Saturday, Nov. 11 – Means, Victor, and Vincent, Martyrs
5:00 PM Santa Paula Outreach Divine Liturgy
Sunday, Nov. 12 – 24th Sunday after Pentecost
8:30 AM Matins
9:30 AM Divine Liturgy
12:00 PM Chant Class
Monday, Nov. 13 – John Chrysostom, Archbishop
5:30 PM *Akathist for those suffering Addiction & Mental Illness
Wednesday, Nov. 15 – Gurias, Samonas, and Habib, Martyrs
6:30 PM Divine Liturgy
7:30 PM Firepit Social
Saturday, Nov. 18 – Plato and Roman, Martyrs
5:00 PM Santa Paula Outreach Divine Liturgy
6:30 PM Reader Vespers
Sunday, Nov. 19 – 25th Sunday after Pentecost
8:30 AM Matins
9:30 AM Divine Liturgy
*Add first names to this prayer service by emailing neimirick@gmail.com
St. Mary’s: Sundays 8:45 AM or by appointment
Santa Paula: Saturdays 4:15 PM or by appointment
(Please submit or resubmit names to admin@byzantineLA.com)
Please remember the following people in your prayers: The Carlin Family, Michael Hefferon, Shirely 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: $3,327.00; Online: $455.00; Candles: $43.00; SP Outreach: $898.00; Parish Social: $41.00; Church Improvements: $440.00; SP Outreach Improvements: $20.00
Total: $5,224.00 / Attendance- PSM: 59 SPO: 75
According to the forty-day tradition, the Phillip’s Fast in preparation for Christmas begins on Monday. During this fast it was custom to observe a strict abstinence on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and a lesser abstinence (mitigation for wine and oil) on Tuesday and Thursday. The fast is observed more strictly from December 10 (in some traditions) or from December 20 (in other traditions), with daily strict abstinence, and a mitigated abstinence (wine and oil) on Saturday and Sunday (cf. the Great Fast and the Dormition Fast). The Ruthenian Metropolia has identified this period as a penitential season. This fast may be observed voluntarily, partially or in its entirety.
From the Typicon of the Metropolia of Pittsburgh
The parable of the Good Samaritan, according to the Fathers of the Church: The man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho is Adam, Jerusalem is heaven or paradise, and Jericho is hell. The road from Jerusalem to Jericho goes downhill, and in the same way man has gone steadily downhill since being cast out of paradise. The thieves who attack him are the demons. They remove his clothes (the gifts of the Holy Spirit) and leave him covered in wounds (the fallen passions) and half-dead spiritually. The priest who passed by was incapable of helping him because before the Coming of Christ all men, even the righteous ones of the Old Testament, were themselves wounded by sin. The Levite, who knew the Law of Moses, was also helpless. Even the great Moses, to whom God gave the Law, could not keep it and was not saved by it.
Then the Lord mentions the Samaritan. The word “Samaritan” means “keeper”. The Good Samaritan, the true Keeper of our souls and bodies, is Christ Himself. He has compassion on fallen man, and through the sacraments (the oil of Holy Chrismation, the wine of the Holy Eucharist) He cleanses and heals our nature, covering its sins with the badges of forgiveness. Then He sets man on His own animal, that is, His own human nature, and takes him to the inn, that is, His Church. The next day He departs (ascends into heaven), but gives the innkeeper (the priesthood of the Church) two denarii (the Old and New Testaments) with which to look after fallen man. He also says that He will return (at the Second Coming in glory) and repay them then.
Christ tells us to “do likewise”, that is, have compassion on wounded souls and bring them to the only place that can truly heal them –the Church. First we talk about Christ to them, and then when they respond we lead them to the Church.
–Fr. Stephen Washko
“Go and do likewise.” Our Lord teaches the rich young man that showing mercy to all is the way to best fulfill the two greatest commandments, of loving God and loving our neighbor. For each of us, to “go and do likewise” will look different based on our unique gifts from God. Some of us are called to show mercy by serving the Church as priests, deacons, subdeacons, monks and nuns. If that may be your calling, contact the Vocations Office at 206-329-9219 or email: vocations@ephx.org
Saturday, November 11 –
