Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church: Recent Episodes
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Sunday, Sept 10 – 14th Sunday after Pentecost – Tone 5 Sunday before the Exaltation of the Cross 9:15 a.m. Hours 9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy Sunday School starts today. Please send your child to the front of … Continue reading →
Sunday, Sept 10 – 14th Sunday after Pentecost – Tone 5
Sunday before the Exaltation of the Cross
9:15 a.m. Hours
9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy
Sunday School starts today. Please send your child to the front of the temple to stand by their teacher. The classes will reverence the cross first so they can quickly get to their classrooms.
Wednesday, September 13 – 6:00 p.m. – Vespers – Eve of the Exaltation of the Precious Cross
Thursday – 10 a.m. – Liturgy- Exaltation of the Precious Cross – fast day – wine and oil allowed
September 12 -19 – Father Paul will be at the Monastery of the Transfiguration in Pennsylvania. If a priest is needed, contact Fr. Michael at fathermichael@holyres.net.
Men’s Retreat – Friday October 27 and Saturday October 28.
Trained Prosphora Bakers: please step up & commit yourselves to be put on the 2024 schedule – contact Paula Sartor.
THE WISE THIEF
The Wise Thief didst Thou make worthy 0f Paradise, in a single moment, O Lord.
By the wood of Thy Cross illumine me as well, and save me.
The Wise Thief didst Thou make worthy of Paradise, in a single moment, O Lord.
By the wood of Thy Cross illumine me as well, and save me.
Hymn sung on Thursday evening during Holy Week
I often think of this hymn because I also believe that we generally stand but a single moment from paradise, even when we find ourselves tempted and filled with every other sort of thought. We stand but a single moment from paradise, for the same crucified Lord stands beside us. Either we rail at him with the other thief (though the one whom I rail at may not look like Christ, but only one of the least of His brethren). And while I rail, paradise stands beside me, even urging me towards that heavenly goal with the words, “I thirst.” It is for our love and repentance that He thirsts – He who endured so much for the love of man. Fr. Stephen Freeman
Phone 601 924-2441 – email office@holyres.net To donate: www.holyres.net/donate
Video of Services: www.holyres.net/videos
For the word of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. – 1 Cor. 1:18Vespers Tuesday, September 13, 6 p.m.Divine Liturgy Monday, September 14, 9:30 a.m.About the Feast
Fr. Thomas Hopko, Understanding the Cross of Christ
Fr. Thomas Hopko, The Word of the Cross (4 talks)
Sunday, Sept 3 – 13th Sunday after Pentecost – Tone 4 9:15 a.m. Hours 9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy – 1 Cor. 16:13-24 – St. Matthew 21:33-42 Wednesday, September 6 – 6:00 p.m. – Vespers Thursday, September 7 … Continue reading →
Sunday, August 20, 2023 – Afterfeast of the Dormition Priestmartyr Alexander Hotovitzky, +1937 Tenth Sunday after Pentecost – Tone 1 9:15 a.m. Hours 9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy – 1 Cor. 9: 2-12; St. Matthew 18: … Continue reading →
Sunday, August 13, 2023 – Leavetaking of the Transfiguration of the Lord St. Tikhon of Zadonsk (1783) Tenth Sunday after Pentecost – Tone 1 9:15 a.m. Hours 9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy – 1 Cor. 4:9-16; … Continue reading →
Sunday, August 6, 2023 – Transfiguration of the Lord Ninth Sunday after Pentecost – Tone 8 9:15 a.m. Hours 9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy – 2 Peter 1: 10-19; St. Matthew 17: 1-9 Blessing of grapes and other … Continue reading →
Sunday, July 30, 2023 – Eighth Sunday after Pentecost – Tone 7 9:15 a.m. Hours 9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy – 1 Cor. 10:18; St. Matthew 14: 14-22 During Coffee Hour Fr. Paul and others will speak about the Diocese … Continue reading →
Sunday, July 16, 2023 – Sixth Sunday after Pentecost – Tone 5 9:15 a.m. Hours 9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy – Romans 12: 6-14; St. Matthew 9: 1-8 Wednesday 6 p.m. – Vespers THIS WEEK: Fr. Paul, Fr. Michael Rehmet, … Continue reading →
Sunday, July 9, 2023 – Fifth Sunday after Pentecost – Tone 4 9:15 a.m. Hours 9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy – Romans 10: 1-10:; St. Matthew 8:28 – 9:1 TODAY at Coffee Hour Fr. Paul will speak and take questions about … Continue reading →
Sunday, June 25, 2023 – Third Sunday after Pentecost – Tone 2 Virgin Martyr Febronia of Nisibis (c. 304) 9:15 a.m. Hours 9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy – Romans 5: 1-10; St. Matthew 6:22 – 33 FAST PERIOD through June 28 – wine and oil allowed … Continue reading →
Sunday, June 18, 2023 – Second Sunday after Pentecost – Tone 1 All Saints of North America 9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy – Romans 2: 10-16; St. Matthew 4: 18-23 Hebrews 11:33 – 12:2; St. Matthew 4:25 – 5:12 (All … Continue reading →
Sunday, June 11, 2023 – First Sunday after Pentecost – Tone 8 All Saints 9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy – Hebrews 11:33 – 12:2; St. Matthew 10: 32-33, 37-38; 19:27-30 Wednesday 6 p.m. – Vespers NEXT SUNDAY, June 11 – All … Continue reading →
Sunday, June 4, 2023 – 8th Sunday of Pascha
Holy Pentecost – Holy Trinity
9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy – Acts 2: 1-11; St. John 7:37-52, 8:12
FAST-FREE WEEK!
Wednesday 6 p.m. – Afterfeast of Pentecost – Saint Ephraim, Patriarch of Antioch (319); St. John of Kronstadt (1909)
NEXT SUNDAY, June 11 – All Saints Sunday
June 12 – 28 – Fast of the Holy Apostles
June 18 – All Saints of North America
June 29 – Holy Apostles Peter and Paul
July 3 – 7 – All Saints Orthodox Camp
July 17-21 – Diocesan Assembly, Greenville, SC –Fr. Paul and Carson Chittom will be attending July 18-21.
Phone 601 924-2441 – email office@holyres.net To donate: www.holyres.net/donate
Video of Services: www.holyres.net/videos
http://www.holyres.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/ser2023_0528.mp3Also the fathers of the first Ecumenical Council
Sermon by Fr. Paul
Sunday, May 28, 2023 – 7 th Sunday of Pascha
Holy Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council (325)
Afterfeast of the Ascension
8:30 a.m. Matins – St. John 21: 1-14
9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy – Acts 20: 16-18, 28-36; St. John 17: 1-13
Wednesday 6 p.m. – Afterfeast of the Ascension
Martyr Justin the Philosopher (166)
NEXT SUNDAY, June 4: Pentecost
LOOKING AHEAD:
Ascension and Pentecost are major feasts; all Orthodox should worship those days if possible.
Note that flowers, extra decorations and such should remain in the church until June 11, All Saints Sunday
July 17-21 – Diocesan Assembly, Greenville, SC –Fr. Paul and our delegate will be attending July 18-21.
