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20525 Center Ridge Rd. #401
Rocky River, OH 44116
United States
(440) 941-4850
A Pan-Orthodox ministry that displays Christian love, mercy and compassion to the individuals, families and facilities it serves.
5/4: Acts 6:1-7; Mark 15:43-16:8
5/5: Acts 6:8-7:5, 47-60; John 4:46-54
5/6: Acts 8:5-17; John 6:27-33
5/7: Acts 8:18-25; John 6:35-39
5/8: Acts 8:26-39; John 6:40-44
5/9: Acts 8:40-9:19; John 6:48-54
5/10: Acts 9:19-31; John 15:17-16:2
Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!
On May 2, the Orthodox Church commemorates the Translation of the Relics of St Athanasius the Great and of Ss Boris and Gleb.
The prescribed readings are Acts 5:1-11 and John 5:30-6:2.
*** Our next live broadcast on Facebook will be on Monday, May 5, at 8:00am (Eastern). ***
"Many have fought in various ways against circumstances; but without prayer and repentance no one has escaped evil." --St. Mark the Ascetic
"If someone shuts a snake and a scorpion up in a bottle, in time, they will be completely destroyed. So it is with evil thoughts: they are suggested by the demons; they disappear through patience." --St. Poemen
"A wise man is one who accepts advice, especially that of a spiritual father counseling him in accordance with the will of God." --St. Thalassios the Libyan
"Every sin is a war against God. But - O infinite gift of God's love to men! - When we had fallen so low by having sinned against the Creator, when we had fallen from life into death, by turning away from God, our Life; when we had corrupted ourselves by sins, and when everlasting death threatened us - God sent upon earth the Redeemer of the World, His own Only-begotten Son, in flesh like ours, to suffer for our offenses and thus cleanse us from sins, through repentance and faith in Him, and bring us again to His Father, from Whom we had fallen away. Let us value this, God's greatest benefit to us, and let us not 'neglect so great a salvation'! Let us constantly remember our sinful corruption, and the means of grace offered by the Church for our regeneration." --St. John of Kronstadt
Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!
On May 1, the Orthodox Church commemorates the Holy Prophet Jeremiah. .
*** Our next live broadcast on Facebook will be on Friday, May 2, at 8:00am (Eastern). ***
Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!
On April 28, the Orthodox Church commemorates the Nine Holy Martyrs of Cyzicos.
The prescribed readings are Acts 3:19-26 and John 2:1-11.
*** Our next live broadcast on Facebook will be on Wednesday, April 30, at 6:30pm (Eastern). ***
For healing: Abbot Tryphon, Fr. Daniel, Fr. Emilian, Fr. Gregory, Fr. Joseph, Fr. Theodore, Hierodeacon Gorazd, Fr. Deacon Jorge, Matushka Katherine, Matushka Myra, Monk Meletios, Subdeacon Nicholas, Justin, Steven, Marian, Patricia, Mark, Nikolai, Anastasia, Alice, Kathleen, Denise, Denise, Pamela, Marianne, Ryan, Joanne, Emily, Charles, Hank, Mary Jane, Mary Jo, Clara, Margaret, Susan, Randall, Danielle, Walter, Andrew, Natalie, Arthur, Nicole, Rene, Jennifer, Michael, Marc, Paul, Michael, Daniel, Gerald, Madeline, Marcella, Darina, Philip, George, Carol, Andrew, Jodi, Ilarion, Rita, Kathleen, Elena, William, Andrew, Nestor, Richard, Anna, Tikhon, Michelle, Daria, Mark, Alexis, Nathan, Ann, Herman, Lillian, Michael, Marihiam, Alexandra, Norma, Heather, Daria, Vera, Ava, Petros, Dionisia, Labrini, Michelle, Christopher, Joan, Jeff, Stephen, Tomas, Kim, Ola, Jaime, María, Gonzalo, Isabel, Alberto, Juan, Paloma, Benjamín, Roberto, Andrea, Julieta, Martha, Jorge, Carolina, Cynthia, Constantin, Edward, Gloria, Martha
For God’s protection: all who are missing
For God’s protection: all captives; all persecuted Christians throughout the world
For God’s protection: all those in the military; 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: Alexander, Bruce, John, Julia, Gerald, Marcella
St. Thomas Sunday, celebrated on the second Sunday of Pascha, holds a profound and encouraging message for Orthodox Christians. Also known as Antipascha, this day commemorates the Risen Christ's appearance to the Apostle Thomas and the deepening of faith through encounter and revelation.
