Prayer List for the Week of April 26, 2020

For healing: Fr. Daniel, Fr. James, Fr. Konstantin, Matushka Katherine, Matushka Myra, Protinica Lindsay, Monk Gerasim, Monk Meletios, Ross, Justin, Steven, Marian, Paul, Dale, Roger, Nancy, Claire, Patricia, Mark, Nikolai, Anastasia, William, Metodije, Annabelle, Alice, Kathleen, Walter, Jay, Denise, Denise, Heather, Alexis, Robert, Gerald, Alexander, John, Karen, Pamela, Sabra, Robert, Eric, Michael, Melissa, Marianne, Ryan, Joanne, Rose Mary, Diane, Robert, Irene, Marianne, Timothy, Jon, Emily, Charles, Carlos, David, Hank, Nicholas, Katrina, Valentine, Mary Jane, Nicholas, Matthew, Alicia, Kathleen, Thomas, Carol, Mary Jo, Margaret, John, Eleanor, Heather, Matthew, Rosemary, Nicholas, Joanna, Richard, Jennifer, Clara, Joan, Ella, Sarah, Alex, Gordana, Paul, Donald, Audrey, Nicholas, Paige, Barbara, Margaret, Terry, Josh

For God’s protection: all captives; all persecuted Christians throughout the world

For God’s protection: all those in the military

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: Fr. Alexander, Fr. Nestor, Jeffrey, Monk Andrew, Nicholas, Sally, Samuel, Matthew, Patrick, Paul, Marie, David, Orsha, William, Paul, Charles

Readings for the Week of April 26, 2020

4/26: Acts 5:12-20; John 20:19-31

4/27: Acts 3:19-26; John 2:1-11

4/28: Acts 4:1-10; 1 Corinthians 15:39-57; John 3:16-21; 5:24-30

4/29: Acts 4:13-22; John 5:17-24

4/30: Acts 4:23-31; John 5:24-30

5/1: Acts 5:1-11; John 5:30-6:2

5/2: Acts 5:21-33; John 6:14-27

Words from the Saints -- April 23, 2020

"Let us not procrastinate till tomorrow. For we ‘know not what the next day may bring forth,’ nor let us say, ‘we shall conquer this habit little by little,’ since this little and little will never come to an end." --St. John Chrysostom

"The roots of evil thoughts are the obvious vices, which we keep trying to justify in our words and actions." --St. Mark the Ascetic

"Let us fast an acceptable and very pleasing fast to the Lord. True fast is the estrangement from evil, temperance of tongue, abstinence from anger, separation from desires, slander, falsehood, and lying. Abstaining from these is true fasting." --St. Basil the Great

"He who has tasted the things for which he hopes will spurn the things of this world: all his longing will be spent on what he hopes for." --St. Thalassios the Libyan

Readings for the Week of April 19, 2020

4/19: Acts 1:1-8; John 1:1-17; John 20:19-25

4/20: Acts 1:12-17, 21-26; John 1:18-28

4/21: Acts 2:14-21; Luke 24:12-35

4/22: Acts 2:22-36; John 1:35-51

4/23: Acts 2:38-43; John 3:1-15

4/24: Acts 3:1-8; Philippians 2:5-11; John 2:12-22; Luke 10:38-42; 11:27-28

4/25: Acts 3:11-16; John 3:22-33

Words from the Saints -- April 16, 2020

"It is not the self-critical who reveals his humility (for does not everyone have somehow to put up with himself?). Rather it is the man who continues to love the person who has criticized him." --St. John Climacus

"To yield and give way to our passions is the lowest slavery, even as to rule over them is the only liberty." --St. Justin Martyr

"The humble soul is blessed. The Lord loves her. The Mother of God is higher than all in humility, and therefore all races bless her on earth, while the heavenly powers serve her. And the Lord has given us this blessed Mother of His as a defender and helper." --St. Silouan of Mt. Athos

"If you forgive few things, He forgives you few! If you forgive many things, He forgives you many!" --St. John Chrysostom

Readings for the Week of April 12, 2020

4/12: Philippians 4:4-9; John 12:1-18

4/13: Matthew 21:18-43; Ezekiel 1:1-20; Exodus 1:1-20; Job 1:1-12; Matthew 24:3-35

4/14: Matthew 22:15-23:39; Ezekiel 1:21-2:1; Exodus 2:5-10; Job 1:13-22; Matthew 24:36-26:2

