Want to Learn More About Our Orthodox Faith?
Did you know that Ancient Faith Radio is a great resource to learn about our Orthodox Faith. It can be a bit daunting on your first visit so let me make a few recommendations.
1) Fr. Thomas Hopko. Fr. Hopko runs a series called “Speaking the Truth in Love.” He is the former Dean of St. Vladimir’s Seminary and one of the clearest teachers and best speakers on the Orthodox faith.
2) Ancient Faith Today. This is a live series (previous programs available) that deals with Orthodoxy and culture. Topics are of current interest. Fr. Hans is part of the team that chooses topics, find speakers, and so forth. He was the guest on the debut program on Atheism (“The New Atheists and Their Claims“) a year or so back.
3) The Morning Offering: Commentary on Orthodox Living by Abbott Tryphon of All Merciful Savior Monastery takes a very practical look at living the spiritual life.
4) A list of all podcasts can be found here.
Locating a Permanent Building for Our Parish
As we reported on Sunday, the future home of St. Peter’s will be in the general neighborhood where we already are. Where we finally land will be determined what property is available that we can afford. We had a meeting with His Grace Bishop Antoun and got his blessing to move forward.
We are busy searching for property which when we find it will give us much more permanence. We will be able to hold week day liturgies, begin education programs, build a Sunday School and many other things.
This is an exciting development. I know that the Lord will bring people to our parish as long as we keep our hearts directed towards Him and serve each other.
No More “Christ is Risen!”
From the Greek Orthodox website:
The Feast of the Ascension of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ is celebrated each year on the fortieth day after the Great and Holy Feast of Pascha (Easter). Since the date of Pascha changes each year, the date of the Feast of the Ascension changes. The Feast is always celebrated on a Thursday.
The Feast itself commemorates when, on the fortieth day after His Resurrection, Jesus led His disciples to the Mount of Olives, and after blessing them and asking them to wait for the fulfillment of the promise of the Holy Spirit, He ascended into heaven.
You can learn more about Ascension on the Greek Orthodox website.
Ascension Liturgy at St. Paul’s on Wednesday, June 12 at 6:30pm
We will celebrate the Ascension Liturgy at St. Paul’ Orthodox Church on Wednesday, June 12 at 6:30pm (get map). All are welcome.
Sunday Scripture Readings
Epistle
Acts 20:16 – 18, 28 – 36 (Holy Fathers of the Council of Nicea)
Blessed art thou, O Lord, the God of our Fathers;
for thou art just in all that thou hast done toward us.
The Reading is from the Acts of the Apostles
In those days, Paul had decided to sail past Ephesos, so that he might not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hastening to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost. And from Miletos he sent to Ephe sos and called to him the elders of the church. And when they came to him, he said to them:
‘Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God which he obtained with the blood of his own Son. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be alert, remembering that f or three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears.
And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities, and to those who were with me. In all things I have shown you that by so toiling one must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, ‘ It is more blessed to give than to receive.'”
And when he had spoken thus, he knelt down and prayed with them all.
Gospel
JJohn 17:1 – 13 (Holy Fathers)
The Reading of the Holy Gospel according to St. John
At that time: When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify thy Son that the Son may glorify thee, since thou hast given him power over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom thou hast given him. And this is eternal life, that they know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent. I glorified thee on earth, having accomplished the work which thou gavest me to do; and now, Father, glorify thou me in thy own presence with the glory which I had with thee before the wo rld was made.
“I have manifested thy name to the men whom thou gavest me out of the world; thine they were, and thou gavest them to me, and they have kept thy word. Now they know that everything that thou hast given me is from thee; for I have given them the words which thou gavest me, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from thee; and they have believed that thou didst send me.
I am praying for them; I am not praying for the world but for those whom thou hast given me, for they are thine; all mine are thine, and thine are mine, and I am glorified in them. And now I am no more in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to thee. Holy Father, keep them in thy name, which thou hast given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. While I was with them, I kept them in thy name, which thou hast given me; I have guarded them, and none of them is lost but the son of perdition, that the scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves.