Dear Brethren and Friends of St Elizabeth’s,

Christ is risen!

At the bottom of this post are some of the stichera (verses) from the services of Matins and Vespers for Bright Week. They are taken from The Pentecostarion, which is the special liturgical book used during this season of the year – Pascha through All Saints –  for our worship and edification. The verses chosen focus on the glorious resurrection of Our Lord and how His resurrection changes our humanity and the very fabric of Creation.

With much love in Christ,
Fr Mark

Monday of the Myrrh-bearers:

“Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to the tomb, seeking The Lord. And they beheld an Angel as though he were lightening, sitting upon the stone, and saying unto them: why do ye seek the Living among the dead? He is risen as He said; ye shall find Him in Galilee. And let us cry out to Him: O Thou Who didst arise from the dead, Lord, glory to Thee.”

“Noble Joseph, we know thee to be a cherubic chariot, since thou didst bear Christ the King in thine arms when thou didst remove Him from the hallowed tree of the Cross. For this cause we do bless thy hands; thine eyes do we honor; thy worshipful palms do we now venerate with awe. For thou wast deemed worthy to carry to His tomb the Word, even Christ God. Therefore, we acclaim thy godly memory.”

Tuesday of the Myrrh-bearers:

“The myrrh-bearers, having risen early and beheld the sepulcher empty, said unto the Apostles: The Mighty One hath put down corruption, and he hath carried off them that were held bound in Hades; proclaim ye with boldness that Christ the Lord is risen, granting the world great mercy.”

“There doth shine upon the world today the threefold Resplendence which taketh away the the passions’ dark gloom. Christ’s arising shineth, guarding all them that believe. The Apostles’ ranks dance for joy, and Joseph exulteth, for the myrrh-bearers’ radiant memory doth crown those who faithfully hymn them and who render glory and praise to the divine arising of the Word of God.”

Wednesday of the Myrrh-bearers:

“Grieving, the myrrh-bearing women who followed Christ cried out: Is the Savior still to be found with the dead? Is the great noetic Sun beneath the earth till now? Hath He risen as he foretold? But while they were weeping, from the tomb an Angel spake to them of godly joy, saying: Christ the Lord hath arisen; hasten now, proclaim unto all men His divine arising from the sepulcher.”

“Thou most blessed Joseph, dost now bear on thy shoulders as on a chariot God the Word, even Christ, Who doth rest upon the shoulders of the Cherubim. He that formerly took on flesh accepteth to die now, even He that giveth life to us who once were dead. Therefore, with the honored myrrh-bearers, thou rejoicest at His arising, though not long past thou with them didst mourn His death.” 

Thursday of the Myrrh-bearers:

“Before Thy conception, O Lord, an Angel brought the greeting, Rejoice, to her that is full of grace; and, at Thy Resurrection, an Angel rolled away the stone of Thy glorious tomb. The one, instead of sorrow, announced the tokens of gladness. The other, instead of death, proclaimed the life-giving Master unto us. Wherefore, we cry unto Thee: O Benefactor of all, Lord, glory to Thee.”

“Why do ye mingle tears with the myrrh-oils, O ye women disciples? The stone hath been rolled away , the sepulcher is empty. Behold corruption trodden under by Life, the seals bearing clear witness, the guards of the disobedient fast asleep. Mortal nature is saved by the flesh of God, Hades is lamenting. Hasten ye with joy, and say unit the Apostles: Christ, the First-born from the dead, Who caused death to die, goeth before you into Galilee.”

Friday of the Myrrh-bearers:

“In fulfillment of that clear command spoken by the most godly Angel, the women bearing myrrh-oils told the sacred and divine disciples of Christ our God that the King Who had died for us had utterly vanquished, through His Resurrection, darkest Hades and His realm. Thus they who had formerly marveled at the Angel’s brilliant, white raiment granted the Apostles endless joy divine.”

