UPDATE. Quarantine

Update #7 - June 10, 2020

Christ is among us!
He is and always will be!

We are moving into the next stage of reopening the church. As of June 9, 2020, we can have up to 50 people or 25% of legal capacity present at services.
If you would like to experience the worship of God in Spirit and Truth again and, most importantly, partake the Christ's Precious Body and Blood, feel free to sign up by clicking on the image below:

We will continue to live-stream the services through the end of June. If there are no unexpected changes to the re-opening plan in our state, I do not plan to live-stream beyond that.
However, a few of you expressed an interest in having services live-streamed beyond this quarantine. I have nothing against it, but I can't do it. Even though I am not technologically challenged, live-streaming requires knowledge and skills, which I simply do not possess right now. It would take me months to learn even the basics.
Therefore, I would like to extend an invitation to anyone who would like to volunteer to be in charge of live-streaming ministry in our parish. You can be assured of my full support and the support of the parish. If you are interested, you know where to find me :)

Yours in the Lord,
Father Aleksey

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Update #6 - May 14, 2020

Christ is risen!
Dear brothers and sisters,
We are slowly opening up the services.
Travel to church is allowed under NJ guidelines, but attendance is restricted to 10 people at the moment. With chanters and helpers present, we can have about 7 more people at services.
Therefore, if you would like to attend the services, please follow these:

1. If you are in the "at risk" group (65+ years of age and/or with pre-existing respiratory or heart conditions), consider staying home for now.
2. Practice physical distancing rules when in church. You may stand in a group with your family, but make sure to be at least 6 feet from others, for the time being. Same applies to when you stand in line for Communion.
3. For now, sign up only for one service of each kind a month (for example, 1 Vespers and 1 Liturgy and 1 Akathist). We want to give as many people as possible an opportunity to return to church. In case of open slots, you will be able to sign up more than once a month.
4. Come to church only if you signed up. Come on time, we will lock the doors once the services begin. If you need confession, come no later than 9:10am on Sunday.
5. You may wear a mask and/or gloves. We will have a hand-sanitizing spray in the narthex (vestibule). You do not have to kiss the icons/chalice/cross, if you do not want to at the moment. However, everything in the church has been cleaned and disinfected, and will continue to be.
6. For Communion, Fr Aleksey will rinse the spoon after each communicant in alcohol and water.
7. The services will continue to be live-streamed for now.

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Follow this link to sign up for the services for Saturday-Sunday, May 16-17.

Yours in the risen Lord,
Father Aleksey

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Update #5 - April 10, 2020

Dear brothers and sisters,
Some of you have asked me about blessing palms/willow branches, praying before the Shroud and Tomb of our Lord, and blessing Paschal baskets. I have asked around about what other parishes in the area and broadly across America are doing. There are strict directives, based on the stay-at-home orders, to not bless or hand out anything in our churches, in order to prevent people leaving their homes and congregating.
Therefore, palms and willow branches will not be available for pick up at our parish, nor will we bless the Paschal baskets. Travel to pick up things from church is not deemed essential and, therefore, is against government's guidelines and should not be undertaken at this moment.
In terms of our communal church life, we have already sacrificed a lot for the sake of each other, by not gathering together we are helping to slow down the spread of coronavirus. And we will have to sacrifice even more. We will not be able to be present in the same physical place to pray and participate in the divine services of Lazarus Saturday, Palm Sunday, the Holy Week, and, most importantly, the Feast of feasts, Christ’s Holy Resurrection, the Sacred Pascha.
However, this does not mean that the celebration of these services and the joy of this season is taken away from us. We will continue live-streaming the services and I encourage you to participate in them as best as you can. The church will continue to be open daily 12-2pm for prayer. If you decide to come to the church, please follow social distancing guidelines.
If there is a parish that might be blessing and handing out palms/willow branches and blessing Paschal baskets, I, as you parish priest, strongly suggest that you do not go there, for no other reason than to prevent you spreading or catching the coronavirus. This is not a sign of weak faith or betrayal of God. This is done for the sake and benefit of others, which is a Christian thing to do. If we were forced to close down or were persecuted to do so, I assure you, the message from the Church would be very different. This is not persecution, this is not a war on Church.
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Below is a suggestion of how you can celebrate Palm Sunday. I will prepare something similar for Pascha and blessing of Paschal foods next week. These are the prayers of blessing the palms/willow branches on Palm Sunday and prayers of blessing the Paschal foods. These prayers are for the faithful, not for the things that we bless. Therefore, pray them with hope and faith that we are receiving God's blessing.

