Vespers on April 25, 2025

Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!

Tonight we will be chanting Vespers with hymns of the Resurrection in Tone 8.

*** Our next live broadcast on Facebook will be on Monday, April 28, at 8:00am (Eastern). ***

Vespers on April 24, 2025

Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!

Tonight we will be chanting Vespers with hymns of the Resurrection in Tone 6. On April 25, the Orthodox Church commemorates the Holy Apostle and Evangelist Mark.

The prescribed readings for Vespers are James 1:1-12; James 1:13-27 and James 2:1-13.

*** Our next live broadcast on Facebook will be tomorrow, April 25, at 6:30pm (Eastern). ***

Words from the Saints -- April 24, 2025

"Through the Cross joy has come into all the world. For the enemy was defeated, and death was slain, and Christ is risen." --St. Basil the Great

"Christ is risen! What joy, what sweetness, what peace! No other word in any language brings such gladness." --St. Nikolai Velimirovich

"The Resurrection of Christ is the foundation of our faith, the light of our hope, and the joy of our hearts." --St. Seraphim of Sarov

"He has become man, that we might become divine; He has risen from the dead, that we might rise with Him." --St. Athanasius the Great

"The Savior's death procured life for the world, for He did not remain among the dead, but rose again and ascended to the Father." --St. Cyril of Jerusalem

"The Resurrection is not a myth--it is the very heart of the Church’s life. It is the triumph over death and corruption." --St. Justin Popovich

"Pascha is the beginning of the eternal day, the radiant dawn that never sets, shining from the empty tomb." --St. Sophrony of Essex

"The Lord’s Resurrection is not a past event--it is the continual rising of the soul in God through grace." --St. Gregory Palamas

Vespers on April 23, 2025

Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!

Tonight we will be chanting Vespers with hymns of the Resurrection in Tone 5.

*** Our next live broadcast on Facebook will be tomorrow, April 24, at 6:30pm (Eastern). ***

Vespers on April 22, 2025

Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!

Tonight we will be chanting Vespers with hymns of the Resurrection in Tone 4. On April 23, the Orthodox Church commemorates the Holy Great-martyr, Victory-bearer, and Wonderworker George.

The prescribed readings for Vespers are Isaiah 43:9-14; Wisdom of Solomon 3:1-9 and Wisdom of Solomon 4:7-15.

*** Our next live broadcast on Facebook will be tomorrow, April 23, at 6:30pm (Eastern). ***

Vespers on April 21, 2025

Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!

Tonight we will be chanting Vespers with hymns of the Resurrection in Tone 3.

*** Our next live broadcast on Facebook will be tomorrow, April 22, at 6:30pm (Eastern). ***

The Theological Significance of Pascha in the Orthodox Church

In the Orthodox Church, Pascha—known in the Western world as Easter—is the most important and transformative feast of the Christian liturgical year. It is a celebration not just of a historical event, but of the deepest theological truths of the Christian faith. The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of Orthodox theology, and understanding its significance is crucial to grasping the core of Orthodox Christianity.

Pascha: The Victory Over Sin and Death

At its heart, Pascha is a proclamation of the victory of Christ over sin and death. Through His suffering, death, and glorious resurrection, Jesus Christ broke the chains of death and opened the gates of eternal life. Orthodox theology teaches that through the Fall of Adam and Eve, death entered the world, and all of humanity became subject to sin and its consequences. However, through His Resurrection, Christ restored humanity to its original purpose—eternal communion with God.

In the Orthodox Church, Pascha is the ultimate act of God's love and redemption. It is the fulfillment of the promise made in the Old Testament and the culmination of Christ's earthly ministry. Jesus' death on the cross is not the end of the story—His Resurrection on the third day is the pivotal moment in history. Pascha is the victory over the forces of evil, the triumph of life over death, and the defeat of Satan, sin, and corruption.

The Paschal Mystery: Christ’s Death and Resurrection as One Event

In Orthodox theology, the death and resurrection of Christ are seen as two parts of the same divine mystery—the Paschal Mystery. The Church teaches that Christ's death was not simply a tragic event, but a necessary part of God's plan for humanity's salvation. His voluntary death on the cross was a supreme act of love, where He took upon Himself the consequences of sin and reconciled humanity with God.

However, Christ’s death alone would not be enough. Without the Resurrection, His death would have been meaningless, leaving humanity in the despair of sin and death. The Resurrection is the proof that Christ's sacrifice was accepted by God, and it is through the Resurrection that the promise of eternal life is sealed. The two aspects of the Paschal Mystery—Christ's death and resurrection—are inseparable, and together they reveal God's plan for the ultimate restoration of all creation.

Theological Themes of Pascha

1. The Defeat of Death — One of the central themes of Pascha is the defeat of death. In the Paschal hymns, death is often personified and challenged by the power of Christ’s Resurrection. Christ, by rising from the dead, “trampled down death by death,” as the Church proclaims. In doing so, He made death powerless, transforming it from the finality of the human experience into a passage to eternal life.

2. The Restoration of Creation — Pascha is not only about humanity’s salvation but the restoration of all creation. The Orthodox Church teaches that Christ's Resurrection brings about the renewal of the entire world. In Christ's victory over death, creation is set free from the corruption brought about by sin. The Paschal feast symbolizes the new creation, where the light of the Resurrection dispels the darkness of the old world.

3. The Inauguration of the Kingdom of God — The Resurrection marks the beginning of the Kingdom of God on earth. Christ’s rising from the dead is not just a historical event; it is a sign of the coming Kingdom that Christians are called to enter through faith and participation in the sacraments of the Church. The Church, in this sense, is a living witness to the resurrection, calling all people to share in the life of the Kingdom of God.

4. The Triumph of Light Over Darkness — Pascha is often called the Feast of Light. The contrast between light and darkness runs throughout the liturgical services of Pascha, symbolizing the victory of Christ over the darkness of sin and death. The Paschal Vigil begins in darkness, but as the light of the Paschal Candle spreads, it symbolizes the light of Christ overcoming the darkness of the world.

5. The Promise of Eternal Life — The Resurrection assures believers of the promise of eternal life. Through Pascha, Christians are reminded that the hope of immortality is not a vague aspiration but a concrete reality. The Resurrection is the first-fruits of the resurrection of the dead that will come at the end of time. This hope transforms the Christian understanding of death, as believers are now able to face death not with fear, but with the assurance that Christ has already conquered it.

Pascha and the Christian Life

For the Orthodox Christian, Pascha is not just a historical event to be remembered; it is a lived reality. It is a reminder of the transformative power of the Resurrection that is available to all who are in Christ. The Church teaches that through baptism, each Christian shares in the death and resurrection of Christ. Baptism, as the Apostle Paul writes, unites believers to Christ’s Paschal Mystery, and they are called to live in the newness of life brought about by His Resurrection.

The Paschal season is a time of deep joy and spiritual renewal, as Christians are invited to live out the implications of the Resurrection. The joy of Pascha is not fleeting; it is a foretaste of the eternal joy that awaits all who are united with Christ. The hope that Pascha brings is not merely a hope for the afterlife, but a hope that shapes how Christians live in the present, striving to live according to the light and love of the Resurrection.

Conclusion

The theological significance of Pascha in the Orthodox Church is profound. It is the feast of feasts, the celebration of the ultimate victory over sin, death, and evil. Christ’s Resurrection changes everything—it restores creation, defeats the powers of darkness, and opens the way to eternal life. It is the heart of Orthodox Christianity, shaping our faith, our hope, and our very way of life. As Orthodox Christians gather together to celebrate Pascha, they proclaim with joy and conviction, “Christ is Risen! Indeed, He is Risen!” and enter into the transformative power of His Resurrection.

Prayer List for the Week of April 20, 2025

For healing: Abbot Tryphon, Fr. Daniel, Fr. Emilian, Fr. Gregory, Fr. Joseph, Fr. Theodore, Hierodeacon Gorazd, Fr. Deacon Jorge, Matushka Katherine, Matushka Myra, Monk Meletios, Subdeacon Nicholas, Justin, Steven, Marian, Patricia, Mark, Nikolai, Anastasia, Alice, Kathleen, Denise, Denise, Pamela, Marianne, Ryan, Joanne, Emily, Charles, Hank, Mary Jane, Mary Jo, Clara, Margaret, Susan, Randall, Danielle, Walter, Andrew, Natalie, Arthur, Nicole, Rene, Jennifer, Michael, Marc, Paul, Michael, Daniel, Gerald, Madeline, Marcella, Darina, Philip, George, Carol, Andrew, Jodi, Ilarion, Rita, Kathleen, Elena, William, Andrew, Nestor, Richard, Anna, Tikhon, Michelle, Daria, Mark, Alexis, Nathan, Ann, Herman, Lillian, Michael, Marihiam, Alexandra, Norma, Heather, Daria, Vera, Ava, Petros, Dionisia, Labrini, Michelle, Christopher, Joan, Jeff, Stephen, Tomas, Kim, Ola, Jaime, María, Gonzalo, Isabel, Alberto, Juan, Paloma, Benjamín, Roberto, Andrea, Julieta, Martha, Jorge, Carolina, Cynthia, Constantin, Edward, Gloria, Martha