4/15: John 12:17-50; Ezekiel 2:3-3:3; Exodus 2:11-22; Job 2:1-10; Matthew 26:6-16

4/16: Luke 22:1-39; Jeremiah 11:18-12:5, 9-11, 14-15; Exodus 19:10-19; Job 38:1-23; 42:1-5; Isaiah 50:4-11; 1 Corinthians 11:23-32; Matthew 26:1-20; John 13:3-17; Matthew 26:21-39; Luke 22:43-45; Matthew 26:40-27:2

4/17: John 13:31-17:26; John 18:1-27; Matthew 26:57-75; John 18:28-19:16; Matthew 27:3-32; Mark 15:16-32; Matthew 27:33-54; Luke 23:32-49; John 19:25-37; Mark 15:43-47; John 19:38-42; Matthew 27:62-66; Zechariah 11:10-13; Galatians 6:14-18; Isaiah 50:4-11; Romans 5:6-11; Isaiah 52:13-53:12; Hebrews 2:11-18; Jeremiah 11:18-23; 12:1-5, 9-11, 14-15; Hebrews 10:19-31; Exodus 33:11-23; Job 42:12-16; Isaiah 52:13-53:12

4/18: Ezekiel 37:1-14; 1 Corinthians 5:6-8; Galatians 3:13-14; Matthew 27:62-66; Genesis 1:1-13; Isaiah 60:1-16; Exodus 12:1-11; Jonah 1:1-4:11; Joshua 5:10-15; Exodus 13:20-15:19; Zephaniah 3:8-15; 1 Kings 17:8-24; Isaiah 61:1-62:5; Genesis 22:1-18; 2 Kings 4:8-37; Isaiah 63:11-64:5; Jeremiah 31:31-34; Daniel 3:1-23; Daniel 3:24-90; Romans 6:3-11; Matthew 28:1-20

Words from the Saints -- April 9, 2020

"Worldly virtues promote human glory, spiritual virtues the glory of God." --St. Thalassios the Libyan

"It is better not to allow anger, however just and reasonable, to enter at all, than to admit it in ever so slight a degree; once admitted, it will not be easily expelled, for, though at first but a small plant, it will immediately grow into a large tree." --St. Augustine of Hippo

"Our heart is like the darkened earth; the Gospel is like the sun, enlightening and giving life to our hearts. May the true sun of Thy righteousness shine in our hearts, O Lord!" --St. John of Kronstadt

"It is said that gold rules everything; but spiritual things are ruled by the grace of God." --St. Mark the Ascetic

Penitential Stanzas (Tone 1)

Savior, I have fallen into a great abyss because of my sins, and my transgressions weigh me down. Stretch out Your hand to me as You did to Peter, O Lord. Save me, O God, and have mercy on me.

My thoughts and deeds condemn me, O Savior. Give me the thought of turning back, that I may cry out to You: Save me, O God, and have mercy on me!

Another world awaits you, my soul: a Judge will soon reveal your secret and terrible thoughts and deeds! Do not linger, then, among the things that are here. Anticipate the Judgment and cry out to the Judge: Be merciful to me, O God, and save me!

Do not reject me at the testing, my Savior, though I am held fast by the laziness of sin. Arouse my thoughts to repentance; make me a proven worker of Your vineyard: grant me the wages of the eleventh hour and great mercy!

Prayer List for the Week of April 5, 2020

For healing: Fr. Andrei, Fr. Daniel, Fr. Gregory, Fr. James, Matushka Katherine, Matushka Myra, Protinica Lindsay, Monk Gerasim, Monk Meletios, Ross, Justin, Steven, Marian, Paul, Dale, Roger, Nancy, Claire, Patricia, Mark, Nikolai, Anastasia, William, Metodije, Annabelle, Alice, Kathleen, Walter, Jay, Denise, Denise, Heather, Alexis, Robert, Gerald, Alexander, Cassie, John, Karen, Pamela, Sabra, Sid, Robert, Eric, Michael, Melissa, Marianne, Ryan, Joanne, Rose Mary, Diane, Robert, Irene, Marianne, Timothy, Jon, Emily, Charles, Carlos, David, Hank, Nicholas, Katrina, Valentine, Mary Jane, Nicholas, Matthew, Alicia, Kathleen, Thomas, Carol, Mary Jo, Margaret, John, Eleanor, Heather, Matthew, Rosemary, Nicholas, Joanna, Richard, Jennifer, Clara, Joan, Ella, Sarah, Alex, Gordana, Paul, Donald, Audrey, Nicholas, Paige

