{"id":6560,"date":"2018-03-06T11:38:12","date_gmt":"2018-03-06T16:38:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/?p=6560"},"modified":"2018-03-06T11:38:12","modified_gmt":"2018-03-06T16:38:12","slug":"st-peter-newsletter-march-6-2018-veneration-of-the-precious-and-life-giving-cross","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/st-peter-newsletter-march-6-2018-veneration-of-the-precious-and-life-giving-cross\/","title":{"rendered":"St. Peter Newsletter March 6, 2018 — Third Sunday of Great Lent & Veneration of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross"},"content":{"rendered":"

Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great<\/h4>\n

Sophronios, Patriarch of Jerusalem;
Martyrs Thallos and Trophimos of Latakia;
\nVenerable George of Sinai; Theodora of Arta, the Empress; Euthymios, Bishop of Novgorod<\/h4>\n
<\/div>\n

\"\"<\/p>\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

<\/div>\n

Fr. Thomas Hopko on “Taking Up Your Cross”<\/h2>\n

\"Click<\/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

<\/div>\n

Listen here:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Click<\/a><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

Barbara Duscas Needs Help Packing<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Barbara Duscas is moving but needs help packing. She has the boxes, tape, and everything else necessary. If you could spare some time to help Barabara with this (onerous) job, blessings will be yours!<\/p>\n

Please give Barbara a call at 239-738-6698 to set up dates and times.<\/p>\n

 <\/div>\n

St. Basil Liturgy Celebrated During Lent<\/h2>\n

\"St.<\/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

<\/div>\n

Women’s Retreat Lectures Available on the Website<\/h2>\n
\"The
The Annunciation of the Theotokos<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For those who were not able to attend the Women’s Retreat or if you like to hear them again, videos of the lecture are available on the website<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The videos below were recorded at the Women\u2019s Lenten Retreat held at St. Peter\u2019s Orthodox Mission on March 3, 2018. Speakers were Fr. Paul Girgis of St. Paul Orthodox Church and Fr. Hans Jacobse of St. Peter Orthodox Mission.<\/p>\n

Fr. Hans\u2019 topic was: The Theotokos as Healer: Sometimes it Takes a Mother to Reveal the Son. Fr. Paul\u2019s topic was: Jesus said Physician Heal Thyself: The Theotokos Shows Us How.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

Letter Parents: Bring Your Children to Lazarus Saturday<\/h2>\n
\"The
The Raising of Lazarus<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Parents, take note of the letter on the website<\/a> (which will be mailed to all parents) outlining a morning of events for your child start off Holy Week. 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

Get more information on the website<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Also consider bringing your children to the Taking Christ Down from the Cross service on Holy Friday afternoon. This is a short and highly visual service and children love it. Start setting the traditions early and it will stay with them their entire lives.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

Lenten Suppers Following Wednesday Presanctified Liturgies<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

On Wednesday evenings following Presanctified Liturgy we will share in a light Lenten supper of lentil soup, bread and fruit. This is a practice of many churches and provides rich fellowship and sharing.<\/p>\n

During the supper we will have a very short presentation on a theme particular to Lent.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

Order Your Holy Week Service Books Now<\/h2>\n

\"Holy<\/p>\n

This year 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

This is the book you will need if you want to follow along during Holy Week.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

Mark You Calendars: Palm Sunday Brunch and Pascha Dinner!<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Plan on attending St. Peter’s Palm Sunday Brunch following the Palm Sunday Divine Liturgy on April 1, 2018. We will have a sign up sheet available shortly. Please sign up with Thoma in the social hall after Liturgy if you plan to attend so we can prepare properly. Suggested donation is $10 per person with no cost for children.<\/p>\n

Following the Agape Vespers on Sunday, April 8, plan on attending our church wide Pascha celebration. The menu includes lamb, potatoes, and other items. This is a wonderful way to share fellowship and bread to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It was a huge success last year and will be a joy again this year. Please sign up with Thoma in the social hall after Liturgy if you plan to attend so we can prepare properly. Suggested donation is $15 per person with no cost for children.<\/p>\n

Ladies, could you bring a desert for the luncheons?<\/p>\n

There’s a place for you at the table!<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

Donations for Holy Week flowers Needed<\/h2>\n

Flowers beautify the Church and are essential part of Orthodox worship during Holy Week and Pascha. Please give your donation for flowers to Angela Long who is overseeing this project this year.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

Interfaith Charities Needs Our Help!<\/h2>\n

\"Interfaith<\/p>\n

Interfaith Charities has asked us to help supply:<\/p>\n