For God’s protection: all who are missing

For God’s protection: all captives; all persecuted Christians throughout the world

For God’s protection: all those in the military; all emergency medical workers, firefighters and police officers

For God’s mercy and peace: those who are in hospice care

For God’s mercy, direction and protection: those who are unemployed, poor, hungry and/or homeless

*** We pray for: those who love us; those who hate us; those who have no one to pray for them; those who have asked us to pray for them, even though we are unworthy. ***

Departed: Nadine, Manuel, Estefanía, Regina, Herman, Alexander, Bruce

Readings for the Week of April 20, 2025

4/20: Acts 1:1-8; John 1:1-17; John 20:19-25

4/21: Acts 1:12-17, 21-26; John 1:18-28

4/22: Acts 2:14-21; Luke 24:12-35

4/23: Acts 2:22-36; 12:1-11; John 1:35-51; 15:17-16:2

4/24: Acts 2:38-43; John 3:1-15

4/25: Acts 3:1-8; Philippians 2:5-11; John 2:12-22; Luke 10:38-42; 11:27-28

4/26: Acts 3:11-16; John 3:22-33

Words from the Saints -- April 17, 2025

“Blessed is He who came to suffer for us, and by His stripes heals our wounds.” --St. Ephraim the Syrian

“He who truly mourns with Christ in His Passion will also rejoice with Him in His Resurrection.” --St. Simeon the New Theologian

“He became man so that He might die for men. He suffered that we might be made incorruptible.” --St. Athanasius the Great

“The Cross is the greatest love of God toward man. In that love lies our resurrection.” --St. Nikolai Velimirovich

“The Savior endured the Cross, despising the shame, and freely offered Himself to death, that we might be delivered from death.” --St. Cyril of Jerusalem

3rd and 6th Hours on April 16, 2025

Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory Forever!

Today is the Great and Holy Wednesday.

The prescribed reading for the 6th Hour is Ezekiel 2:3-3:3.

*** Our next live broadcast on Facebook will be on Monday, April 21, at 6:30pm (Eastern). ***

3rd and 6th Hours on April 15, 2025

Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory Forever!

Today is the Great and Holy Tuesday.

The prescribed reading for the 6th Hour is Ezekiel 1:21-2:1.

*** Our next live broadcast on Facebook will be tomorrow, April 16, at 8:00am (Eastern). ***

Prayer List for the Week of April 13, 2025

For healing: Abbot Tryphon, Fr. Daniel, Fr. Emilian, Fr. Gregory, Fr. Joseph, Fr. Theodore, Hierodeacon Gorazd, Fr. Deacon Jorge, Matushka Katherine, Matushka Myra, Monk Meletios, Subdeacon Nicholas, Justin, Steven, Marian, Patricia, Mark, Nikolai, Anastasia, Alice, Kathleen, Denise, Denise, Pamela, Marianne, Ryan, Joanne, Emily, Charles, Hank, Mary Jane, Mary Jo, Clara, Margaret, Susan, Randall, Danielle, Walter, Andrew, Natalie, Arthur, Nicole, Rene, Jennifer, Michael, Marc, Paul, Michael, Daniel, Gerald, Madeline, Marcella, Darina, Philip, George, Carol, Andrew, Jodi, Ilarion, Rita, Kathleen, Elena, William, Andrew, Nestor, Richard, Anna, Tikhon, Michelle, Daria, Mark, Alexis, Nathan, Ann, Herman, Lillian, Michael, Marihiam, Alexandra, Norma, Heather, Daria, Vera, Ava, Petros, Dionisia, Labrini, Michelle, Christopher, Joan, Jeff, Stephen, Tomas, Kim, Ola, Jaime, María, Gonzalo, Isabel, Alberto, Juan, Paloma, Benjamín, Roberto, Andrea, Julieta, Martha, Jorge, Carolina, Cynthia, Constantin, Edward, Gloria

For God’s protection: all who are missing

For God’s protection: all captives; all persecuted Christians throughout the world

For God’s protection: all those in the military; all emergency medical workers, firefighters and police officers

For God’s mercy and peace: those who are in hospice care

For God’s mercy, direction and protection: those who are unemployed, poor, hungry and/or homeless

*** We pray for: those who love us; those who hate us; those who have no one to pray for them; those who have asked us to pray for them, even though we are unworthy. ***

Departed: Victoria, David, Verginia, Nadine, Manuel, Estefanía, Regina, Herman, Alexander, Bruce, Paul, Patricia, Kathleen, Henry

Holy Week in the Orthodox Church: A Journey of Reflection and Renewal

Holy Week is the pinnacle of the liturgical year in the Orthodox Church, a time of intense spiritual preparation, prayer, and reflection. It is a week of profound significance, marked by solemn services and deeply moving rituals that invite the faithful to enter into the passion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. From Palm Sunday to Pascha, each day of Holy Week brings us closer to the mystery of Christ’s saving work and offers an opportunity for spiritual renewal.