SPECIAL NEED – The following is sent with the blessing of Archbishop Alexander:
The Very Rev. Thomas Moore is Pastor Emeritus, retired longtime pastor of Holy Apostles Church, Columbia, SC.
Dear Friends,
Christ is risen! I am hoping you might send this request to your email lists.
Some of you know that my body is in stage 4 Renal Failure. That means I need a kidney transplant. If that is something you might feel called to donate for me, you will find helpful information on the National Kidney Foundation website for living donors
at https://www.kidney.org/transplantation#understanding-organ-donation
If after looking at the details you still think this is something you would be willing to do, please contact Beth Begley. She is the Living Donor transplant coordinator. Her phone number is 864-455-1772 (office), and her e-mail is Elizabeth.Begley@PrismaHealth.org. She will set up a free health evaluation to see if we might be a match.
I am in the early stages of this process, and I would appreciate your thoughtful prayers about being a living donor.
Please do not respond to me if you are willing to explore this. Simply call Beth and she will coordinate any possible donors. Please know how grateful I am.
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Thomas Moore
a “prisoner of hope” (Zechariah 9:12).
Phone 601 924-2441 – email office@holyres.netTo donate: www.holyres.net/donate
Video of Services: www.holyres.net/videos
Sunday, May 21, 2023 – The Blind Man
Equals to the Apostles Constantine and his Mother Helen
8:30 a.m. Matins – St. John 20: 11 – 18
9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy – Acts 16: 16-34; St. John 9: 1-38
Acts 26: 1-5, 12-20; St. John 10: 1-9
Wednesday – Eve of Ascension – Vespers 6 p.m.
Thursday May 25, Ascension – Divine Liturgy 10 a.m.
LOOKING AHEAD:
June 4, Pentecost
Ascension and Pentecost are major feasts; all Orthodox should worship those days if possible.
Note that flowers, extra decorations and such should remain in the church until June 11, All Saints Sunday
Phone 601 924-2441 – email office@holyres.net To donate: www.holyres.net/donate
Video of Services: www.holyres.net/videos
http://www.holyres.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/ser2023_0514.mp3Sermon by Fr. Alexis Baldwin
Sunday, May 14, 2023 – The Samaritan Woman 8:30 a.m. Matins – St. John 20: 1 – 10
9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy – Acts 11: 19-26, 29-30; St. John 4: 5-42
Wednesday May 17 – 6 p.m. Vespers – Leavetaking of Midfeast of Pentecost
LOOKING AHEAD:
May 24 – Eve of Ascension – Vespers 6 p.m.
May 25, Ascension – Divine Liturgy 9 a.m.
June 4, Pentecost
Ascension and Pentecost are major feasts; all Orthodox should worship those days if possible
Note that flowers, extra decorations and such should remain in the church until June 11, All Saints Sunday
July 17-21 – Diocesan Assembly, Greenville, SC – for more information see below.
DIOCESAN ASSEMBLY INFORMATION
From Allison Nix, Diocesan Office Administrator
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
All the blessings of the feast!
The 46th Diocesan Assembly will take place in Greenville, SC, July 17 – 20, 2023, hosted by St. John of the Ladder Parish.
Bishop’s Council will meet on Monday afternoon, July 17, Diocesan Council on Tuesday morning, July 18, and the Assembly registration opens Tuesday afternoon. Please plan your arrival in Greenville accordingly.
- All Clergy and Lay Delegates, Observers, and Guests are required to register here.
- The Assembly Hotel is The Westin Poinsett in beautiful downtown Greenville, SC. Please make your reservations here by May 31 (at noon).
- Registration, Schedule, Hotel Reservation, RSVP, and Payment for Special Events can be made through the website here.
- Click here for the Printable Diocesan Assembly 2023 Schedule
- Click here for The Westin Complimentary Airport Transportation Information.
- There will be, as usual, youth events. These events are open to ages (5 – 18 years). All youth must be registered before the Assembly, with a signed waiver form. Please attend all events appropriately attired, with shoulders covered and closed-toe shoes. Youth can bring their own water bottles, sunscreen, etc. but they are responsible for keeping up with these and we are not responsible for any lost items. All registered children must be able to use the restroom without assistance.
Reminder about arrival times:
Bishops and Bishop’s Council: No later than Noon on Monday, July 17
Diocesan Council Members: No later than 9 AM on Tuesday, July 18
All other Clergy, Laity, and Youth: No later than 2 PM on Tuesday, July 18
All clergy are expected to stay through Noon, Friday, July 21
Please feel free to email me with any questions you may have about the Assembly.
office@dosoca.org
Phone 601 924-2441 – email office@holyres.netTo donate: www.holyres.net/donate
Video of Services: www.holyres.net/videos
Sunday, May 7, 2023 – The Paralytic; St. Alexis Toth (1909)
8:30 a.m. Matins – St. Luke 24: 1-12
9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy – Acts 9: 32-42, St. John 5:1-15 (Paralytic)
Galatians 1: 11-19; St. John 10: 1-9 (St. Alexis)
NOTE FROM FR. PAUL: I am placing a sign PRIEST AND VISITORS on the front table in the dining room. Please save this for visitors and those who brought them, so I can welcome them.
Wednesday May 10 – 6 p.m. Vespers – Midfeast of Pentecost
THIS SATURDAY, MAY 13 – THE ORTHODOX CHURCHES WILL BE SERVING LUNCH AT STEWPOT
- Holy Resurrection has been asked to bring bread (rolls) and vegetables.
- If you would like to join us, plan to be at Stewpot, 1100 W. Capitol St., Jackson, by 11:30 a.m.
- Barbara will take food from Holy Resurrection Church to Stewpot. Please have food delivered to the church by 10:45 a.m. She will leave the church at 11:00 a.m. Any questions call or text Barbara..
LOOKING AHEAD:
May 25, Ascension
June 4, Pentecost
July 17-21 – Diocesan Assembly, Greenville, SC
LIFE OF ST. ALEXIS TOTH – https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Saint_Alexis_Toth
RECOMMENDED: THE CHURCH IS ONE by A.S. Khomiakov – +1860
https://pages.uoregon.edu/sshoemak/325/texts/Khomiakov/Khomiakov%20The%20Church%20is%20One.htm
Phone 601 924-2441 – email office@holyres.netTo donate: www.holyres.net/donate
Video of Services: www.holyres.net/videos
Sunday, April 30, 2023 – Holy Myrrhbearers, St. James, Brother of St. John the Theologian
8:30 a.m. Matins – St. Mark 16:9-20
9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy – Acts 6: 1-7, St. Mark 15:43 – 16:8
Acts 12: 1-11; St. Luke 5: 1-11 (St. James)
Wednesday May 3 – 6 p.m. Vespers
Saturday, May 6 – LIFE WALK supporting the Center for Pregnancy Choices, which helps women to carry and support their babies. Registration will start at 8 a.m. and the one-mile walk will start at 9 a.m. at Trustmark Park in Pearl. For more information see https://www.cpcmetrofriends.org/lifewalk/
LOOKING AHEAD:
May 5, 6, Dr. Eugenia Constantaninou will speak at St. Catherine Orthodox Church, Columbus, MS.
