Vespers on April 17, 2023

Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!

*** Our next live broadcast on Facebook will be on Wednesday, April 19, at 7pm (Eastern). ***

Readings for the Week of April 16, 2023

4/16: Acts 1:1-8; John 1:1-17; John 20:19-25

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

4/18: Acts 2:14-21; Luke 24:12-35

4/19: Acts 2:22-36; John 1:35-51

4/20: Acts 2:38-43; John 3:1-15

4/21: Acts 3:1-8; Philippians 2:5-11; John 2:12-22; Luke 10:38-42; 11:27-28

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

Words from the Saints -- April 13, 2023

"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

"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 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

Prayer List for the Week of April 9, 2023

For healing: Fr. Andrew, Fr. Daniel, Fr. Emilian, Fr. Gregory, Matushka Katherine, Matushka Myra, Pani Matka Mary Margaret, Monk Meletios, Justin, Steven, Marian, Patricia, Mark, Nikolai, Anastasia, Alice, Kathleen, Denise, Denise, Pamela, Robert, Peter, Eric, Marianne, Ryan, Joanne, Marianne, Emily, Charles, Hank, Nicholas, Katrina, Mary Jane, Nicholas, Alicia, Mary Jo, Clara, Barbara, Margaret, Susan, Randall, Michael, Danielle, Nicholas, Tricia, Patty, Darlene, George, Paul, Darina, Robert, Kathleen, Walter, Diana, George, Natalie, Arthur, Nicole, Patricia, Rene, Jennifer, Dorina, Elena, Papoulas, Despina, Constantine, Eleftheria, Marihiam, Agape, Lachlan, Papoulas, Paul, Nicholas, Constantine, Nectarios, Eleftheria, Agape, Vasiliki, Anna, Mirsina, Emmanuel, Marihiam, Jason, Michael, Donald, Marc, Alexandra, Eliza, Kathleen, Gary, Robbin, Kathy, Robert, Roy, Paul, Natalie, Anna, Anita, Mary, Margaret, Valerie

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

For God’s protection: all those in the military

For God’s protection: all emergency medical workers, firefighters and police officers

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. Srbliub, Matushka Barbara, John, Tacijana, George, Jonel, Diane, Lawrence

Readings for the Week of April 9, 2023

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

4/10: Matthew 21:18-43; Ezekiel 1:1-20; Exodus 1:1-20; Job 1:1-12; Matthew 24:3-35

4/11: Matthew 22:15-23:39; Ezekiel 1:21-2:1; Exodus 2:5-10; Job 1:13-22; Matthew 24:36-26:2

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

4/13: 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

4/14: 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

4/15: 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

Lenten Hours on April 7, 2023

Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory Forever!

Today is the Sixth Friday of Great Lent.

The prescribed readings are Isaiah 66:10-24 (6th Hour), Genesis 49:33-50:26 (Vespers) and Proverbs 31:8-31 (Vespers).

*** Our next live broadcast on Facebook will be on Monday, April 17, at 7pm (Eastern). ***

Vespers for April 7, 2023

Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory Forever!

Today is the Sixth Thursday of Great Lent. On April 7, the Orthodox Church commemorates Our Venerable Father George the Confessor, Bishop of Mytylene.

The prescribed readings for Vespers are Genesis 46:1-7 and Proverbs 23:15-24:5.

*** Our next live broadcast on Facebook will be on Monday, April 17, at 7pm (Eastern). ***

Words from the Saints -- April 6, 2023

"He who drives out self-love, the mother of the passions, will with God's help easily rid himself of the rest, such as anger, irritation, rancor and so on. But he who is dominated by self-love is overpowered by the other passions, even against his will. Self-love is the passion of attachment to the body." --St. Maximos the Confessor

“Let us not then be ashamed to confess the Crucified. Be the Cross our seal made with boldness by our fingers on our brow, and on everything; over the bread we eat, and the cups we drink; in our comings in, and goings out; before our sleep, when we lie down and when we rise up; when we are in the way, and when we are still. Great is that preservative; it is without price, for the sake of the poor; without toil, for the sick; since also its grace is from God. It is the Sign of the faithful, and the dread of devils: for He ‘triumphed over them in it, having made a show of them openly’ [Colossians 2:15]; for when they see the Cross they are reminded of the Crucified; they are afraid of Him, who bruised the heads of the dragon. Despise not the Seal, because of the freeness of the gift; but for this the rather honor your Benefactor.” --St. Cyril of Jerusalem

"Do not claim to have acquired virtue unless you have suffered affliction, for without affliction virtue has not been tested." --St. Mark the Ascetic

Lenten Hours on April 5, 2023

Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory Forever!

Today is the Sixth Wednesday of Great Lent.

The prescribed readings are Isaiah 58:1-11 (6th Hour), Genesis 43:26-31; 45:1-16 (Vespers) and Proverbs 21:23-22:4 (Vespers).

