Sunday, February 14 – Sunday of Cheesefare / Forgiveness Sunday
8:30 AM Matins
9:30 AM Divine Liturgy
11:30 AM Forgiveness Vespers
Monday, February 15 – Beginning of the Great Fast
7:30 AM Morning Prayer
4:00 PM 6th Hour & Vespers
7:30 PM 1st Part of the Great Canon
Tuesday, February 16
7:30 AM Morning Prayer
4:00 PM 6th Hour & Vespers
7:30 PM 2nd Part of the Great Canon
Wednesday, February 17
7:30 AM Morning Prayer
4:00 PM 6th Hour
7:30 PM Presanctified Divine Liturgy +John Bosak from Helen Bosak
Thursday, February 18
7:30 AM 3rd Part of the Great Canon
8:30 AM Photina Walk
4:00 PM 6th Hour & Vespers
7:30 PM Final Part of the Great Canon
Friday, February 19
7:30 AM Morning Prayer
4:00 PM 6th Hour
7:30 PM Presanctified Divine Liturgy +John Bosak from Helen Bosak
Saturday, February 20
8:30 AM Divine Liturgy +John Bosak from Helen Bosak
5:00 PM Ventura County Divine Liturgy
6:30 PM Vespers
Sunday, February 21 – 1st Sunday of the Great Fast
8:30 AM Matins
9:30 AM Divine Liturgy
Please remember the following people in your prayers: Estella Biedenbender, Ken Bosak, , 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: $3,495.00; Candles: $58.00; Online: $695.00; VC Outreach: $145.00; Church Improvements: $225.00; Holy Days: $105.00; Initial Offering: $5.00
Total: $4,728.00 / Attendance 53
Join Fr. Nathan Wednesdays during Lent in Camarillo for Presanctified Liturgy followed by a Bible study on the Epistles of Peter. Presanticified begins at 5:30pm at the home of Hope and Justin Schnier. See flyer for all the details.
“I told him that the soul could be freed from sinful thoughts only by guarding the mind and cleansing the heart and that this could be done by interior prayer. I added that according to the holy Fathers, one who performs saving works simply from the fear of hell follows the way of bondage, and one who does the same just in order to be rewarded with the Kingdom of Heaven follows the path of a bargainer with God. The one they call a slave, the other a hireling. But God wants us to come to Him as children to their father. He wants us to behave ourselves honorably from love for Him and zeal for his service. He wants us to find our happiness in uniting ourselves with Him in a saving union of mind and heart.” –The Way of the Pilgrim
N.B. When Eastern Christians refer to “holy Fathers,” they mean saints.
The more that one grows in Christ the more one will learn that the real battleground is the mind. Sometimes we think dwelling on harmful thoughts is ok as long as we don’t act out. Of course, Jesus corrected this thinking, when he said, for example, “if a man lusts after a woman he has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Next time you have thoughts of anger, of worry, or doubt, etc. don’t think on it. Instead, learn to pray it away. When it comes back, try it again, ad nauseam. Remember, “it is what goes into the heart that” dirties our soul; it is also what goes into the heart that cleanses the soul. It may take a while to clean a very dirty pan, so it is with the soul. Don’t be discouraged. Put some elbow grease into it. Let our hearts become prayer! -Fr. Nathan Symeon
“Where your treasure is, your heart will be also” It is easy to mistake what our true treasure is, and we need wisdom and insight to see clearly. Our kontakion tells us that God is the “guide to wisdom and giver of insight.” Is he guiding you to see that a vocation to the religious or ordained life is for you? As you pray and seek wisdom, consider contacting the Vocations Office at 206-329-9219 or email: vocations@ephx.org
“In the Great Fast, abstinence from meat, fish, dairy products, alcohol and foods cooked in oil was prescribed for all days, except days of mitigation. All Saturdays and Sundays, February 24, March 9, Wed to Friday of the 5th week, the Pre-festive Day and Leave-taking (Otdanije) of Annunciation were mitigated for wine and oil. The Feast of the Annunciation (March 25th) and Palm Sundays were mitigations.
The Ruthenian Metropolia prescribes strict abstinence (from meat and dairy products) on the First Monday of the Great Fast and on Good Friday, and abstinence from meat on all Wednesdays and Fridays”
From Father Michael: In other words, our bishop is asking us to abstain from meat on all Wednesdays and Fridays, and from meat and dairy on Clean Monday (Feb. 15) and Great and Holy Friday (April 2). Please talk to me if have any concerns about health or wellness. Our Byzantine tradition encourages the additional fast mentioned above with a lessening of the fast (wine and oil allowed) on the days mentioned. Annunciation and Palm Sunday are days of full mitigation, meaning there are no fasting regulations, but many will maintain part of their fasting regimen to emphasize further the joy and celebration of Pascha.
Lord and Master of my life,
spare me from the spirit of indifference, despair,
lust for power, and idle chatter. (prostration)
Instead, bestow on me, your servant,
the spirit of integrity, humility, patience, and love. (prostration)
Yes, O Lord and King, let me see my own sins
and not judge my brothers and sisters;
for you are blessed forever and ever. Amen. (prostration)
Saturday, February 13 –
