Akathist to the Nativity of the Lord (12/25/23)

Christ is Born! Glorify Him!

*** Our next live broadcast on Facebook will be tomorrow, December 26, at 7pm (Eastern). ***

Nativity Sermon of St. Leo the Great

Dearly beloved, today our Savior is born; let us rejoice. Sadness should have no place on the birthday of life. The fear of death has been swallowed up; life brings us joy with the promise of eternal happiness.

No one is shut out from this joy; all share the same reason for rejoicing. Our Lord, victor over sin and death, finding no man free from sin, came to free us all. Let the saint rejoice as he sees the palm of victory at hand. Let the sinner be glad as he receives the offer of forgiveness. Let the pagan take courage as he is summoned to life.

In the fullness of time, chosen in the unfathomable depths of God's wisdom, the Son of God took for himself our common humanity in order to reconcile it with its Creator. He came to overthrow the devil, the origin of death, in that very nature by which he had overthrown mankind.

And so at the birth of our Lord the angels sing in joy: Glory to God in the highest, and they proclaim peace to men of good will as they see the heavenly Jerusalem being built from all the nations of the world. When the angels on high are so exultant at this marvelous work of God's goodness, what joy should it not bring to the lowly hearts of men?

Beloved, let us give thanks to God the Father, through his Son, in the Holy Spirit, because in his great love for us he took pity on us, and when we were dead in our sins he brought us to life with Christ, so that in him we might be a new creation. Let us throw off our old nature and all its ways and, as we have come to birth in Christ, let us renounce the works of the flesh.

Christian, remember your dignity, and now that you share in God's own nature, do not return by sin to your former base condition. Bear in mind who is your head and of whose body you are a member. Do not forget that you have been rescued from the power of darkness and brought into the light of God's kingdom.

Through the sacrament of baptism you have become a temple of the Holy Spirit. Do not drive away so great a guest by evil conduct and become again a slave to the devil, for your liberty was bought by the blood of Christ.

Prayer List for the Week of December 24, 2023

For healing: Fr. Andrew, Fr. Daniel, Fr. Emilian, Fr. Gregory, Fr Jerome, Fr. John Henry, Fr. Kyril, Fr. Mefody, Fr. Paul, 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, Nicholas, Alicia, Mary Jo, Clara, Barbara, Margaret, Susan, Randall, Danielle, Nicholas, Tricia, Patty, Darlene, George, Paul, Kathleen, Walter, Andrew, Natalie, Arthur, Diana, Nicole, Patricia, Rene, Jennifer, Jason, Michael, Marc, Paul, Michael, Daniel, Gerald, Madeline, Marcella, Rita, Rodica, Mila, Richard, James, Elaine, Dejan, Papoulas, Nicholas, Constantine, Agape, Eleftheria, Mirsina, Candice, Darina, David, Jay, William, Gloria, Daria, Benjamin, Jude, George, Carol, Andrew, Jodi

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

For God’s protection: 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: Matushka Mary, Judith, Dorina, Clifton, Anthony, Stephen, Gloria, Mark, William, Dorothy

Readings for the Week of December 24, 2023

12/24: Hebrews 11:9-10, 17-23, 32-40; Matthew 1:1-25

12/25: Galatians 4:4-7; Matthew 2:1-12

12/26: Hebrews 2:11-18; Matthew 2:13-23

12/27: Acts 6:8-15;7:1-5,47-60; Matthew 21:33-42

12/28: Hebrews 10:35-11:7; Mark 11:27-33

12/29: Hebrews 11:8, 11-16; Mark 12:1-12

12/30: 1 Timothy 6:11-16; Matthew 12:15-21

Typica Service on December 23, 2023

Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory Forever!

Today is December 23, 2023. On this day of the month the Orthodox Church commemorates the Holy Ten Martyrs of Crete.

The prescribed readings are Galatians 3:8-12 and Luke 13:18-29.