*** Our next live broadcast on Facebook will be tomorrow, April 6, at 7pm (Eastern). ***

Akathist to St. Panteleimon (4/4/23)

Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory Forever!

*** Our next live broadcast on Facebook will be tomorrow, April 5, at 8am (Eastern). ***

Lenten Hours on April 3, 2023

Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory Forever!

Today is the Sixth Monday of Great Lent.

The prescribed readings are Isaiah 48:17-49:4 (6th Hour), Genesis 27:1-41 (Vespers) and Proverbs 19:16-25 (Vespers).

*** Our next live broadcast on Facebook will be tomorrow, April 4, at 7pm (Eastern). ***

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, Lord. Save me, O God, and have mercy on me.

My thoughts and deeds condemn me, 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 2, 2023

For healing: Fr. Andrew, Fr. Daniel, Fr. Emilian, Fr. Gregory, Matushka Katherine, Matushka Myra, Pani Matka Mary Margaret, Monk Meletios, Justin, Steven, Marian, Patricia, Mark, Nikolai, Anastasia, Alice, Kathleen, Denise, Denise, Pamela, Robert, Peter, Eric, Marianne, Ryan, Joanne, Marianne, Emily, Charles, Hank, Nicholas, Katrina, Mary Jane, Nicholas, Alicia, Mary Jo, Clara, Barbara, Margaret, Susan, Randall, Michael, Danielle, Nicholas, Tricia, Patty, Darlene, George, Paul, Darina, Robert, Kathleen, Walter, Diana, George, Natalie, Arthur, Nicole, Patricia, Rene, Jennifer, Dorina, Elena, Papoulas, Despina, Constantine, Eleftheria, Marihiam, Agape, Lachlan, Papoulas, Paul, Nicholas, Constantine, Nectarios, Eleftheria, Agape, Vasiliki, Anna, Mirsina, Emmanuel, Marihiam, Jason, Michael, Donald, Marc, Alexandra, Eliza, Kathleen, Gary, Robbin, Kathy, Robert, Roy, Paul, Natalie, Anna, Anita, Mary, Margaret, Valerie

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

For God’s protection: all those in the military

For God’s protection: all emergency medical workers, firefighters and police officers

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. Srbliub, Matushka Barbara, John, Tacijana, George, Lillian, Mitica, Jonel, Diane, Lawrence

Readings for the Week of April 2, 2023

4/2: Galatians 3:23-29; Hebrews 9:11-14; Mark 10:32-45; Luke 7:36-50

4/3: Isaiah 48:17-49:4; Genesis 27:1-41; Proverbs 19:16-25

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

4/5: Isaiah 58:1-11; Genesis 43:26-31; 45:1-16; Proverbs 21:23-22:4

4/6: Isaiah 65:8-16; Genesis 46:1-7; Proverbs 23:15-24:5

4/7: Isaiah 66:10-24; Genesis 49:33-50:26; Proverbs 31:8-31

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

Vespers for March 31, 2023

Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory Forever!

Today is the Fifth Thursday of Great Lent. On March 31, the Orthodox Church commemorates St. Innocent, Enlightener of the Aleuts and Apostle to America.

The prescribed readings for Vespers are Genesis 18:20-33 and Proverbs 16:17-17:17.

*** Our next live broadcast on Facebook will be on Monday, April 3, at 8am (Eastern). ***

Words from the Saints -- March 30, 2023

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

"The Publican would not lift up so much as his eyes towards heaven (Luke 18:10-14). Why not? The eyes are the mirror of the soul. The soul’s sins can be read in the eyes. Do you not see every day that, when a man sins, his eyes are lowered before men. How can the eyes of a sinner not be lowered before God the all-Seeing. Lo, every sin committed before men is committed before God, and there is no sin on earth that does not affect God. A true man of prayer is aware of this and is filled, along with humility, with shame before God. This is why it says: he would not lift up so much as his eyes towards heaven." --St. Nikolai Velimirovich

Lenten Hours on March 29, 2023

Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory Forever!

Today is the Fifth Wednesday of Great Lent.

The prescribed readings are Isaiah 41:4-14 (6th Hour), Genesis 17:1-9 (Vespers) and Proverbs 15:20-16:9 (Vespers).

*** Our next live broadcast on Facebook will be tomorrow, March 30, at 7pm (Eastern). ***

Akathist to St. Panteleimon (3/28/23)

Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory Forever!

*** Our next live broadcast on Facebook will be tomorrow, March 29, at 8am (Eastern). ***

Lenten Hours on March 27, 2023

Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory Forever!

Today is the Fifth Monday of Great Lent.

The prescribed readings are Isaiah 37:33-38:6 (6th Hour), Genesis 13:12-18 (Vespers) and Proverbs 14:27-15:4 (Vespers)

*** Our next live broadcast on Facebook will be tomorrow, March 28, at 7pm (Eastern). ***

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. I beseech You Who alone are free from sin to turn not away from me. But before the end comes grant compunction to my humbled soul and save me.