The Light of the East

This 5 part offering is available at Patristic Nectar Publications website

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

Thursday, September 10th, 2015

Holy Martyrs Menodora, Nymphodora, and Metrodora

Dear Ones,

Blessings!

The Light of the East

Readily do we acknowledge, and sometimes too hastily adopt, the results of the great achievements of the Western mind and spirit in the affairs of this world; but in matters of faith the Eastern is, as it has ever been, the source and cradle of everything that is purest, highest, and heavenly. Humiliating though it might appear to the haughty spirit of the West, it will at last, and of necessity, turn its eyes towards the East and realize the saying, Ex Oriente lux!

Newly-Glorified St. Sebastian of San Francisco

Special Prayer Request

Last night in Paraklesis we prayed for Mother Markella and the Sisters of the Holy Monastery of the Theotokos because a very large fire is threatening the entire area. Please read this update below and pray

FIRE THREATENS MONASTERY AND SAINT NICHOLAS RANCH IN DUNLAP, CA

The Rough Fire located in central California has consumed over 103,000 acres. Residents in many communities along its path have been evacuated, included staff at Saint Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center and the adjacent Monastery of the Theotokos the Life Giving Spring. The fire is approximately four miles away from the Ranch and Monastery facilities, located in Dunlap, California, and the air quality is extremely poor and is a health hazard for residents.

Abbess Markella and 18 sisters from the Monastery are graciously being provided with accommodations from the Sisters of Nazareth from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fresno, and Monastery Chaplain Rev. Father John Angelis is staying in the home of parishioners from Saint George in Fresno. Three sisters remain at the Monastery, and Saint Nicholas Ranch Director Michael Pappas is also still on the Ranch property. At the present time, the evacuation is strongly advised but not required. Should a mandatory evacuation be issued, they will immediately leave and seek safety in Fresno. In the attached picture you can see the large cloud of smoke in the sky approaching the historic barn at Saint Nicholas Ranch, which gives a clearer indication of the proximity of this fire. “We pray for the safekeeping of our beloved Monastery and Saint Nicholas Ranch, and for all those in the area. We will remain vigilant in our supplications to the Lord that the fires may be contained and not cause any further destruction,” stated His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco. “We are also grateful for the valiant efforts of the firefighters and pray for their strength to endure this battle, so they may return to their homes and loved ones unharmed.” Saint Nicholas Ranch is presently providing housing for 22 firefighters from Cal Fire who are in need of accommodations during their rest periods from active fire duty. The Rough Fire was started by a lightning strike in July 2015 and has been growing in intensity. The extreme heat and drought in California have exacerbated conditions, making this fire hard to control. The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco will provide further updates as additional information becomes available.

THE ASSEMBLY OF ORTHODOX BISHOPS IN THE UNITED STATES MEETING NEXT WEEK

The Assembly will hold its sixth annual meeting next week September 15th-17th, 2015 at the Hilton Chicago O’Hare Airport Hotel. This year’s meeting will include two sessions devoted to canonical regional planning. In the first of these sessions, the Assembly’s 12 jurisdictional first hierarchs will have an opportunity to offer their comments on a proposal that has been prepared by the Committee for Canonical Regional Planning for submission to the Great and Holy Council in 2016. In the second session, the Assembly’s hierarchs will engage in a facilitated discussion about the proposal. This year’s meeting also includes a working session on pastoral practices of marriage and divorce. On Tuesday evening, September 15, the Assembly will sponsor a pan-Orthodox youth gathering for high school and college students in the Chicago area. The event will provide an opportunity for dialogue between the youth and a panel of hierarchs. The agenda for Assembly VI can be found at http://assemblyofbishops.org/assets/files/docs/Assembly%20VI%20Agenda%20Final.pdf, and a flyer for the youth gathering can be found at http://assemblyofbishops.org/assets/files/docs/YouthFlyer2015.pdf. The hierarchs of the Assembly request the prayers of all clergy, monastics, and laity for a spiritually fruitful meeting.

The Assembly’s director of research, Alexei Krindatch, just issued a new survey of Orthodox giving in America which can be found at

http://assemblyofbishops.org/assets/files/docs/research/HighlightFindingsStudyOnGiving.pdf

Heading into the Assembly of Bishops Meetings We May Need Some Humor – Try This!

Dad Joke Survivors!

https://www.facebook.com/NickelodeonAustralia/videos/909821012426653/

New Course in the St. John Chrysostom Catechetical School Began Yesterday and continues on Wednesday Evenings at 7pm