Saturday, Dec. 10 – Mennas and Others, Martyrs
4:15 PM Outreach Vespers in Santa Paula
5:00 PM Outreach Divine Liturgy in Santa Paula
Sunday, Dec. 11 – Sunday of the Forefathers
8:30 AM Matins
9:30 AM Divine Liturgy
11:30 AM St. Nicholas Day Potluck Celebration
Monday, Dec. 12 – Our Lady of Guadalupe
8:30 AM Morning Prayer
4:00 PM Evening Prayer
6:30 PM Akathist* for those suffering Addictions & Mental Illness
Wednesday, Dec. 14 – Thyrus and Others, Martyrs
5:45 PM Outreach Reader Vespers in Santa Paula
6:30 PM Divine Liturgy +Michael Sumandra from Paul Sumandra
7:30 PM Firepit Social
Saturday, Dec. 17 – Daniel, Great Prophet
4:15 PM Outreach Vespers in Santa Paula
5:00 PM Outreach Divine Liturgy in Santa Paula
6:30 PM Reader Vespers
Sunday, Dec. 18 – Sunday before Christmas, Sunday of the Holy Ancestors
8:30 AM Matins
9:30 AM Divine Liturgy
12:00 PM Cantor Class
*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, Fern Bonowicz, Shannon O’Neill, All the sick and suffering of St. Mary’s
Collection: $3,787; Candles: $56.50; Online: $330.00; Santa Paula: $515.00; Church Improvements: $480.00; Holydays: $60.00; Christmas: $25.00; Flowers: $75.00; Property Rental: $1,300.00; Special Gift: $12,500.00; Gift Shop: $40.00; Initial Offering: $5.00; Retired Religious Fund: $25.00; All Souls: $20.00
Total: $19,218.50 / Attendance- PSM: 67; VCO: 62
Proto-Cathedral:
12/24 6:30 PM Vespers
12/25 8:30 AM Matins
9:30 AM Divine Liturgy
12/26: 6:30 PM Divine Liturgy (Synaxis of the Theotokos)
12/27: 8:30 AM Divine Liturgy (Proto-Martyr Stephen)
Santa Paula Outreach:
12/24: 5:00 PM Vesper/Divine Liturgy
7:30 PM Christmas Compline
We are within the 40-day fast preparing our minds, souls and bodies for the Nativity of Our Lord. Please join our parish and Church in intensifying and focusing your prayer, fasting and almsgiving in preparation for this glorious feast.
Next Sunday, December 18th, Carolina Chirdon will be giving a tour of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) Atrium. CGS is our new catechism program starting soon. We are still in need of some items required for the program. Here is a link to the Wishlist Carolina put together: CGS Wishlist Thank you for your continuing generosity and continuing support of our parish!
Like a tourist experiencing the skyscrapers in a big city for the first time, when someone walks into a Byzantine temple, they tend first to look up. By doing so, they first see Christ Pontocrator, the All-mighty who is “holy” and “other”. The eyes of the observer then descend to see the Platytera, where we realize that the All-Mighty God becomes one of us in the womb of the Theotokos. The final stage of this condescension is represented in the icon of Christ on the Iconostasis (screen between the Holy Place and the Nave). This is the icon of Christ the Teacher. The icon is completely accessible and has the book of the Gospels open to share the good news. Having an icon of Christ that is inaccessible (Pontocrator) and one that is completely accessible (Teacher) reveals the paradox of Christ’s greatness and chosen lowliness together, and why we experience him as both distant from us in His holiness, yet close enough to dwell in our hearts and inviting us into His Glory.
“Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel people to come in, so that my house may be filled.” Our gracious Lord seeks to bring all people who are willing to his heavenly banquet. His servants are called to reach out to the ends of the earth so that his house may be filled. While this is the calling of all Christians, those called to the priesthood, diaconate, minor orders, monastic and religious life do so in a special way. If this may be your calling, contact the Vocations Office at 206-329-9219 or email: vocations@ephx.org
Saturday, December 10 –
