Parish Bulletin – March 10, 2013
SUNDAY OF THE LAST JUDGMENT
MARTYR QUADRATUS AND THOSE WITH HIM
TONE 7
1 Corinthians 8:8-9:220
Matthew 25:31-46
Choir Director: Veronika
Welcome
We welcome you to the Orthodox Church. Please feel at ease and free to participate in the singing. As a visitor you are welcome to come forward at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy and venerate the Cross offered by the priest. Additionally you may receive the blessed bread (Antidoron) that is offered at that time. If you have questions or would like further information, the priest or one of the members of the parish will be pleased to help.
A word to our visitors on Holy Communion
The Orthodox Church does not practice open Communion. Therefore, only members of Canonical Orthodox Churches exercising jurisdiction in America may approach the Chalice for Holy Communion. The Orthodox do not regard Holy Communion solely as an act of personal piety, but also as an expression of union with the Orthodox Church’s faith, doctrine, and discipline. Orthodox visitors wishing to receive Holy Communion should make their intention known to the priest in advance — ask any member of the parish for help in relaying your intention to the priest. Orthodox Christians should prepare themselves to receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion through recent Confession, prayers of preparation for Holy Communion, and fasting (at minimum, from midnight before receiving).
“Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in a an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord.” – I Corinthians 11:27
TROPARIA AND KONTAKIA
Kontakion from the Triodion, in Tone I:
When Thou comest, O God, upon the earth with glory, / the whole world will tremble. / The river of fire will bring men before Thy judgment-seat, / the books will be opened and the secrets disclosed. / Then deliver me from the unquenchable fire, // and count me worthy to stand on Thy right hand, O Judge most righteous.
Opportunities to give:
➢ Food donations to the Ashland Food Project
Announcements:
- Please sign up for coffee fellowship/kitchen cleanup.
- This week begins the Meat Fast. Dairy and eggs are still permitted this week.
- Ss. Mary and Martha Fellowship is this Thursday night, 7.00 PM, at Helen’s house.
- An excellent Lenten read is the short book “Return: Repentance and Confession” by Arch. Nektarios Antonopoulos. We have nine available copies, for $15 each is you are interested.
- Please, do your utmost to be here next Sunday night for Forgiveness Vespers. This marks the beginning of our Lenten Journey together, and the exchange of mutual forgiveness is how we enter into the Fast. “First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” (Matt 5:24)
Service Schedule this Week:
Wednesday – 6.00 pm, Vespers
Thursday – 6.40 am, Hours, Divine Liturgy; 6.00 pm, Vespers
Saturday – 6.00 pm, Great Vespers
Sunday – 8.40 am, Hours, Divine Liturgy – 6.00 PM, Forgiveness Vespers
Confession after Vespers or by appointment!
Other Activities Next Week:
- Thursday, 7.00 PM – Ss. Mary and Martha Women’s Fellowship
- Saturday, 4.30 PM – Choir practice
Clean Week Schedule
Sunday, March 17
6.00 PM Forgiveness Vespers
Monday, March 18
7.00 AM Lenten Matins
6.00 PM Great Compline, Canon of St. Andrew of Crete
Tuesday, March 19
7.00 AM Lenten Matins
6.00 PM Great Compline, Canon of St. Andrew of Crete
Wednesday, March 20
7.00 AM Lenten Matins
6.00 PM Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts (no Lenten potluck the first week of Lent)
Thursday, March 21
7.00 AM Lenten Matins
6.00 PM Great Compline, Canon of St. Andrew of Crete
Friday, March 22
7.00 AM Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, followed by a Moleben to St. Theodore Stratelates
The Torment of Remorse
Those who are tormented in hell are tormented by the invasion of love. What is there more bitter and violent than the pains of love? Those who feel they have sinned against love bear in themselves a damnation much heavier than the most dreaded punishments. The suffering with which sinning against love afflicts the heart is more keenly felt than any other torment. It is absurd to assume that the sinners in hell are deprived of God’s love. Love is offered impartially. But by its very power it acts in two ways. It torments sinners, as happens here on earth when we are tormented by the presence of a friend to whom we have been unfaithful. And it gives joy to those who have been faithful. That is what the torment of hell is in my understanding: remorse. But love inebriates the souls of the sons and daughters of heaven by its delectability.
– St. Isaac of Syria
Our Hope of Salvation
If at some time you show mercy to someone, mercy will be shown to you.
If you show compassion to one who is suffering (and of course, this is not a great deed) you will be numbered among the martyrs.
If you forgive one who has insulted you, then not only will all your sins be forgiven, but you will be a child of the Heavenly Father.
If you pray from all your heart for salvation – even a little – you will be saved.
If you rebuke yourself, accuse yourself, and judge yourself before God for your sins, with a sensitive conscience, even for this you will be justified.
If you are sorrowful for your sins, or you weep, or sigh, your sigh will not be hidden from Him and, as St. John Chrysostom says, “If you only lament for your sins, then He will receive this for your salvation.”
– St. Moses of Optina
Do Not Despair, but Repent
Do not say: “I have sinned much, and therefore I am not bold enough to fall down before God.” Do not despair. Simply do not increase your sins in despair and, with the help of the All-merciful One, you will not be put to shame. For He said, “he who comes to Me I will not cast out.” (John. 6:37) And so, be bold and believe that He is pure and cleanses those who draw near to Him. If you want to accomplish true repentance, show it with your deeds. If you have fallen into pride, show humility; if into drunkenness, show sobriety; if into defilement, show purity of life. For it is said, “Turn away from evil and do good.”
– St. Gennadius of Constantinople
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