{"id":7627,"date":"2019-04-09T15:37:34","date_gmt":"2019-04-09T19:37:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/?p=7627"},"modified":"2019-04-09T15:37:34","modified_gmt":"2019-04-09T19:37:34","slug":"st-peter-newsletter-april-9-2019","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/st-peter-newsletter-april-9-2019\/","title":{"rendered":"St. Peter Newsletter April 9, 2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

Fifth Sunday of Great Lent
\nSt. Mary of Egypt<\/h2>\n

Apostles Aristarchos, Pudens and Trophymos of the Seventy; Martyr Thomais of Alexandria; New-Martyr Demetrios of the Peloponnesos<\/h4>\n
\"Fr.
Fr. Zossima and St. Mary of Egypt<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Who was St. Mary of Egypt?<\/h4>\n

Our holy mother Mary was born in Egypt. She had left her parents at the age of twelve to go to Alexandria, where she spent the next seventeen years in debauchery and the greatest profligacy. Living on charity and linen-weaving, she nevertheless offered her body to any man, not being forced to it by dire necessity as were so many poor women, but as though she were consumed by the fire of a desire that nothing was able to appease.<\/p>\n

One day, seeing a crowd of Lybians and Egyptians moving towards the port, she followed them and set sail with them for Jerusalem, offering her body to pay her fare. When they arrived in the Holy City, she followed the crowd that was thronging towards the Church of the Resurrection, it being the day of the Exaltation of the Cross. But, when she reached the threshold of the church, an invisible force prevented her entering in spite of repeated efforts on her part, although the other pilgrims were able to go in without hindrance.<\/p>\n

Left alone in a corner of the narthex, she began to realize that it was the impurity of her life that was preventing her approaching the holy Wood. She burst into tears and smote her breast and, seeing an icon of the Mother of God, made this prayer to her: “O Sovereign Lady, who didst bear God in the flesh, I know that I should not dare to look upon thine icon, thou who are pure in soul and body, because, debauched as I am, I must fill thee with disgust. But, as the God born of thee became man in order to call sinners to repentance, come to my aid! Allow me to go into the church and prostrate before His Cross. And, as soon as I have seen the Cross, I promise that I will renounce the world and all pleasures, and follow the path of salvation that thou willest to show me.”<\/p>\n

She felt herself suddenly freed from the power that had held her and was able to enter the church. There she fervently venerated the Holy Cross and then, returning to the icon of the Mother of God, declared herself ready to follow the path that the Virgin would show her. A voice replied to her from on high: “If you cross the Jordan, you will find rest.”<\/p>\n

Read more on the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese website<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

Lazarus Saturday<\/h2>\n
\"The
The Raising of Lazarus<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On the Saturday before Holy Week, the Orthodox Church commemorates a major feast of the year, the miracle of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ when he raised Lazarus from the dead after he had lain in the grave four days. Here, at the end of Great Lent and the forty days of fasting and penitence, the Church combines this celebration with that of Palm Sunday. <\/p>\n

In triumph and joy the Church bears witness to the power of Christ over death and exalts Him as King before entering the most solemn week of the year, one that leads the faithful in remembrance of His suffering and death and concludes with the great and glorious Feast of Pascha.<\/p>\n

Read more on the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese website<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Baptism of Catechumens on Lazarus Saturday<\/h4>\n

In the early Church catechumens (seekers preparing for baptism) were baptized on Lazarus Saturday so that they could enter Holy Week as Orthodox Christians.<\/p>\n

On Lazarus Saturday, immediately following the Divine Liturgy, we will baptize four people (one baby, three adults) at St. Peter’s.<\/p>\n

Parents – Bring Your Children!<\/h4>\n

We will begin with the Liturgy (where Fr. Hans will explain the importance of the day to the children) and baptisms, followed by a pancake breakfast, making palm crosses to be distributed the next day at Palm Sunday and confession for the kids.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

\"\"<\/p>\n

On the Sundays of Lent we worship with the Liturgy of St. Basil instead of the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom. What is the difference between the two? The Liturgy of St Basil is a bit longer because the priests prayers a longer, say 10 minutes or so.<\/p>\n

The Liturgy of St. John Chrysotom is derived from the Liturgy of St. Basil.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

\"Holy<\/p>\n

At St. Peter’s we don’t have the resources to provide Holy Week service books to our parishioners. Those who would like a book can order their private copy from Ancient Faith Press<\/a> or the Antiochian Book Store<\/a>. <\/p>\n

Books cost $35 each. Five copies ordered through the Antiochian Bookstore<\/a> offers a $25 discount. Perhaps some parishioners could order five and donate four to St. Peter’s so that we can start a library for future years.<\/p>\n

If anyone would care to donate toward service books please see Fr. Hans.<\/p>\n

Also, the Greek Orthodox Holy Week book (Papadeas) works too because the order of services are the same. The English will vary from the Antiochian book in a few places however.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

Learn About Lent<\/h2>\n

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

Check out the rich resources about Lent and Holy Week on the Antiochian website<\/a>.<\/p>\n

 <\/div>\n

Sign up for Palm Sunday Brunch (Sunday April 21, 2019)<\/h2>\n

St. Peter’s will hold a Palm Sunday Brunch following the Liturgy on Palm Sunday, April 21. This is a great time of fellowship for all. We need a count so please sign up at Church this Sunday or send an email<\/a> with names of people attending.<\/p>\n

Sign up for Agape Service Pascha Dinner (Sunday April 28, 2019)<\/h2>\n

On Pascha Sunday we will come together again after the Pascha service to celebrate Agape Vespers on Sunday, April 28, a very short service followed by a community wide Pascha dinner. This will be good! We need a count so please sign up at Church this Sunday or send an email<\/a> with names of people attending.<\/p>\n

 <\/div>\n

St. Peter Second Annual Bake Sale Ends on April 14<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Supplies are running low. Remaing items for sale are:<\/p>\n