Monthly Archives: March 2018

March 31, 2018 · 6:38 pm

WEEKLY CHURCH PROGRAM | 25 MARCH – 1 APRIL 2018

SUNDAY 25 MARCH
† The Annunciation of the Theotokos
† 5th Sunday of Lent, St Mary of Egypt | Luke 1 24-38
• 7.30 – 11.00am  Orthros and Divine Liturgy

This week’s readings:

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March 25, 2018 · 11:44 am

Blessed Mary of Egypt

5th Sunday of Lent, St Mary of Egypt, Luke 1 24-38

“Let us say something about the thorns. Blessed Mary of Egypt was twelve years old when she fell into the hands of the devil. She lived in sin day and night. But the merciful God enlightened her and she abandoned the world and went into the desert.

There she led a hermit’s life for forty years. She was cleansed and became like an angel.

God wished to give her rest, so lie sent the holy ascetic Zosimas to hear her confession and to give her holy communion. Then He received her holy soul into paradise, where she rejoices with the angels.

If there is anyone here like Blessed Mary, let him immediately weep and repent, now that he has time, and let him be assured that he will be saved as was Blessed Mary.”

St. Kosmos Aitolos, The Life of St. Kosmas Aitolos

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March 25, 2018 · 11:42 am

THE ANNUNCIATION OF THE THEOTOKOS – On God’s almighty word

The Feast of the Annunciation of Our Most Holy Lady, the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary is celebrated on March 25 each year.

The Feast commemorates the announcement by the Archangel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary that our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the Son of God, would become incarnate and enter into this world through her womb. Continue reading →

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March 25, 2018 · 8:55 am

WEEKLY CHURCH PROGRAM | 18 – 25 MARCH 2018

SUNDAY 18 MARCH
† Fourth Sunday of Lent, St John Climacus | Mark 9: 17-31
• 7.30 – 11.00am  Orthros and Divine Liturgy

This week’s readings:

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March 17, 2018 · 8:11 pm

Trusting God’s Timing

I want to talk to you today about “Trusting God’s Timing.” It is interesting in the New Testament, before Christ would heal someone, often times He would first ask them how long had they been experiencing this difficulty? For example, He asked the crippled man at the pool of Bethsaida, “how long?” The man responded, “for 38 years.” Or the woman who was bent over, she responded, “for 18 years.” Or how about the young man who was blind, his parents responded, “from his birth.”

Why was God so interested in the length of time someone had been ill? Friends, it is because God wanted us to know that no matter what struggles we are facing today, no matter how long we have been in that situation, it is not PERMANENT. St. Paul writes, “for in our light affliction, which will only last a moment, joy is coming in the morning.” Notice, that our struggles will only last a moment and that joy is coming in our way. Why don’t you turn over everything to God. Don’t allow worry, stress, depression to take away the joy of the day. Trust in God knowing that He is constantly at work in your life.

Understand that trusting in God is not having it YOUR way, it is having GOD’s way, and that it is just a “matter of time” in which He will turn that TEST into a TESTIMONY.

Fr. Nicholas Louh

 

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March 17, 2018 · 8:05 pm

St. Basil the Great on the Value of the Psalms

The holy Prophet David

The following is a beautiful quote from St. Basil on the Psalms, which to this day, make up the majority of the hymns and services of the Orthodox Church. Continue reading →

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March 17, 2018 · 7:58 pm

4th Sunday of Lent, St John Climacus

Mark 9: 17-31

As Christians, thoughtfully done prayers and fasts can help us realize our impact on the salvation of the world; Jesus has made it clear that believers can achieve anything they want. In these times when the certainties and great world theories have all failed, it just may be time to try the answer provided by Jesus. “Lord, help my unbelief,” the cry of the father in the gospel below, serves as a lesson for us all. Continue reading →

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