Words from the Saints -- May 7, 2020

"Do not think that every affliction is a consequence of sin. For there are some who do God's will and yet are tested. Thus it is written that the ungodly and wicked shall be persecuted (Psalm 37:28), but also that those who "seek to live a holy life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution" (2 Timothy 3:12)." --St. Mark the Ascetic

"The person who is unaffected by the things of this world loves stillness; and he who loves no human thing loves all men." --St. Thalassios the Libyan

"In all of our deeds God looks at the intention, whether we do it for His sake, or for the sake of some other intention." --St. Maximos the Confessor

"Years are not needed for true repentance, and not days, but only an instant." --St. Ambrose of Optina

Prayer List for the Week of May 3, 2020

For healing: Fr. Daniel, Fr. James, Fr. Konstantin, Matushka Katherine, Matushka Myra, Protinica Lindsay, Monk Gerasim, Monk Meletios, Ross, Justin, Steven, Marian, Paul, Dale, Roger, Nancy, Claire, Patricia, Mark, Nikolai, Anastasia, William, Metodije, Annabelle, Alice, Kathleen, Walter, Jay, Denise, Denise, Heather, Alexis, Robert, Gerald, Alexander, John, Karen, Pamela, Sabra, Robert, Eric, Michael, Melissa, Marianne, Ryan, Joanne, Rose Mary, Diane, Robert, Irene, Marianne, Timothy, Jon, Emily, Charles, Carlos, David, Hank, Nicholas, Katrina, Valentine, Mary Jane, Nicholas, Matthew, Alicia, Kathleen, Thomas, Carol, Mary Jo, Margaret, John, Eleanor, Heather, Matthew, Rosemary, Nicholas, Joanna, Richard, Jennifer, Clara, Joan, Ella, Sarah, Alex, Gordana, Paul, Donald, Audrey, Nicholas, Paige, Barbara, Margaret, Terry, Josh

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

For God’s protection: all those in the military

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: Fr. Alexander, Fr. Nestor, Sally, Samuel, Matthew, Patrick, Paul, Marie, David, Orsha, William, Paul, Charles, Julia, John, Gerald, Marcella, David, Kathleen, Sean, Helen, George , Milton, Mary

Readings for the Week of May 3, 2020

5/3: Acts 6:1-7; Mark 15:43-16:8

5/4: Acts 6:8-7:5, 47-60; John 4:46-54

5/5: Acts 8:5-17; John 6:27-33

5/6: Acts 8:18-25; John 6:35-39

5/7: Acts 8:26-39; John 6:40-44

5/8: Acts 8:40-9:19; John 6:48-54

5/9: Acts 9:19-31; John 15:17-16:2

Words from the Saints -- April 30, 2020

"A wise man is one who accepts advice, especially that of a spiritual father counseling him in accordance with the will of God." --St. Thalassios the Libyan

"Every sin is a war against God. But - O infinite gift of God's love to men! - When we had fallen so low by having sinned against the Creator, when we had fallen from life into death, by turning away from God, our Life; when we had corrupted ourselves by sins, and when everlasting death threatened us - God sent upon earth the Redeemer of the World, His own Only-begotten Son, in flesh like ours, to suffer for our offenses and thus cleanse us from sins, through repentance and faith in Him, and bring us again to His Father, from Whom we had fallen away. Let us value this, God's greatest benefit to us, and let us not 'neglect so great a salvation' (Heb. 2:3)! Let us constantly remember our sinful corruption, and the means of grace offered by the Church for our regeneration." --St. John of Kronstadt

"Many have fought in various ways against circumstances; but without prayer and repentance no one has escaped evil." --St. Mark the Ascetic

"If someone shuts a snake and a scorpion up in a bottle, in time, they will be completely destroyed. So it is with evil thoughts: they are suggested by the demons; they disappear through patience." --St. Poemen

Prayer List for the Week of April 26, 2020

For healing: Fr. Daniel, Fr. James, Fr. Konstantin, Matushka Katherine, Matushka Myra, Protinica Lindsay, Monk Gerasim, Monk Meletios, Ross, Justin, Steven, Marian, Paul, Dale, Roger, Nancy, Claire, Patricia, Mark, Nikolai, Anastasia, William, Metodije, Annabelle, Alice, Kathleen, Walter, Jay, Denise, Denise, Heather, Alexis, Robert, Gerald, Alexander, John, Karen, Pamela, Sabra, Robert, Eric, Michael, Melissa, Marianne, Ryan, Joanne, Rose Mary, Diane, Robert, Irene, Marianne, Timothy, Jon, Emily, Charles, Carlos, David, Hank, Nicholas, Katrina, Valentine, Mary Jane, Nicholas, Matthew, Alicia, Kathleen, Thomas, Carol, Mary Jo, Margaret, John, Eleanor, Heather, Matthew, Rosemary, Nicholas, Joanna, Richard, Jennifer, Clara, Joan, Ella, Sarah, Alex, Gordana, Paul, Donald, Audrey, Nicholas, Paige, Barbara, Margaret, Terry, Josh

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

For God’s protection: all those in the military

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: Fr. Alexander, Fr. Nestor, Jeffrey, Monk Andrew, Nicholas, Sally, Samuel, Matthew, Patrick, Paul, Marie, David, Orsha, William, Paul, Charles

Readings for the Week of April 26, 2020

4/26: Acts 5:12-20; John 20:19-31

4/27: Acts 3:19-26; John 2:1-11

4/28: Acts 4:1-10; 1 Corinthians 15:39-57; John 3:16-21; 5:24-30

4/29: Acts 4:13-22; John 5:17-24

4/30: Acts 4:23-31; John 5:24-30

5/1: Acts 5:1-11; John 5:30-6:2

5/2: Acts 5:21-33; John 6:14-27

Words from the Saints -- April 23, 2020

"Let us not procrastinate till tomorrow. For we ‘know not what the next day may bring forth,’ nor let us say, ‘we shall conquer this habit little by little,’ since this little and little will never come to an end." --St. John Chrysostom

"The roots of evil thoughts are the obvious vices, which we keep trying to justify in our words and actions." --St. Mark the Ascetic

"Let us fast an acceptable and very pleasing fast to the Lord. True fast is the estrangement from evil, temperance of tongue, abstinence from anger, separation from desires, slander, falsehood, and lying. Abstaining from these is true fasting." --St. Basil the Great

"He who has tasted the things for which he hopes will spurn the things of this world: all his longing will be spent on what he hopes for." --St. Thalassios the Libyan

Readings for the Week of April 19, 2020

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

4/20: Acts 1:12-17, 21-26; John 1:18-28

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

4/22: Acts 2:22-36; John 1:35-51

4/23: Acts 2:38-43; John 3:1-15

4/24: Acts 3:1-8; Philippians 2:5-11; John 2:12-22; Luke 10:38-42; 11:27-28

4/25: Acts 3:11-16; John 3:22-33

Words from the Saints -- April 16, 2020

"It is not the self-critical who reveals his humility (for does not everyone have somehow to put up with himself?). Rather it is the man who continues to love the person who has criticized him." --St. John Climacus

"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

"The humble soul is blessed. The Lord loves her. The Mother of God is higher than all in humility, and therefore all races bless her on earth, while the heavenly powers serve her. And the Lord has given us this blessed Mother of His as a defender and helper." --St. Silouan of Mt. Athos

"If you forgive few things, He forgives you few! If you forgive many things, He forgives you many!" --St. John Chrysostom

Readings for the Week of April 12, 2020

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

4/13: Matthew 21:18-43; Ezekiel 1:1-20; Exodus 1:1-20; Job 1:1-12; Matthew 24:3-35

4/14: Matthew 22:15-23:39; Ezekiel 1:21-2:1; Exodus 2:5-10; Job 1:13-22; Matthew 24:36-26:2

4/15: John 12:17-50; Ezekiel 2:3-3:3; Exodus 2:11-22; Job 2:1-10; Matthew 26:6-16

4/16: 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

4/17: 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

4/18: 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

Words from the Saints -- April 9, 2020

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

"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

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

Penitential Stanzas (Tone 1)

Savior, I have fallen into a great abyss because of my sins, and my transgressions weigh me down. Stretch out Your hand to me as You did to Peter, O Lord. Save me, O God, and have mercy on me.

