On Saturday, April 1, we will have pilgrimage to the Holy Protection Monastery, White Haven, PA. Everyone who would like to join us should contact (if you haven't already done so) Father Aleksey at 973-256-0314, as soon as possible.
We plan to meet at the monastery parking lot at 10am. A tour of the monastery will be provided for us. We will have lunch there at around 1:30pm. We will also be able to pray a Moleben to the Theotokos. The address of the monastery is 1 St. Joseph's Way White Haven, PA 18661 For driving directions click here. Please also read the rules about visiting the monastery. Monasteries are not just a different kind of parishes. These are strict monastic communities, which follow ascetic practices. They welcome all visitors, but ask that we treat them and their rules with respect. Especially pay close attention to the requirements concerning clothing: "Women are kindly asked to wear skirts below the knee and sleeved shirts (no pants, shorts, mini-skirts, sleeveless blouses, etc.). Men are asked to wear long pants and sleeved shirts. If you come unprepared, we will be glad to provide you with the necessary clothing." Sermon on the reading from Mark 2:1-12. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, One God. Amen.
A great lesson we hear today from the Gospel reading. Jesus was teaching at someone’s house, and the house was packed, no standing room, all seats taken. Four men bring their paralyzed friend to see this Miracle-worker by the name of Jesus, but there is no way they can get anywhere close to Him. So what do they do? Turn around and go home, right? There is no way for them to get through the crowd. Source: SVOTS Synaxis Ready to be challenged by some words of truth? Sermon by Fr Chad Hatfield, president of St Vladimir's Seminary, during the Vespers for Sunday of Orthodoxy.
By Fr Alexander Schmemann Of all lenten hymns and prayers, one short prayer can be termed the lenten prayer. Tradition ascribes it to one of the great teachers of spiritual life - St. Ephraim the Syrian. Here is its text:
O Lord and Master of my life! Give me not the spirit of sloth, despair, lust of power, and idle talk. But give rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience, and love to Your servant. Yea, O Lord and King! Grant me to see my own transgressions and not to judge my brother, for You are blessed forever and ever. Amen |