Remembering the Failure of Adam to Fast and Its Consequences

Drive: How to Save Your Soul in Traffic Series now available at http://www.patristicnectar.org

“The present life is a wrestling school, a gymnasium, a battle, a smelting furnace, and a dyer’s house of virtue” – St John Chrysostom

Friday, Feb. 27th, 2015

Friday of Pure Week

Dear Ones

Blessings and this 5th day of the Great Fast.

Remembering the Failure of Adam to Fast and Its Consequences

With great gladness let us accept the proclamation of the Fast: for if Adam our forefather had fasted, we should not have suffered banishment from Eden. The fruit that brought death upon me was pleasant to the eyes and good for food. Then let us not be taken prisoner by our eyes; let not our tongue delight in costly foods, for once they have been eaten they are worthless. Let us shun all greed: then we shall not become slaves to the passions which follow an excess of food and drink. Let us sign ourselves with the blood of Him who for our sakes willingly was led to death, and teh destroying angel will not touch us.”

Orthros for Friday of Pure Week

Today is the 100th Anniversary of the Repose of St. Raphael of Brooklyn, Good Shepherd of the Lost Sheep of America

St. Raphael pray for us!

Leter from Archbishop Demetrios and the Assembly of Bishops for Orthodoxy Sunday

Longsuffering Lord, how wonderful are your works! Who will number your love for humankind? Who, when they see your Priests and Ascetics slain for the sake of your Icon, would not reject deceivers? But you, when insulted, endured. (Synodikon of the Sunday of Orthodoxy, 9th Ode)

Sunday of Orthodoxy 2015

To the Reverend Priests and Deacons, the Monks and Nuns, the Presidents and Members of Parish Councils, the Day, Afternoon, and Church Schools, the Members of Philanthropic Organizations, the Youth and Youth Workers, and the entire Orthodox Christian Family in the United States of America

Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

At the onset of our journey to Holy Pascha, the Church designates the first Sunday of Holy and Great Lent as the Sunday of Orthodoxy. On this day we celebrate the splendor of the Orthodox Church and her salvific mission in the world, and we call to mind the holy men and women who made great sacrifices in defense of holy icons and the authentic worship of God; we venerate the great champions of Orthodoxy who kept the faith alive.

Their enduring love and commitment to Christ has made it possible for future generations to come to know God. And as we are embraced by Christ and become one with Him, our lives are transformed into living icons of our Lord and of His sacrificial love for the world. The dogmas, teachings and traditions that were defended, therefore, are not antiquated theories, philosophies, or broken rubrics. They are tangible guides and spiritual directives for how we ought to live our lives according to the Holy Gospel.

Beloved brothers and sisters, perhaps now more than ever before, it is important to declare our Orthodox Christian Faith, for the world is suffering and desperately searching for peace and reconciliation. As the world produces distorted images of the truth, we must share the beauty of the Gospel. As the world resorts to violence and hatred, we must respond with love and forgiveness. And as the world falls deeper into despair, let us ask God to grant us courage to endure and to allow us to serve as icons of hope for our neighbor.

Wishing all of you, on behalf of the Hierarchs of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America, the abundant blessings of the Lord, I fervently pray that He grant to all of us the courage, the power and the wisdom to proclaim His eternal and saving Orthodox Faith to all people, both those who are far off and those who are near (Eph. 2:17).

+Archbishop Demetrios of America

Chairman

California State Legislature Considering Removing Religious Belief Exemption for Vaccinations

http://religiousliberty.tv/unintended-consequences-california-bill-would-eliminate-religious-belief-exemption-to-vaccines.html

http://www.latimes.com/local/political/la-me-pc-lawmakers-propose-to-increase-vaccinations-of-schoolchildren-story.html

Russel Brand’s Jaw-Dropping Rant on the Evils of Pornography- Powerful

https://www.lifesitenews.com/blogs/russell-brand-just-destroyed-porn-in-one-of-the-most-jaw-droppingly-awesome?utm_source=LifeSiteNews.com+Daily+Newsletter&utm_campaign=2cb49de4d8-LifeSiteNews_com_US_Headlines_06_19_2013&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_0caba610ac-2cb49de4d8-397566645

Joy: An Exposition of St. Paul’s Epistle to the Philippians

continues on Wed. nights at 8pm following Presanctified Liturgy

Deeply Touching and Inspirational Movie THE DROP BOX to Show 3 Days Only

The following is a review sent by a friend of St. Andrew -

“I did go and see this with my wife, and it was one of the most moving and memorable events of our entire time in California. I have never seen such a powerful affirmation of the great, deep dignity of all human life; together with the beautiful affirmation that no life is meaningless; that God has made us all for himself, and even the most unlikely and weakest and most despised of persons can have a powerful role to play in God’s redeeming work in this world–and that the path of life and love and redemption is a path marked by suffering; and in fact, the *only* way that we can embark on a life of love is to enter through the door of suffering. And this is the mark and the call of all who follow Christ.

The pastor and his wife were there at the event, and two of his adopted children–his first time ever out of S. Korea. He is a man of great humility and wisdom and sacrifice; he asked that everyone pray for the (21-year old!) director of the film, who actually converted to Christianity in the making of the film. The pastor has nearly died in following his vocation, and he may in fact die before long–I don’t think he is 60 years old yet. He has truly poured out his life in service to “the least of these” whom Christ commended to our care.

If you want to encourage your parishioners to see it, it is going to be released soon, but for only three days–March 3, 4, & 5, a Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, in 700 theaters nationwide… You have my recommendation that it is something that Christians and unbelievers alike should see; and it has the potential to be quite life-transforming.”

THE DROP BOX IS PLAYING AT TYLER GALLERIA AMC MARCH 3-5 AND ONTARIO MILLS AMC

for more info see http://www.thedropboxfilm.com/?utm_so...

Remaining Services This Week

Tonight: 630pm Presanctified Liturgy, 8pm Potluck and Lecture #1 Philippians

Thursday 5pm Lenten Vespers and Great Compline with Canon of St. Andrew

Friday 7pm Akathist to the Theotokos

Saturday 7:30am Orthros, 8am Liturgy for St. Theodore with Kollyva, 4pm Catechism, 5:30pm Great Vespers

Forgive me.

Father Josiah