Readings for Tues.5th of Jan.: Thirty First Week After Pentecost: Vigil of Theophany  

 

Hebrews 11:8

Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition

The Faith of Abraham

8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place which he was to receive as an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was to go.

Hebrews 11:11-16

Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition

11 By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.

13 These all died in faith, not having received what was promised, but having seen it and greeted it from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 14 For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. 15 If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.

 

Luke 21:37-22:8

Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition

37 And every day he was teaching in the temple, but at night he went out and lodged on the mount called Olivet. 38 And early in the morning all the people came to him in the temple to hear him.

The Plot to Kill Jesus

22 Now the feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called the Passover. 2 And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to put him to death; for they feared the people.

3 Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve; 4 he went away and conferred with the chief priests and captains how he might betray him to them. 5 And they were glad, and engaged to give him money. 6 So he agreed, and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of the multitude.

The Preparation of the Passover

7 Then came the day of Unleavened Bread, on which the passover lamb had to be sacrificed. 8 So Jesus[a] sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the passover for us, that we may eat it.”

 

 

5 The holy martyrs Theopempt and Theona, of Nicomedia in Bithynia, who met martyrdom in the persecution of the Emperor Diocletian. (c. 350)

 

Our venerable mother Syncletica of Alexandria in Egypt, virgin, who is said to have led a solitary ascetical life that influenced many women of her day. (4th century)

The holy prophet Micah. Vigil of the Theophany.

Mitigation for wine and oil (if Saturday or Sunday, mitigation for fish, wine, and oil).

Readings for Mon.4th of Jan.: Thirty First Week After Pentecost

Readings for Mon.4th of Jan.: Thirty First Week After Pentecost

James 2:14-26

Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition

Faith without Works Is Dead

14 What does it profit, my brethren, if a man says he has faith but has not works? Can his faith save him?[a] 15 If a brother or sister is ill-clad and in lack of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.

18 But some one will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I by my works will show you my faith. 19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder. 20 Do you want to be shown, you foolish fellow, that faith apart from works is barren? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he offered his son Isaac upon the altar? 22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by works, 23 and the scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness”; and he was called the friend of God. 24 You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25 And in the same way was not also Rahab the harlot justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? 26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so faith apart from works is dead.

Mark 10:46-52

Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition

The Healing of Blind Bartimaeus

46 And they came to Jericho; and as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a great multitude, Bartimae′us, a blind beggar, the son of Timae′us, was sitting by the roadside. 47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48 And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49 And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart; rise, he is calling you.” 50 And throwing off his mantle he sprang up and came to Jesus. 51 And Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” And the blind man said to him, “Master,[a] let me receive my sight.” 52 And Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way.

 

4 The Synaxis of the holy seventy Apostles, whose names were recorded by Saint Dorotheus. In addition to the Twelve Apostles, our Lord chose seventy other apostles and sent them out to preach. (cf. Luke 10:1-5)

 

Our venerable father Theoctist, hegumen of Cuomo in Sicily which he founded. At this monastery lived Greek monks, having fled persecution by the iconoclasts. (800) 21

Readings for Sun.3rd of Jan.: Thirty First Sunday After Pentecost

 

2 Timothy 4:5-8

Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition

5 As for you, always be steady, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil your ministry.

6 For I am already on the point of being sacrificed;[a] the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

Mark 1:1-8

Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition

The Proclamation of John the Baptist

1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.[a]

2 As it is written in Isaiah the prophet,[b]

“Behold, I send my messenger before thy face,
who shall prepare thy way;
3 the voice of one crying in the wilderness:
Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight—”

4 John the baptizer appeared[c] in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And there went out to him all the country of Judea, and all the people of Jerusalem; and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6 Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, and had a leather girdle around his waist, and ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

 

 

3 The holy prophet Malachi, who, after the return from the Babylonian Captivity, announced the great day of the Lord and his coming to his temple, and that, always and everywhere, a pure offering should be made to the name of the Lord. He prophesied of the coming kingdom which would be heralded by the return of Elijah, fulfilled in the Forerunner. After Malachi, no prophet arose in Israel until his words were fulfilled four hundred years later in the coming of the Holy Prophet and Forerunner, John the Baptist.