Saturday of the Myrrh-bearers:

“When he took Thee dead from off of the Tree, the Arimethaean prepared Thee with the finest linen and myrrh that might give burial to Thee, the Life of all. Then, compelled by his fervent love, he longed to embrace Thee and press Thy spotless Body to his heart and lips. But his fear and reverence restrained him, whilst with joy he cried to Thee: Glory to Thy condescension, O Thou Friend of man.”

“Not having hindered the stone of the tomb from bearing sealed, Thou, on Thine arising, hast granted the rock of faith unto all. O Lord, glory to Thee.”

Dear Brethren and Friends of St Elizabeth’s,

Christ is risen!

At the bottom of this post are some of the stichera (verses) from the services of Matins and Vespers for Thomas Week. They are taken from The Pentecostarion, which is the special liturgical book used during this season of the year – Pascha through All Saints –  for our worship and edification. The verses chosen focus on the glorious resurrection of Our Lord and how His resurrection changes our humanity and the very fabric of Creation.

With much love in Christ,
Fr Mark

Monday of Thomas Week:

“On beholding Thee, Thomas was struck with awe and astonishment; and, on recognizing Thee, O Almighty One, he cried: My God and my Lord art Thou. O Friend of man, I believe that Thou art He Who endured that dread Passion and Who doth heal our impassioned souls. Thus, I worship Thy power and proclaim unto Thy Resurrection, Thine awesome Rising, omnipotent.”

“As the disciples were in doubt, the Savior came on the eight day to where they were gathered and granted them peace, and cried unto Thomas: Come, O Apostle, and feel the palms in which they fastened the nails. O good unbelief of Thomas, which hath lead the hearts of the faithful to knowledge! Hence he cried out with fear: O my Lord and my God, glory to Thee.”

Tuesday of Thomas Week:

“The women rose up early and came to the Lord’s tomb, and when they beheld there the Angel, they trembled in amazement. The tomb became radiant with life; the marvel filled the women with great awe. Thus they went to the disciples and they declared the rising of the Mighty One: Christ alone despoiled Hades with his strength; all those in corruption hath he raised, freeing them from fear of blame and reproach through the Cross’ might.”

“With harmonious praises let us acclaim in song on this, his holy memorial, the Apostle of Christ. In a God-befitting manner he confirmed our minds and the true Faith throughout the world when he handled the nail wounds, for he sought to have a sure faith. And he beseecheth the Savior the He have mercy on our ailing souls.”

Wednesday of Thomas Week:

“Leaving not the Father’s bosom, Thou didst appear on earth bearing flesh in Thy great compassion, O Christ. And freely accepting both to suffer and to die, on the third day Thou didst arise. And then Thou didst enter while the doors were shut, since Thou art God omnipotent. Wherefore, when he touched Thy divine side, Thomas stood rejoicing in wonder, glorifying Thee as Lord and Fashioner.”

“Pascha is this present holy Feast; mystic and divine, sacred Pascha: the saving Pascha of God; Pascha which conveyeth us unto immortal life. Lo, this Pascha doth take away all sadness and sorrow. Pascha, which doth grant to the disciples joyous grace! Wherefore, Thomas cried with rejoicing: Thou art my God and Lord, O Savior, Who hast carried off the spoils from Hades’ realms.”

Thursday of Thomas Week:

“When with his probing right hand Thomas felt the Word’s wounded limbs, his unbelief established the world-saving Arising for the world’s assurance; for the God-man, in His great love for all mankind, arose from Hades’ abysses and thus destroyed all its strength as the Almighty One.”

“Jesus came unto the disciples while the doors were shut, and granted them peace and fearlessness. Then He saith unto Thomas: Why believest thou not that I have arisen from the dead? Bring hither thy hand and place it in My side, and see; because thou hast disbelieved, all have learned of My Passion and Resurrection, and they shall all cry out with thee: O my Lord and my God, glory to Thee.”