- Friday May 5 at 7 p.m. on Apocalyptic Literature in the Orthodox Christian Tradition
- Saturday, May 6, 10 a.m. til 4 p.m. on Understanding and Acquiring the Orthodox Christian Mind.
May 26, Ascension
June 4, Pentecost
May 13, September 9 – Orthodox serve at Stewpot
July 17-21 – Diocesan Assembly, Greenville, SC
THE MYRRHBEARERS ARE TRADITIONALLY LISTED AS:
- Mary Magdalene
- Mary, the mother of James and Joses
- Mary, the wife of Cleopas
- Martha of Bethany, Sister of Lazarus
- Mary of Bethany, Sister of Lazarus
- Joanna the wife of Chuza, the steward of Herod Antipas
- Salome, the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee
- Susanna
- Joseph of Arimathea
- Nicodemus
There are also generally accepted to be other Myrrhbearers, whose names are not known.
FOR THOUGHT –
For me it is the virgin birth, the Incarnation, the resurrection which are the true laws of the flesh and the physical. Death, decay, destruction are the suspension of these laws. I am always astonished at the emphasis the church puts on the body. It is not the soul she says that will rise but the body, glorified. I have always thought that purity was the most mysterious of the virtues, but it occurs to me that it would never have entered the human consciousness to conceive of purity if we were not to look forward to a resurrection of the body, which will be flesh and spirit united in peace, in the way they were in Christ. The resurrection of Christ seems the high point in the law of nature. Flannery O’Connor, The Habit of Being
He had never thought himself a great sinner before but he saw now that his true depravity had been hidden from him lest it cause him despair. He realized that he was forgiven for sins from the beginning of time, when he had conceived in his own heart the sin of Adam, until the present, when he had denied poor Nelson. He saw that no sin was too monstrous for him to claim as his own, and since God loved in proportion as He forgave, he felt ready at that instant to enter Paradise. — Flannery O’Connor
Phone 601 924-2441 – email office@holyres.netTo donate: www.holyres.net/donate
Video of Services: www.holyres.net/videos
Sunday, April 23, 2023 – Thomas Sunday , St. George
8:30 a.m. Matins – St. Matthew 28: 16-20
9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy – Acts 5 :12-20, St. John 20: 19-31 (St. Thomas)
Acts 12: 1-11; St. John 15: 17 – 16: 2 (St. George)
Church School will be held after Liturgy.
Wednesday April 25 – 6 p.m. Vespers
THANKS BE TO GOD for our new members received into the Church on Holy Saturday: four baptized, four received by chrismation, and we still have two catechumens. The Lord has blessed us with all of them.
LOOKING AHEAD:
May 5, 6, Dr. Eugenia Constantaninou will speak at St. Catherine Orthodox Church, Columbus, MS.
- Friday May 5 at 7 p.m. on Apocalyptic Literature in the Orthodox Christian Tradition
- Saturday, May 6, 10 a.m. til 4 p.m. on Understanding and Acquiring the Orthodox Christian Mind.
May 26, Ascension
June 4, Pentecost
May 13, September 9 – Orthodox serve at Stewpot
July 17-21 – Diocesan Assembly, Greenville, SC
THE CENTER OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH
The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is the center of the Christian faith. St. Paul says that if Christ is not raised from the dead, then our preaching and faith are in vain (I Cor. 15:14). Indeed without the resurrection there would be no Christian preaching or faith. The disciples of Christ would have remained the broken and hopeless band which the Gospel of John describes as being in hiding behind locked doors for fear of the Jews. They went nowhere and preached nothing until they met the risen Christ, the doors being shut (John 20:19). Then they touched the wounds of the nails and the spear; they ate and drank with Him. The resurrection became the basis of everything they said and did (Acts 2-4): “…for a spirit has not flesh and bones as you see that I have” (Luke 24:39).
The resurrection reveals Jesus of Nazareth as not only the expected Messiah of Israel, but as the King and Lord of a new Jerusalem: a new heaven and a new earth.
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth…the holy city, new Jerusalem. And I heard a great voice from the throne saying “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with men. He will dwell with them, and they shall be his people . . . He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain any more, for the former things have passed away (Rev. 21:1-4).
In His death and resurrection, Christ defeats the last enemy, death, and thereby fulfills the mandate of His Father to subject all things under His feet (I Cor. 15:24-26).Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing (Rev. 5:12)
The Day Without Evening – Pascha is the inauguration of a new age. It reveals the mystery of the eighth day. It is our “taste,” in this age, of the new and unending day of the Kingdom of God. Something of this new and unending day is conveyed to us in the length of the paschal services, in the repetition of the paschal order for all the services of bright week, and in the special paschal features retained in the services for the forty days until Ascension. Forty days are, as it were, treated as one day. Together they comprise the symbol of the new time in which the Church lives and toward which she ever draws the faithful, from one degree of glory to another.
O Christ, great and most holy Pascha. O Wisdom, Word and Power of God, grant that we may more perfectly partake of Thee in the never-ending day of Thy kingdom (Ninth Ode, Paschal Canon). — + Fr. Paul Lazor
Phone 601 924-2441 – email office@holyres.netTo donate: www.holyres.net/donate
Video of Services: www.holyres.net/videos
SATURDAY, April 15, 2023 – Holy Saturday
10:00 a.m. Baptism & Chrismation, Divine Liturgy of St. Basil
11:30 p.m. Midnight Office, Procession, Matins, Divine Liturgy, Feast
Sunday, April 17, 2023 – PASCHA
NO SUNDAY MORNING SERVICE (Last night was the Sunday Liturgy)
4:00 p.m. Agape Vespers and Feast – Other churches will join us here at Holy Resurrection
Wednesday April 19 – 6 p.m. Agape Vespers
NOTES FOR BRIGHT WEEK (the week after Pascha)
No Fasting any day
Doors of the Altar remain open
THE WHOLE PASCHAL SEASON
No kneeling any time
The prayer O Heavenly King is not used until Pentecost
LOOKING AHEAD:
May 5, 6, Dr. Eugenia Constantaninou will speak on Friday May 5 at 7 p.m. on Apocalyptic Literature in the Orthodox Christian Tradition and on Saturday, May 6, 10 a.m. til 4 p.m. on Understanding and Acquiring the Orthodox Christian Mind. Talks will be at St. Catherine Orthodox Church, Columbus, MS.
May 26, Ascension
June 4, Pentecost
May 13, September 9 – Orthodox serve at Stewpot
July 17-21 – Diocesan Assembly, Greenville, SC
www.holyres.net – fatherpaul@holyres.net – 414 E. College St., Clinton, MS 39056
Phone 601 924-2441 – email office@holyres.netTo donate: www.holyres.net/donate
Video of Services: www.holyres.net/videos
Holy Week Schedule and Commentary – April 9– 16, 2023
Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church, Clinton. Mississippi
The Orthodox Holy Week and Pascha services set before us a rich feast of Christian experience that no seeker of God should miss. This article is to speak briefly of them to give our guests an idea what to expect. Many people ask me how long these services last, so I have given the time as well as I remember. Orthodox are not very conscious of time in the Church services; if you think you can’t stay for the entire service, just come for what you can.