My thoughts and deeds condemn me, O Savior. Give me the thought of turning back, that I may cry out to You: Save me, O God, and have mercy on me!

Another world awaits you, my soul: a Judge will soon reveal your secret and terrible thoughts and deeds! Do not linger, then, among the things that are here. Anticipate the Judgment and cry out to the Judge: Be merciful to me, O God, and save me!

Do not reject me at the testing, my Savior, though I am held fast by the laziness of sin. Arouse my thoughts to repentance; make me a proven worker of Your vineyard: grant me the wages of the eleventh hour and great mercy!

Prayer List for the Week of April 5, 2020

For healing: Fr. Andrei, Fr. Daniel, Fr. Gregory, Fr. James, Matushka Katherine, Matushka Myra, Protinica Lindsay, Monk Gerasim, Monk Meletios, Ross, Justin, Steven, Marian, Paul, Dale, Roger, Nancy, Claire, Patricia, Mark, Nikolai, Anastasia, William, Metodije, Annabelle, Alice, Kathleen, Walter, Jay, Denise, Denise, Heather, Alexis, Robert, Gerald, Alexander, Cassie, John, Karen, Pamela, Sabra, Sid, Robert, Eric, Michael, Melissa, Marianne, Ryan, Joanne, Rose Mary, Diane, Robert, Irene, Marianne, Timothy, Jon, Emily, Charles, Carlos, David, Hank, Nicholas, Katrina, Valentine, Mary Jane, Nicholas, Matthew, Alicia, Kathleen, Thomas, Carol, Mary Jo, Margaret, John, Eleanor, Heather, Matthew, Rosemary, Nicholas, Joanna, Richard, Jennifer, Clara, Joan, Ella, Sarah, Alex, Gordana, Paul, Donald, Audrey, Nicholas, Paige

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

For God’s protection: all those in the military

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: Arthur, Mother Sophia, Jeffrey, Monk Andrew, Nicholas, Sally, Samuel, Matthew, Patrick, Paul, Marie, David

Readings for the Week of April 5, 2020

4/5: Hebrews 9:11-14; Galatians 3:23-29; Mark 10:32-45; Luke 7:36-50

4/6: Isaiah 48:17-49:4; Genesis 27:1-41; Proverbs 19:16-25

4/7: Isaiah 49:6-10; Genesis 31:3-16; Proverbs 21:3-21

4/8: Isaiah 58:1-11; Genesis 43:26-31; 45:1-16; Proverbs 21:23-22:4

4/9: Isaiah 65:8-16; Genesis 46:1-7; Proverbs 23:15-24:5

4/10: Isaiah 66:10-24; Genesis 49:33-50:26; Proverbs 31:8-31

4/11: Hebrews 12:28-13:8; John 11:1-45

Words from the Saints -- April 2, 2020

"He who has learned the law properly fears the Lawgiver and, fearing Him, he turns away from every evil." --St. Mark the Ascetic

"Fearful afflictions await the hard of heart, for without great sufferings they cannot become pliable and responsive." --St. Thalassios the Libyan

"The knowledge of God does not reside in a body that loves comforts." --St Isaac of Syria

Penitential Stanzas (Tone 8)

King and Master, the angels praise You without ceasing, and I fall before You crying out like the Tax-Collector: God be merciful to me and save me [Luke 18:13]!