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Prayers on Palm Sunday

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Yours in the Lord,
Father Aleksey

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Update #4 - March 25, 2020

1. We will try to live-stream the Liturgy on Sunday, March 29 at 9:30am. Here are the two links: parish's facebook page (even if you do not have facebook, you should be able to view the video). In case the first link does not work, here is another: https://st-john-singac.freeonlinechurch.com/live​

2. The church is open daily 12-2pm. Come in, pray, light a candle, spend some intentional and conscious time with God in His house.

3. The "15 Days to Slow the Spread" will be coming to an end in about a week. The government will re-evaluate the situation, as will we.

4. We are all struggling through this whole situation, especially financially. And so is the parish. The majority of the expenses for the parish are fixed, and they will not go away, even during the lockdown. Therefore, if you are able, and whatever you can, send in your weekly offerings. You can drop it off in the mailbox at the rectory, mail it, or do it online here (make sure to mark it as "weekly offering"). Just to be transparent, my family is giving our weekly offering every week, regardless of whether the church is open or closed.

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Update #3 - March 24, 2020

https://nj.gov/infobank/eo/056murphy/pdf/EO-107.pdf

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Update #2 - March 18, 2020

Dear brothers and sisters,

With a heavy heart and out of extreme necessity, we are cancelling ALL services and events in our parish until March 31, at which point we will re-evaluate the situation and make a proper decision.

Please share this news with any of the parishioners who might not have access to the internet.

The civil authorities have recommended not to hold events with 10 or more people, which is basically most of our services. Also, the President of the United States has recommended Coronavirus guidelines: 15 Days to Slow the Spread.

​We have to make this sacrifice for the benefit of all. God willing, this will pass and we will again, with one heart and one voice, together in one parish, lift up our prayers to the Lord.

Here are some other resources on the virus:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• World Health Organization

Starting Wednesday, March 18, Father Aleksey will be mailing out to our email group (to join the mailing list, fill out the form at the bottom of this page), posting on this website, and through our social media pages the daily Orthodox prayers that are usually done in church. These will not be full services, but they will be enough for you to keep up your prayer life with the Church during this Lenten journey.

With love in Christ,
Father Aleksey

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Update #1 - March 16, 2020

Dear brothers and sisters,

Here are some updates on the events in our parish:

• Fellowship and Coffee Hour are cancelled, at least through the end of March.
• Tuesday Small Compline and Bible Study are cancelled till the end of March.
• Orthodox Christianity 101 class is on hold until after Pascha.
• Annual Saint Anna's Salmon Dinner has been postponed. For ticket refunds, please contact Vickie Duin.
  
• Pierogi making that was scheduled for Friday and Saturday, March 20-21, is cancelled.

Be careful, practice good hygiene, know the symptoms of the coronavirus, seek medical help if you are have those symptoms.

We will continue, for now, having Presanctified Liturgy on Wednesdays, Panikhida and Vespers on Saturdays, and Divine Liturgy on Sundays, unless otherwise specified.

If you, or anyone you know (doesn't have to be our parishioner) need help, let us know. We have a little team of volunteers that are ready to help you, for example with doing grocery shopping. If you would like to be a volunteer, reach out to Father Aleksey.

Pray and be safe, and God bless.

Yours in the Lord,
Father Aleksey.

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March 13, 2020
[this announcement is intended
only for the community of
Saint John the Baptist
in Little Falls, NJ]

Dear brothers and sisters,

"Be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10)

The Lenten journey this year, only two weeks in, has already required more patient endurance and struggle than usual. But the journey continues and only the Lord knows what awaits us ahead.

​Just today, the President of the United States declared national emergency. Schools in Little Falls and throughout the state of New Jersey are closing for at least two weeks, people are asked to work from home or stay home. If this is an overreaction by our civil authorities, then it is better to overreact now, than later lament steps that should have been taken.

In these hectic times, remember what God told King David, "Be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10). This means, most of all, do not panic! Overreaction and preventive measures, taken individually by us and the government, are not panic. Buying 15 cases of toilet paper and fighting in stores, however, is. Take this time to know God, Who is the same both in times of turmoil and in times of calm. He is there always, be with Him there as well.

