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
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
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
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.
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
Saturday, January 9 –