Friday of Thomas Week:

“This illustrious festive day is the day which The Lord hath made; let us all be glad and rejoice herein with joy. For lo, the Giver of Life is risen; Hades hath been despoiled. And the apostolic choir hear the tidings of joy today, while the doubting one, even Thomas, hath touched the Master’s side and by this touching hath proclaimed Christ to be of two natures, God and man.”

Saturday of Thomas Week:

“When they has come together, assembling upon Sion, the disciples hid themselves, fearing the malice of the Hebrews. And though the doors had been fastened shut, O Good One, Thou didst enter bringing joy. Thou didst show to them the wounds in Thy most pure side and in Thy most holy hands. Thou didst say unto Thomas in doubt: Stretch thy hand forth and examine Me. See thou that I Myself am He that suffered on thine account.”

“The soldiers standing guard at Thy tomb, O my Savior, became as dead when they saw the lightening-like Angel who preached to the women of Thine arising, O holy Lord. Thee we glorify, Who hast abolished corruption; Thee do we adore, Who from the grave hast arisen, and Who alone art our God.”

Friday, April 19
6:30pm: Matins for Lazarus Saturday

Lazarus Saturday, April 20
8:30am: Baptism
9:40am: Hours & Liturgy
6:00pm: Vigil & Blessing of Palms

Palm Sunday, April 21
9:40am: Hours & Liturgy
12:00pm: Potluck Fish Meal
4:00pm: Bridegroom Matins

Holy Monday, April 22
6:30pm: Bridegroom Matins

Holy Tuesday, April 23
6:30pm: Bridegroom Matins

Holy Wednesday, April 24
6:30pm: Matins for Holy Thursday

Holy Thursday, April 25
10:00am: Vesperal Liturgy (Mystical Supper)
6:30pm: Matins w/ Passion Gospels

Holy Friday, April 26
9:00am: Royal Hours & Typika
3:00pm: Vespers w/ Taking Down from the Cross
6:30pm: Matins w/ Lamentations

Holy Saturday/Annunciation, April 27
10:00am: Vesperal Liturgy
1:00pm: Holy Saturday Lenten Meal

**HOLY PASCHA**
Saturday, April 27: 11:30pm – Midnight Office; Procession; Matins; Liturgy; Blessing of Baskets; Paschal Meal (Pascha service extends into the early morning hours of Sunday, April 28)

Pascha Sunday, April 28
2:00pm: Agape Vespers
3:00pm: Pascha Cookout & Egg Hunt

On Tuesday, April 16, the greeting of the myrrh-streaming
icon of the Mother of God “Softener of Evil Hearts”
will take place at 6:30 PM, followed by a moleben
and akathist to the Most Holy Theotokos.

On Wednesday, April 17, 9^th Hour, Typica & the
Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts will be served
at 9:30 AM before the myrrh-streaming icon.

We invite all of the faithful to come and lift up their fervent prayers to the Mother of God!

Dear Brethren and Friends of St Elizabeth’s,

Attached to this post are some of the stichera (verses) from the services of Matins and Vespers for the third week of Great Lent. They are taken from The Lenten Triodion, which is the special liturgical book used during this season of the year for our worship and edification. The verses chosen focus on how fasting, prayer, and practicing the Christian virtues are essential for our spiritual lives, which is being “refocused” during Great Lent.

With much love in Christ,
Fr Mark

Monday of the Fourth Week of Great Lent:

“Cleansed by the grace of the Fast, let us in thanksgiving cry aloud with a pure mind unto Him who alone is pure: Thou hast given Thy blood for all of us, O Word, and Thou dost sanctify us by Thy Cross.”

“Reaching the middle of the forty days’ Fast, with eager hearts let us go forward with Christ to the divine Passion; that, crucified with Him, we may be sharers of His Resurrection.”

“O brethren, having come to the middle of the Fast, in good courage and with willing hearts let us complete with God’s help the part which still remains, that in great joy we may behold the Passover of the risen Christ.”

“Cleansed in soul and mind by the water of fasting, O ye faithful, let us embrace the lifegiving and divine Wood that is exalted before us all: for it is a fountain of forgiveness and heavenly light, a source of life and rejoicing.”

Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Great Lent:

“Illumined in our souls through abstinence, let us venerate the saving Cross upon which Christ was nailed, and let us cry aloud to it: Hail the delight and sure help of those that fast; hail destroyer of the passions, adversary of devils; hail blessed Wood!”

“The inhabited earth venerates Thy Cross, O Lord, as the life of the creation, and it cries to Thee: By the operation of Thy Cross and through abstinence, keep in profound peace those who praise and bless Thee, O most merciful.”

“Beholding the Wood of the Cross shining brighter than the sun’s rays, let us now draw near, radiant with the lightning of the Fast. Let us kiss it, drawing from it the grace full of light that drives away the darkness, and let us exalt Christ above all for ever.”

Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Great Lent:

“The divine and precious Cross lies before us for our veneration, and it sanctifies the time of abstinence. Let us approach with a pure conscience: let us draw from it hallowing and enlightenment, and let us cry aloud with fear: Glory be to Thy compassion, O our Savior who lovest mankind.”

“Clothed in glory by the virtues and cleansed by abstinence, let us draw near and venerate the precious Cross, crying aloud: Sanctify our souls and bodies, O only God of all, and count us worthy to celebrate Thy most pure Passion, granting us Thy mercy.”

“The Fast that brings us blessings has now reached its midmost point: it has helped us to receive God’s grace in the days that are past, and it will bring us further benefit in the days still to come. For by continuing in what is right we attain yet greater gifts. We therefore cry to Christ, the Giver of all good: O Thou who for our sakes hast fasted and endured the Cross, make us worthy to share uncondemned in Thy divine Passover. May we spend our live in peace and rightly glorify Thee with the Father and the Spirit.”

Thursday of the Fourth Week of Great Lent:

“O Holy Cross, strength and glory of the apostles, today thou art exalted for the veneration of the whole of the inhabited earth; and thou givest to us the grace of sanctification, making the season of the Fast easy for us.”

“Moses foreshadowed the Cross when he stretched out his arms and defeated Amalek. Like him let us form a figure of the Cross, stretching out our arms in fasting and prayer, that so we may defeat the host of demons that in malicious envy continually make war against us.”

“Outstretched upon the Cross, Thou hast endured death, slaying death and raising up the dead by Thy lifegiving word. Therefore I entreat Thee: Bring back to life, O Lord, my soul that is dead through sin; grant me compunction and deliverance from evil during these Thy holy days of abstinence, for Thou lovest mankind.”

Friday of the Fourth Week of Great Lent:

“Sanctifying the season of abstinence, the precious Cross stands here before us. As we venerate it today, let us cry aloud: O Master who lovest mankind, with its aid grant us in compunction to pass through the remainder of the Fast, and so to behold Thy lifegiving Passion through which we are redeemed.”

“Let us wash our faces in the water of fasting and embrace the Wood on which Christ was lifted up. Taking our mortal flesh, He alone suffered for the sake of all, that He might put to death him who had made us die.”

“He who is outside time has taken flesh within time, and in His love He heals our long-continuing passions through the season of fasting, during which the divine Cross is set before us for our sanctification.”

Dear Brethren and Friends of St Elizabeth’s,

Below in this post are some of the stichera (verses) from the services of Matins and Vespers for the third week of Great Lent. They are taken from The Lenten Triodion, which is the special liturgical book used during this season of the year for our worship and edification. The verses chosen focus on how fasting, prayer, and practicing the Christian virtues are essential for our spiritual lives, which is being “refocused” during Great Lent.

With much love in Christ,
Fr Mark

Monday of the Third Week of Great Lent:

“With grateful souls let us accept the Fast: for by the power of the Spirit it makes the stubborn passions wither, and gives us strength to do the works of God; it makes our mind ascend to heaven, and gains for us the forgiveness of our sins from the God of all mercy.”

