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Great Lent

Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee & the Gate to Lent

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Today, February 21, we celebrate the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee and begin the use of the Triodion (the service book of the Orthodox Church that provides the texts for the divine services for the pre-Lenten weeks of preparation, Great Lent, and Holy Week).

‘Open unto me, O Giver of Life, the gates of repentance . . .’ sings the Church at Matins for the first of the four Sundays which prepare us for Lent. Indeed, this Sunday could be thought of as a gate: a gate through which we enter the sacred period which leads us on to Easter; a gate which opens into that atmosphere of repentance, to that life of repentance which Lent should bring to each one of us. But we must remember that the word “penitence” or “repentance” is a translation of the Greek gospel term metanoia: and that this means “change of spirit”. Much more is involved than the observance of some kind of outward repent ance. What is asked of us is radical change, renewal, conversion.

The Year of Grace of the Lord: A Scriptural and Liturgical Commentary on the Calendar of the Orthodox Church by Fr. Lev Gillet

Fourth Sunday of Great Lent (Sunday of St. John of the Ladder)

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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
St. John of the Ladder
St. John of the Ladder

Lenten Giving Opportunity

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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

Third Sunday of Great Lent (Sunday of the Veneration of the Holy Cross)

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This Sunday, March 31, is the third Sunday of Great Lent and the Sunday of the Veneration of the Holy Cross.

The readings from Holy Scripture are: John 21:15-25  (11th Matins Gospel), Hebrews 4:14-5:6  (Epistle), and Mark 8:34-9:1  (Gospel).

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
Veneration of the Holy Cross
Veneration of the Holy Cross

Second Sunday of Great Lent (Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas)

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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.

Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas
Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas