One of the signs of a healthy parish is a confidence in the gifts God has given its members, and a desire to share these gifts with the wider world. Another sign is a desire to improve the human lives of those who live within a parish’s circle of influence. A third sign is an understanding of the power of prayer, and its very real influence on the world and souls. We are trying to engage with all three of these signs of parish health by doing weekly “Photina Walks” on Thursday mornings. (Father Nathan will soon be leading a similar outreach on Fridays in Ventura County.)Thursdays begin with Morning Prayer at 7:30am. At 8:30am, we grab trash bags, trash grabbers and our prayer beads. We walk a new path every week and pray the Jesus Prayer while we walk. We also pick up trash while praying, as well as making ourselves available to talk with anyone who may want to engage.We’ve put this ministry under the patronage of the Holy Martyr Photina. Saint Photina is also known as the Samaritan Woman at the Well. Saint Photina (John 4), after meeting Christ and allowing him to provide her with “Living Water”, went into the town and brought all of its citizens out to Christ. This is our goal, to be witnesses to the Byzantine Catholic Church’s trust in God and the power of prayer, thanksgiving for His gifts, and a real concern for the lives of those who live and work near us, even if they aren’t members of our parish.
Sunday Bulletin 01/17/21
Sunday of Zacchaeus
WEEKLY LITURGICAL SCHEDULE
Sunday, January 17
8:30 AM Matins
9:30 AM Divine Liturgy
Monday, January 18
7:30 AM Morning Prayer
8:30 AM Divine Liturgy +Richard Parrot from Jerome Parrot
Wednesday, January 20
7:30 AM Morning Prayer
8:30 AM Divine Liturgy +John Bosak from George Bosak
4:00 PM Evening Prayer
Thursday, January 21
7:30 AM Morning Prayer
8:30 AM Photina Walk
7:00 PM Evening Prayer
7:30 PM Divine Liturgy +Joseph& Anne Reich from R&J Lichalic
Friday, January 22
7:30 AM Morning Prayer
4:00 PM Compline
Saturday, January 23
8:30 AM Divine Liturgy Spiritual Awakening of parishioners of Sts. Cyril and Methodius from Gary Edgington
5:00 PM Ventura County Divine Liturgy
6:30 PM Vespers
Sunday, January 24
8:30 AM Matins
9:30 AM Divine Liturgy: Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee
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: $955.00; Candles: $33.75; Online: $435.00; Church Improvements: $100.00; Ventura County Outreach collection: $30.00; Holy Days: $200.00
Total: $1,753.75 / Attendance 46
UPCOMING
Fr. Nathan’s series for God With Us Online, Partakers of the Divine Nature: A Patristic Study of Deification, continues Wednesday, January 20th. It is an excellent opportunity for the faithful to continue their celebration of Theophany and explore the process by which each individual and the whole Church are transformed into the mystical body of Christ. Flyers for the series can be found on the bulletin boards.
PHOTINA WALKS
One of the signs of a healthy parish is a confidence in the gifts God has given its members, and a desire to share these gifts with the wider world. Another sign is a desire to improve the human lives of those who live within a parish’s circle of influence. A third sign is an understanding of the power of prayer, and its very real influence on the world and souls. We are trying to engage with all three of these signs of parish health by doing weekly “Photina Walks” on Thursday mornings. (Father Nathan will soon be leading a similar outreach on Fridays in Ventura County.)
Thursdays begin with Morning Prayer at 7:30am. At 8:30am, we grab trash bags, trash grabbers and our prayer beads. We walk a new path every week and pray the Jesus Prayer while we walk. We also pick up trash while praying, as well as making ourselves available to talk with anyone who may want to engage.
We’ve put this ministry under the patronage of the Holy Martyr Photina. Saint Photina is also known as the Samaritan Woman at the Well. Saint Photina (John 4), after meeting Christ and allowing him to provide her with “Living Water” went into the town and brought all of its citizens out to Christ. This is our goal, to be witnesses to the Byzantine Catholic Church’s trust in God and the power of prayer, thanksgiving for His gifts, and a real concern for the lives of those who live and work near us, even if they are not members of our parish.
“Today salvation has come to this house.” Our Great God and Savior has come to save the world. Have you experienced His salvation in your “house”? Would you like to share this life with the world through a calling to holy orders, religious or monastic life? Contact the Vocations Office at 206-329-9219 or email: vocations@ephx.org
PROSKOMEDIA: Preparing the Gifts
The Proskomedia takes place before the public Divine Liturgy begins. The practical purpose of the Proskomedia is to prepare the bread and wine to be offered and sanctified at the Anaphora of the Liturgy. But there are other wonderful layers of meaning that are expressed in the Proskomedia. One major theme is the unity of all things in Christ. The Apostle Paul tells us that the eternal plan of God was “to bring all things in the heavens and on earth under Christ’s headship.” Eph. 1:10. The uniting of all in Christ, is expressed and brought about in the Divine Liturgy. This is clearly shown in how the prosphora (bread for offering) is prepared in the Prothesis Rite. Traditionally, five loaves are prepared.
The first loaf is called the Lamb. At the Epiclesis (invocation of the Holy Spirit), the bread and wine are changed into the true Body and Blood of Christ. From the second loaf, a triangle is cut to commemorate and honor the holy Theotokos. It is placed at the “right hand” of the Lamb. The third loaf is for commemorating the nine groups of Heavenly Powers (seraphim, cherubim, archangels, angels, etc), and also various groups of saints. For this purpose nine particles are cut from this loaf. With the fourth loaf, different groups of people who are living are called to mind: hierarchs and clergy, our fellow church members, and those who are in special need. A particle of bread is cut for each category and for individuals who are being remembered. Particles from the fifth loaf are to commemorate all the departed: departed clergy, family and parish members, those who died long ago, and those who have recently died. We pray for their blessed repose.
All of these cut particles from the four prosphora are placed around the Lamb, Jesus Christ. They are placed on a raised plate called the diskos.
The diskos’ round shape symbolizes that Christ reconciles “to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross”.
In Christ all are brought into unity: God and all creation, angels and human beings, men and women, people of all ethnicities, rich and poor, those who are alive and even those who have died. By Fr. Anthony Hernandez
Sunday Bulletin 01/10/21
Sunday after the Theophany
WEEKLY LITURGICAL SCHEDULE
Sunday, January 10
8:30 AM Matins
9:30 AM Divine Liturgy
11:30 AM Procession and Lake Blessing
Monday, January 11
7:30 AM Morning Prayer
8:30 AM Divine Liturgy +Tom Ham & Dorothy Ham from Gary Edginton
Wednesday, January 13
7:30 AM Morning Prayer
8:30 AM Divine Liturgy
Thursday, January 14
7:30 AM Morning Prayer
8:30 AM Photina Walk
7:00 PM Evening Prayer
7:30 PM Divine Liturgy +Ed & Lorraine Orenyak from R&J Lichack
Friday, January 15
7:30 AM Morning Prayer
4:00 PM Compline
Saturday, January 16
8:30 AM Divine Liturgy
5:00 PM Ventura County Divine Liturgy
6:30 PM Vespers
Sunday, January 17
8:30 AM Matins
9:30 AM Divine Liturgy: Sunday of Zacchaeus
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: $4,300.00; Candles: $30.50; Online: $575.00; Church Improvements: $150.00; Ventura County Outreach collection: $15.00; First Offering: $15.00
Total: $5,070.50 / Attendance 53
UPCOMING
Fr. Nathan’s upcoming series for God With Us Online, Partakers of the Divine Nature: A Patristic Study of Deification, begins Wednesday, January 13th. It is an excellent opportunity for the faithful to continue their celebration of Theophany and explore the process by which each individual and the whole Church are transformed into the mystical body of Christ. Flyers for the series can be found on the bulletin boards.
PROSKOMEDIA: Preparing the Gifts
The Proskomedia takes place before the public Divine Liturgy begins. The practical purpose of the Proskomedia is to prepare the bread and wine to be offered and sanctified at the Anaphora of the Liturgy. But there are other wonderful layers of meaning that are expressed in the Proskomedia. One major theme is the unity of all things in Christ. The Apostle Paul tells us that the eternal plan of God was “to bring all things in the heavens and on earth under Christ’s headship.” Eph. 1:10. The uniting of all in Christ, is expressed and brought about in the Divine Liturgy. This is clearly shown in how the prosphora (bread for offering) is prepared in the Prothesis Rite. Traditionally, five loaves are prepared.
The first loaf is called the Lamb. At the Epiclesis (invocation of the Holy Spirit), the bread and wine are changed into the true Body and Blood of Christ. From the second loaf, a triangle is cut to commemorate and honor the holy Theotokos. It is placed at the “right hand” of the Lamb. The third loaf is for commemorating the nine groups of Heavenly Powers (seraphim, cherubim, archangels, angels, etc), and also various groups of saints. For this purpose nine particles are cut from this loaf. With the fourth loaf, different groups of people who are living are called to mind: hierarchs and clergy, our fellow church members, and those who are in special need. A particle of bread is cut for each category and for individuals who are being remembered. Particles from the fifth loaf are to commemorate all the departed: departed clergy, family and parish members, those who died long ago, and those who have recently died. We pray for their blessed repose.