“Come, let us all greet the time of holy abstinence with cymbals and with songs of praise; for through the Fast spiritually we trample underfoot the serpent, from whom all evil takes its origin. Therefore let us cry with boldness unto Christ: Grant us, Savior, without condemnation to look upon Thy precious Cross and to venerate it, keeping joyful feast with psalms and hymns.”

Tuesday of the Third Week of Great Lent:

“Gladdened by the Fast and greatly rejoicing in song, gaining mastery over all the passions through our prayers, let us trample underfoot the snares of the devil, and cry aloud with one accord to Christ: Count us worthy to look upon Thy Cross, in Thy compassion granting us great mercy.”

“Moses, having found in fasting a means of purification, spoke with God who alone is pure. O my soul, be purified by fasting, and so draw near to the God of love.”

“May the Fast bring light to our souls, O Lord, and do Thou count us worthy uncondemned and with rejoicing to behold Thy Cross, and to worship it with fear; and in Thy love for man grant us to attain Thy voluntary passion.”

Wednesday of the Third Week of Great Lent:

“As we continue the joyful celebration of the Fast, we cry aloud: Keep us all in peace, O Lord, deliver us from every snare of the enemy, and in Thy surpassing love count us worthy to venerate with fear Thy precious Cross, through which Thou grantest to the inhabited earth Thy mercy, O Thou who alone art merciful.”

“O Cross of Christ, thou art our light, our holy token and ensign of victory. Make abstinence sweet for us and count us worthy to venerate thee.”

“Thy lifecreating Cross, O Lord, is my seal unto salvation: for by its virtue I overthrow the adversary and praise Thee as God mighty in power.”

Thursday of the Third Week of Great Lent:

“O divine apostles, stars that shine on all the world, give light to us who sing your praises as we keep the Fast. We pray that we may all be counted worthy to look upon the wood of the lifegiving Cross with pure eyes, and to embrace it with pure lips, crying aloud with joy: O Lord, glory to Thee.”

“O my soul, thou hast not cleansed thyself from evil nor avoided the lusts that corrupt thee. Why art thou filled, then, with unjustified rejoicing, because thou hast observed the Fast? For such is not the fast the Lord has chosen, who desires our true amendment.”

“Count us worthy, Christ the Word, after passing through the third week of the Fast, to look upon the wood of Thy lifegiving Cross and to venerate it with holy reverence. Grant us rightly to sing and magnify Thy power, to praise Thy Passion, and to come with pure hearts to Thy glorious and holy Resurrection, the mystical Passover whereby Adam is restored again to Paradise.”

Friday of the Third Week of Great Lent:

“With our flesh cleansed by abstinence and our souls filled with light by prayer, count us worthy, O Lord, to look upon Thy precious and venerable Cross and to reverence it with fear, singing hymns and saying: Glory to Thy lifegiving Cross; glory to the holy spear that pierced Thee, whereby we are restored to life, O Thou who alone lovest mankind.”

“O Lord through abstinence enable us to run swiftly to Thy saving Cross, the Light of the faithful, and to behold and venerate it for our sanctification; that so through the Cross we may magnify Thee.”

Dear Brethren and Friends of St Elizabeth’s,

Attached to this post are some of the stichera (verses) from the services of Matins and Vespers for the second week of Great Lent. They are taken from The Lenten Triodion, which is the special liturgical book used during this season of the year for our worship and edification. The verses chosen focus on how fasting, prayer, and practicing the Christian virtues are essential for our spiritual lives, which is being “refocused” during Great Lent.

With much love in Christ,
Fr Mark

Lenten Quotations for the Second Week of Great Lent (from The Lenten Triodion)

Monday of the Second Week of Great Lent:

“Brethren, let us enter with eagerness upon the second week of the light-giving Fast; and rejoicing in the feast which we kept yesterday, with holy gladness let us sing praise of Christ.”

