Words from the Saints – March 18, 2021

"To be Orthodox means to have the God-man Christ constantly in your soul, to live in Him, think in Him, feel in Him, act in Him. In other words, to be Orthodox means to be a Christ-bearer and a Spirit-bearer." --St. Justin Popovich

"When you want to resolve a complex problem, seek God's will in the matter, and you will find a constructive solution." --St. Mark the Ascetic

"Christians have a glory and a beauty and a heavenly wealth which is beyond words, and it is won with pains, and sweat, and trials, and many conflicts, and all by the grace of God." --St. Macarius the Great

"Prayer is a remedy against grief and depression. --St. Nilus

Prayer List for the Week of March 14, 2021

For healing: Fr. Daniel, Fr. Nikolaos, Fr. Serhii, Fr. Victor, Matushka Myra, Matushka Katherine, Monk Meletios, Ross, Justin, Steven, Marian, Roger, Nancy, Claire, Patricia, Mark, Nikolai, Anastasia, William, Annabelle, Alice, Kathleen, Jay, Denise, Denise, Heather, Alexander, John, Karen, Pamela, Robert, Eric, Michael, Melissa, Marianne, Ryan, Joanne, Rose Mary, Marianne, Timothy, Jon, Emily, Charles, Carlos, Hank, Nicholas, Katrina, Valentine, Mary Jane, Nicholas, Alicia, Kathleen, Thomas, Mary Jo, Margaret, John, Jennifer, Clara, Joan, Sarah, Alex, Nicholas, Barbara, Margaret, Patricia, Alyssa, Danielle, Nicholas, Eliakim, Christopher, Tricia, Susan, Christopher, Joshua, Susan, Arlene, Kathleen, Walter

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: George, Samuel, Mihaela, Philip, Daniel, Maria, Ana, Helen

Readings for the Week of March 14, 2021

3/14: Romans 13:11-14:4; Matthew 6:14-21

3/15: Isaiah 1:1-20; Genesis 1:1-13; Proverbs 1:1-20

3/16: Isaiah 1:19-2:3; Genesis 1:14-23; Proverbs 1:20-33

3/17: Isaiah 2:3-11; Genesis 1:24-2:3; Proverbs 2:1-22

3/18: Isaiah 2:11-22; Genesis 2:4-19; Proverbs 3:1-18

3/19: Isaiah 3:1-14; Genesis 2:20-3:20; Proverbs 3:19-34

3/20: Hebrews 1:1-12; 2 Timothy 2:1-10; Mark 2:23-3:5; John 15:17-16:2

Words from the Saints – March 11, 2021

"God wants only one thing from us--humility. Nothing else." --St. Paisios the Athonite

"The only person who is free is the one who lives for Christ." --St. John Chrysostom

"Above all let us be convinced that nothing can happen to us apart from the providence of God." --St. Dorotheos of Gaza

"Let listening to worldly news be bitter food for you, and let the words of saintly men be as combs filled with honey." --St. Basil the Great

"Intelligent men have no need to listen to much talk, but should attend only to that which is profitable and guided by God's will." --St. Antony the Great

"Unbelievers, those who believe with difficulty, or believe in part, are those who do not show their faith through works. Apart from works the demons also believe (James 2:19) and confess Christ to be God and Master. 'We know who You are' (Mark 1:24), they say, 'You are the Son of God' (Matthew 8:29), and elsewhere, 'These men are servants of the Most High God' (Acts 16:17). Yet such faith will not benefit the demons, nor even humans. This faith is of no use, for it is dead." --St. Symeon the New Theologian

Prayer List for the Week of March 7, 2021

For healing: Fr. Daniel, Fr. Nikolaos, Fr. Serhii, Fr. Victor, Matushka Myra, Matushka Katherine, Monk Meletios, Ross, Justin, Steven, Marian, Roger, Nancy, Claire, Patricia, Mark, Nikolai, Anastasia, William, Annabelle, Alice, Kathleen, Walter, Jay, Denise, Denise, Heather, Alexander, John, Karen, Pamela, Robert, Eric, Michael, Melissa, Marianne, Ryan, Joanne, Rose Mary, Marianne, Timothy, Jon, Emily, Charles, Carlos, Hank, Nicholas, Katrina, Valentine, Mary Jane, Nicholas, Alicia, Kathleen, Thomas, Mary Jo, Margaret, John, Jennifer, Clara, Joan, Sarah, Alex, Nicholas, Barbara, Margaret, Patricia, Alyssa, Danielle, Nicholas, Eliakim, Christopher, Tricia, Susan, Christopher, Joshua, Susan