LAZARUS SATURDAY, April 8, 9:00 a.m. – This is the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom such as we have on most Sundays, celebrating the raising of Lazarus (John 11). It lasts about an hour and 45 minutes. This is considered the beginning of Holy Week, since His love for His friend Lazarus and his sisters Mary and Martha was the immediate reason that Our Lord returned to Judea (John 11:8). This service is served in bright vestments as the raising of Lazarus is a precursor of Our Lord’s own Resurrection and ours.
PALM SUNDAY, April 9, 9:30 a.m. – Procession with palms outdoors around the Church and Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom. This is a festive service recalling Our Lord’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem. After a meal we return to the Temple for the first Bridegroom Matins service, so that our out-of-town members can attend it.
BRIDEGROOM MATINS is so called from the haunting theme song which begins:
Behold, the Bridegroom comes at midnight. And happy is that servant whom he shall find watching, But behold, unworthy is that servant whom he shall find heedless… (cf Matt. 25:1 ff, Luke 12:35 ff)
Our Lord is the Bridegroom whom His beloved bride, His people, were not ready to receive. At these services we read the scathing prophesies addressed these three days to the leaders of Israel (Matthew 21:18 – 23:39). Will we be ready when He comes? Each Bridegroom service lasts about an hour.
HOLY MONDAY and TUESDAY, April 10 – 11, 6 p.m. – Bridegroom Matins (see above).
HOLY WEDNESDAY EVENING, April 12, 6 p.m. – we bless olive oil and members are anointed with it for healing. Our Lord’s death and Resurrection are for our healing and salvation: “By His stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). This service lasts about an hour, and will be followed by Bridegroom Matins.
HOLY THURSDAY, April 13, noon – we serve the Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil celebrating the Mystical Supper at which Our Lord washed His disciples’ feet and instituted the Eucharist.
HOLY THURSDAY, April 13, 6 p.m. – Matins of Holy Friday. During it we read twelve Gospel readings of Our Lord’s crucifixion, interspersed with some of the most beautiful hymns of the whole year. In the middle of this service a large Cross is placed in the center of the Church for veneration. This service lasts over two hours.
HOLY FRIDAY, April 14, 3 p.m. – Vespers. The Epitaphios, a fabric with an image of the Lord laid in the tomb, representing the burial cloth of the Lord, is carried in procession and laid on a special table covered with flowers representing His Tomb.
HOLY FRIDAY, April 14, 7 p.m. – Matins of Holy Saturday – the Epitaphios is carried in procession through the cemetery next to the Church, as Christ descended among the dead to raise them to himself. This service lasts about an hour and a half. The many readings and hymns of the Holy Friday services present us with many different facets of the awesome and compelling mystery of our Lord’s Passion.
HOLY SATURDAY, April 15, 10 a.m. – Initiation of new members and Divine Liturgy. This is the ‘Blessed Sabbath’ on which God rested — in the Tomb, the real meaning of Genesis 2:2. It is the most appropriate time for Baptism, as those baptized are ‘buried’ with Christ to share His Resurrection (Romans 6:3-4). Lent has its origin as the last intensive preparation for those who would be baptized this day. We read 15 Old Testament readings that illuminate Baptism, including the Creation and the Exodus. Our new members are Baptized and Chrismated (Anointed), then we continue with the Divine Liturgy. This service lasts about three hours.
HOLY SATURDAY, April 15, 11:30 p.m. – this is THE service of the year for Orthodox, and no one wants to miss it. At midnight all lights in the Church are put out. This is the darkness and silence of the Tomb. Finally the bishop or priest comes out of the altar with a candle. Everyone comes forward and lights a candle from this light.
Carrying the candles, we make a procession outside around the Temple, coming back to the front porch. There we hear the greeting ‘Christ is Risen!’ for the first time and reply, ‘Indeed He is Risen!’ We will greet each other this way for forty days. We go into the Temple, now brightly lighted and adorned with flowers, and sing the joyous Paschal Matins and Liturgy, and members receive the Body and Blood of the Risen Lord. After this service we go to the Parish Hall and find the tables sagging with every kind of good food, and we celebrate together until quite late.
SUNDAY April 16, there is NO MORNING SERVICE (the midnight service was the Sunday Liturgy).
SUNDAY, April 16, 4 p.m. we will gather for the short, joyous Paschal Vespers and more feasting. This will take place at Holy Resurrection and members and clergy of Holy Trinity and St. John the Theologian Greek Orthodox Church, Jackson, and St. Peter Orthodox Church, Madison, will participate. The Jackson area Orthodox churches do this service together every year; join us for the service and the feast afterwards.
414 E. College St. , Clinton, MS – 601 924-2441 – www.holyres.net
Orthodox Church in America
http://www.holyres.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/ser2023_0324.mp3Sermon by Fr. Alexis Badwin
Fr. Alexis Baldwin will be relocating to Fort Smith, Arkansas, June 5th, 2023, to be the full-time priest in charge of Sts. George and Alexandra Church (OCA), at Fort Smith. Fr. Jason is planning to work with the Missions to help provide coverage for services at the Missions after Fr. Alexis relocates.
I have often called Father Alexis the “Energizer Bunny” for his constant travel and constant thinking of new projects. His hard work has brought our missions a long way towards full-grown churches and has attracted many new Orthodox. We appreciate his three years of service. And it would not have been possible without Matushka Veronika’s leading the choirs everywhere he went and taking care of the children and household. We appreciate their service here and pray that their new ministry may be as fruitful.
We also pray that priests will be found to keep the missions worshipping and shepherded.
May it all be blessed.
In Christ,
Fr. Paul
Sunday, March 26, 2023 –
Annunciation
St. John of the Ladder; Archangel Gabriel
8:30 a.m. – Matins – St. John 20: 11-18
9:30 a.m. –Divine Liturgy of St. Basil
Hebrews 6:13 -20; St. Mark 9: 17-31
Hebrews 2: 11-18; St. Luke 1:24-38 (Annunciation)
After Liturgy: Church School
Wednesday, March 29, 6 p.m. – Great Canon with Life of St. Mary of Egypt
This is a once-a-year treat. Yes, it lasts about 2 ½ hours, no more than many movies. Stretch yourself for a spiritual workout!
Friday, March 31, 6 p.m. – Presanctified Liturgy
Video of Services: www.holyres.net/videos
MORE BABIES – Please send me information for all babies to be baptized at Pascha, and adults to be Chrismated. Include the full name, parents’ full names, date and place of birth, and saint’s name. Let me know whom you propose as sponsors (Godparents) before asking them. Also let me know if the child has been made a catechumen. This information will go in the Church record book. – Fr. Paul
LOOKING AHEAD:
April 8 – Holy Week begins
April 15 – Holy Saturday – Baptisms and Chrismations
April 16 – Holy Pascha – HOLY RESURRECTION WILL HOST THE PASCHA AGAPE VESPERS AND MEAL
May 26, Ascension
June 4, Pentecost
May 13, September 9 – Orthodox serve at Stewpot
July 17-21 – Diocesan Assembly, Greenville, SC
www.holyres.net – fatherpaul@holyres.net – 414 E. College St., Clinton, MS 39056
Phone 601 924-2441 – email office@holyres.net To donate: www.holyres.net/donate
Video of Services: www.holyres.net/videos
Sunday, March 19, 2023 –
Veneration of the Holy Cross
8:30 a.m. – Matins – St. John 20: 1-10
9:30 a.m. –Divine Liturgy of St. Basil
Hebrews 4: 14- 5:6; St. Mark 34 – 9:1
After Liturgy: Church School
NOTE – The Precious Cross will be solemnly brought out toward the end of Matins. Be here in time to participate in venerating of it.