“I entreat Thee in Thy compassion, O Christ, through true fasting and repentance restore to life my soul, slain by the fruit of disobedience. Grant me ever to walk in the straight path of Thy holy commandments; that so, in the company of all that love Thee, I may share in Thy divine glory, and praise Thy goodness toward all men, O Jesus.”

“Leading through the time of the Holy Fast, O God, Thou hast enabled us to enter on its second week. Grant, O Lord, that in the weeks to come we may run the race with all our power. Give to our souls and bodies grace and strength, that with good courage and in joy we may complete the course and come to the royal day of Thy Resurrection; and wearing crowns of victory we shall praise Thee without ceasing.”

Tuesday of the Second Week of Great Lent:

“Restraining the passions with the bridle of pure fasting, let us all strive to raise our mind in perfect faith to holy contemplation. Let us despise the pleasures if this earthly life, that we may gain the heavenly life and divine illumination.”

“The holy Fast enriches our heart, and makes it by the power of God increase in virtue, like a full ear of wheat. Let us therefore fast with gladness in these holy days, and so receive sanctification.”

“Let us keep a true fast before the Lord: let us abstain not only from food but from angry speech and lying, and from every other passion, that we may behold Pascha in purity.”

Wednesday of the Second Week of Great Lent:

“As we pass through the solemn time of abstinence, let us blow the trumpet, and loudly cry: Through the Fast life has blossomed in the world, and the death that comes from self-indulgence is destroyed. By the power of Thy Cross, O Christ the Word, guard Thy servants in the Fast.”

“The grace of the Fast shines upon us, driving out the darkness of sinful self-indulgence. Behold, now is the accepted time and the day of salvation. Let us bring forth fruits of repentance and we shall live.”

“Keeping a spiritual fast, O brethren, let us speak no lies with our tongue not giving our brother cause for scandal; but through repentance let us make the lamp of our soul burn brightly, and let us cry with tears of Christ: Forgive us our trespasses in Thy love for mankind.”

Thursday of the Second Week of Great Lent:

“O my soul, fast from all excess of food, and take thy delight in the contemplation of what is good; and thou shalt eat at the heavenly table.”

“O miserable soul, abstain from the passions and be saved. For abstinence from food is not acceptable as a fast, unless we also correct our faults.”

“In this season of repentance, let us stretch out our hands in works of mercy; and then the ascetic struggles of the Fast will bring us to eternal life. For nothing saves the soul so much as generosity to those in need, and almsgiving combined with fasting will deliver a man from death. Let us do all this with gladness, for there is no better way, and it will bring salvation to our souls.”

Friday of the Second Week of Great Lent:

“Through fasting let us glorify our flesh and enrich our souls with virtues. Let us feed the poor and so acquire unfailing wealth in heaven, and let us cry: O all ye works of the Lord, praise ye the Lord and exalt Him above all forever.”

“Killing the passions, the present Fast brings promise of healing to those wounded by sin. God has given us this Fast to help us: let us honor and accept it as the divinely-written tables of the Law, given through Moses. Let us not choose wanton self-indulgence, because of which the tables once were broken; let us not perish with those whose carcasses fell in the wilderness. Let us rejoice with the Church. Let us not be hypocrites like the Pharisees, but in the spirit of the Gospels let us put on the beauty of holiness, glorying in the Cross of Christ the Deliverer of our souls.”

Dear Brethren and Friends of St Elizabeth’s,

Attached to this post are some of the stichera (verses) from the services of Matins and Vespers for first week of Great Lent. They are taken from The Lenten Triodion, which is the special liturgical book used during this season of the year for our worship and edification. The verses chosen focus on how fasting, prayer, and practicing the Christian virtues are essential for our spiritual lives, which is being “refocused” during Great Lent.

With much love in Christ,
Fr Mark

Lenten Quotations for the First Week of Great Lent (from The Lenten Triodion)

Monday of the First Week of Great Lent:

“Come, O ye people, and today let us accept the grace of the Fast as a gift from God and as a time for repentance, in which we may find mercy with the Savior. The time for combat is at hand and has begun already; let all of us set forth eagerly upon the course of the Fast, offering our virtues as gifts to the Lord.”