The Gospel reading for this day (John 20:19-31) recounts how the Apostle Thomas, absent during Christ's first appearance to the disciples, expressed doubt about the Resurrection. "Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe" (John 20:25). Eight days later, Christ appears again, offering Thomas the evidence he sought. In response, Thomas proclaims with conviction: "My Lord and my God!" (John 20:28). Through this encounter, Christ blesses not only Thomas but all who believe without seeing: "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed" (John 20:29).
This Sunday reminds us that faith is not a static condition but a dynamic relationship with the Risen Lord. Thomas's journey from doubt to belief mirrors the spiritual struggles many face. His honest questioning was met not with condemnation but with the compassionate invitation of Christ to "come and see." This encounter reveals that Christ meets us where we are, drawing us closer through His mercy and love.
In the life of the Church, St. Thomas Sunday also initiates the continuation of Paschal joy. The bright vestments, the chanting of "Christ is Risen," and the Paschal greeting continue to resound, reminding us that the Resurrection is not an isolated event but an enduring reality. This day is a call to experience the living Christ and to carry the light of Pascha into the world.
Moreover, St. Thomas is a model for those who seek truth. His doubt led to one of the clearest confessions of Christ's divinity in the Gospels. For us, his story encourages a sincere and open-hearted pursuit of faith, trusting that Christ will reveal Himself in our lives.
As we celebrate St. Thomas Sunday, let us embrace both the joy and the challenge of faith. May we echo Thomas's confession, proclaiming with our lives: "My Lord and my God!" and remain steadfast in the hope and promise of the Risen Christ.
4/27: Acts 5:12-20; John 20:19-31
4/28: Acts 3:19-26; John 2:1-11
4/29: Acts 4:1-10; 1 Corinthians 15:39-57; John 3:16-21; 5:24-30
4/30: Acts 4:13-22; John 5:17-24
5/1: Acts 4:23-31; John 5:24-30
5/2: Acts 5:1-11; John 5:30-6:2
5/3: Acts 5:21-33; John 6:14-27
Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!
Tonight we will be chanting Vespers with hymns of the Resurrection in Tone 8.
*** Our next live broadcast on Facebook will be on Monday, April 28, at 8:00am (Eastern). ***
Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!
Tonight we will be chanting Vespers with hymns of the Resurrection in Tone 6. On April 25, the Orthodox Church commemorates the Holy Apostle and Evangelist Mark.
The prescribed readings for Vespers are James 1:1-12; James 1:13-27 and James 2:1-13.
*** Our next live broadcast on Facebook will be tomorrow, April 25, at 6:30pm (Eastern). ***
"Through the Cross joy has come into all the world. For the enemy was defeated, and death was slain, and Christ is risen." --St. Basil the Great
"Christ is risen! What joy, what sweetness, what peace! No other word in any language brings such gladness." --St. Nikolai Velimirovich
"The Resurrection of Christ is the foundation of our faith, the light of our hope, and the joy of our hearts." --St. Seraphim of Sarov
"He has become man, that we might become divine; He has risen from the dead, that we might rise with Him." --St. Athanasius the Great
"The Savior's death procured life for the world, for He did not remain among the dead, but rose again and ascended to the Father." --St. Cyril of Jerusalem
"The Resurrection is not a myth--it is the very heart of the Church’s life. It is the triumph over death and corruption." --St. Justin Popovich
"Pascha is the beginning of the eternal day, the radiant dawn that never sets, shining from the empty tomb." --St. Sophrony of Essex
"The Lord’s Resurrection is not a past event--it is the continual rising of the soul in God through grace." --St. Gregory Palamas
Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!
Tonight we will be chanting Vespers with hymns of the Resurrection in Tone 5.
*** Our next live broadcast on Facebook will be tomorrow, April 24, at 6:30pm (Eastern). ***
Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!
Tonight we will be chanting Vespers with hymns of the Resurrection in Tone 4. On April 23, the Orthodox Church commemorates the Holy Great-martyr, Victory-bearer, and Wonderworker George.
The prescribed readings for Vespers are Isaiah 43:9-14; Wisdom of Solomon 3:1-9 and Wisdom of Solomon 4:7-15.
