Saturday, Dec. 23 – Saturday before Christmas
5:00 PM Santa Paula Outreach Divine Liturgy
Sunday, Dec. 24 – Sunday of the Ancestors
8:30 AM Matins
9:30 AM Divine Liturgy
3:00 PM Vespers for the Nativity
4:00 PM Vigil of the Nativity Divine Liturgy
Monday, Dec. 25 – Christmas – the Birth of Our Lord
10:30 AM Santa Paula Outreach Nativity Divine Liturgy
Tuesday, Dec. 26 – Synaxis of the Theotokos
8:30 AM Divine Liturgy
Wednesday, Dec. 27 – Stephen, Protomartyr
6:30 PM Reader Vespers
7:30 PM Fire Pit Social
Saturday, Dec. 30 – Saturday after Christmas
5:00 PM Santa Paula Outreach Divine Liturgy
Sunday, Dec. 31 – Sunday after Christmas
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: $2,280.00; Online: $155.00; Candles: $68.00; SP Outreach: $510.00; Christmas: $150.00; Retired Religious: $200.00; Socials: $88.00; Special Gift: $50,000.00
Total: $53,451.00
Attendance- PSM: 72
On the second day of the Feast of the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Church has established the celebration of the Synaxis (“gathering”) of the Most Holy Mother of God. The name of today’s festival signifies the gathering of the faithful in order to praise and glorify the All-Holy Virgin, who gave birth to our Savior.
The Feast of the Synaxis of the Mother of God dates back to very ancient times (even to the 4th century).
The Flight into Egypt is (also) commemorated on December 26, the second day of the Nativity.
In the icon of the Flight into Egypt there are mountains. The Virgin sits on a donkey with her Child, looking back at Joseph. He holds a staff, and his cloak is thrown over his shoulder. A young man (Tradition says this was Saint Joseph’s son James, the Brother of the Lord) leads the donkey carrying a rush basket, and looks back at the Virgin. Behind them is a fortified town with idols toppling from the walls. This event was prophesied by Isaiah: “Behold, the Lord sits on a swift cloud, and shall come to Egypt, and the idols of Egypt shall be moved at His presence, and their heart shall faint within them” (Isaiah 19:1).
(Read more about this feast at oca.org)
“They shall call his name Emmanuel,” which means, “God is with us.” The presence of God is seen through the salvation foretold in the Old Covenant, and is revealed through the Birth of Our Lord Jesus, Emmanuel. Our own lives can manifest the presence of God when we live according to our vocations. Are you being called to show God’s presence as a priest, deacon, subdeacon monk or nun? Contact the Vocations Office at 206-329-9219 or email: vocations@ephx.org
Saturday, December 23 –