For God’s protection: all captives; all persecuted Christians throughout the world

For God’s protection: all those in the military

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: Arthur, Mother Sophia, Jeffrey, Monk Andrew, Nicholas, Sally, Samuel, Matthew, Patrick, Paul, Marie, David

Readings for the Week of April 5, 2020

4/5: Hebrews 9:11-14; Galatians 3:23-29; Mark 10:32-45; Luke 7:36-50

4/6: Isaiah 48:17-49:4; Genesis 27:1-41; Proverbs 19:16-25

4/7: Isaiah 49:6-10; Genesis 31:3-16; Proverbs 21:3-21

4/8: Isaiah 58:1-11; Genesis 43:26-31; 45:1-16; Proverbs 21:23-22:4

4/9: Isaiah 65:8-16; Genesis 46:1-7; Proverbs 23:15-24:5

4/10: Isaiah 66:10-24; Genesis 49:33-50:26; Proverbs 31:8-31

4/11: Hebrews 12:28-13:8; John 11:1-45

Words from the Saints -- April 2, 2020

"He who has learned the law properly fears the Lawgiver and, fearing Him, he turns away from every evil." --St. Mark the Ascetic

"Fearful afflictions await the hard of heart, for without great sufferings they cannot become pliable and responsive." --St. Thalassios the Libyan

"The knowledge of God does not reside in a body that loves comforts." --St Isaac of Syria

Penitential Stanzas (Tone 8)

King and Master, the angels praise You without ceasing, and I fall before You crying out like the Tax-Collector: God be merciful to me and save me [Luke 18:13]!

My soul, because you are immortal, be not overwhelmed by the waves of this life. But return to sobriety and cry out to Your Benefactor: God be merciful to me and save me!

Grant me tears, O God, as You once gave them to the woman who had sinned, and count me worthy to wash Your feet which have delivered me from the path of error. As sweet-smelling ointment, let me offer You a pure life created in me through repentance. And may I also hear the words which I long to hear: Your faith have saved you, go in peace [Luke 7:37-50].

When I call to mind the many evils I have done, and I think about the fearsome day of judgement, I am seized with trembling and I flee to You for refuge, the God Who loves mankind. You alone are free from sin and I beseech You not to turn away from me. But before the end comes grant compunction to my humbled soul and save me.

Prayer List for the Week of March 29, 2020

For healing: Fr. Andrei, Fr. Daniel, Fr. Gregory, Fr. James, Matushka Katherine, Matushka Myra, Protinica Lindsay, Monk Gerasim, Monk Meletios, Ross, Justin, Steven, Marian, Paul, Dale, Roger, Nancy, Claire, Patricia, Mark, Nikolai, Anastasia, William, Metodije, Annabelle, Alice, Kathleen, Walter, Jay, Denise, Denise, Heather, Alexis, Robert, Gerald, Alexander, Cassie, John, Karen, Pamela, Sabra, Sid, Robert, Eric, Michael, Melissa, Marianne, Ryan, Joanne, Rose Mary, Diane, Robert, Irene, Marianne, Marie, Timothy, Jon, Emily, Charles, Carlos, David, Hank, Nicholas, Katrina, Valentine, Mary Jane, Nicholas, Matthew, Alicia, Kathleen, Thomas, Carol, Mary Jo, Margaret, John, Eleanor, Heather, Matthew, Rosemary, Nicholas, Joanna, Richard, Jennifer, Clara, Joan, Ella, Sarah, Alex, Gordana, Paul, Donald, Audrey, Nicholas

For God’s protection: all captives; all persecuted Christians throughout the world

For God’s protection: all those in the military

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: Arthur, Mother Sophia, Jeffrey, Monk Andrew, Nicholas, Sally, Samuel

Readings for the Week of March 29, 2020

3/29: Ephesians 5:9-19; Hebrews 6:13-20; Matthew 4:25-5:12; Mark 9:17-31

3/30: Isaiah 37:33-38:6; Genesis 13:12-18; Proverbs 14:27-15:4

3/31: Isaiah 40:18-31; Genesis 15:1-15; Proverbs 15:7-19

4/1: Isaiah 41:4-14; Genesis 17:1-9; Proverbs 15:20-16:9

4/2: Isaiah 42:5-16; Genesis 18:20-33; Proverbs 16:17-17:17

4/3: Isaiah 45:11-17; Genesis 22:1-18; Proverbs 17:17-18:5

4/4: Hebrews 9:1-7, 24-28; Mark 8:27-31; Luke 10:38-42; 11:27-28

Words from the Saints -- March 26, 2020

"Not the power to remember, but its very opposite, the power to forget, is a necessary condition for our existence." --St. Basil the Great