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: George, Samuel, Mihaela, Philip, Daniel, Maria, Ana

Readings for the Week of March 7, 2021

3/7: 1 Corinthians 8:8-9:2; Matthew 25:31-46

3/8: 3 John 1:1-15; Luke 19:29-40; 22:7-39

3/9: Jude 1:1-10; Luke 22:39-42, 45-23:1

3/10: Joel 2:12-26; Joel 3:12-21

3/11: Jude 1:11-25; Luke 23:2-34, 44-56

3/12: Zechariah 8:7-17; Zechariah 8:19-23

3/13: Romans 14:19-23; 16:25-27; Matthew 6:1-13

Words from the Saints -- March 4, 2021

"Seek God at least late, since He has now for a long time been warning and exhorting you through the prophet, saying: 'Seek God, and your soul shall live.'" --St. Cyprian of Carthage

"We should realize that there are three sources for our thoughts - God, the devil, and ourselves." --St. John Cassian

"God knows Himself and He knows the things He has created. The angelic powers, too, know God and know the things He has created. But they do not know God and the things He has created in the same way that God knows Himself and the things He has created." --St. Maximos the Confessor

"One man received a thought and accepted it without examination. Another received a thought and tested its truth. Which of them acted with greater reverence?" --St. Mark the Ascetic

"Almost every sin is committed for the sake of sensual pleasure; and sensual pleasure is overcome by hardship and distress arising either voluntarily from repentance, or else involuntarily as a result of some salutary and providential reversal. 'For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged; but when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, so that we should not be condemned with the world.' (1 Corinthians 11:31-32)" --St. Maximos the Confessor

"Just as a tempered metal can sharpen soft or rusty metal, so can a zealous Christian set a tepid one on the right track." --St. John Climacus

Prayer List for the Week of February 28, 2021

For healing: Fr. Daniel, Fr. Nikolaos, Fr. Serhii, Fr. Victor, Matushka Myra, Matushka Katherine, Monk Meletios, Ross, Justin, Steven, Marian, Roger, Nancy, Claire, Patricia, Mark, Nikolai, Anastasia, William, Annabelle, Alice, Kathleen, Walter, Jay, Denise, Denise, Heather, Alexander, John, Karen, Pamela, Robert, Eric, Michael, Melissa, Marianne, Ryan, Joanne, Rose Mary, Marianne, Timothy, Jon, Emily, Charles, Carlos, Hank, Nicholas, Katrina, Valentine, Mary Jane, Nicholas, Alicia, Kathleen, Thomas, Mary Jo, Margaret, John, Jennifer, Clara, Joan, Sarah, Alex, Nicholas, Barbara, Margaret, Patricia, Alyssa, Danielle, Nicholas, Eliakim, Christopher, Tricia, Susan, Christopher, Joshua

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: George, Samuel, Mihaela, Philip, Daniel, Maria, Ana

Readings for the Week of February 28, 2021

2/28: 1 Corinthians 6:12-20; Luke 15:11-32

3/1: 1 John 2:18-3:10; Mark 11:1-11

3/2: 1 John 3:11-20; Mark 14:10-42

3/3: 1 John 3:21-4:6; Mark 14:43-14:72

3/4: 1 John 4:20-5:21; Mark 15:1-15

3/5: 2 John 1:1-13; Mark 15:22-25, 33-41

3/6: 1 Corinthians 10:23-28; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17; Luke 21:8-9, 25-27, 33-36; John 5:24-30

Words from the Saints -- February 25, 2021

"Forgiveness is better than revenge." --St. Tikhon of Zadonsk

"Another man's sin does not increase our own, unless we ourselves embrace it by means of evil thoughts." --St. Mark the Ascetic

"My son, always strive to be simple and kind. Do not have one thing in your heart and another thing on your tongue, for this is a ruse and a lie." --St. Nilus of Mount Sinai

"On the other hand, gentleness attains its highest expression when we keep our heart calm in the face of someone who is provoking us, and actually show him our love." --St. John Climacus

"Do not become harsh and unmerciful. Think that behind him who seeks charity from you, is the Lord Himself… Give charity for your own benefit and for the benefit of those who are really poor. The Lord will reward you." --St. John Chrysostom

