Fourth Sunday of the Great Fast
Memory of our Holy Father John Climacus
30 March 2025
WEEKLY SCHEDULE
Saturday, March. 29 – 4th All Souls Saturday
9:00 AM All Souls Divine Liturgy
4:45 PM Outreach All Souls Panachida
5:00 PM Santa Paula Outreach Divine Liturgy
Sunday, March. 30 – 4th Sunday of the Great Fast, and Memory of Our Holy Father John Climacus
8:00 AM Matins
9:30 AM Divine Liturgy
Tuesday, April. 1 – Mary of Egypt
6:30 PM Akathist* and Discussion for Addictions & Mental Illness, in person and on Zoom (link on website)
Wednesday, April. 2 – Titus, Venerable Wonderworker
6:30 PM First Half of the Great Canon
7:30 PM Firepit Social
Thursday, April. 3 – Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete
6:30 PM Second Half of the Great Canon
Friday, April. 4 – Joseph & George, Venerable
6:00 PM Santa Paula Outreach Presanctified Divine Liturgy
Saturday, April. 5 – Akathistos Saturday
5:00 PM Santa Paula Outreach Divine Liturgy
Sunday, April. 6 – 5th Sunday of the Great Fast and Mary of Egypt, Venerable
8:00 AM Matins
9:30 AM Divine Liturgy: 5th Sunday of the Great Fast – Venerable Mary of Egypt
*Add first names to this prayer service by emailing niemirick@gmail.com
MYSTERY OF REPENTANCE (Confession)
St. Mary’s: Sundays 8:45 AM or by appointment
Santa Paula: Saturdays 4:15 PM or by appointment
PRAYER REQUESTS
(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, Stephen Petach, Jenny Roman, All the sick and suffering of St. Mary’s
WEEKLY DEPOSIT:
Collection: $2,808.00; Santa Paula: $2,115.44; Online: $215.00; Holy Days: $40.00; Candles: $53.75; Flowers: $40.00; Property Rental: $500.00; Special Gifts: $35,000.00; Parish Socials: $110.00
Total: $40,882.19/ Attendance – PSM: 101 HAR: 79
St. John Climacus
Saint John of the Ladder is honored by Holy Church as a great ascetic and author of the renowned spiritual book called THE LADDER, from which he is also called “of the Ladder” (Climacus).
Tradition suggests that he was born in Constantinople around the year 570, and was the son of Saints Xenophon and Maria (January 26).
John went to Sinai when he was sixteen. After four years, Saint John was tonsured as a monk.
For nineteen years Saint John progressed in monasticism in obedience to his spiritual Father. Saint John embarked on a solitary life, settling in a wild place called Thola, where he spent forty years laboring in silence, fasting, prayer, and tears of penitence.
It is not by chance that in THE LADDER Saint John speaks about tears of repentance: “Just as fire burns and destroys the wood, so pure tears wash away every impurity, both external and internal.” His holy prayer was strong and efficacious, as may be seen from an example from the life of the God-pleasing saint.
Saint John had a disciple named Moses. Once, the saint ordered his disciple to bring dung to fertilize the vegetable garden. When he had fulfilled the obedience, Moses lay down to rest under the shade of a large rock, because of the scorching heat of summer. Saint John was in his cell in a light sleep. Suddenly, a man of remarkable appearance appeared to him and awakened the holy ascetic, reproaching him, “John, why do you sleep so heedlessly, when Moses is in danger?”
Saint John immediately woke up and began to pray for his disciple. When Moses returned in the evening, Saint John asked whether any sort of misfortune had befallen him.
The monk replied, “A large rock would have fallen on me as I slept beneath it at noon, but I left that place because I thought I heard you calling me.” Saint John did not tell his disciple of his vision, but gave thanks to God.
At the request of Saint John, igumen of the Raithu monastery (Commemorated on Cheesefare Saturday), he wrote the incomparable LADDER, a book of instruction for monks who wished to attain spiritual perfection.
Knowing of the wisdom and spiritual gifts of Saint John of Sinai, the igumen of Raithu requested him to write down whatever was necessary for the salvation of those in the monastic life. Such a book would be “a ladder fixed on the earth” (Gen. 28:12), leading people to the gates of Heaven.
Saint John felt that such a task was beyond his ability, yet out of obedience he fulfilled the request. The saint called his work THE LADDER, for the book is “a fixed ladder leading from earthly things to the Holy of Holies….” The thirty steps of spiritual perfection correspond to the thirty years of the Lord’s age. When we have completed these thirty steps, we will find ourselves with the righteous and will not stumble. THE LADDER begins with renunciation of the world, and ends with God, Who is love (1 John 4:8).
In THE LADDER Saint John describes the ascent toward spiritual perfection, which is essential for anyone who wishes to save his soul. It is a written account of his thoughts, based on the collected wisdom of many wise ascetics, and on his own spiritual experience. The book is a great help on the path to truth and virtue.
The steps of THE LADDER proceed gradually from strength to strength on the path of perfection. The summit is not reached suddenly, but gradually, as the Savior says: “The Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force”(Mt.11:12).
(Read more at oca.org or in the first link in the weekly email)
“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 602-861-9778 or email: vocations@ephx.org
Saturday, March 29 –