Tuesday of the First Week of Great Lent:

“Armed with fasting, Elijah the wonderful was taken up in a chariot of fire; through fasting Moses received a vision of secret mysteries; and if we also fast like them, we shall see Christ.”

“Through fasting let us all ascend the mountain of virtuous action, forsaking the sensual temptations that creep upon the ground. Let us enter into the darkness of holy visions; by the divine and mystical ascent let us become godlike, and let us look only upon Christ our beloved in His beauty.”

“Showing joyfulness of soul in the Fast, let us not be of a sad countenance; for the change in our way of life during these blessed days will help us to gain holiness.”

Wednesday of the First Week of Great Lent:

“From the tree of the Cross there grows for all the world the flower of abstinence. Let us then accept the Fast with love and take pleasure in the fruit of Christ’s divine commandements.”

 “While fasting in the body, brethren, let us also fast in spirit. Let us loose every bond of iniquity; let us undo the knots of every contract made by violence; let us tear up all unjust agreements; let us give bread to the hungry and welcome the poor who have no roof to cover them, that we may receive great mercy from Christ our God.”

Thursday of the First Week of Great Lent:

“Let us abstain from every pleasure; through fasting let us enrich our powers of perception, and gladly let us drink the cup of compunction, as we sing: O ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord.

 “Great is the power of Thy Cross! It has made the flower of abstinence to grow within the Church; it has stripped bare and uprooted the sinful greed that Adam showed in Eden. Adam’s greed brought death to men, but the Cross brings immortality and incorruption to the world. As though from some new river of Paradise, there flows from it the quickening stream of Thy Blood mingled with water, restoring all to life. Through this Thy Cross make sweet the Fast for us, O God of Israel, great in mercy.”

Friday of the First Week of Great Lent:

“O merciful Lord, who art the source and fountain of purity, preserve us in the Fast. Look upon us as we fall before Thee: be attentive to the lifting up of our hands, O Thou who hast stretched out Thine hands upon the Tree and wast crucified for the sake of all those born on the earth, the only Lord of the angelic powers.”

 “Come, ye faithful, and in the light let us perform the works of God; let us walk honestly as in the day. Let us cast away every unjust accusation against our neighbor, not placing any cause of stumbling in his path. Let us lay aside the pleasures of the flesh, and increase the spiritual gifts of our soul. Let us give bread to those in need, and let us draw near unto Christ, crying in penitence: O our God, have mercy on us.”

Saturday of St Theodore the Tyro:

“The pure and undefiled Fast has now begun, and brings us to the celebration of the martyr’s miracles. Through the Fast our souls are cleansed from filth and defilement, and through the martyr’s suffering and miracles we are given strength to fight bravely against the passions. Illumined, therefore, by the grace of holy abstinence and by the wonders worked by Theodore the martyr, strengthened by our faith in Christ, we pray Him to bestow salvation on souls.”

Dear Brethren & Friends of St Elizabeth’s, 

This is a reminder that Monday, March 11 through Thursday, March 14 at 6:30pm we will be serving Great Compline and the Canon of St Andrew of Crete. Below is some edifying information about the Great Canon. 

Podcast:  
“The Cry of the Humbled Heart: The Ascetical Significance of the Great Canon”https://www.eadiocese.org/files/podcasts/prp/BpIrenei2017.mp3 

You Tube Clip:
Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete 

Full text of the Canon of St Andrew of Crete:
http://www.saintjonah.org/services/greatcanon_sts.pdf 

Essay: “The Who’s Who of the Great Canon of St Andrew of Crete:
The Who’s Who of The Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete

With much love in Christ,
Fr Mark

Dear Brethren and Friends of St Elizabeth’s,

Below are some of the stichera (verses) from the services of Matins and Vespers for Cheese Week, the week before the start of Great Lent. They are taken from The Lenten Triodion, which is the special liturgical book used during this season of the year for our worship and edification. The verses chosen focus on how fasting, prayer, and practicing the Christian virtues are essential for our spiritual lives, which is being “refocused” during Great Lent.

