October 22, 2016 · 8:14 pm

WEEKLY PROGRAM | 16 – 22 OCTOBER

SUNDAY 16 OCTOBER
† 4th Sunday of Luke | Luke 8: 5-15
† Sunday of the Seventh Ecumenical Council
• 7.30 – 11.00am Orthros and Divine Liturgy
• 10.30 – 11.00am Sunday School for ages ranging 5 to 17 yrs.
Lessons take place in the building behind the church and begin at the time of Holy Communion until Church dismissal. Lessons are taught in a relaxed, friendly environment. Please bring your children along to learn of their rich Orthodox faith and come close to God and His Love.
• 11.00am – 12.00pm After Church each Sunday, join us in our Coffee Room.

This week’s readings:

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October 15, 2016 · 6:23 pm

The Parable of the Sower

An Orthodox Homily for the Sunday of the Holy Fathers of the Seventh Ecumenical Council

Mark Twain is supposed to have said that “it’s not the parts of the Bible I don’t understand that bother me; it’s the parts that I do understand.” In other words, we have more than enough already to stay busy with in the Christian life—we don’t need to go looking for new challenges.

Christ Himself reminded the Apostles that He had already taught them all that they should need: “To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of God.” And though we find it hard to believe, that statement now applies to all of us who have entered into the fullness of the Orthodox Church. We share, with all the other members of the Body, the great responsibility of being faithful to what the Lord has revealed. Today’s gospel text reminds us all of the importance of being responsible for what we have received, for growing in the faith and bearing fruit for the Kingdom of God. Continue reading →

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October 15, 2016 · 6:11 pm

St. Isaac the Syrian

∼ Words from the Church Fathers ∼

In all things that you find in the Holy Scriptures, seek out the purpose of the words, that you may enter into the depth of the thoughts of the saints and understand them with greater exactness.

Do not approach the reading of the Divine Scriptures without prayer and asking the help of God. Consider prayer to be the key to the true understanding of that which is said in the Holy Scriptures.

+ St. Isaac the Syrian, Sermon 1.85

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October 15, 2016 · 6:00 pm

WEEKLY PROGRAM | 9 – 15 OCTOBER

SUNDAY 9 OCTOBER
† 3rd Sunday of Luke | Luke 7: 11-16
† Holy Apostle James
• 7.30 – 11.00am Orthros and Divine Liturgy
• 10.30 – 11.00am Sunday School for ages ranging 5 to 17 yrs.
Lessons take place in the building behind the church and begin at the time of Holy Communion until Church dismissal. Lessons are taught in a relaxed, friendly environment. Please bring your children along to learn of their rich Orthodox faith and come close to God and His Love.
• 11.00am – 12.00pm After Church each Sunday, join us in our Coffee Room.

This week’s readings:

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October 8, 2016 · 6:27 pm

WEEKLY PROGRAM | 2 – 8 OCTOBER

SUNDAY 2 OCTOBER
† 2nd Sunday of Luke | Luke 6: 31-36
† Saints Cyprian and Justina, Martyrs
• 7.30 – 11.00am Orthros and Divine Liturgy
• 10.30 – 11.00am Sunday School for ages ranging 5 to 17 yrs.
Lessons take place in the building behind the church and begin at the time of Holy Communion until Church dismissal. Lessons are taught in a relaxed, friendly environment. Please bring your children along to learn of their rich Orthodox faith and come close to God and His Love.
• 9.30 – 11.30am Philoptohos Cake Stall (first Sunday of every month)
• 11.00am – 12.00pm After Church each Sunday, join us in our Coffee Room.

This week’s readings:

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October 8, 2016 · 6:16 pm

Christ’s Compassion and Integrity: Orthodox Homily on the Raising of the Son of the Widow of Nain

Luke 7:11-16

No one likes a hypocrite, someone who says one thing and does another. As Christians, we must be very careful not to condemn ourselves and scandalize others by not living out what we teach to be true. Instead, we must be people of integrity who live out our beliefs every day in what we say and do.

Jesus Christ is certainly the perfect example of a life lived with integrity, for He is a human being who is also divine. He Himself is the perfect integration of the image of God with God Himself. And He does not ask us, or anyone else, to do anything that He has not already done. Continue reading →

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October 8, 2016 · 6:08 pm

St. Moses of Optina

∼ Words from the Church Fathers ∼

“If at some time you show mercy to someone, mercy will be shown to you. If you show compassion to one who is suffering (and of course, this is not a great deed) you will be numbered among the martyrs.

If you forgive one who has insulted you, then not only will all your sins be forgiven, but you will be a child of the Heavenly Father.

If you pray from all your heart for salvation – even a little – you will be saved. If you rebuke yourself, accuse yourself, and judge yourself before God for your sins, with a sensitive conscience, even for this you will be justified.

If you are sorrowful for your sins, or you weep, or sigh, your sigh will not be hidden from Him and, as St. John Chrysostom says, ‘If you only lament for your sins, then He will receive this for your salvation.’”

+ St. Moses of Optina

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October 1, 2016 · 4:15 pm

Christ’s commandment of love

HOMILY FOR THE SECOND SUNDAY OF LUKE – St Luke 6:31-36

Metropolitan Anthony Sourozh

In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Many a time does Christ in His Gospel tell us of the new commandment which He has given us. What is new in this commandment of love? It is the height and the purity of its standard. It is not new that people love one another; peoples have always loved certain other people. What is new in this commandment of Christ is that we are told to be of one heart with our Heavenly Father, to participate in His love. That is to love in the same way in which He does – He Who does not distinguish between the good and the bad, Who does not distinguish between people who are grateful and those who are ungrateful, not to mention those to whom one may be attracted or not. The love of God is vast and deep and all-embracing; what varies in this love is some internal quality: God may rejoice, and God may pay the cost of His love upon the Cross. Continue reading →

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October 1, 2016 · 4:09 pm

St Silouan the Athonite (2)

∼ Words from the Church Fathers ∼

Induce your heart to love your enemies, and the Lord, seeing your good will, shall help you in all things, and will Himself show you experience. But whoever thinks evil of his enemies does not have love for God and has not known God.

I ask you to try something. If someone grieves you, or dishonours you, or takes something of yours, then pray like this: “Lord, we are all your creatures. Pity your servants, and turn them to repentance,” and then you will perceptibly bear grace in your soul.

– St. Silouan the Athonite, Writings, IX.21

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October 1, 2016 · 3:55 pm

WEEKLY PROGRAM | 25 SEPTEMBER – 1 OCTOBER

SUNDAY 25 SEPTEMBER
† 1st Sunday of Luke | Luke 5:1-11
† St Euphrosyne of Alexandria
• 7.30 – 11.00am Orthros and Divine Liturgy
• 10.30 – 11.00am Sunday School for ages ranging 5 to 17 yrs.
Lessons take place in the building behind the church and begin at the time of Holy Communion until Church dismissal. Lessons are taught in a relaxed, friendly environment. Please bring your children along to learn of their rich Orthodox faith and come close to God and His Love.
• 11.00am – 12.00pm After Church each Sunday, join us in our Coffee Room. Continue reading →

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