 

The holy martyr Gordius, praised in the writings of our Holy Father Basil the Great, was a centurion who suffered for the faith. (304)

Readings for Wed. 3rd of Feb.: Thirty-Fifth Week After Pentecost: MEATFAIR WEEK

1 John 3:21-4:6

Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition

21 Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God; 22 and we receive from him whatever we ask, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. 23 And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. 24 All who keep his commandments abide in him, and he in them. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit which he has given us.

Testing the Spirits

4 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits[a] to see whether they are of God; for many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit which confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, 3 and every spirit which does not confess Jesus is not of God. This is the spirit of antichrist, of which you heard that it was coming, and now it is in the world already. 4 Little children, you are of God, and have overcome them; for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 5 They are of the world, therefore what they say is of the world, and the world listens to them. 6 We are of God. Whoever knows God listens to us, and he who is not of God does not listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

 

 

 

 

3 The Synaxis of the holy prophet Simeon and the prophetess Anna, who, the one a righteous and devout old man and the other a widow and prophetess, were worthy to hail the infant Jesus as the Messiah and Savior, the blessed hope and redemption of Israel. All we know of them is given in the second chapter of the Gospel according to holy evangelist Luke.

Sunday Bulletin 01/03/21

Sunday before the Theophany

WEEKLY LITURGICAL SCHEDULE

Sunday, January 3      

8:30 AM          Matins

9:30 AM          Divine Liturgy

Monday, January 4    

7:30 AM          Morning Prayer

8:30 AM          Divine Liturgy            Zuzula Family from Maryann Zuzula

Tuesday, January 5    

8:30 AM          Royal Hours

7:00 PM          Vespers-Liturgy and Great Blessing of Water          

Wednesday, January 6 – Theophany of Our Lord     

7:30 AM          Matins

7:00 PM          Ventura County Divine Liturgy                 

Thursday, January 7   

7:30 AM          Morning Prayer

7:00 PM          Evening Prayer

7:30 PM          Divine Liturgy            Julia Dyckman from Chris&Julie Harr

Friday, January 8       

7:30 AM          Morning Prayer

4:00 PM          Compline

Saturday, January 9   

8:30 AM          Divine Liturgy            +Patricia Parrot from Jerome Parrot

5:00 PM          Ventura County Divine Liturgy

6:30 PM          Vespers

Sunday, January 10 – Sunday after Theophany     

8:30 AM          Matins

9:30 AM          Divine Liturgy 

11:30 AM        Procession and Lake Blessing

PRAYER REQUESTS

Please remember the following people in your prayers: Estella Biedenbender,  Ken Bosak, Julie Carlin, Fletes Family: Alicia, Frankie, Layla, Lupita & Veronica, Victoria Flores, Larry Goodwin, Holly Garlow,  Michelle Grana, Virginia Harrington, Jeanne Hart, Michael Hefferon, Rob Hooper, Chris Johnson, Patricia Kurczak,  Irene Lehman, Elizabeth & John Mallas, Dylan Mancia, Toni Martin, Marg Mauro, Juan Gabriel Martinez, Pedro Medina, Mina family: Mila, Diana, Rev. John & Mike,  Shannon O’Neill, Tanya Petach, Casandra Porch, Nicholas, Rodriguez Diane Romano, Paul Saucedo, Kathleen Savko, Robert Stamer, Leanne Steuer, Mary Washko, Dina & Matthew Wiggins,  Carmen Zambrano, Lana Zimmerman, Patrick Zimmerman, Fr. Chris Zugger and all those who serve in the Armed Forces

WEEKLY DEPOSIT

Collection: $2,290.00; Candles: $72.10; Online: $75.00; Church Improvements: $310.00; Holy Days: $80.00; Ventura County Outreach collection: $12.50; Christmas: $4,240.00; Gift Shop: $8.00; First Offering: $5.00

Total: $7,092.60 / Attendance 43

UPCOMING

  • The Vesper-Liturgy for Theophany, along with the blessing of Jordan water will begin at 7pm on Tuesday, January 5. 
  • Mason Jars with Jordan water will be available after the blessing.  Feel free to also bring your own water to be blessed.  Please make sure your own water is placed by the baptismal font before the blessing.
  • You will be contacted about the availability of scheduling a house blessing after the feast.
  • We will have a small social by the fire pit after the Theophany liturgy.  Feel free to bring food or drink to share.
  • After the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, January 10, we will process down to either the LA River or the lake at the Sepulveda Basil Wildlife Reserve and bless the water there.   

