to the family about the traditions that are associated with an Orthodox funeral. Above all the conversation will eventually come to who will offer the eulogy. It is important to remember that the eulogies are offered in the Holy Sanctuary (Church) and ONLY by the Clergy. Please instruct the family that if a family member or some other person desires to offer some words, there are three (3) opportunities to do so. 1. At the Funeral Home following the Trisagion service on the evening of the viewing. 2. At the gravesite following the Trisagion service on the day of the funeral. 3. At the traditional "Makaria" Memorial Meal which takes place after the interment. In order for parishioners to be familiar with this protocol, it is important to publish it periodically in all forms of parish communication. As with all things, if there are special circumstances in which someone other than the Clergy needs to speak in the Church for the eulogy, the Priest must contact the Metropolitan or Metropolis Chancellor for their approval.

6 Page 6 hmogphil@comcast.net also visit us on Facebook at Holy Mother of God Philoptochos Society of Tallahassee Florida Scholarships for College Bound Students We are looking forward to congratulating all of our graduating high school seniors this year and are encouraging them to apply for the Philoptochos Scholarships that are worth $200. Requirements are college acceptance and a paper written on What My Orthodox Faith Means to Me. GREEK ORTHODOX METROPOLIS OF ATLANTA ΙΕΡΑ ΜΗΤΡΟΠΟΛΙΣ ΑΤΛΑΝΤΑΣ March 20, 2017 My Beloved Ones, The springtime of the Fast has dawned, The flower of repentance has begun to open. O brethren, let us cleanse ourselves from all impurity And sing to the Giver of Light: Glory be to Thee, who alone lovest mankind. (Wednesday Vespers of the first week of Lent) I greet you with love and joy in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, praying that the remainder of your Lenten journey is one full of peace and spiritual renewal. By now I am certain you have heard about the Panagia Chapel, currently under construction at the Diakonia Retreat Center. As we continue our journey through the most solemnly beautiful liturgical season of the year, and as we prepare for that Feasts of Feasts, the Resurrection of Christ, I would ask you to spare a thought for what this chapel will mean to future generations. Imagine the Salutations, the Pre-Sanctified Liturgies, or even Holy Week, taking place in this magnificent edifice. Now imagine what will certainly be a reality: that our young people will experience the beauty of this Chapel through retreats and St. Stephen s Camp; and that having these experiences, they will encourage their parents and elders to encounter the life-changing environment of the Chapel, and all of the ministries offered through the Diakonia Retreat Center. I hope you understand then, the opportunity this furnishing campaign has created. You, along with your family and friends, shall have a hand in creating an environment which will ensure that your children, grandchildren, and countless future generations will always have a place which reflects God s glory, the living presence of the Saints, and the pride of our Greek Orthodox heritage. Donors will also have the chance to submit names of both their living and departed loved ones, which will not only be sealed within the Holy Altar before the Chapel s consecration, but shall also be commemorated in each holy service at the chapel forever. I thank you for your love, and I hope that as the campaign draws to a close we can count on your support as we see the Chapel through to completion. For further assistance, please feel free to contact your Parish Priest or your Parish Panagia Chapel fundraiser chairperson. I remain, With paternal blessings and with much love in our Lord, +ALEXIOS Metropolitan of Atlanta

7 Page 7 Lilies for Pascha If you would like to donate an Easter Lily plant ($15.00) in memory of a loved one, please complete the form that is located in the Narthex or church office and return to church office by Friday, April 7th. The Reflections and the weekly handout will list the names you submit of those to be memorialized. EASTER EGG DYE will be available at the Pangari (Narthex) for $2.00/package. Please bring your offering of red Easter eggs to the Resurrectional Service Saturday evening and place eggs in the basket near the Church; 1-3 dozen is welcome so all attending the Resurrection Service and the Agape Service will receive a blessed egg. Thank-you. April 8, 2017 Saturday of Lazarus Join us in the Hellenic Center following Divine Liturgy at 9:00 am for a light Community Breakfast, Palm-folding and fellowship Pascha/Easter Glendi Sunday, April 16th Luncheon Following the Agape Service Easter Egg Hunt for children Adults $15.00 Children & Students $8.00 Children under 10 no charge Fish Luncheon following Liturgy Adults $14.00 Children & Students $8.00 Children under 10 no charge If your daughters, 1 st thru 6 th grades, are interested in being Myrrh-bearing girls, please let the church office know by April 7th at Following the Resurrection Service please join us for the beginning of the Pascha celebration in the Hellenic Center for some delicious Avgolemono Soup (egg-lemon) prepared by Richard Allen. Easter Candy It would be greatly appreciated if anyone would like to donate individually wrapped candy (nonchocolate) for the children s Easter egg hunt. Please drop off at the church office.

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: Great and Holy Pascha Celebrated April 16th Website: Addresses: Father Rob: fr.robert@comcast.net Church Secretary: hmog@comcast.net Secretary Hours: Mon./Wed./Fri. 9am-2pm