"Repentance is the beginning, middle and end of the Christian way of life..." --St. Gregory Palamas

"'I have sinned' is just three syllables; and yet in these three syllables the flames of the heart's sacrifice rise up to heaven." --St Augustine of Hippo

Penitential Stanzas (Tone 7)

Like the Prodigal I come and fall before You, O Lord; accept me as one of Your hired servants, and have mercy on me, O Compassionate One!

As the man who fell among thieves and was wounded, I have fallen, and my soul is bruised by my many sins. To whom can I, the guilty one, run, if not to You, the Only Merciful Physician of our souls? Pour out Your great mercy on me, O God!

O Savior, sinner that I am, do not cut me down like the barren fig tree! But grant me for a long year forgiveness, watering my soul with tears of repentance, that I may bring forth acts of mercy as fruit for You!

Since You are the Sun of Righteousness, enlighten and guide the hearts of those who cry out to You: O Lord, glory to You!

Readings for the Week of March 22, 2020

3/22: Hebrews 4:14-5:6; Mark 8:34-9:1

3/23: Isaiah 14:24-32; Genesis 8:21-9:7; Proverbs 11:19-12:6

3/24: Isaiah 25:1-9; Genesis 9:8-17; Proverbs 12:8-22

3/25: Genesis 28:10-17; Ezekiel 43:27-44:4; Proverbs 9:1-11; Exodus 3:1-8; Proverbs 8:22-30; Luke 1:39-49, 56; Hebrews 2:11-18; Luke 1:24-38; Isaiah 26:21-27:9; Genesis 9:18-29; Proverbs 12:23-13:9

3/26: Isaiah 28:14-22; Genesis 10:32-11:9; Proverbs 13:20-14:6

3/27: Isaiah 29:13-23; Genesis 12:1-7; Proverbs 14:15-26

3/28: Hebrews 6:9-12; 1 Corinthians 15:47-57; Mark 7:31-37; John 5:24-30

Words from the Saints -- March 19, 2020

"We must, therefore, guard thus against evil desires, because death hath his station near the entrance of pleasure." --St. Benedict of Nursia

"Every day you provide your bodies with good to keep them from failing. In the same way your good works should be the daily nourishment of your hearts. Your bodies are fed with food and your spirits with good works. You aren't to deny your soul, which is going to live forever, what you grant to your body, which is going to die." --St. Gregory the Great, Pope of Rome

"You, O Christ our Savior, have become for me the path of life which leads to the Father. There is but one path, and it is my joy, and at the end of it is the heavenly kingdom." --St. Ephraim the Syrian

Penitential Stanzas (Tone 6)

I have no repentance and no tears. Therefore, Savior, I entreat You: Before the end comes convince me to turn back and grant me compunction, that I may be delivered from torment.

Christ, at Your fearsome Second Coming may we not hear the words: I do not know you (Matthew 25:12). For we have put our trust in You, Savior, though in our negligence we do not keep Your Commandments. Still we entreat that You save our souls.

Savior and Physician of Our Souls and Bodies: Heal the wounds of my heart inflicted on me through my many sins. For You always grant forgiveness of transgressions to those who ask. Lord, grant me tears of repentance and remission of my transgressions, and have mercy on me.

Finding me naked, stripped of virtues, the Enemy wounded me with the arrow of sin. But God, Physician of Our Souls and Bodies, heal the wounds of my soul and have mercy on me.

Readings for the Week of March 15, 2020

3/15: Hebrews 1:10-2:3; 7:26-8:2; Mark 2:1-12; John 10:9-16

3/16: Isaiah 8:13-9:7; Genesis 6:9-22; Proverbs 8:1-21

3/17: Isaiah 9:9-10:4; Genesis 7:1-5; Proverbs 8:32-9:11

3/18: Isaiah 10:12-20; Genesis 7:6-9; Proverbs 9:12-18

3/19: Isaiah 11:10-12:2; Genesis 7:11-8:3; Proverbs 10:1-22

3/20: Isaiah 13:2-13; Genesis 8:4-21; Proverbs 10:31-11:12

3/21: Hebrews 10:32-38; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17; Mark 2:14-17; John 5:24-30