With much love in Christ,
Fr Mark

Pearls from The Lenten Triodion: Cheese Week

Monday of Cheese Week:

“The gateway to divine repentance has been opened: let us enter eagerly, purified in our bodies and observing abstinence from food and passions, as obedient servants of Christ who has called the world into the heavenly Kingdom. Let us offer to the King of all a tenth part of the whole year, that we may look with love upon His Resurrection.”

“Today is the the joyful forefeast of the time of abstinence, the bright threshold of the Fast. Therefore, brethren, together let us run the race with confident hope and with great eagerness.”

“Behold, all who love God, the door or repentance is already opened: come, let us make haste to enter in, before Christ closes it and we are shut out in our unworthiness.”

“Announcing the spring, the week of cleansing that prepares us for the holy Fast is now at hand, illuminating the bodies and the souls of all.”

Tuesday of Cheese Week:

“O peoples, let us greet the Fast with joy, for the beginning of the spiritual contest is at hand. Let us lay aside the comforts of the flesh; let us make God’s gifts of grace increase within our soul; let us suffer with Christ as His servants, that we may be also glorified with Him as children of God. And may the Holy Spirit, dwelling in us all, give light to our souls.”

“The season of repentance is at hand; in our love for Christ let us hasten to be cleansed of all transgressions, that when we appear before the Master we may be numbered with the blessed.”

“This should be the manner of our fasting: not in hatred and contention, not in envy and strife, not in self-glory and with hidden deceit, but like Christ in humblemindedness.”

Wednesday of Cheese Week:

“If thou dost fast from food, my soul, yet dost not cleanse thyself from passions, thou dost rejoice in vain over thine abstinence. For if thy purpose is not turned towards amendment of life, as a liar thou art hateful in God’s sight, and thou dost resemble the evil demons who never eat at all. Do not by sinning make the fast worthless, but firmly resist all wicked impulses. Picture to thyself that thou art standing beside the crucified Savior, or rather, that thou art thyself crucified with Him who was crucified for thee; and cry out to Him: Remember me, O Lord, when Thou comets in Thy Kingdom.”

“The springtime of the Fast has dawned, the flower of repentance has begun to open. O brethren, let us cleanse ourselves from all impurity and sing to the Giver of Light: Glory to Thee who alone lovest mankind.”

Thursday of Cheese Week:

“Today all the apostles bless the forty days and the week of cleansing that precedes them, and they sanctify this season of fasting which they received from Christ the Redeemer. They proclaim His Resurrection unto all and intercede with The Lord for mercy on our souls.”

“The gateway to the Fast is crowned with the fruits of the saints’ ascetic labors, and it welcomes those who in vigilance draw near with hymns and mystical songs. Come, all ye faithful, let us make haste to enter.”

“The glory of the Fast has shone upon us, putting to flight the darkness of the demons. The solemn time of abstinence has come, bringing with it healing for the passions of our soul. Protected by it, Daniel shut the mouths of lions, and the Children in Babylon quenched the flame of the furnace. Through fasting save us also with them, Christ our God, in Thy love for mankind.”

Friday of Cheese Week:

“See how the beauty of repentance forms the soul anew at the approach of Lent! With faith and vigilance let us enter on the Fast, and receive remission of our sins.”

“Today the grace of the Fast shines upon all of us with the light of the sun, cleansing us from the gloom of sin. Though held fast by many passions, let us now approach in joy and thankfully accept this gift, crying aloud: Praise ye The Lord and exalt Him above all forever.”

“The bright and joyful day of abstinence is at hand. Come, my soul, with joyful face let us go to meet the Master, asking Him to send down grace upon us from on high, giving us the strength to correct our many faults, that we may escape the terrors of Gehenna in the life to come.”