*** Our next live broadcast on Facebook will be on Tuesday, December 26, at 7pm (Eastern). ***

Words from the Saints -- December 21, 2023

"Christians are destined to bear a heavy cross in their life. It’s a difficult thing to say you believe in the Lord and also that you have ease of life in this life. Because, when you are having ease of life on earth, there is something wrong with yourself; you care about the gold of the land and not for the treasures of heaven. But when you think like this, you are far away from the will of God. Christian life and having ease in life do not go together; they are different things". --St. Paisios the Athonite

"The true Christian is a warrior fighting his way through the regiments of the unseen enemy to his heavenly homeland." --St. Herman of Alaska

"He who strives for honor has honor running away from him, while he who runs away from honor has it chasing him." --St. Isaac the Syrian

"Do not grieve if you do not at once receive from God that which you ask. He wishes to benefit you still more by making you persist longer in your patient prayer before Him. For what can be higher than to address one's converse to God and be in communion with Him?" --St. Nilus of Sinai

"A person can become a saint anywhere... At your work, whatever it may be, you can become a saint through meekness, patience, and love. Make a new start every day, with new resolution, enthusiasm and love, prayer and silence." --St. Porphyrios

"Though God knows all our needs, prayer is necessary for the cleansing and enlightenment of our soul. It is well to stand in the sunshine; it is warm and light; likewise, when standing in prayer before God, our spiritual Sun, we are warmed and enlightened." --St. John of Kronstadt

Typica Service on December 21, 2023

Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory Forever!

Today is December 21, 2023. On this day of the month the Orthodox Church commemorates the Holy Virgin Martyr Juliana.

The prescribed readings are Hebrews 7:1-6 and Mark 10:17-27.

*** Our next live broadcast on Facebook will be on Saturday, December 23, at 8am (Eastern). ***

Typica Service on December 19, 2023

Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory Forever!

Today is December 19, 2023. On this day of the month the Orthodox Church commemorates the Holy Martyr Boniface at Tarsus, and the Righteous Aglaida of Rome.

The prescribed readings are Hebrews 4:1-13 and Mark 10:2-12.

*** Our next live broadcast on Facebook will be tomorrow, December 20, at 7pm (Eastern). ***

Typica Service on December 18, 2023

Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory Forever!

Today is December 18, 2023. On this day of the month the Orthodox Church commemorates the Holy Martyr Sebastian and those with him.

The prescribed readings are Hebrews 3:5-11, 17-19 and Mark 9:42-50.

*** Our next live broadcast on Facebook will be tomorrow, December 19, at 8am (Eastern). ***

Prayer List for the Week of December 17, 2023

For healing: Fr. Andrew, Fr. Daniel, Fr. Emilian, Fr. Gregory, Fr Jerome, Fr. Kyril, Fr. Mefody, Fr. Paul, 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, Nicholas, Alicia, Mary Jo, Clara, Barbara, Margaret, Susan, Randall, Danielle, Nicholas, Tricia, Patty, Darlene, George, Paul, Kathleen, Walter, Andrew, Natalie, Arthur, Diana, Nicole, Patricia, Rene, Jennifer, Jason, Michael, Marc, Paul, Michael, Daniel, Gerald, Madeline, Marcella, Rita, Rodica, Mila, Richard, James, Elaine, Dejan, Papoulas, Nicholas, Constantine, Agape, Eleftheria, Mirsina, Candice, Darina, David, Jay, William, Gloria, Daria, Benjamin, Jude, George, Carol, Andrew

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

For God’s protection: 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: Matushka Mary, Judith, Dorina, Clifton, Nicholas, Anna

Readings for the Week of December 17, 2023

12/17: Colossians 3:4-11; Luke 14:16-24

12/18: Hebrews 3:5-11, 17-19; Mark 9:42-50

12/19: Hebrews 4:1-13; Mark 10:2-12

12/20: Hebrews 5:11-6:8; Mark 10:11-16

12/21: Hebrews 7:1-6; Mark 10:17-27

12/22: Micah 5:2-4; Hebrews 1:1-12; Matthew 1:18-25; Baruch 3:36-4:4; Galatians 3:23-29; Luke 2:1-20; Isaiah 7:10-16; 8:1-4, 8-10; Hebrews 1:10-2:3; Matthew 2:1-12; Isaiah 9:6-7; Hebrews 2:11-18; Matthew 2:13-23

12/23: Galatians 3:8-12; Luke 13:18-29

Typica Service on December 15, 2023

Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory Forever!