Palm Sunday: The Triumphal Entry

On Palm Sunday, we commemorate Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem, where He was greeted by the crowds waving palm branches, proclaiming Him as the King who comes in the name of the Lord. In the Orthodox Church, this day is celebrated with the procession of palm branches (or willows), symbolizing both Christ's victory over sin and death and the faithful's desire to honor Him as the true King.

Palm Sunday sets the tone for Holy Week, reminding us of Christ's kingship, but also foreshadowing the suffering He will endure. The Divine Services of Palm Sunday reflect both joy and sorrow as we prepare for the events of the coming days.

Holy Monday and Tuesday: The Parables and the Call to Watchfulness

On Holy Monday and Tuesday, the focus shifts to Christ’s teachings through the parables. These days remind the faithful of the need for vigilance and repentance. The parables of the ten virgins and the talents are read, encouraging us to prepare spiritually for the coming of the Lord. The Church urges us to reflect on our lives, examine our hearts, and make a renewed commitment to live according to God's commandments.

These days also introduce us to the figure of the “Bridegroom,” a title given to Christ in His role as the Bridegroom of the Church, whose coming is heralded by the faithful in anticipation.

Holy Wednesday: The Anointing and the Betrayal

Holy Wednesday marks two key events: the anointing of Jesus by a woman with expensive ointment, symbolizing the preparation for His burial, and the betrayal of Judas. The contrast between love and betrayal is stark on this day. The faithful are called to reflect on their own relationships with Christ, pondering whether they too are loyal or if, in moments of weakness, they betray Him like Judas.

The sacrament of Holy Unction, where the faithful are anointed for healing, is also celebrated in many parishes on Holy Wednesday, providing an opportunity for physical and spiritual renewal.

Holy Thursday: The Last Supper and the Institution of the Eucharist

Holy Thursday is one of the most sacred days of Holy Week. The Church commemorates the Mystical (Last) Supper, where Jesus shared His final meal with His disciples and instituted the mystery of the Holy Eucharist. The Orthodox Church holds a Divine Liturgy on Holy Thursday morning to commemorate this event, followed by the evening service, which recalls Christ’s betrayal, arrest, and His prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane.

The solemnity of the evening service leads us into the agony of Christ’s passion. The faithful are called to enter into the emotions of the disciples, feeling both the joy of the Eucharist and the sorrow of the impending crucifixion.

Holy Friday: The Passion and Death of Christ

Holy Friday is the most somber day of Holy Week, as the Orthodox Church commemorates the Passion and Crucifixion of our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ. The day is marked by the reading of the twelve Passion Gospels, which recount the events leading to Jesus' death. The faithful are invited to participate in the Vespers service in the afternoon, followed by the procession of the Epitaphios (Burial Shroud), the symbolic burial of Christ.

On this day, the Church calls the faithful to stand in silent reverence before the mystery of Christ’s suffering and death. It is a time of deep reflection on the magnitude of God’s love for mankind, manifested in His willingness to die for the salvation of the world.

Holy Saturday: The Descent into Hades and the Anticipation of the Resurrection

Holy Saturday is a day of waiting and anticipation. In the morning, the Church commemorates Christ’s descent into Hades, where He frees the righteous from the realm of death. After the epistle reading, we chant: “Arise, O God, judge the earth! For You will have an inheritance in all the nations.” This underscores the anticipation we feel on this day.

The evening service, known as the Paschal Vigil, is the highlight of Holy Saturday. It begins in darkness, symbolizing the tomb, and the faithful gather in anticipation of the glorious Paschal service. At midnight, we begin the Paschal Matins, where we sing the hymns of the Resurrection, proclaiming, “Christ is Risen!” This marks the beginning of Pascha, the celebration of Christ’s triumph over death.

Readings for the Week of April 13, 2025

4/13: Philippians 4:4-9; John 12:1-18

4/14: Matthew 21:18-43; Ezekiel 1:1-20; Exodus 1:1-20; Job 1:1-12; Matthew 24:3-35

4/15: Matthew 22:15-23:39; Ezekiel 1:21-2:1; Exodus 2:5-10; Job 1:13-22; Matthew 24:36-26:2

4/16: John 12:17-50; Ezekiel 2:3-3:3; Exodus 2:11-22; Job 2:1-10; Matthew 26:6-16

4/17: Luke 22:1-39; Jeremiah 11:18-12:5, 9-11, 14-15; Exodus 19:10-19; Job 38:1-23; 42:1-5; Isaiah 50:4-11; 1 Corinthians 11:23-32; Matthew 26:1-20; John 13:3-17; Matthew 26:21-39; Luke 22:43-45; Matthew 26:40-27:2

4/18: John 13:31-17:26; John 18:1-27; Matthew 26:57-75; John 18:28-19:16; Matthew 27:3-32; Mark 15:16-32; Matthew 27:33-54; Luke 23:32-49; John 19:25-37; Mark 15:43-47; John 19:38-42; Matthew 27:62-66; Zechariah 11:10-13; Galatians 6:14-18; Isaiah 50:4-11; Romans 5:6-11; Isaiah 52:13-53:12; Hebrews 2:11-18; Jeremiah 11:18-23; 12:1-5, 9-11, 14-15; Hebrews 10:19-31; Exodus 33:11-23; Job 42:12-16; Isaiah 52:13-53:12

4/19: Ezekiel 37:1-14; 1 Corinthians 5:6-8; Galatians 3:13-14; Matthew 27:62-66; Genesis 1:1-13; Isaiah 60:1-16; Exodus 12:1-11; Jonah 1:1-4:11; Joshua 5:10-15; Exodus 13:20-15:19; Zephaniah 3:8-15; 1 Kings 17:8-24; Isaiah 61:1-62:5; Genesis 22:1-18; 2 Kings 4:8-37; Isaiah 63:11-64:5; Jeremiah 31:31-34; Daniel 3:1-23; Daniel 3:24-90; Romans 6:3-11; Matthew 28:1-20

Vespers on April 10, 2025

Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory Forever!

Today is the Sixth Thursday of Great Lent. On April 11, the Orthodox Church commemorates the Holy Hieromartyr Antipas, Bishop of Pergamum and Disciple of Saint John the Theologian.

The prescribed readings for Vespers are Genesis 46:1-7 and Proverbs 23:15-24:5.

*** Our next live broadcast on Facebook will be on Monday, April 14, at 8:00am (Eastern). ***

Words from the Saints -- April 10, 2025

"It is better not to allow anger, however just and reasonable, to enter at all, than to admit it in ever so slight a degree; once admitted, it will not be easily expelled, for, though at first but a small plant, it will immediately grow into a large tree." --St. Augustine of Hippo

"Our heart is like the darkened earth; the Gospel is like the sun, enlightening and giving life to our hearts. May the true sun of Thy righteousness shine in our hearts, O Lord!" --St. John of Kronstadt

"To yield and give way to our passions is the lowest slavery, even as to rule over them is the only liberty." --St. Justin Martyr

"It is said that gold rules everything; but spiritual things are ruled by the grace of God." --St. Mark the Ascetic

"Worldly virtues promote human glory, spiritual virtues the glory of God." --St. Thalassios the Libyan

3rd and 6th Hours on April 9, 2025

Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory Forever!

Today is the Sixth Wednesday of Great Lent.

The prescribed readings are Isaiah 58:1-11 (6th Hour); Genesis 43:26-31; 45:1-16 (Vespers) and Proverbs 21:23-22:4 (Vespers).

*** Our next live broadcast on Facebook will be tomorrow, April 10, at 6:30pm (Eastern). ***

3rd and 6th Hours on April 8, 2025

Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory Forever!

Today is the Sixth Tuesday of Great Lent.

The prescribed readings are Isaiah 49:6-10 (6th Hour); Genesis 31:3-16 (Vespers) and Proverbs 21:3-21 (Vespers).

*** Our next live broadcast on Facebook will be tomorrow, April 9, at 8:00am (Eastern). ***

3rd and 6th Hours on April 7, 2025

Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory Forever!

Today is the Sixth Monday of Great Lent.

The prescribed readings are Isaiah 48:17-49:4 (6th Hour); Genesis 27:1-41 (Vespers) and Proverbs 19:16-25 (Vespers).

*** Our next live broadcast on Facebook will be tomorrow, April 8, at 8:00am (Eastern). ***