*** Our next live broadcast on Facebook will be tomorrow, April 23, at 6:30pm (Eastern). ***
Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!
Tonight we will be chanting Vespers with hymns of the Resurrection in Tone 3.
*** Our next live broadcast on Facebook will be tomorrow, April 22, at 6:30pm (Eastern). ***
In the Orthodox Church, Pascha—known in the Western world as Easter—is the most important and transformative feast of the Christian liturgical year. It is a celebration not just of a historical event, but of the deepest theological truths of the Christian faith. The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of Orthodox theology, and understanding its significance is crucial to grasping the core of Orthodox Christianity.
Pascha: The Victory Over Sin and Death
At its heart, Pascha is a proclamation of the victory of Christ over sin and death. Through His suffering, death, and glorious resurrection, Jesus Christ broke the chains of death and opened the gates of eternal life. Orthodox theology teaches that through the Fall of Adam and Eve, death entered the world, and all of humanity became subject to sin and its consequences. However, through His Resurrection, Christ restored humanity to its original purpose—eternal communion with God.
In the Orthodox Church, Pascha is the ultimate act of God's love and redemption. It is the fulfillment of the promise made in the Old Testament and the culmination of Christ's earthly ministry. Jesus' death on the cross is not the end of the story—His Resurrection on the third day is the pivotal moment in history. Pascha is the victory over the forces of evil, the triumph of life over death, and the defeat of Satan, sin, and corruption.
The Paschal Mystery: Christ’s Death and Resurrection as One Event
In Orthodox theology, the death and resurrection of Christ are seen as two parts of the same divine mystery—the Paschal Mystery. The Church teaches that Christ's death was not simply a tragic event, but a necessary part of God's plan for humanity's salvation. His voluntary death on the cross was a supreme act of love, where He took upon Himself the consequences of sin and reconciled humanity with God.
However, Christ’s death alone would not be enough. Without the Resurrection, His death would have been meaningless, leaving humanity in the despair of sin and death. The Resurrection is the proof that Christ's sacrifice was accepted by God, and it is through the Resurrection that the promise of eternal life is sealed. The two aspects of the Paschal Mystery—Christ's death and resurrection—are inseparable, and together they reveal God's plan for the ultimate restoration of all creation.
Theological Themes of Pascha
1. The Defeat of Death — One of the central themes of Pascha is the defeat of death. In the Paschal hymns, death is often personified and challenged by the power of Christ’s Resurrection. Christ, by rising from the dead, “trampled down death by death,” as the Church proclaims. In doing so, He made death powerless, transforming it from the finality of the human experience into a passage to eternal life.
2. The Restoration of Creation — Pascha is not only about humanity’s salvation but the restoration of all creation. The Orthodox Church teaches that Christ's Resurrection brings about the renewal of the entire world. In Christ's victory over death, creation is set free from the corruption brought about by sin. The Paschal feast symbolizes the new creation, where the light of the Resurrection dispels the darkness of the old world.
3. The Inauguration of the Kingdom of God — The Resurrection marks the beginning of the Kingdom of God on earth. Christ’s rising from the dead is not just a historical event; it is a sign of the coming Kingdom that Christians are called to enter through faith and participation in the sacraments of the Church. The Church, in this sense, is a living witness to the resurrection, calling all people to share in the life of the Kingdom of God.
4. The Triumph of Light Over Darkness — Pascha is often called the Feast of Light. The contrast between light and darkness runs throughout the liturgical services of Pascha, symbolizing the victory of Christ over the darkness of sin and death. The Paschal Vigil begins in darkness, but as the light of the Paschal Candle spreads, it symbolizes the light of Christ overcoming the darkness of the world.
5. The Promise of Eternal Life — The Resurrection assures believers of the promise of eternal life. Through Pascha, Christians are reminded that the hope of immortality is not a vague aspiration but a concrete reality. The Resurrection is the first-fruits of the resurrection of the dead that will come at the end of time. This hope transforms the Christian understanding of death, as believers are now able to face death not with fear, but with the assurance that Christ has already conquered it.
Pascha and the Christian Life
For the Orthodox Christian, Pascha is not just a historical event to be remembered; it is a lived reality. It is a reminder of the transformative power of the Resurrection that is available to all who are in Christ. The Church teaches that through baptism, each Christian shares in the death and resurrection of Christ. Baptism, as the Apostle Paul writes, unites believers to Christ’s Paschal Mystery, and they are called to live in the newness of life brought about by His Resurrection.