Wednesday, March 22, 6 p.m. – Presanctified Liturgy
Friday, March 24, 6 p.m. – Vespers
Saturday, March 25, 10 a.m. – Annunciation of the Theotokos
Hebrews 2: 11-18; St. Luke 1:24-38
This is a major feast that all should participate in if at all possible.
Video of Services: www.holyres.net/videos
LOOKING AHEAD:
April 8 – Holy Week begins
April 15 – Holy Saturday – Baptisms and Chrismations
April 16 – Holy Pascha – HOLY RESURRECTION WILL HOST THE PASCHA AGAPE VESPERS AND MEAL
May 26, Ascension
June 4, Pentecost
May 13, September 9 – Orthodox serve at Stewpot
July 17-21 – Diocesan Assembly, Greenville, SC
VENERATION OF THE PRECIOUS CROSS –
Every work and miracle of Christ is most great and divine and most wonderful, but more wonderful than anything else is His precious Cross. (St John of Damascus, The Orthodox Faith 83.21) For if the house and the bed and clothing of those we love are dear to us, how much more are those things of our God and Savior through which we have been saved? (83.60) We venerate everything that is dedicated to God, though it is to Him that we offer our worship. (84.72-3)
A zero-sum game describes a game in which one person’s gain or loss is exactly balanced by the losses or gains of his opponent, or to put it another way, where one contestant can only succeed on the basis of another’s failure. Some people say that if we love and honor God we cannot love and honor any other person or thing without diminishing our love for God. To honor the saints takes away from the honor owed to God. To venerate the Cross is to misdirect our piety from its proper object. There is a certain logic to this – a fallen, zero-sum logic – but it is not the logic of our Orthodox faith and experience.
For us, the more we love God the more we love our neighbor, and the love we show to our neighbor is a measure of our love and devotion to God. The love and care we show for the things of God is an expression of our love for God, and the deeper our relationship the greater our care and attention to His Word, to His liturgical and sacramental self-offering, to the fabric and tokens of His presence everywhere. Since God is glorified in His saints, the loving attention we pay to them glorifies God. We value the Cross for its role in the story of our salvation and as a symbol of the love of God for us in Christ, for the way in which it reveals and expresses what it means to be a follower of Christ. For us the Cross is truly precious and life-giving, something heroic and mysterious and glorious, all rolled into one. We prostrate ourselves before it and lovingly kiss it knowing that in doing so we are giving glory and worship to the One who has given it for us and for our salvation. — Fr. Andrew Morbey, Minneapolis
www.holyres.net – fatherpaul@holyres.net – 414 E. College St., Clinton, MS 39056
Phone 601 924-2441 – email office@holyres.netTo donate: www.holyres.net/donate
Video of Services: www.holyres.net/videos
DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME BEGINS – SET YOUR CLOCKS AHEAD SATURDAY NIGHT!
But many clocks, phones, etc. do so automatically at 2:00 a.m.
Sunday, March 12, 2023 –
St. Gregory Palamas, Bishop of Thessaloniki
8:30 a.m. – Matins –
9:30 a.m. –Divine Liturgy of St. Basil –
After Liturgy: Church School
Wednesday, March 15, 6 p.m. – Presanctified Liturgy
Friday, March 17, 6 p.m. – Presanctified Liturgy
Video of Services: www.holyres.net/videos
CANDELABRA – Note the beautiful gold plated candelabra with red lamps on the altar table. It is given as a memorial to Joe Khalaf – may his memory be eternal. The old one was a hand-me-down from another church when we first started, and we will pass it on to one of our current missions.
MORE BABIES – Please send me information for all babies to be baptized at Pascha. Include the full name, parents’ full names, date and place of birth, and saint’s name. Let me know whom you propose as sponsors (Godparents) before asking them. Also let me know if the child has been made a catechumen. – Fr. Paul
LOOKING AHEAD:
March 25 – Annunciation
April 8 – Holy Week begins
April 15 – Holy Saturday – Baptisms and Chrismations
April 16 – Holy Pascha
May 26, Ascension
June 4, Pentecost
May 13, September 9 – Orthodox serve at Stewpot
July 17-21 – Diocesan Assembly, Greenville, SC
FROM ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM:
- Christians above all men are forbidden to correct the stumblings of sinners by force.
- Do you know the power of love? Christ passed over all the marvelous works which were to be performed by the apostles and said, “By this shall men know that ye are my disciples, if ye love one another.”
- If a man and a woman marry in order to be companions on the journey from earth to heaven, then their union will bring great joy to themselves and to others.
- When you are weary of praying, and do not receive, consider how often you have heard a poor man calling, and have not listened to him.
- If you cannot find Christ in the beggar at the church door, you will not find Him in the chalice.
- The road to Hell is paved with the bones of priests and monks, and the skulls of bishops are the lamp posts that light the path.
- To destroy the fetus is something worse than murder. The one who does this does not take away life that has already been born, but prevents it from being born.
- I am a Christian. He who answers thus has declared everything at once-his country, profession, family; the believer belongs to no city on earth but to the heavenly Jerusalem.
- The love of husband and wife is the force that welds society together.
www.holyres.net – fatherpaul@holyres.net – 414 E. College St., Clinton, MS 39056
Phone 601 924-2441 – email office@holyres.netTo donate: www.holyres.net/donate
Video of Services: www.holyres.net/videos
Sunday, March 5, 2023 – Tone 5
Sunday of Orthodoxy
8:30 a.m. – Matins – St. Luke 24: 12-35
9:30 a.m. –Divine Liturgy of St. Basil – Hebrews 11:24-26, 32- 12:2 – 12:2; St. John 1: 43-51
After Liturgy: Panikhida for Subdeacon Peter McLeod
After Liturgy: Church School
6: 00 p.m. – Sunday of Orthodoxy Vespers at St. Peter’s in Madison – https://stpeterorthodox.org/
Video of Services: www.holyres.net/videos
LOOKING AHEAD:
NEXT SUNDAY, March 12 – Daylight Savings Time begins
March 25 – Annunciation
April 8 – Holy Week begins
April 15 – Holy Saturday – Baptisms and Chrismations
April 16 – Holy Pascha
May 26, Ascension
June 4, Pentecost
May 13, September 9 – Orthodox serve at Stewpot
July 17-21 – Diocesan Assembly, Greenville, SC
FROM THE LADDER –
- Obedience is the tomb of the will and the resurrection of humility.
- John the Baptist required confession before baptism of those who came to him, not because he himself needed to know their sins, but so as to effect their salvation.
- Let the zealous be particularly attentive to themselves, lest, by condemning the careless, they themselves incur worse condemnation. And I think the reason why Lot was justified was because, though living among such people, he never seems to have condemned them.
