{"id":5821,"date":"2017-03-14T10:51:40","date_gmt":"2017-03-14T14:51:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/?p=5821"},"modified":"2017-03-14T10:51:40","modified_gmt":"2017-03-14T14:51:40","slug":"st-peter-newsletter-march-14-2017-exhaltation-of-the-cross-order-holy-week-books-signups-for-lazarus-saturday-palm-sunday-brunch-pascha-dinner-more","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/st-peter-newsletter-march-14-2017-exhaltation-of-the-cross-order-holy-week-books-signups-for-lazarus-saturday-palm-sunday-brunch-pascha-dinner-more\/","title":{"rendered":"St. Peter Newsletter March 14, 2017 — Exhaltation of the Cross, Order Holy Week Books, Signups for Lazarus Saturday, Palm Sunday Brunch, Pascha Dinner…more"},"content":{"rendered":"
St. Gregory Palamas, Abp. Of Thessaloniki<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Each of the Sundays of Great Lent has its own special theme. This Sunday’s theme is that in the cross of Christ crucified lies both “the power of God and the wisdom of God” for those being saved (1 Cor 1:24). On this Sunday in the middle of the Lenten season, the cross stands in the middle of the church, not merely to remind the faithful of Christ’s redemption and for them to keep the goal of their Lenten efforts, but also as a reminder: “He who does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me” (Mt 10:38).<\/p>\n
Historical theme<\/strong><\/p>\n The historical theme, as seen in the hymnology, is the victory and joy of the cross, not the suffering. The Church fathers equate the life-giving cross with the tree of life and plant it in the middle of the Lenten pilgrimage. It was the tree that was planted in Paradise; it is to remind the faithful of both Adam’s bliss and how he was deprived from it.<\/p>\n Personal theme<\/strong><\/p>\n For the catechumens of the early church, and the faithful preparing for Pascha today, the spiritual theme starts to change from personal faith, and personal effort, to Christ. The Church teaches that it is Christ’s cross that saves. One cannot take up his own cross and follow Christ unless one has Christ’s cross which he took up to save mankind. Partaking of this tree, one will no longer die, but will be kept alive.<\/p>\n This is done to refresh, reassure and to encourage those participating in Great Lent. The Church equates the appearance of the cross at this time to the banners and symbols that precede the return of a victorious king. The Epistle reading is from Hebrews 4:14-5:6 and explains Christ’s priesthood, and the Gospel lesson from Mark 8:34-9:1 ends with And He said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power.”<\/p>\n From Orthodoxwiki website<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n On the third Sunday of Great Lent, we concentrate on the Cross of Christ, and Fr. Tom helps us understand what it means to take up our cross.<\/p>\n Listen here:<\/strong><\/p>\n The Raising of Lazarus<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n We will begin with the Liturgy (where Fr. Hans will explain the importance of the day to the children), a pancake breakfast, making palm crosses to be distributed the next day at Palm Sunday and confession for the kids.<\/p>\n Please sign up in the Social Hall or on the website<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Akathist Hymn to the Theotokos in a new translation by Father Seraphim Dedes, presented in Greek and English on opposite pages. Text is metered.<\/p>\n Order your copy through the Holy Cross Bookstore<\/a> either online or call (800) 245-0599. We will have a few extra copies at Church for visitors.<\/p>\n We will be using the Holy Week Service Book of the Antiochian Archdiocese during Holy Week. If you would like one for private use please order it from Ancient Faith Publishing<\/a>. The price is $35.00.<\/p>\n Includes the three Bridegroom services, the three Liturgies of the Presanctified Gifts; the service of Holy Unction; the Vesperal Divine Liturgy and 12 Passion Gospels of Holy Thursday; the Royal Hours, Vespers, and Lamentations of Holy Friday; the Vesperal Divine Liturgy of Holy Saturday morning; Great and Holy Pascha; and the Agape Vespers of Sunday afternoon.<\/p>\n Some of the services we use can be found on the internet. This page lists all the services<\/a> that you can print out and use. Most of the services we use not found in books will be taken from here.<\/p>\n During the Lenten Sundays we celebrate St. Basil’s Liturgy instead of our usual St. John Chrysostom Liturgy. St. John’s liturgy is derived from St. Basil’s but the prayers are a bit shorter.<\/p>\n We will hold a light Lenten supper following each Wednesday Presanctified Liturgy during Lent. This will be something like lentil soup, bread and fruit — very simple.<\/p>\n A sign up sheet is posted on the board in the Social Hall. The dates are March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29.<\/p>\n We also will hold brief presentations during the suppers. This year we look at Monasticism. The schedule this year:<\/p>\n St. Peter’s will hold a Palm Sunday Brunch following the Liturgy on Palm Sunday, April 24. This is a great time of fellowship for all. We need a count so please sign up at Church this Sunday or submit your names on the website<\/a>.<\/p>\n On Pascha Sunday we will come together again after the Pascha service to celebrate Agape Vespers (Sunday, May 1 2015), a very<\/em> short service followed by a community wide Pascha dinner. This will be good!<\/p>\n Like all dinners however, we need a count. Sign up in the Social Hall or let us know through the website<\/a> if you will be attending. <\/p>\n In order to stay faithful to our Lenten disciplines, during Lent we will eliminate animal products (meat, cheese, eggs, fish, etc.) from our refreshments following the Divine Liturgy. Shell fish (shrimp, etc.) and oil are still allowed.<\/p>\n Attention college age and above Orthodox Christians in SW Florida. Members of St. Peter’s have started an Orthodox Christian Fellowship open to anyone who would like to join. They meet twice a month. Many plans are in the works including activities, occasional bible studies and more. This is a great way to get to know Orthodox Christians your own age!<\/p>\n Events will be announced in the newsletter and on the website and the OCF phone text list. Questions? Want to join? Contact Jeremiah at 504-256-8768 (text him), Erika at 412-716-2899, or Julia at 239-450-2400.<\/p>\n Choir Practice every Tuesday at 6:00pm and Bible Study every Wednesday at 7:00pm unless cancelled as noted below. Divine Liturgy every Sunday at 9:30. Extra services noted below.<\/p>\nFr. Thomas Hopko on “Taking Up Your Cross”<\/h2>\n
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Parents: Bring Your Children on Lazarus Saturday<\/h2>\n
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Lenten Service Books<\/h2>\n
Salutation and Akathist (Friday evening services)<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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Holy Week (Palm Sunday Evening through Agape Service)<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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Printing Services from Your Computer<\/h2>\n
St. Basil Liturgy Celebrated During Lent<\/h2>\n
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Lenten Suppers — Sign-Ups and Program<\/h2>\n
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Sign up for Palm Sunday Brunch (Sunday April 9, 2017)<\/h2>\n
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Agape Service Pascha Dinner (Sunday April 16, 2017)<\/h2>\n
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Social Hall Lenten Food<\/h2>\n
Orthodox Christian Fellowship Started<\/h2>\n
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Calendar At A Glance<\/h2>\n
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