Glory to Jesus Christ!
On Saturday, April 13th, we will be holding a parish work day from 10AM – 2PM in order to complete a few interior and exterior projects as we approach Pascha. If you are available, we would love to see you there!
Projects include assisting with a new concrete sidewalk installation in the front of the church, moving a few items up from the basement, weeding mulch beds, and other smaller items.
Tools and the ability to do heavy labor not required!
This Sunday, April 07, is the fourth Sunday of Great Lent and the Sunday of St. John of the Ladder.
Please join us at 6PM for Vespers on Saturday, April 06, and at 9AM for the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, April 07. All are welcome!
The readings from Holy Scripture are: Matthew 28:16-20 (1st Matins Gospel), Ephesians 5:9-19 (Epistle, Saint), Matthew 4:25-5:12 (Gospel, Saint), Hebrews 6:13-20 (Epistle), and Mark 9:17-31 (Gospel).
Of this day we are told:
The Fourth Sunday of Lent is dedicated to Saint John of the Ladder (Climacus), the author of the work, The Ladder of Divine Ascent. The abbot of Saint Catherine’s Monastery on Mount Sinai (6th century) stands as a witness to the violent effort needed for entrance into God’s Kingdom (Mt.10: 12). The spiritual struggle of the Christian life is a real one, “not against flesh and blood, but against … the rulers of the present darkness … the hosts of wickedness in heavenly places …” (Eph 6:12). Saint John encourages the faithful in their efforts for, according to the Lord, only “he who endures to the end will be saved” (Mt.24:13).
from the website of the Orthodox Church in America
Glory to Jesus Christ! We are almost at the mid-point of the Great Fast as we prepare for a glorious celebration of Pascha. During this fasting period our parish is supporting Tabitha’s House, a Christian organization dedicated to helping the needy in Harford County. Please take a look at the attached list of items Tabitha’s House would like to make available to clients who need help with daily living, i.e. food items, toiletries, and cleaning materials. All purchases may be deposited in the plastic box located in the fireplace at church. We will deliver these collected items to Tabitha’s House during Bright Week after Pascha.
On our streets in Harford County, we don’t often see those who are homeless and those who are struggling financially, but they are here! And Christ calls us to respond to their needs. Please give generously from the bounty that God has given to you.
Below is a list of items that are in need.
TABITH’S HOUSE – 112-D Connolly Road, Fallston, MD, 410-877-9730
In Joppa, there was a disciple named Tabitha; she was always doing good and helping the poor. – Book of Acts 9:36
Food items in need:
Boxed Dinners with meat included (Hamburger, Tuna, Chicken w/Pasta or Rice)
Hormel Completes Microwave Meals
Canned Meat: Tuna, Spam, Chicken
Canned Fruit
Canned Vegetables (Corn, Carrots, Peas, Green, Beans, Spinach, Sweet Potatoes, Mix Veg.)
Canned Gravy/Gravy Mix
Canned Pork-N-Beans/Baked Beans
Canned Beef Stew & Chili
Instant (Mashed) & Boxed Potatoes
Canned Soup/Dry Soup/Soup Mix
Spaghetti’Os (Any canned pasta)
Canned Tomatoes
Spaghetti Sauce
Spaghetti Noodles/Rice/Pasta
Macaroni & Cheese
Peanut Butter/Jelly
All Breakfast Cereals
Pancake Mix & Syrup
Mixes (Bisquick, Muffin, Bread, etc.)
Dessert Mixes (Cake, Cookie, Brownie, etc.)
Pie Crust & Pie Filling
Toiletry and cleaning items in need:
Deodorant (Men’s & Women’s)
Bath Soap
Shampoo & Conditioner
Diapers
Baby Wipes
Tooth Brushes & Toothpaste
Razors & Shaving Cream
Toilet Paper
Paper Towels
Dish Soap
Laundry Detergent
Bathroom Cleaners
This Sunday, March 31, is the third Sunday of Great Lent and the Sunday of the Veneration of the Holy Cross. The readings for this Sunday are…
Concerning this day we are told:
“… the Holy Cross is called the Tree of Life, it is placed in the middle of the Fast, as the ancient tree of life was placed in the middle of the garden of Eden. By this, our Holy Fathers wished to remind us of Adam’s gluttony as well as the fact that through this Tree has condemnation been abolished. Therefore, if we bind ourselves to the Holy Cross, we shall never encounter death but shall inherit life eternal”.
from the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese website at goarch.org/sunday-venerationcross
“Hail, O favored one, the Lord is with you! … Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus”.
– from the Gospel According to Saint Luke, chapter 1
Monday, March 25, is the Feast of the Annunciation of the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary, one of the great feasts of our Orthodox Church. Please join us on Sunday, March 24, at 6:00PM as we begin to celebrate this great day with the vigil for the feast.
The readings from Holy Scripture for this day are: Isaiah 8:13-9:7 (6th Hour), Genesis 6:9-22 (Vespers, 1st reading), Proverbs 8:1-21 (Vespers, 2nd reading), Exodus 3:1-8 (Vespers, 3rd reading), Proverbs 8:22-30 (Vespers, 4th reading), Luke 1:39-49, 56 (Matins Gospel), Hebrews 2:11-18 (Epistle), and Luke 1:24-38 (Gospel).
Of this feast we are told:
“The Feast of the Annunciation is one of the earliest Christian feasts, and was already being celebrated in the fourth century. … The Greek and Slavonic names for the Feast may be translated as “good tidings.” This, of course, refers to the Incarnation of the Son of God and the salvation He brings. The background of the Annunciation is found in the Gospel of Saint Luke (1:26-38). The troparion describes this as the “beginning of our salvation, and the revelation of the eternal mystery,” for on this day the Son of God became the Son of Man”.
The Annunciation of our Most Holy Lady, the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary
This Sunday, March 24, is the second Sunday of Great Lent, as well as the Forefeast of the Annunciation and the Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas.
The readings from Holy Scripture are: Genesis 28:10-17 (Vespers, 1st reading), Ezekiel 43:27-44:4 (Vespers, 2nd reading), Proverbs 9:1-11 (Vespers, 3rd reading), John 21:1-14 (10th Matins Gospel), Hebrews 1:10-2:3 (Epistle), and Mark 2:1-12 (Gospel).
As each Sunday of Lent has its own spiritual theme and historical context, we know that the Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas is of a later origin. Of this day we are told:
This Sunday was originally dedicated to Saint Polycarp of Smyrna (February 23). After his glorification in 1368, a second commemoration of Saint Gregory Palamas (November 14) was appointed for the Second Sunday of Great Lent as a second “Triumph of Orthodoxy.”
2nd Sunday of Great Lent: St Gregory Palamas
To learn more about this day, including what it means for our spiritual lives, see the podcast episode on the Second Sunday of Lent by Fr. Thomas Hopko and the article A Man Fully Alive by Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick.