- Let the temptation to retire from our place be a proof for us that our life there is pleasing God. For being warred against is a sign that we are making war.
- Repentance is the daughter of hope and the renunciation of despair.
THE PRAYER OF ST. EPHREM
Add to your daily prayers on weekdays of Lent
O Lord and Master of My Life, take from me the spirit of sloth, despair, lust of power, and idle talk.
But give rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience and love to thy servant.
Yea, O Lord and King, Grant me to see my own transgressions and not to judge my brother,
For blessed art Thou unto ages of ages. Amen. – St. Ephrem the Syrian (4th century)
www.holyres.net – fatherpaul@holyres.net – 414 E. College St., Clinton, MS 39056
Phone 601 924-2441 – email office@holyres.netTo donate: www.holyres.net/donate
Video of Services: www.holyres.net/videos
http://www.holyres.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/ser2023_0226.mp3Sermon by Fr. Alexis Baldwin
Sunday, February 26, 2023 – Tone 4
Sunday of Forgiveness
8:30 a.m. – Matins – St. Luke 24: 1-12
9:30 a.m. –Divine Liturgy – Romans 13: 11 – 14:4; St. Matthew 6: 14-21
After Liturgy: Church School
After Coffee Hour: Vespers with the Ceremony of Forgiveness – Lent begins
Video of Services: www.holyres.net/videos
NEXT SUNDAY, March 5 – St. Peter’s in Madison will be hosting the Sunday of Orthodoxy Vespers Sunday at 6:00 p.m.
LOOKING AHEAD:
March 12 – Daylight Savings Time begins
March 25 – Annunciation
April 8 – Holy Week begins
April 15 – Holy Saturday – Baptisms and Chrismations
April 16 – Holy Pascha
May 26, Ascension
June 4, Pentecost
May 13, September 9 – Orthodox serve at Stewpot
July 17-21 – Diocesan Assembly, Greenville, SC
THE PRAYER OF ST. EPHREM
Add to your daily prayers on weekdays of Lent
O Lord and Master of My Life, take from me the spirit of sloth, despair, lust of power, and idle talk.
But give rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience and love to thy servant.
Yea, O Lord and King, Grant me to see my own transgressions and not to judge my brother,
For blessed art Thou unto ages of ages. Amen. – St. Ephrem the Syrian (4th century)
THE JESUS PRAYER – Cultivate the habit of saying this throughout the dayLord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
REPENTANCE is not a mere incident or stage through which one passes and then leaves behind; rather it is an attitude which colors one’s whole life and for which, at the same time, one must struggle continually. It is a way of life, and as such a way of transfiguration, in which man’s heart and mind continuously receive illumination by the Holy Spirit. It is a continuous pathway, at least in this life, a perennial striving, an all-embracing motion and not merely an occasional emotion. Repentance is ultimately a gift of the Holy Spirit who transforms the heart of the human person, and not a fruit of individual effort or anguish.
ON SILENT AND INVISIBLE WARFARE – NOW that we know where the battle we have just be-gun is to be fought, and what and where our goal is, we also understand why our warfare ought to be called the invisible warfare. It all takes place in the heart, and in silence, deep within us; and this is another serious matter, on which the holy Fathers lay much stress: keep your lips tight shut on your secret! If one opens the door of the steam bath the heat escapes, and the treatment loses its benefit. Thus say nothing to anyone of your newly conceived purpose. Say nothing of the new life you have begun or of the experiment you are making and experiences you expect to have. All this is a matter between God and you, and only between you two. The only exception might be your father-confessor. This silence is necessary because all chatter about one’s own concerns nourishes self-preoccupation and self-trust. And these must be stifled first of all! Through stillness one’s trust grows in Him who sees what is hidden; through silence one talks with Him who hears without words. To come to Him is your endeavour, and in Him shall be all your confidence: you are anchored in eternity, and in eternity there are no words. Hereafter you will consider that everything that happens to you, both great and small, is sent by God to help you in your warfare. He alone knows what is necessary for you and what you need at the moment: adversity and prosperity, temptation and fall. Nothing happens accidentally or in such a way that you cannot learn from it; you must understand this at once, for this is how your trust grows in the Lord whom you have chosen to follow. Still another piece of information the saints offer on the way: you should see yourself as a child who is setting out to learn the first sounds of letters and who is taking his first tottering steps. All worldly wisdom and all the skills you may have are totally worthless in the warfare that awaits you, and equally without value are your social standing and your possessions. Property that is not used in the Lord’s service is a bur-den, and knowledge that does not engage the heart is barren and therefore harmful, because it is presumptuous. It is called naked, for it is without warmth and fosters no love. You must thus abandon all your knowledge and become a dunce in order to be wise; you must become a pauper in order to be rich, and a weakling if you wish to be strong.
Tito Colliander — Way of the Ascetics
www.holyres.net – fatherpaul@holyres.net – 414 E. College St., Clinton, MS 39056
Phone 601 924-2441 – email office@holyres.netTo donate: www.holyres.net/donate
Video of Services: www.holyres.net/videos
Sunday, February 19, 2023 – Tone 3
Sunday of the Last Judgement
8:30 a.m. – Matins – St. Mark 16: 9-20
9:45 a.m. –Divine Liturgy – 1 Cor. 8:8 – 9:2; St. Matthew 25: 31-47
After Liturgy: Church School
Cheesefare: This week we fast from meat but eat cheese and dairy every day
Video of Services: www.holyres.net/videos
NEXT SUNDAY – Forgiveness Sunday – After Coffee Hour we will return to the Temple for Vespers with the Ceremony of Mutual Forgiveness – Lent Begins
FROM OUR CHOIR DIRECTOR – Our choir needs help. Our numbers are small, our ages are large, and I have long neglected choir rehearsals. We need new members and we need regular rehearsals.
Beginning Saturday, February 25 (not this Saturday), at 4:00, we will practice in the Temple – every Saturday, unless notified otherwise. This applies to both current members and any of you who may be interested in becoming choir members. Anybody with at least some musical connection is welcome and encouraged to attend. Connections include school choirs, knowing how or being willing to learn to read music, amateur choral groups, playing in a band, taking some music in college, even singing in the shower. If you are interested but have no experience, talk to me. I know how to test people for musical aptitude. The only age requirement is for girls to be at least 12 or so, and boys to have had their voices change.
Please consider singing in the choir as a service you can do for our church. Orthodox services require singers. They are not optional.
Contact Subdeacon John Wood.
ALL SAINTS SUMMER CAMP REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!
See www.allsaintssummercamp.org/ for more information and registration. The maximum age for a camper is 17, or 18 if they just graduated high school. Those out of high school (18 and up) may be asked to be counselors. Holy Resurrection will help will help with fee and transportation from our Youth Fund as needed. This is a great opportunity for our children for worship, teaching, and learning that there are other Orthodox young people in the world.
HERE IS THE LINK to Presvitera Jeanne Constantinou’s talk here:
https://youtu.be/DPrb6ZKzPtY
LOOKING AHEAD:
March 5 – Sunday of Orthodoxy Vespers: St. Peter in Madison will be hosting the Sunday of Orthodoxy Vespers this year on Sunday March 5th, beginning at 6:00 p.m.