My soul, because you are immortal, be not overwhelmed by the waves of this life. But return to sobriety and cry out to Your Benefactor: God be merciful to me and save me!

Grant me tears, O God, as You once gave them to the woman who had sinned, and count me worthy to wash Your feet which have delivered me from the path of error. As sweet-smelling ointment, let me offer You a pure life created in me through repentance. And may I also hear the words which I long to hear: Your faith have saved you, go in peace [Luke 7:37-50].

When I call to mind the many evils I have done, and I think about the fearsome day of judgement, I am seized with trembling and I flee to You for refuge, the God Who loves mankind. You alone are free from sin and I beseech You not to turn away from me. But before the end comes grant compunction to my humbled soul and save me.

Prayer List for the Week of March 29, 2020

For healing: Fr. Andrei, Fr. Daniel, Fr. Gregory, Fr. James, Matushka Katherine, Matushka Myra, Protinica Lindsay, Monk Gerasim, Monk Meletios, Ross, Justin, Steven, Marian, Paul, Dale, Roger, Nancy, Claire, Patricia, Mark, Nikolai, Anastasia, William, Metodije, Annabelle, Alice, Kathleen, Walter, Jay, Denise, Denise, Heather, Alexis, Robert, Gerald, Alexander, Cassie, John, Karen, Pamela, Sabra, Sid, Robert, Eric, Michael, Melissa, Marianne, Ryan, Joanne, Rose Mary, Diane, Robert, Irene, Marianne, Marie, Timothy, Jon, Emily, Charles, Carlos, David, Hank, Nicholas, Katrina, Valentine, Mary Jane, Nicholas, Matthew, Alicia, Kathleen, Thomas, Carol, Mary Jo, Margaret, John, Eleanor, Heather, Matthew, Rosemary, Nicholas, Joanna, Richard, Jennifer, Clara, Joan, Ella, Sarah, Alex, Gordana, Paul, Donald, Audrey, Nicholas

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

For God’s protection: all those in the military

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: Arthur, Mother Sophia, Jeffrey, Monk Andrew, Nicholas, Sally, Samuel

Readings for the Week of March 29, 2020

3/29: Ephesians 5:9-19; Hebrews 6:13-20; Matthew 4:25-5:12; Mark 9:17-31

3/30: Isaiah 37:33-38:6; Genesis 13:12-18; Proverbs 14:27-15:4

3/31: Isaiah 40:18-31; Genesis 15:1-15; Proverbs 15:7-19

4/1: Isaiah 41:4-14; Genesis 17:1-9; Proverbs 15:20-16:9

4/2: Isaiah 42:5-16; Genesis 18:20-33; Proverbs 16:17-17:17

4/3: Isaiah 45:11-17; Genesis 22:1-18; Proverbs 17:17-18:5

4/4: Hebrews 9:1-7, 24-28; Mark 8:27-31; Luke 10:38-42; 11:27-28

Words from the Saints -- March 26, 2020

"Not the power to remember, but its very opposite, the power to forget, is a necessary condition for our existence." --St. Basil the Great

"Repentance is the beginning, middle and end of the Christian way of life..." --St. Gregory Palamas

"'I have sinned' is just three syllables; and yet in these three syllables the flames of the heart's sacrifice rise up to heaven." --St Augustine of Hippo

Penitential Stanzas (Tone 7)

Like the Prodigal I come and fall before You, O Lord; accept me as one of Your hired servants, and have mercy on me, O Compassionate One!

As the man who fell among thieves and was wounded, I have fallen, and my soul is bruised by my many sins. To whom can I, the guilty one, run, if not to You, the Only Merciful Physician of our souls? Pour out Your great mercy on me, O God!

O Savior, sinner that I am, do not cut me down like the barren fig tree! But grant me for a long year forgiveness, watering my soul with tears of repentance, that I may bring forth acts of mercy as fruit for You!

Since You are the Sun of Righteousness, enlighten and guide the hearts of those who cry out to You: O Lord, glory to You!