Theophany-January 6

Christ is Baptized!   In the Jordan!

In the early church, many of the feast days that we now celebrate in December and January were all celebrated together on January 6th. That is why this feast day is called “Theophany” or “the revelation of God” in Greek.  (“Epiphany,” the name used by our Roman Catholic brothers and sisters means simply “Revelation”.)  All these feasts shed light on an aspect of God and His Kingdom, so they are rightly celebrated near each other.  The Nativity of Our Lord (later moved to December 24/25) reveals that God became man and was born of a woman.  The journey of the Magi to and from “the East” reveals this God-Man to the nations, especially Arabia, Persia and Ethiopia, out of which we have many great saints (later moved to Dec. 25).  The Baptism of Our Lord in the Jordan was kept on January 6th and celebrated the revelation of the three Persons on the Trinity; The Father is revealed in the “voice from heaven”, the Son in Jesus Christ baptized by John, and the Holy Spirt that descended in the “form of a dove.”  All of these feasts encourage us to a certain discontentment with our current understanding of, and closeness to Christ, and drive us to be more curious and be seekers of a more intense relationship with Him.    

Troparion of the Feast:  At your baptism in the Jordan, O Lord, worship of the Trinity was revealed; for the Father’s voice bore witness to you, calling you his beloved Son, and the Spirit in the form of a dove confirmed the truth of these words.  O Christ God, you appeared and enlightened the world.  Glory to you!

 

“He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit.” Answering God’s call for your life is the way for us to genuinely respond to our baptism. Are you thinking about whether you may be called to ordination, consecrated or monastic life?  Contact the Vocations Office at 206-329-9219 or email: vocations@ephx.org

Readings for Sat.2nd of Jan.: Thirtieth Week After Pentecost

1 Timothy 3:14-4:5

Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition

The Mystery of Our Religion

14 I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these instructions to you so that, 15 if I am delayed, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and bulwark of the truth. 16 Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of our religion:

He[a] was manifested in the flesh,
vindicated[b] in the Spirit,
    seen by angels,
preached among the nations,
believed on in the world,
    taken up in glory.

False Asceticism

4 Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by giving heed to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 through the pretensions of liars whose consciences are seared, 3 who forbid marriage[c] and enjoin abstinence from foods[d] which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving; 5 for then it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.

Matthew 3:1-11

Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition

The Proclamation of John the Baptist

3 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2 “Repent,[a] for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” 3 For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said,

“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight.”

4 Now John wore a garment of camel’s hair, and a leather girdle around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5 Then went out to him Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan, 6 and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.[b]

7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sad′ducees coming for baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruit that befits repentance, 9 and do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father’; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. 10 Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

11 “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

2 Our holy father Sylvester, Pope of Rome who piously ruled the Church for many years. During his pontificate, Constantine the Emperor built basilicas worthy of veneration and the Nicene Council of 325 acclaimed Christ the Son of God. On this day in Rome in the cemetery of Priscilla his body was laid to rest. (335) Pre-festive days begin.

Theophany- January 6

Christ is Baptized!   In the Jordan!
In the early church, many of the feast days that we now celebrate in December and January were all celebrated together on January 6th.  That’s why this feast day is called “Theophany” or “the revelation of God” in Greek.  (“Epiphany,” the name used by our Roman Catholic brothers and sisters means simply “Revelation”.)  All these feasts shed light on an aspect of God and His Kingdom, so they are rightly celebrated near each other.  The Nativity of Our Lord (later moved to December 24/25) reveals that God became man and was born of a woman.  The journey of the Magi to and from “the East” reveals this God-Man to the nations, especially Arabia, Persia and Ethiopia, out of which we have many great saints (later moved to Dec. 25).  The Baptism of Our Lord in the Jordan was kept on January 6th and celebrated the revelation of the three Persons on the Trinity; The Father is revealed in the “voice from heaven”, the Son in Jesus Christ baptized by John, and the Holy Spirt that descended in the “form of a dove.”  All of these feasts encourage us to a certain discontentment with our current understanding of, and closeness to Christ, and drive us to be more curious and seekers of a more intense relationship with Him.    
Troparion of the Feast:  At your baptism in the Jordan, O Lord, worship of the Trinity was revealed; for the Father’s voice bore witness to you, calling you his beloved Son, and the Spirit in the form of a dove confirmed the truth of these words.  O Christ God, you appeared and enlightened the world.  Glory to you!
-The Vesper-Liturgy for Theophany, along with the blessing of Jordan water will begin at 7pm on Tuesday, January 5. 
-Mason Jars with Jordan water will be available after the blessing.  Feel free to also bring your own water to be blessed.  Please make sure your own water is placed by the baptismal font before the blessing.
-You will be contacted about the availability of scheduling a house blessing after the feast.
-We will have a small social by the firepit after the Theophany liturgy.  Feel free to bring food or drink to share.
-After the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, January 10, we will process down to either the LA River or the lake at the Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve and bless the water there.   

Sunday Bulletin 12/27/20

Christ is Born!  Glorify Him!

Christos Razdajetsja!  Slavite Jeho!

Merry Christmas!

Sunday after the Nativity

 

WEEKLY LITURGICAL SCHEDULE

Sunday, Dec. 27         

8:30 AM          Matins

9:30 AM          Divine Liturgy

Wednesday, Dec. 30  

7:30 AM          Morning Prayer

8:30 AM          Divine Liturgy            +John Bosak from George Bosak

4:00 PM          Evening Prayer

Thursday, Dec. 31      

7:30 AM          Morning Prayer

8:30 AM          Photina Walk

6:30 PM          Vespers

7:30 PM          Divine Liturgy            Daniel McCarthy from Kay Wiskuchan

Friday, Jan.  01          

7:30 AM          Morning Prayer

4:00 PM          Compline

Saturday, Jan. 02        

8:30 AM          Divine Liturgy            +Edward Parrot from Jerome Parrot

5:00 PM          Divine Liturgy in Ventura County

6:30 PM          Vespers

Sunday, Jan. 03          

8:30 AM          Matins

9:30 AM          Divine Liturgy

PRAYER REQUESTS

Please remember the following people in your prayers: Estella Biedenbender,  Ken Bosak, Julie Carlin, Fletes Family: Alicia, Frankie, Layla, Lupita & Veronica, Victoria Flores, Larry Goodwin, Holly Garlow,  Michelle Grana, Virginia Harrington, Jeanne Hart, Michael Hefferon, Rob Hooper, Chris Johnson, Patricia Kurczak,  Irene Lehman, Elizabeth & John Mallas, Dylan Mancia, Toni Martin, Marg Mauro, Juan Gabriel Martinez, Pedro Medina, Mina family: Mila, Diana, Rev. John & Mike,  Shannon O’Neill, Tanya Petach, Casandra Porch, Nicholas, Rodriguez Diane Romano, Paul Saucedo, Kathleen Savko, Robert Stamer, Leanne Steuer, Mary Washko, Dina & Matthew Wiggins,  Carmen Zambrano, Lana Zimmerman, Patrick Zimmerman, Fr. Chris Zugger and all those who serve in the Armed Forces

WEEKLY DEPOSIT

Collection: $1,915.00; Candles: $45.00; Online: $285.00; Church Improvements: $100.00; Property Rental: $205.00; Ventura County Outreach collection: $15.00

Total: $2,565.00 / Attendance 50

 

Circumcision of Our Lord – January 1

On the eighth day after His Nativity, our Lord Jesus Christ was circumcised in accordance with the Old Testament Law. All male infants underwent circumcision as a sign of God’s Covenant with the holy Forefather Abraham and his descendants [Genesis 17:10-14, Leviticus 12:3].

After this ritual, the Divine Infant was given the name Jesus, as the Archangel Gabriel declared on the day of the Annunciation to the Most Holy Theotokos [Luke 1:31-33, 2:21]. The Fathers of the Church explain that the Lord, the Creator of the Law, underwent circumcision in order to give people an example of how faithfully the divine ordinances ought to be fulfilled. The Lord was circumcised so that later no one would doubt that He had truly assumed human flesh, and that His Incarnation was not merely an illusion, as certain heretics had taught.

In the New Testament, the ritual of circumcision gave way to the Mystery of Baptism, which it prefigured [Colossians 2:11-12]. Accounts of the Feast of the Circumcision of the Lord continue in the Eastern Church right up through the fourth century. The Canon of the Feast was written by Saint Stephen of the Saint Sava Monastery.

In addition to circumcision, which the Lord accepted as a sign of God’s Covenant with mankind, He also received the Name Jesus [Savior] on the eighth day after His Nativity as an indication of His service, the work of the salvation of the world [Matthew 1:21; Mark 9:38-39, 16:17; Luke 10:17; Acts 3:6, 16; Philippians 2:9-10]. These two events — the Lord’s Circumcision and Naming — remind Christians that they have entered into a New Covenant with God and “are circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ” [Colossians 2:11]. The very name “Christian” is a sign of mankind’s entrance into a New Covenant with God.                                                                                   

From www.oca.org/saints/ 

 

Circumcision of Our Lord – January 1

On the eighth day after His Nativity, our Lord Jesus Christ was circumcised in accordance with the Old Testament Law. All male infants underwent circumcision as a sign of God’s Covenant with the holy Forefather Abraham and his descendants [Genesis 17:10-14, Leviticus 12:3].

After this ritual, the Divine Infant was given the name Jesus, as the Archangel Gabriel declared on the day of the Annunciation to the Most Holy Theotokos [Luke 1:31-33, 2:21]. The Fathers of the Church explain that the Lord, the Creator of the Law, underwent circumcision in order to give people an example of how faithfully the divine ordinances ought to be fulfilled. The Lord was circumcised so that later no one would doubt that He had truly assumed human flesh, and that His Incarnation was not merely an illusion, as certain heretics had taught.

In the New Testament, the ritual of circumcision gave way to the Mystery of Baptism, which it prefigured [Colossians 2:11-12]. Accounts of the Feast of the Circumcision of the Lord continue in the Eastern Church right up through the fourth century. The Canon of the Feast was written by Saint Stephen of the Saint Sava Monastery.

In addition to circumcision, which the Lord accepted as a sign of God’s Covenant with mankind, He also received the Name Jesus [Savior] on the eighth day after His Nativity as an indication of His service, the work of the salvation of the world [Matthew 1:21; Mark 9:38-39, 16:17; Luke 10:17; Acts 3:6, 16; Philippians 2:9-10]. These two events — the Lord’s Circumcision and Naming — remind Christians that they have entered into a New Covenant with God and “are circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ” [Colossians 2:11]. The very name “Christian” is a sign of mankind’s entrance into a New Covenant with God.

(From OCA.org)

Sunday Bulletin 12/20/20

Christ is Born!  Glorify Him!

Christos Razdajetsja!  Slavite Jeho!

Merry Christmas!

Sunday of the Ancestors / Sunday Before the Nativity

WEEKLY LITURGICAL SCHEDULE

Sunday, Dec. 20 – Sunday of the Ancestors      

8:30 AM          Matins

9:30 AM          Divine Liturgy 

Wednesday, Dec. 23  

7:30 AM          Morning Prayer

8:30 AM          Divine Liturgy            +Scott Collier from Rick White

4:00 PM          Evening Prayer

Thursday, Dec. 24 – Christmas Eve    

8:30 AM         Royal Hours

3:00 PM          Vespers

4:00 PM          Divine Liturgy – Vigil of the Nativity

Friday, Dec. 25 – Christmas          

8:30 AM         Matins

 9:30 AM         Divine Liturgy – The Nativity of our Lord 

Saturday, Dec. 26      

8:30 AM          Divine Liturgy: Synaxis of the Theotokos          Family & Friends of Scott Collier from Rick White   

6:30 PM          Vespers

Sunday, Dec. 27 – Sunday after the Nativity          

8:30 AM          Matins

9:30 AM          Divine Liturgy 

PRAYER REQUESTS

Please remember the following people in your prayers: Estella Biedenbender,  Ken Bosak, Julie Carlin, Fletes Family: Alicia, Frankie, Layla, Lupita & Veronica, Victoria Flores, Larry Goodwin, Holly Garlow,  Michelle Grana, Virginia Harrington, Jeanne Hart, Michael Hefferon, Rob Hooper, Chris Johnson, Patricia Kurczak,  Irene Lehman, Elizabeth & John Mallas, Dylan Mancia, Toni Martin, Marg Mauro, Juan Gabriel Martinez, Pedro Medina, Mina family: Mila, Diana, Rev. John & Mike,  Shannon O’Neill, Tanya Petach, Casandra Porch, Nicholas, Rodriguez Diane Romano, Paul Saucedo, Kathleen Savko, Robert Stamer, Leanne Steuer, Mary Washko, Dina & Matthew Wiggins,  Carmen Zambrano, Lana Zimmerman, Patrick Zimmerman, Fr. Chris Zugger and all those who serve in the Armed Forces

WEEKLY DEPOSIT

Collection: $886.00; Candles: $53.25; Online: $85.00; Church Improvements: $20.00; Retired Religious: $1450.00; Flowers: $25.00; Ventura County Outreach collection: $11.00

Total: $2,535.25 / Attendance 65

 

HOLY SUPPER

Byzantine Catholics usually celebrate a beautiful and deeply symbolic meal on Christmas Eve called “Holy Supper”.  You can find more info about this tradition in this week’s email.

Partakers of Mary’s flesh in the Eucharistic Theology of St. Symeon the New Theologian

St. Symeon the New Theologian (949–1022 AD) is known for his mystical piety, his explanation of the Divine Light, and his deep reverence for the Holy Eucharist. Abbott Symeon went so far as to tell his monks “Brothers, never commune without tears.” It is no wonder, for this holy Saint knew that to fully receive all of the benefits of the life giving Eucharist one must be spiritually prepared, discerning the holy from the profane. After all, if the Eucharist is spiritual, only the spiritual man can partake thereof. One might think of it this way, a virus can’t survive on pizza because pizza is just not the kind of food a virus has the nature to thrive on. Only those with a spiritual disposition can receive spiritual nourishment; otherwise, it is subjectively only wine and bread for those who don’t believe, even as when the Pharisees and Sadducees saw the Word of God incarnate they only experienced him with eyes of unbelief as a mere fishermen. This emphasis on spirituality and the spiritual nature of the Eucharist does not mean that the Eucharist is not physical! In fact, St. Symeon believed so firmly in the physical nature of the Eucharist that for him to partake of the Eucharist is not only partaking of the incarnate historical Christ, but even to receive of the flesh which gave the incarnate word flesh, the Holy Theotokos. In other words, to partake in the Eucharist is even to partake in the flesh of Mary. By extension, St. Symeon might point out that Mary is not only our adopted mother in Christ, but actually, we are her true children, even partaking of her flesh and blood. What is more, he did not see a radical distinction between physicality and spirituality. In keeping with the Biblical tradition, Christ’s resurrected body is a spiritual body. Yes, it can eat and drink, but it can also go through walls, float, and shape-shift (recall the apostles on the road to Emmaus), most of all it is an eternal and incorruptible body. The spiritual body of Christ is his resurrected body, a perfected physical body. This is the kind of Eucharistic body the believer receives when he or she partakes in faith, as a spiritual person. This is a foretaste of the good things to come, the blessed hope, the beginning of the spiritual man’s promised resurrection.                                                                                   -Father Nathan Symeon Adams

 

 

St. Mary’s Book club:

Fr. Michael and Fr. Nathan will be choosing monthly readings, for our edification as a community. For those who are interested, we will purchase a limited number of texts accessible at our bookstore. Join “Slack” for any questions or ideas you would like to discuss from our texts, or grab a priest in person to discuss your experience with our chosen texts. Fr. Nathan chose this month’s text; let him know what you think about it.

December Book: THE WINTER PASCHA

“When the winter begins to make way into the Northern World, the Church of Christ begins to celebrate ‘a splendid three-day Pascha.’ Thus, Father Thomas Hopko begins the first of forty meditations for the season of Advent, Christmas and Epiphany, ending with the feast of the Meeting of the Lord in the Temple on the fortieth day after Christ’s birth. In the style of his popular book for the paschal fasting season, The Lenten Spring, the author again draws on the biblical readings and liturgical hymns and verses of the season to illumine the way for believers to follow the Church’s days of preparation and celebration for the Coming of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, in human flesh. Many references are made to the writings of the saints and Church Fathers, as well as to contemporary Christian teachers and spiritual guides. All those who love the Lord’s Coming will find comfort and strength, as well as enlightenment and instruction, for having passed through the Winter Pascha with this book as their companion.”