​The Church of Christ is the Ark of Salvation, where we bring all our concerns to our merciful Master, and where He protects us from the storms that are raging outside. The Church is here for the faithful, and as such the following are the measures that will be undertaken for the next few weeks:

• The practice of reception of the Holy Communion will not change. Draw near, as always, in the fear of God, with faith and love. It is one of the fundamental truths and beliefs of the Christian faith that we partake of the very Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ at Communion, for the healing of our soul and body. As the Lord said Himself, "Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in them" (John 6:56). We believe this and we affirm this every time we come to the chalice.
• If you are sick or think that you might be sick, it is advisable that you stay home and seek medical attention. Err on the side of caution. Know the symptoms of coronavirus, which include but are not limited to fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Check with the website of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on other possible symptoms and what to do in case you might be infected.
• If you are sick or you decide to stay home as a preventive measure, Father Aleksey is available for spiritual counsel, prayers, and the sacraments. Contact him at priest.aleksey@gmail.com or 973-256-0314. The visitations to nursing homes and hospitals may be restricted at the present, but home visits can be done, if you desire.
• ​On the note of visitations, if you are in need of any help, be it with shopping, meal preparation, or anything else, please also reach out to Father Aleksey. This is not the time to be shy. If you would like to volunteer to help with these, contact Father so he knows that you are available.
• Think about others as much as about yourself. From what we know so far, coronavirus is especially dangerous for the elderly, those 60 years of age and older, as well those with pre-existing respiratory or cardiac illnesses. Cough and sneeze only into your elbow. Refrain from contact with others for the time being.
• We are taking every preventive measure we can as far as disinfection of icons, crosses, liturgical objects, doors and door knobs, pews, tables, etc. If you would like to refrain from venerating the icons for the time being, simply cross yourself and bow before them. We will not kiss the chalice after receiving Communion. The post-communion wine will continue to be offered in individual cups. However, the bread will be distributed only by one of the vestry persons wearing a glove. This way, many hands will not be reaching down into the same plate. At the end of the Liturgy, Father Aleksey will not be offering the cross for veneration, but instead will be handing out the antidoron (the blessed bread), wearing a glove as well, for the same reason.
• Take every precautionary measure yourself as well. As was stated above, cough or sneeze only into your elbow, wash your hands. In other words, intentionally exercise proper hygiene. Children often are unaware of their own coughing and sneezing, therefore, parents, have this conversation with your children.
• For now, we are not cancelling the Fellowship and the Coffee Hour after the Divine Liturgy. However, parents again, in order to prevent the children from touching the food, prepare their plates for them. And adults, also use common sense when preparing your plate. Practice very strict rules of hygiene and cleanliness with food.
• ​We will follow the guidelines of the local and federal government. We will stop all services only in the event of a direct command from the government. But we are always here for you.
• Above all, pray that our Lord may comfort and heal those already affected by this virus, and grant strength and wisdom to the doctors, nurses, first responders, and all medical personnel who work to combat and control the virus, and that He may protect us all. Below are two prayers that we will pray in church and that you should add to your daily prayer rule. These prayers are borrowed from and are based on the prayers offered by the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church in America and the Council of Bishops of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA. 

First prayer

Let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
O God Almighty, Lord of heaven and earth, and of all creation visible and invisible: In Your inexpressible goodness, look down upon us, Your people gathered in Your Holy Name. Be our helper and defender in this day of affliction, for You know all our weaknesses and hear our cry in repentance and contrition of heart. O loving Lord, deliver us from the impending threat of the coronavirus. Send Your angel to watch over us and protect us. Grant health and recovery to those suffering from this virus. Guide the hands of the physicians and heal Your servants through them. Grant wisdom to those who are working on the vaccine for this virus. And preserve those who are healthy. Enable us to continue to serve our suffering brothers and sisters in peace that together we may glorify Your most honorable and majestic Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.​

Second prayer

Let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
O Lord Jesus Christ, in Your loving care, You traveled through towns and villages healing every disease and sickness, and at Your command, the sick were made well: Yourself now come to our aid, in the midst of the global spread of the coronavirus, and grant us to experience the miracle Your healing love.
Comfort the families of those who are sick or have died. May they regain their strength and health through quality medical care. And as they worry and grieve, defend them from illness and despair.
Heal us from our fear, which prevents nations from working together and neighbors from helping one another.
Guide the hands of the doctors and nurses and all medical professionals who seek to heal and help those affected and who put themselves at risk in the process. And impart Your wisdom on the researchers working on the vaccine for coronavirus.
​Heal us from our pride, which can make us claim immunity to a disease that knows no boundaries. Instill the fear of You in the leaders of our nation and other nations of the world. Give them the foresight to act with charity and true concern for the well-being of the people they are meant to serve. Give them the wisdom to invest in long-term solutions that will help prepare for or prevent future outbreaks.
O Master and Lord, our Savior, Healer of all, stay by our side in this time of uncertainty and sorrow. Whether we are home or abroad, surrounded by many people suffering from this illness or only a few, stay with us as we patiently endure and mourn, persist and prepare.
For You are a merciful and loving God, and to You we give glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Yours in the Lord,
Father Aleksey