March 25 – Annunciation
April 8 – Holy Week begins
April 15 – Holy Saturday – Baptisms and Chrismations
April 16 – Holy Pascha
May 26, Ascension
June 4, Pentecost
May 13, September 9 – Orthodox serve at Stewpot
July 17-21 – Diocesan Assembly, Greenville, SC
PASTOR’S RECOMMENDATIONS FOR LENT – Lent begins February 27, 2023
If you don’t do so already, try very hard to establish a regular time of private prayer, even if it’s short. Even if you are sleepy or distracted, God will honor your faithfulness in prayer. I suggest the Trisagion Prayers and some of the daily prayers found in most Orthodox personal prayer books (we have some in the bookstore). You can certainly pray in your own words as well. Read a little scripture, especially the Psalms and the Gospel. During Lent (except on Saturdays and Sundays) include the Prayer of St. Ephrem, printed below. Say the Jesus Prayer as much as possible. All these things are to focus our minds and hearts on Jesus; what’s important is be aware of His presence and unite yourself to Him.
Come to as many of the Lenten weekday services as you can, especially the Presanctified Liturgies and the Great Canon. Saturday and Sunday services do not include most of the distinctive Lenten features, so if you only come on Sundays you don’t experience Orthodox Lenten worship.
Come to Confession at least once during Lent. Ask God to make you aware of any resentments or bitterness you may feel.
Some degree of fasting is certainly an essential part of Lent. Many people have circumstances that make it inadvisable for them to try to keep the standard Orthodox fast. I suggest that most newcomers not try the full regime their first year because they might not be spiritually ready to profit from it. But what I don’t recommend is ignoring the fast or deciding for yourself how to observe it. One of the main purposes of fasting is obedience, the subduing of the stubborn self. The fathers say that obedience is of more value than fasting. If you just decide for yourself how to fast, the whole element of obedience is lost. So come to me as your father confessor to discuss how you will try to fast and to get a blessing for it. Orthodox fasting is not about losing weight or improving one’s health; better to pursue those goals at another time.
Try to simplify your life during Lent, cutting out non-essential activities and distractions. Parties and entertainment should be avoided as much as possible. Fasting from excess talking, politics, internet gossip and television may do you more good than fasting from food. If you can’t live without television all of Lent, certainly turn it off during Holy Week. Let your reading be the Scriptures or something spiritual.
But don’t let your Lenten observances be themselves a distraction or a source of either pride or judging others or disappointment in yourself. They are a means to an end. The end is Jesus Christ. The Lenten observances are attempts to clear away some of the obstacles to our union with Him. — Fr. Paul
THE PRAYER OF ST. EPHREM
Add to your daily prayers on weekdays of Lent
O Lord and Master of My Life, take from me the spirit of sloth, despair, lust of power, and idle talk.
But give rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience and love to thy servant.
Yea, O Lord and King, Grant me to see my own transgressions and not to judge my brother,
For blessed art Thou unto ages of ages. Amen. – St. Ephrem the Syrian (4th century)
THE JESUS PRAYER – Cultivate the habit of saying this throughout the dayLord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
www.holyres.net – fatherpaul@holyres.net – 414 E. College St., Clinton, MS 39056
Phone 601 924-2441 – email office@holyres.netTo donate: www.holyres.net/donate
Video of Services: www.holyres.net/videos
Sunday of the Prodigal Son — On the third Sunday of preparation for Lent, we hear the parable of the Prodigal Son (Lk. 15:11-32). Together with the hymns on this day, the parable reveals to us the time of repentance as man’s return from exile. The prodigal son, we are told, went to a far country and there spent all that he had.
A far country! It is this unique definition of our human condition that we must assume and make ours as we begin our approach to God. A man who has never had that experience, be it only very briefly, who has never felt that he is exiled from God and from real life, will never understand what Christianity is about. And the one who is perfectly “at home” in this world and its life, who has never been wounded by the nostalgic desire for another Reality, will not understand what is repentance.
Repentance is often simply identified as a cool and “objective” enumeration of sins and transgressions, as the act of “pleading guilty” to a legal indictment. Confession and absolution are seen as being of a juridical nature. But something very essential is overlooked– without which neither confession nor absolution have any real meaning or power. This “something” is precisely the feeling of alienation from God, from the joy of communion with Him, from the real life as created and given by God. It is easy indeed to confess that I have not fasted on prescribed days, or missed my prayers, or become angry. It is quite a different thing, however, to realize suddenly that I have defiled and lost my spiritual beauty, that I am far away from my real home, my real life, and that something precious and pure and beautiful has been hopelessly broken in the very texture of my existence. Yet this, and only this, is repentance, and therefore it is also a deep desire to return, to go back, to recover that lost home….
One liturgical peculiarity of this “Sunday of the Prodigal Son” must be especially mentioned here. At Sunday Matins, following the solemn and joyful Psalms of the Polyeleion, we sing the sad and nostalgic Psalm 137:
By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, and we wept when we remembered Zion… How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a strange land? If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning. If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy…
It is the Psalm of exile. It was sung by the Jews in their Babylonian captivity as they thought of their holy city of Jerusalem. It has become forever the song of man as he realizes his exile form God, and realizing it, becomes man again: the one who can never be fully satisfied by anything in this fallen world, for by nature and vocation he is a pilgrim of the Absolute. This Psalm will be sung twice more: on the last two Sundays before Lent. It reveals Lent itself as pilgrimage and repentance– as return.
from Great Lent, by Fr. Alexander Schmemann (+1983)
SUNDAY, February 12, 2023 -Tone 2
Sunday of the Prodigal Son
8:30 a.m. – Matins – St. Matthew 28: 16-20
9:30 a.m. – Churching of mother and child
9:45 a.m. –Divine Liturgy – 2 Tim. 3: 10-15; St. Luke 18: 10-14
After Liturgy: Church School
At Coffee Hour – Dr. Jeannie Constantinou will speak on The Orthodox Mind
Video of Services: www.holyres.net/videos
OUR ALL SAINTS SUMMER CAMP REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!
See www.allsaintssummercamp.org/ for more information and registration. The maximum age for a camper is 17, or 18 if they just graduated high school. Those out of high school (18 and up) may be asked to be counselors. Holy Resurrection will help will help with fee and transportation from our Youth Fund as needed. This is a great opportunity for our children for worship, teaching, and learning that there are other Orthodox young people in the world.
LOOKING AHEAD:
February 11 – Work Day – to clean up buildings and grounds
February 27 – Forgiveness Sunday – Lent Begins
March 5 – Sunday of Orthodoxy Vespers: St. Peter in Madison will be hosting the Sunday of Orthodoxy Vespers this year on Sunday March 5th, beginning at 6:00 p.m.
March 25 – Annunciation
April 8 – Holy Week begins
April 15 – Holy Saturday – Baptisms and Chrismations
April 16 – Holy Pascha
May 26, Ascension
June 4, Pentecost
May 13, September 9 – Orthodox serve at Stewpot
July 17-21 – Diocesan Assembly, Greenville, SC
RETURN FROM EXILE
Sunday of the Prodigal Son — On the third Sunday of preparation for Lent, we hear the parable of the Prodigal Son (LK. 15:11-32). Together with the hymns on this day, the parable reveals to us the time of repentance as man’s return from exile. The prodigal son, we are told, went to a far country and there spent all that he had.
