M A R C H THE LENTEN FAST

Transcription

1 M A R C H THE LENTEN FAST The word fast means not eating all or certain foods. As Orthodox Faithful, we can fast completely at certain times of great importance, and especially each time before receiv ing Holy Communion. Usually, fasting means limiting the number of meals and/or the type of food eaten. The purpose of fasting is to remind us of the Scriptural teaching, Man does not live by bread alone. The needs of the body are nothing compared to the needs of the soul. Above all else, we need God, Who provides everything for both the body and the soul. Fasting teaches us to depend on God more fully. The first sin of our parents, Adam and Eve, was eating from the forbidden tree (Genesis 3:1-19). We fast from food, or a food item, as a reminder that we are to fast from sin ning and doing evil. There are several benefits of fasting. Fasting helps us pray more easily. Our spirit is lighter when we are not weighed down by too much food or food that is too rich. Through fasting, we also learn to feel compassion for the poor and hungry and to save our own resources so that we can help those in need. Fasting is more than not eating food. Saint John Chrysostom teaches that it is more important to fast from sin. For example, besides controlling what goes into our mouths, we must control what comes out of our mouths as well. Are our words pleasing to God, or do we curse God or our brother? The other members of the body also need to fast: our eyes from seeing evil, our ears from hearing evil, our limbs from participating in anything that is not of God. Most important of all, we need to control our thoughts, for thoughts are the source of our actions, whether good or evil. Fasting is not an end in itself. Our goal is an inner change of heart. The Lenten Fast is called ascetic.

2 This refers to a ctions of self-denial and spiritual training which are central to fasting. Fasting is a spiritual exercise. It is not imposed or forced upon us. In the same way that true repentance cannot be forced upon anyone, each of us makes the choice to turn away from our sinful ways and go toward our loving, for giving Father in Heaven. GENERAL RULES OF THE LENTEN FAST The Lenten Fast rules that we observe today were established within the monasteries of the Orthodox Church during the sixth through eleventh centuries. These rules are intended for all Orthodox Christians, not just monks and nuns. The first week of Lent is especially strict. On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, a total fast is kept. In practice, very few people are able to do this. Some find it necessary to eat a little each day after sunset. Many Faithful do fast com pletely on Monday and then eat only uncooked food (bread, fruit, nuts) on Tuesday evening. On Wednesday, the fast is kept until after the Presanctified Liturgy. From the second through the sixth weeks of Lent, the general rules for fasting are practiced. Meat, animal prod ucts (cheese, milk, butter, eggs, lard), fish (meaning fish with backbones), olive oil and wine (all alcoholic drinks) are not consumed during the weekdays of Great Lent. Octopus and shell-fish are allowed, as is vegetable oil. On weekends, ol ive oil and wine are permitted. According to what was done in the monasteries, one meal a day is eaten on weekdays and two meals on weekends of Great Lent. No restriction is placed on the amount of food during the meal, though moderation is always encouraged in all areas of one's life at all times. Fish, oil and wine are allowed on the Feast of the An nunciation (March 25) and on Palm Sunday (one week before Easter). On other feast days, such as the First and Second Finding of the Head of Saint John the Baptist (February 24), the Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste(March 9), the Forefeast of the Annunciation (March 24) and the Synaxis of the Archangel Gabriel (March 26), wine and oil are permitted. HOLY WEEK The week before Easter, Holy Week, is a special time of fasting separate from Great Lent. Like the first week, a strict fast is kept. Some Orthodox Christians try to keep a total fast on Holy Monday, Holy Tuesday and Holy Wednesday. Most eat a simple Lenten meal at the end of each day before going to the evening Church services. On Holy Thursday, wine is allowed in remembrance of the Last Supper. Holy Friday is kept as a strict fast day, as is Holy Saturday. Holy Saturday is the only Saturday in the entire year when oil is not permitted. In short, these are the Lenten rules for fasting. Traditionally, the Church Fathers recommend that someone new to fasting begin by resolving to faithfully do as much as he or she is able during the Lenten period. Each year as one matures as a Christian, a fuller participation can be undertaken. However, it is not recommended that a person try to create their own rules for fasting, since this would not be obedient or wise. The Faithful are encouraged to consult with their priest or bishop regarding the Fast when possible. Personal factors such as one's health and living situation need to be considered as well. For example, an isolated Or thodox Christian required to eat meals at their place of employment, school or in prison may not be able to avoid certain foods. The Church understands this and extends leniency. ARCHPRIEST YURI A. MAEV, RECTOR + IEREIYURI@SAINTSPIRIDON.ORG + PH:

3 This months bulletin is sponsored anonymously. Our dear Eugene Nowik fell asleep in the Lord on Friday, February 12 th. His beautiful funeral service was Wednesday, February 17 th. Memory Eternal. BULLETIN DEADLINE: The deadline for the April bulletin is Wednesday, March 23 rd. Please have everything in by 9:00am. GENERAL PANIKHIDA: Don t forget the monthly general Panikhida on the second Saturday of each month at 6:00pm. Please submit names directly to Father Yuri PLEDGES: You may make a pledge to St. Spiridon Cathedral in support of your parish at any time. Thank you to all who have made a commitment for If you wish to make a pledge, you may fill out a pledge form (located inside parish hall), me directly at katermerc67@gmail.com, or go to saintspiridon.org and select stewardship at the top, then select pledge form. Your pledge is confidential. Thank you! Kathi Merculief, Financial Secretary SUMMER CAMP AT ALL SAINTS CAMP ON RAFT ISLAND: The 2016 session dates have been set; High School Camp: July (for teens entering grade 10 to 12 and grads), Advanced Camp: July (for youth entering grades 6 to 9) and Elementary Camp: July (for children entering grades 3 to 5). For more information and registration forms, you can find All Saints Camp on Face book or visit Registration opens May 1, WHO S WHO: With many new faces, new officers and many sticking with their old positions, we thought it was time to remind everyone who s who in this zoo should you have any questions, concerns or wish to volunteer. Need a telephone number, just call the office and leave a message to get an updated telephone directory from Kim. Extra copies are not stocked in the parish hall since they contain home telephone numbers and addresses. Parish Council: John Cox, Irene Crown (treasurer), Alex Deriugin, Sean Dimond, Emily Glueck, Stephanie Guerra, Cathy Jankovich and Stephen Stachowiak (warden) The Guild of the Lord s Friends: George Nowik, president; Laura Brown, vice-president, Dorothy Nowik, treasurer and Judy Greene, secretary. Choir Director: JJ Kotalik Sunday School Coordinator: Kintea Bryant Parish secretary: Kim King Bookstore: Reader Paul Barrera Feed The Hungry Program: Melissa Merculief Landis Scrip: Dorothy Nowik Maintenance (the big stuff): John Cox & his sidekick Steve Olenik Janitorial (routine weekly items): Dema Pogrebniak Website: Archpriest Yuri A. Maev Financial Secretary (person who issues yearly receipts): Kathi Merculief Bazaar: Susan Priebe Auditors: Matushka Helen Pogrebniak, Andrew Bair and Richard Phillips GREAT LENT NEWS CONFESSION: The last day for private confession is Saturday, April 23 rd, Lazarus Saturday. If you wish to come during the week, before Wednesday night or Friday morning Presanctified Liturgies, please call for an appointment either to the office or to Father Yuri directly.

4 WOCA SUNDAY LENTEN VESPERS SCHEDULE: All service times are at 5:00pm. A light meal/refreshments are provided by the hosting parish. Date Parish Speaker March 20 Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption Fr. Martin Ritsi (OCMC) March 27 St. Paul Antiochian Orthodox Church Fr. David Sommer April 3 St. Katherine Orthodox Mission Fr. Daniel Triant April 10 St. Spiridon Orthodox Cathedral Fr. David Lowell April 17 The Three Holy Hierarchs Church Fr. Seraphim Majmudar FOOD DRIVE: The boxes will be out on Sunday, March 13 th ready for your donations. Our annual goal is 1, 000 pounds of food for those in need. Baby food is always in high demand. We can also accept pet food. HOLY SATURDAY READERS: If you would like to read Holy Saturday, please talk directly to me. Kim MYRRH BEARERS: If your daughter, granddaughter or goddaughter would like to be a part of the Paschal procession, please let Kim King know, no later than Lazarus Saturday. I need an exact count for how many candles to decorate. No extras will be made. LENT BOX PROJECT: We are not sure who the proceeds will be going to at the time of this bulletin printing. When we hand out the boxes in March we will know all the information from the diocese and will pass it on. Put your name on the box so proper credit is posted for your yearly receipt. PARKING: The upper lot next to the annex is now all day/evening public pay parking, not monthly by permit only as before. Reasonable rates as an alternative to finding street parking. PLASCHENITZA FLOWER: Donations for flowers can be made at the candle stand. WEDNESDAY LENTEN MEALS: Please join us on Wednesday evenings for a light Lenten meal after the Presanctified Liturgy. The Guild of the Lord s Friends CHARITY NEWS: The February collection for the Orthodox Christian Network (OCN) was $1, Thank you for your generosity. Our March 6 th collection will benefit Philanthropia House here in Seattle. The only Orthodox adult family home located right next door to St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, they provide skilled and loving care to its residents. To meet the ever growing needs, they are working towards a second home. We ask for your generosity, remembering we all may need a home like this someday. BLINI BRUNCH: Sunday, March 6, after Liturgy is our traditional blini brunch. Plan now to enjoy this very reasonably priced delicious nosh of seafood (or strawberries and whipped cream) and, of course, BLINI! COFFEE HOUR: Only one potluck this month. March 6 Bli

5 ni March 13 NO COFFEE HOUR St. Nicholas is hosting blini this day March 20 Pot luck March 27 Bel l Ringers Th e Bell ringers Team will be your host for today at coffee hour. Members of the group include Paul Barrera, Susan Priebe, Tanya Sineeva, Stephen Stachowiak and John Cox. KULICH NEWS: Kintea Bryant is in charge. The price is the same as last year; $12.00 each. The order form is below and we will be taking orders from March 20 and April 17. You can submit them at the candle stand, give them directly to me, and mail them in or later this month via on the community list. Kulich will be ready for pick up beginning on April 13 th. The last day to pick up kulich is on April 27 th. Volunteer bakers are needed. Please contact Kintea by Mach 13 th if you are willing to bake. She will be speaking to those who helped out last year. " " " " " " " " " " " "" Cut here " " " " " " " " " " " "" KULICH ORDER FORM Deadline for orders: April 17 th Name: Phone number: Number of kulich: X $12.00 each = Regular: or Gluten Free: (?) Please make checks payable to: The Guild of the Lord s Friends Mail in, leave them at the candle stand or give them directly to Kintea Bryant. AVAILABLE FOR PICK UP: Starting on Wednesday, April 13 th