"Ascetic struggle - fasting, vigils, patience, forbearance - produces a clear conscience." --St. Thalassios the Libyan

Prayer List for the Week of February 21, 2021

For healing: Fr. Daniel, Fr. Nikolaos, Fr. Serhii, Fr. Victor, Matushka Myra, Matushka Katherine, Monk Meletios, Ross, Justin, Steven, Marian, Roger, Nancy, Claire, Patricia, Mark, Nikolai, Anastasia, William, Annabelle, Alice, Kathleen, Walter, Jay, Denise, Denise, Heather, Alexander, John, Karen, Pamela, Robert, Eric, Michael, Melissa, Marianne, Ryan, Joanne, Rose Mary, Marianne, Timothy, Jon, Emily, Charles, Carlos, Hank, Nicholas, Katrina, Valentine, Mary Jane, Nicholas, Alicia, Kathleen, Thomas, Mary Jo, Margaret, John, Jennifer, Clara, Joan, Sarah, Alex, Nicholas, Barbara, Margaret, Patricia, Alyssa, Danielle, Nicholas, Eliakim, Christopher, Tricia

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: George, Samuel, Mihaela, Philip

Readings for the Week of February 21, 2021

2/21: 2 Timothy 3:10-15; Luke 18:10-14

2/22: 2 Peter 1:20-2:9; Mark 13:9-13

2/23: 2 Peter 2:9-22; Mark 13:14-23

2/24: 2 Corinthians 4:6-15; Matthew 11:2-15

2/25: 1 John 1:8-2:6; Mark 13:31-14:2

2/26: 1 John 2:7-17; Mark 14:3-9

2/27: 2 Timothy 3:1-9; Luke 20:45-21:4

Words from the Saints -- February 18, 2021

"It is necessary that the Holy Spirit enter our heart. Everything good that we do, that we do for Christ, is given to us by the Holy Spirit, but prayer most of all, which is always available to us." --St. Seraphim of Sarov

"If the soul keeps far away from all discourse in words, from all disorder and human disturbance, the Spirit of God will come in to her and she who was barren will be fruitful." --St. Poemen

"Blessed the one who always keeps the memory of God in himself, he will be wholly like an Angel from heaven upon earth, ministering to the Lord with fear and love." --St. Ephraim the Syrian

"His compassion is given to His works: His severity is not over His works, but over your works. Lastly, if you remove your own evil works, and there remain in you nought but His work, His compassion will not leave you: but if you leave not your works, there will be severity over your works, not over His works." --St. Augustine of Hippo

"Having taken up thy abode in heaven, where thou hast God and his holy angels to converse with, see that thou descend not thence: regard no earthly things." --St. Macarius the Great

"Be at rest, courage and confidence; the Lord will bring our enemies to nothing." --St. Cadoc

"My friends, God does not ask or desire that man should mourn from sorrow of heart, but rather that, out of love for Him, he should rejoice with spiritual laughter. Remove the sin, and the tear of sorrow is superfluous for your eyes. What is the use of a bandage when there is no wound? Before his transgression Adam had no tears, just as there will be none after the resurrection, when sin will be abolished; for pain, sorrow and sighing will then have fled away." --St. John Climacus

Prayer List for the Week of February 14, 2021

For healing: Fr. Daniel, Fr. Nikolaos, Fr. Serhii, Fr. Victor, Matushka Myra, Matushka Katherine, Monk Meletios, Ross, Justin, Steven, Marian, Roger, Nancy, Claire, Patricia, Mark, Nikolai, Anastasia, William, Annabelle, Alice, Kathleen, Walter, Jay, Denise, Denise, Heather, Alexander, John, Karen, Pamela, Robert, Eric, Michael, Melissa, Marianne, Ryan, Joanne, Rose Mary, Marianne, Timothy, Jon, Emily, Charles, Carlos, Hank, Nicholas, Katrina, Valentine, Mary Jane, Nicholas, Alicia, Kathleen, Thomas, Mary Jo, Margaret, John, Jennifer, Clara, Joan, Sarah, Alex, Nicholas, Barbara, Margaret, Patricia, Alyssa, Danielle, Nicholas, Eliakim, Christopher, Tricia

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: Ruth, John, George, Samuel, Mihaela, Philip

