St. Isidore of Pelusium interprets certain words of Holy Scripture in this manner: “Two [women] will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken, and one will beleft” (St. Matthew 24:4). This means that many are dedicating themselves to the spiritual life, but with different intentions; some sincerely and steadfastly and others negligently and vainly. The first will be taken into the kingdom of God and the others will be left behind. What does the prayer of the Cup mean? And why did the Lord pray that this cup of Suffering pass from Him? “O My Father, if this Cup cannot passaway from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done!” (St. Matthew 26:42). This means that no one should seek out adversity but when adversity does come, a Christian should accept it and courageously endure it. Concerning the Five Foolish Virgins (St. Matthew, Chapter 25), St. Isidore says: “Indeed, all of them had retained their virginity, but they did not possess the other virtues, especially charity. Virginity alone is not sufficient to enter the kingdom of God. Virginity does not help at all, if the virgin is proud and selfish.
Tuesday, January 3
8:30 AM – Hours 9:30 AM – Prayer Group
Wednesday, January 4
7 PM – Adult Catechism Class
Thursday, January 5
7 PM – Vigil for Theophany
Great Blessing of Water – Strict Fast Day
Friday, January 6
9 AM – Divine Liturgy – Theophany – No Fasting 1 PM – 5 PM – Dorothy Day Soup Kitchen
Saturday, January 7
3:30 PM – Video Class 5 PM -Vespers
Sunday, January 8
10 AM- Divine Liturgy – Renewal of Baptismal Vows 11:30 AM – Church School 12:30 PM – Christmas Caroling
There is NO FASTING or KNEELING between Christmas, December 25 and the Eve of Theophany, January 5. The Eve of Theophany, January 5, is a day of Strict Fasting.
Readers Schedule 1/8 – Susan Paltauf
1/15 – Susan Sulich
1/22 – Paul Sulich
1/29 – Harry Fong
Sunday, December 25
10 AM – Divine Liturgy for the Nativity of our Lord
Monday, December 26
9 AM –Divine Liturgy – Synaxis of the Mother of God
Tuesday, December 27
9 AM – Divine Liturgy – Feast of St. Stephen
Wednesday, December 28
7 PM – Titans Hockey Game at the Danbury Ice Arena
Sunday, January 1
10 AM – Divine Liturgy of St. Basil
There is NO FASTING or KNEELING between Christmas, December 25 and the Eve of Theophany, January 5.
Readers Schedule 12/25 – Paul Toaso
1/1 – Bob Faubel
1/8 – Susan Paltauf
1/15 – Susan Sulich
1/22 – Paul Sulich
1/29 – Harry Fong
Coffee Hour 12/25 – Christmas Day
1/1 – Open House at Sulich’s
On behalf of Pani and our Family, we want to greet all of you on this the Feast of Our Lord’s Nativity. May the joy of this season ever abide in your hearts and give you Peace and Comfort all the days of your life. May all of us search out the Christ child in our lives as did the Magi who searched far and wide to find the King of Peace. May we all bow down and worship Him who bowed the heavens and became man for us and our salvation.
The American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese of North America. ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE OF CONSTANTINOPLE
Protocol No. 19/2016 CHRISTMAS ARCHPASTORAL LETTER
December 25, 2016 / January 7, 2017
CHRIST IS BORN! GLORIFY HIM!
Dear Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
On this glorious Feast of the Nativity of Christ we celebrate a truly a wondrous event in which God, in His infinite and marvelous grace, became man bringing us enduring hope, newness of life, and eternal salvation. The Son of God, the Lord of Glory and King of kings who upholds the universe by His word of power, became man so that we human beings might be redeemed, renewed, united with Him, and become fellow citizens with the Saints and members of God’s kingdom.
The magnitude and depth of the event of the Nativity of Christ are impossible to grasp, but the message is clear and true. It is a message of grace, hope, and salvation to all humanity and to all the created order. It is a message which we both celebrate and share on this sacred day, an invitation to “come and see” what our loving Creator and God has done for us.
On the night of the Nativity, the angels appeared in the glory of God and announced the birth of Christ to the Shepherds. In response they said, “Let us go…and see this thing that has happened.” Accepting the invitation to participate in this glorious event, they came and saw the newborn Christ, and becoming amazed by what God had done for our salvation, went away glorifying and praising Him for all that they had seen and heard (Luke 2:8 – 20).
Following the Nativity, Wise Men in the East saw a mysterious star and following it came seeking the King who was born in Judea. Upon learning of the
place of the birth of the Lord, they came and saw the Christ child, offered Him gifts, and worshipped Him. Responding to the invitation presented to them in the sign of the star, they came and encountered the One who would be a great ruler of His people as foretold by the prophets (Matthew 2:1 – 12).
As the Shepherds and Wise Men received the invitation to “come and see” the superb miracle of the Incarnation of God, we are also invited to “come and see” Christ and the great work He has done for our salvation. On this day we “come and see” the bright light of truth and life shining through the darkness and despair of our violent and war torn world. On this day we hear a message of hope, grace, and peace. We come to Christ and see justice, holiness, and love.
Today may all of us, Priests, Panis, Deacons, Sub-Deacons, Readers, Parish Officers, Parishioners, Friends, and Supporters of our God-protected American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese experience the joy and wonders of the Shepherds and the awe and respect of the Three Wise Men at the arrival of the Messiah, our new born King. Christ is Born!
REFLECTION