The Paschal season is a time of deep joy and spiritual renewal, as Christians are invited to live out the implications of the Resurrection. The joy of Pascha is not fleeting; it is a foretaste of the eternal joy that awaits all who are united with Christ. The hope that Pascha brings is not merely a hope for the afterlife, but a hope that shapes how Christians live in the present, striving to live according to the light and love of the Resurrection.
Conclusion
The theological significance of Pascha in the Orthodox Church is profound. It is the feast of feasts, the celebration of the ultimate victory over sin, death, and evil. Christ’s Resurrection changes everything—it restores creation, defeats the powers of darkness, and opens the way to eternal life. It is the heart of Orthodox Christianity, shaping our faith, our hope, and our very way of life. As Orthodox Christians gather together to celebrate Pascha, they proclaim with joy and conviction, “Christ is Risen! Indeed, He is Risen!” and enter into the transformative power of His Resurrection.
For healing: Abbot Tryphon, Fr. Daniel, Fr. Emilian, Fr. Gregory, Fr. Joseph, Fr. Theodore, Hierodeacon Gorazd, Fr. Deacon Jorge, Matushka Katherine, Matushka Myra, Monk Meletios, Subdeacon Nicholas, Justin, Steven, Marian, Patricia, Mark, Nikolai, Anastasia, Alice, Kathleen, Denise, Denise, Pamela, Marianne, Ryan, Joanne, Emily, Charles, Hank, Mary Jane, Mary Jo, Clara, Margaret, Susan, Randall, Danielle, Walter, Andrew, Natalie, Arthur, Nicole, Rene, Jennifer, Michael, Marc, Paul, Michael, Daniel, Gerald, Madeline, Marcella, Darina, Philip, George, Carol, Andrew, Jodi, Ilarion, Rita, Kathleen, Elena, William, Andrew, Nestor, Richard, Anna, Tikhon, Michelle, Daria, Mark, Alexis, Nathan, Ann, Herman, Lillian, Michael, Marihiam, Alexandra, Norma, Heather, Daria, Vera, Ava, Petros, Dionisia, Labrini, Michelle, Christopher, Joan, Jeff, Stephen, Tomas, Kim, Ola, Jaime, María, Gonzalo, Isabel, Alberto, Juan, Paloma, Benjamín, Roberto, Andrea, Julieta, Martha, Jorge, Carolina, Cynthia, Constantin, Edward, Gloria, Martha
For God’s protection: all who are missing
For God’s protection: all captives; all persecuted Christians throughout the world
For God’s protection: all those in the military; 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: Nadine, Manuel, Estefanía, Regina, Herman, Alexander, Bruce
4/20: Acts 1:1-8; John 1:1-17; John 20:19-25
4/21: Acts 1:12-17, 21-26; John 1:18-28
4/22: Acts 2:14-21; Luke 24:12-35
4/23: Acts 2:22-36; 12:1-11; John 1:35-51; 15:17-16:2
4/24: Acts 2:38-43; John 3:1-15
4/25: Acts 3:1-8; Philippians 2:5-11; John 2:12-22; Luke 10:38-42; 11:27-28
4/26: Acts 3:11-16; John 3:22-33
“Blessed is He who came to suffer for us, and by His stripes heals our wounds.” --St. Ephraim the Syrian
“He who truly mourns with Christ in His Passion will also rejoice with Him in His Resurrection.” --St. Simeon the New Theologian
“He became man so that He might die for men. He suffered that we might be made incorruptible.” --St. Athanasius the Great
“The Cross is the greatest love of God toward man. In that love lies our resurrection.” --St. Nikolai Velimirovich
“The Savior endured the Cross, despising the shame, and freely offered Himself to death, that we might be delivered from death.” --St. Cyril of Jerusalem
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory Forever!
Today is the Great and Holy Wednesday.
The prescribed reading for the 6th Hour is Ezekiel 2:3-3:3.
*** Our next live broadcast on Facebook will be on Monday, April 21, at 6:30pm (Eastern). ***
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory Forever!
Today is the Great and Holy Tuesday.
The prescribed reading for the 6th Hour is Ezekiel 1:21-2:1.
*** Our next live broadcast on Facebook will be tomorrow, April 16, at 8:00am (Eastern). ***