Today is December 15, 2023. On this day of the month the Orthodox Church commemorates the Holy Hieromartyr Eleutherius, Bishop of Illyricum, and his mother the Holy Martyr Anthia.

The prescribed readings are Titus 1:15-2:10 and Mark 9:33-41.

*** Our next live broadcast on Facebook will be on Monday, December 18, at 8am (Eastern). ***

Words from the Saints -- December 14, 2023

"Learn something from the Scriptures by heart, and keep your mind focused on it. These things impede the demons from making assaults against us." --St. Nil of Sora

"A man who is truly without possessions is one who has renounced all his worldly goods and has absolutely nothing on earth except his body; and who, breaking his attachment to the body, has entrusted himself to the care of God and of the devout." --St. Maximos the Confessor

"Deeper spiritual knowledge helps the hard-hearted man: for unless he has fear, he refuses to accept the labor of repentance." --St. Mark the Ascetic

Moleben to St Panteleimon (12/13/23)

Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory Forever!

*** Our next live broadcast on Facebook will be on Friday, December 15, at 8am (Eastern). ***

Typica Service on December 11, 2023

Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory Forever!

Today is December 11, 2023. On this day of the month the Orthodox Church commemorates Our Venerable Father Daniel the Stylite.

The prescribed readings are 2 Timothy 2:20-26 and Mark 8:11-21.

*** Our next live broadcast on Facebook will be on Wednesday, December 13, at 7pm (Eastern). ***

Prayer List for the Week of December 10, 2023

For healing: Fr. Andrew, Fr. Daniel, Fr. Emilian, Fr. Gregory, Fr Jerome, Fr. Kyril, Fr. Mefody, Fr. Paul, 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, Nicholas, Alicia, Mary Jo, Clara, Barbara, Margaret, Susan, Randall, Danielle, Nicholas, Tricia, Patty, Darlene, George, Paul, Kathleen, Walter, Andrew, Natalie, Arthur, Diana, Nicole, Patricia, Rene, Jennifer, Jason, Michael, Marc, Paul, Michael, Daniel, Gerald, Madeline, Marcella, Rita, Rodica, Mila, Richard, James, Elaine, Dejan, Papoulas, Nicholas, Constantine, Agape, Eleftheria, Mirsina, Candice, Darina, David, Jay, William, Gloria, Daria, Benjamin, Jude, George, Carol, Andrew

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

For God’s protection: 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: Matushka Mary, Anna, Walter, Diane, Judith, Anne

Readings for the Week of December 10, 2023

12/10: Ephesians 6:10-17; Luke 17:12-19

12/11: 2 Timothy 2:20-26; Mark 8:11-21

12/12: 2 Timothy 3:16-4:4; Mark 8:22-26

12/13: Galatians 5:22-6:2; Matthew 11:27-30

12/14: Titus 1:5-2:1; Mark 9:10-16

12/15: Titus 1:15-2:10; Mark 9:33-41

12/16: Ephesians 1:16-23; Luke 14:1-11

Typica Service on December 8, 2023

Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory Forever!

Today is December 8, 2023. On this day of the month the Orthodox Church commemorates Our Venerable Father Patapius the Righteous.

The prescribed readings are 2 Timothy 1:1-2, 8-18 and Luke 21:37-22:8.

*** Our next live broadcast on Facebook will be on Monday, December 11, at 8am (Eastern). ***

Words from the Saints -- December 7, 2023

"Do not become a disciple of one who praises himself, in case you learn pride instead of humility." --St. Mark the Ascetic

"A sign of self-esteem is an ostentatious manner; of pride, anger and scorn of others." --St. Thalassios the Libyan

"Don’t wage your Christian struggle with sermons and arguments, but with true love." --St. Porphyrios

"In order to fulfill the commandments of Christ, you must know them! Read the Holy Gospel, penetrate its spirit and make it the rule of your life." --St. Nikon of Optina

Akathist to St. Nicholas (12/6/23)

Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory Forever!

*** Our next live broadcast on Facebook will be on Friday, December 8, at 8am (Eastern). ***