Readings for the Week of February 14, 2021

2/14: 1 Timothy 4:9-15; Luke 19:1-10

2/15: 1 Peter 2:21-3:9; Mark 12:13-17

2/16: 1 Peter 3:10-22; Mark 12:18-27

2/17: 1 Peter 4:1-11; Mark 12:28-37

2/18: 1 Peter 4:12-5:5; Mark 12:38-44

2/19: 2 Peter 1:1-10; Mark 13:1-8

2/20: 2 Timothy 2:11-19; Luke 18:2-8

Words from the Saints -- February 11, 2021

"The Christian is not the result of persuasion, but of power. When he is hated by the world, he is beloved of God...." --St. Ignatius of Antioch

"Our own evil inclinations are far more dangerous than any external enemies." --St. Ambrose of Milan

"Just as anyone who climbs a rotten ladder risks his life, so are honors and power a danger for humility." --St. John Climacus

"It is a great achievement not to be attracted by things. But it is a far greater achievement to remain dispassionate in the face both of things and of the conceptual images we derive from them." --St. Maximos the Confessor

"A mole burrowing in the earth is blind and cannot see the stars; and he who does not trust God in temporal things will not trust Him in eternal things." --St. Mark the Ascetic

"If we make every effort to avoid death of the body, still more should it be our endeavor to avoid death of the soul. There is no obstacle for a man who wants to be saved other than negligence and laziness of soul." --St. Anthony the Great

Prayer List for the Week of February 7, 2021

For healing: Fr. Daniel, Fr. Nikolaos, Fr. Serhii, Fr. Victor, Matushka Myra, Matushka Katherine, Monk Meletios, Ross, Justin, Steven, Marian, Roger, Nancy, Claire, Patricia, Mark, Nikolai, Anastasia, William, Annabelle, Alice, Kathleen, Walter, Jay, Denise, Denise, Heather, Alexander, John, Karen, Pamela, Robert, Eric, Michael, Melissa, Marianne, Ryan, Joanne, Rose Mary, Marianne, Timothy, Jon, Emily, Charles, Carlos, Hank, Nicholas, Katrina, Valentine, Mary Jane, Nicholas, Alicia, Kathleen, Thomas, Mary Jo, Margaret, John, Jennifer, Clara, Joan, Sarah, Alex, Nicholas, Barbara, Margaret, Alyssa, Danielle, Nicholas, Eliakim, Christopher

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: Joanne, Ruth, John, Gheorghe, Samuel, Mihaela

Readings for the Week of February 7, 2021

2/7: 1 Timothy 1:15-17; Luke 18:35-43

2/8: James 2:14-26; Mark 10:46-52

2/9: James 3:1-10; Mark 11:11-23

2/10: James 3:11-4:6; Mark 11:23-26

2/11: James 4:7-5:9; Mark 11:27-33

2/12: 1 Peter 1:1-2, 10-12; 2:6-10; Mark 12:1-12

2/13: 1 Thessalonians 5:14-23; Luke 17:3-10

Words from the Saints -- February 4, 2021

"You propose to give up everything to God; be sure, then, to include yourself among the things to be given up." --St. Benedict of Nursia

"Brethren and Fathers, just as the hungry long to eat and the thirsty to drink, so we should be enthusiastic to listen to the word of God. For by listening we gain the greatest benefits. If we are slothful, we put away sloth; if we are eager, we become even more eager; and from both the outcome is good." --St. Theodore the Studite

"Do not grudge anything to your brother, but do unto him as unto the Lord; especially as you do not know in whom the Lord will come and visit you; be impartial to all, sincere and hospitable." --St. John of Kronstadt

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

"No one can heal my disease except He Who knows the depth of the heart." --St. Ephraim the Syrian

"No one is truly poor but except the one who lacks the truth." --St. Ephraim the Syrian

"What is dying? Just what it is to put off a garment. For the body is about the soul as a garment; and after laying this aside for a short time by means of death, we shall resume it again with more splendor." --St. John Chrysostom

Readings for the Week of January 31, 2021

1/31: Colossians 3:12-16; Luke 18:18-27

2/1: Hebrews 11:17-23, 27-31; Mark 9:42-50

2/2: Hebrews 7:7-17; Luke 2:22-40

2/3: Hebrews 9:11-14; Luke 2:25-38

2/4: James 1:19-27; Mark 10:17-27

2/5: James 2:1-13; Mark 10:23-32

2/6: Colossians 1:3-6; Luke 16:10-15