Saturday, March 18 – 4th All Souls Saturday
8:30 AM Divine Liturgy & Panachida
5:00 PM Santa Paula Outreach Divine Liturgy
6:30 PM Reader Vespers
Sunday, March 19 – 4th Sunday of the Great Fast
8:30 AM Matins
9:30 AM Divine Liturgy
Monday, March 20 – Venerable Fathers of the St. Sabbas Monastery
8:30 AM Morning Prayer
4:00 PM Evening Prayer
5:30 PM Akathist* for those suffering Addictions & Mental Illness
Wednesday, March 22 – Basil of Ancyra, Priest-Martyr
8:30 AM Morning Prayer
9:30 AM Photina prayer and litter clean-up
6:30 PM First Half of the Great Canon of Andrew of Crete
7:30 PM Firepit Social
Thursday, March 23 – Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete
8:30 AM Second half of the Great Canon of Andrew of Crete
Friday, March 24 – Zachary, venerable
6:00 PM Santa Paula Outreach Presanctified Liturgy
Saturday, March 25 – The Annunciation of the Theotokos
9:30 AM Divine Liturgy
5:00 PM Santa Paula Outreach Divine Liturgy
Sunday, March 26 – 5th Sunday of the Great Fast
8:30 AM Matins
9:30 AM Divine Liturgy:
12:00 PM Chant Class: hymns for Holy Week and Pascha
*Add first names to this prayer service by emailing niemirick@gmail.com
St. Mary’s: Sundays 8:45 AM or by appointment
Santa Paula: Saturdays 4:15 PM or by appointment
(Please resubmit or submit names to admin@ByzantineLA.com)
The Carlin Family, Michael Hefferon, Shirley Kunze, Michael Mina, Peter Mina, Fr, John Mina, Mila Mina, Lana Zimmerman, Patrick Zimmerman, Shannon O’Neill, Fern Bonowicz, All the sick and suffering of St. Mary’s
Collection: $963.00; Online: $180.00; Santa Paula: $1,005.00; Candles: $40.50; Initial Offering: $100.00; Flowers: $70.00
Total: $2,358.50 / Attendance – PSM: 49; VCO: 125
The saint we commemorate today, our venerable father Saint John Climacus, likened the practice of the virtues in the light of God’s love to a great spiritual ladder, the rungs of which bring us ever closer to that which we desire most: divination, becoming like God and being united with Him forever. It seems at times our spirits are imprisoned in our bodies and out earthliness keeps us from our divine ascent. This is why we need to engage ourselves fully in Christian asceticism. This does not mean we must hate our bodies or the things of this earth. Rather it implies that by stripping away the excess layers of our selfishness which blind our vision, we see the things of this earth and our own flesh imbued with the presence of God. Our vision is clearer through the eye of the contemplative who sees things as they really are with true value and meaning. All things are seen as somehow manifesting the glory of God. The spiritual person sees God not as One who has rejected earthliness, but rather as One who became incarnate and therefore deified our nature. John Climacus prayed and fasted because he had a vision of holiness, a sense of unity with God. Our asceticism will likewise be blessed and fruitful during this season of the Great Fast only if it is rooted in the realization that God loves us. Like John Climacus, we must construct our own ladder of divine ascent, for this is the only pathway to inner peace, whereby we can arrive at that place of genuine love we so desperately desire. –adapted from an essay by Fr. Thomas Loya
“I believe! Help my unbelief!” Our gracious Lord comes to us, and His divine grace always heals what is infirm and supplies what is lacking. Nevertheless, He uses people to be His hands and feet. Our prayer and fasting can save the world! Are you open to dedicating your life as a consecrated monastic or religious, or a life in holy orders? Contact the Vocations Office at 206-329-9219 or email: vocations@ephx.org
Safe Environment: The Eparchy, within all its parishes, institutions, and programs, is committed to assuring a Safe Environment in ministry for its children and vulnerable adults that conforms to the USCCB Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. For additional information regarding the eparchial Safe Environment Program or to report any concerns, please contact:
Subdeacon Paul Kilroy, Safe Environment Program Coordinator
Cell: (480) 745-0316 — Office: (602) 861-9778 ext. 204 — Email: sbdcnkilroy@ephx.org
– or –
Victim Assistance Coordinator, Deacon Michael Hanafin
Cell: (480) 307-5182 — Email: vac@ephx.org
Saturday, March 18 –