All of these cut particles from the four prosphora are placed around the Lamb, Jesus Christ. They are placed on a raised plate called the diskos.
The diskos’ round shape symbolizes that Christ reconciles “to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross”.
In Christ all are brought into unity: God and all creation, angels and human beings, men and women, people of all ethnicities, rich and poor, those who are alive and even those who have died. By Fr. Anthony Hernandez
“The people who sat in darkness saw a great light.” The Unapproachable Light of Christ showed himself to us. Is Our Lord showing you that you may be called to the priesthood, diaconate, or religious life? Contact the Vocations Office at 206-329-9219 or email: vocations@ephx.org
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
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.”
Sunday Bulletin 12/13/20
Sunday of the Forefathers
WEEKLY LITURGICAL SCHEDULE
Sunday, Dec. 13 – Sunday of the Forefathers
8:30 AM Matins
9:30 AM Divine Liturgy
Monday, Dec. 14
7:30 AM Morning Prayer
8:30 AM Divine Liturgy +Blanch Falcon from Sheila Falcon
4:00 PM Evening Prayer
Tuesday, Dec. 15
7:30 AM Morning Prayer
8:30 AM Divine Liturgy +John Bosak Sr. from George Bosak
4:00 PM Evening Prayer
Wednesday, Dec. 16
7:30 AM Morning Prayer
7:00 PM Evening Prayer
7:30 PM Divine Liturgy Intentions of Jerome Parrot
Thursday, Dec. 17
7:30 AM Morning Prayer
8:30 AM Photina Walk
7:00 PM Evening Prayer
7:30 PM Emmanuel Moleben
Friday, Dec. 18
7:30 AM Morning Prayer
4:00 PM Compline
Saturday, Dec. 19
8:30 AM Divine Liturgy +Mary Daly from Becky Pfundstein
6:30 PM Vespers
Sunday, Dec. 20 – Sunday of the Ancestors / Sunday Before Christmas
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: $3760.00; Candles: $52.45; Online: $400.00; Church Improvements: $240.00; Christmas: $20.00; Retired Religious: $2120.00; Holy Days: $40.00; Flowers: $50.00; Ventura County Outreach collection: $65.00
Total: $6,747.45 / Attendance 59
SAINT HERMAN OF ALASKA
St. Herman of Alaska (1756-1836), missionary to the Alaskan peoples, founded Orthodoxy among the Natives of Alaska. His celebration takes place on Dec. 13th. His celebration has become central to Orthodox Christians throughout North America during the Winter Paschal Season, perhaps because he so fully offers an image of the incarnation unto the Natives who had never experienced the incarnate Lord. St. Herman was a great miracle worker, but most importantly, he emulated the humility of our Lord, what we refer to as kenosis, or self-emptying. Compare our Lord’s life to these words concerning St. Herman (taken from our monthly book, The Winter Pascha). Fr. Thomas Hopko writes,
By American standards, Saint Herman of Alaska, like the Lord Jesus Christ Himself was a miserable failure. He made no name for himself. He was not in the public eye. He wielded no power. He owned no property…He had no worldly prestige. He played no roles in human affairs. He partook of no carnal pleasures. He made no money. He died in obscurity among outcast people. Yet today, more than a hundred years after his death his icon is venerated in thousands of churches and his name is honored by millions of people whom he is still trying to teach to see the kingdom of God…which has been brought to the world by the King who was born in a cavern and killed on a cross. The example of this man is crucial to the celebration of Christmas—especially in America (p. 47-48).
This Thursday morning, at 8:30 am, Fr. Michael and I imitated this holy Saint, and of course the proto-type, Christ our Lord, by prayerfully picking up trash on Sepulveda Boulevard. We would like to invite you and your family to join us (Thursday mornings at 8:30 am) as we humbly seek the kingdom through the lowly actions of the holy Saints who went before us. St. Herman of Alaska, pray to God for us!
O joyful North Star of the Church of Christ,
Guiding all men to the heavenly kingdom.
O Teacher and Apostle of the true faith,
Intercessor and defender of the oppressed.
Adornment of the Orthodox Church in America,
Blessed Father Herman of Alaska,
Pray to the Lord Jesus Christ for the salvation of our souls
–Troparion of the Feast of St. Herman
By Fr. Nathan Symeon
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.”