Author Archives: Fr. Stephen Lourie

Holy Week Schedule

Featured

Posted on by

Holy Week And Pascha

Palm Sunday, April 17 (Holy Week begins at sundown. The normal morning services are not listed, as they are not part of Holy Week)

  • 7pm: Bridegroom Matins

Holy Monday, April 18

  • 7pm: Bridegroom Matins

Holy Tuesday, April 19

  • 7pm: Bridegroom Matins

Holy Wednesday, April 20

  • 7pm: Holy Unction

Holy Thursday, April 21

  • 9am: Mystical Supper Liturgy
  • 7pm: 12 Gospels and Procession

Holy Friday, April 22

  • 10am: Decorate Shroud (ladies only)
  • 3pm: Vespers
  • 7pm: Lamentations
  • Following Lamentations, all are invited to help decorate the church

Holy Saturday, April 23

  • 7pm: Vesperal Divine Liturgy of St. Basil

GREAT AND HOLY PASCHA, Sunday, April 24

  • 8am: Matins and Procession, followed by Paschal Divine Liturgy
  • 12pm: Agape Vespers

April 1-Mary of Egypt

Featured

Posted on by

Venerable Mary of Egypt

Saint Zosimas (April 4) was a monk at a certain Palestinian monastery on the outskirts of Caesarea. Having dwelt at the monastery since his childhood, he lived there in asceticism until he reached the age of fifty-three. Then he was disturbed by the thought that he had attained perfection, and needed no one to instruct him. “Is there a monk anywhere who can show me some form of asceticism that I have not attained? Is there anyone who has surpassed me in spiritual sobriety and deeds?”

Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, “Zosimas, you have struggled valiantly, as far as this is in the power of man. However, there is no one who is righteous (Rom 3:10). So that you may know how many other ways lead to salvation, leave your native land, like Abraham from the house of his father (Gen 12:1), and go to the monastery by the Jordan.”

Abba Zosimas immediately left the monastery, and following the angel, he went to the

4th Sunday of Great Lent

Featured

Posted on by

4th Sunday of Great Lent: St John Climacus (of the Ladder)

Troparion & Kontakion

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).

Last Judgement Sunday-Meatfare

Featured

Posted on by

The Sunday of the Last Judgment is also known as Meatfare Sunday, or Carnival Sunday.

This is the last day that meat can be eaten before the Lenten fast.

Dairy products are allowed on each day of this week, even Wednesday and Friday.

The next Sunday is the Sunday of Cheesefare, It is the last day that dairy products can be eaten prior to the commencement of Great Lent.

“‘Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’”
(Matthew 25:34-36)