A far country! It is this unique definition of our human condition that we must assume and make ours as we begin our approach to God. A man who has never had that experience, be it only very briefly, who has never felt that he is exiled from God and from real life, will never understand what Christianity is about. And the one who is perfectly “at home” in this world and its life, who has never been wounded by the nostalgic desire for another Reality, will not understand what is repentance.
Repentance is often simply identified as a cool and “objective” enumeration of sins and transgressions, as the act of “pleading guilty” to a legal indictment. Confession and absolution are seen as being of a juridical nature. But something very essential is overlooked– without which neither confession nor absolution have any real meaning or power. This “something” is precisely the feeling of alienation from God, from the joy of communion with Him, from the real life as created and given by God. It is easy indeed to confess that I have not fasted on prescribed days, or missed my prayers, or become angry. It is quite a different thing, however, to realize suddenly that I have defiled and lost my spiritual beauty, that I am far away from my real home, my real life, and that something precious and pure and beautiful has been hopelessly broken in the very texture of my existence. Yet this, and only this, is repentance, and therefore it is also a deep desire to return, to go back, to recover that lost home….
One liturgical peculiarity of this “Sunday of the Prodigal Son” must be especially mentioned here. At Sunday Matins, following the solemn and joyful Psalms of the Polyeleion, we sing the sad and nostalgic Psalm 137:
By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, and we wept when we remembered Zion… How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a strange land? If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning. If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy…
It is the Psalm of exile. It was sung by the Jews in their Babylonian captivity as they thought of their holy city of Jerusalem. It has become forever the song of man as he realizes his exile form God, and realizing it, becomes man again: the one who can never be fully satisfied by anything in this fallen world, for by nature and vocation he is a pilgrim of the Absolute. This Psalm will be sung twice more: on the last two Sundays before Lent. It reveals Lent itself as pilgrimage and repentance– as return.
from Great Lent, by Alexander Schmemann
www.holyres.net – fatherpaul@holyres.net – 414 E. College St., Clinton, MS 39056
Phone 601 924-2441 – email office@holyres.netTo donate: www.holyres.net/donate
Video of Services: www.holyres.net/videos
SUNDAY, February 5, 2023 -Tone 1
Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee
8:30 a.m. – Matins – St. Matthew 28: 16-20
9:30 a.m. –Divine Liturgy – 2 Tim. 3: 10-15; St. Luke 18: 10-14
After Liturgy: Church School
Video of Services: www.holyres.net/videos
INTERVIEW by Jim Thorn with Dr. Jeannie Constantinou may be heard at
http://wyab.com/twh/DrJConstantinou020123wyab.mp3
FROM FR. PAUL – Fr. Alexis and I will be in Lexington, KY, Tuesday through Friday for our annual clergy conference.
HOUSE BLESSINGS – There are a few weeks left this year available for house blessings. If you would like your house blessed, ask Fr. Paul to schedule it.
LOOKING AHEAD:
February 7-10 – Fr. Paul at Diocesan Clergy Retreat, Nicholasville, KY
February 11 – Work Day – to clean up buildings and grounds
February 12 – Dr. Jeannie Constantinou to speak at Coffee Hour on The Orthodox Mindset
February 27 – Forgiveness Sunday – Lent Begins
March 25 – Annunciation
April 8 – Holy Week begins
April 15 – Holy Saturday – Baptisms and Chrismations
April 16 – Holy Pascha
May 26, Ascension
June 4, Pentecost
May 13, September 9 – Orthodox serve at Stewpot
July 17-21 – Diocesan Assembly, Greenville, SC
OUR ALL SAINTS SUMMER CAMP in Texas will be from July 3rd – July 7th. The maximum age for a camper is 17, or 18 if they just graduated high school. Those out of high school (18 and up) may be asked to be counselors. Registration for summer camp opens around the beginning of Great Lent. Holy Resurrection will help will help with cost and transportation from our Youth Fund as needed. This is a great opportunity for our children for worship, teaching, and learning that there are other Orthodox young people in the world.
FOR THOUGHT – What Is Lent?
Lent began as a last, intensive stage of preparation for catechumens, converts who were to be baptized at Pascha (Easter). These people fasted, prayed intensely, and came to the Church daily for instruction and exorcism. Gradually others recognized the value of fasting and penitence during this time. It became the custom for all Christians to undertake a special period of more intense spiritual effort and concentration in preparation for the Feast of Our Lord’s Resurrection.
In the Orthodox Church Lent is introduced by three Sundays on which we read the Gospels of the Pharisee and the Publican (Luke 18:10 ff) the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11 ff), and the Last Judgement (Matt. 25:31 ff). These teach the contrast between repentance and self-righteousness, and remind us of the Judgement to come. On the final Sunday before Great Lent we hear Our Lord’s commandment to forgive (Matt. 6:14 ff) and we solemnly ask forgiveness of each other before entering Lent, because as the Lenten hymns remind us, if we do not fast from envy and strife, our fasting from food is in vain.
During Lent itself the weekday Church services take on a special Lenten atmosphere; the musical tone is different, the scripture readings are from the Old Testament, and we repeat at every service the special Lenten prayer of St. Ephraim the Syrian with bows to the floor. These special Lenten features are not seen in the Sunday services because every Sunday, even in Lent, is a celebration of the Resurrection and retains a joyous tone. The most characteristic Lenten service is the Presanctified Liturgy, served on Wednesday and Friday evenings during Lent. Another service used only during Lent is the Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete, a lengthy poem calling us to repentance by meditations based on Old Testament stories.
Orthodox today make an increased effort during Lent to draw closer to God through prayer, fasting, confession, increased attendance at weekday Church services, and other personal efforts.
Almost all religions value fasting of some kind. Orthodox believe that God created the world and pronounced it ‘very good.’ There is no suggestion that foods or drinks, or moral social activities and entertainments, are evil in themselves. There are no foods that Orthodox never eat. Nevertheless, the story of the fruit in the Garden shows how we have a tendency simply see the things of this world as ends in themselves, to be caught up in them and not to receive them thankfully as gifts of God. Fasting part of the year is to set us free from attachment to the things of this world. It should not only be fasting from food, but should involve a change of activities, liberating some of our time from social activities, television, frivolous reading or even work, to have more time for prayer, church attendance, and works of mercy. We have created a culture in which we can be constantly surrounded by music and distractions and silence can be frightening, because we are alone with ourselves.
The Orthodox Pascha service invites even those who have disregarded the fast to ‘enter into the joy of Thy Lord,’ because He is so generous He rewards ‘even those who come at the eleventh hour.’ (cf. Matt 20:1 ff). But those who do make an effort during Lent to come to know Him, and themselves, better will find Pascha a greater joy.
www.holyres.net – fatherpaul@holyres.net – 414 E. College St., Clinton, MS 39056
Phone 601 924-2441 – email office@holyres.netTo donate: www.holyres.net/donate
Video of Services: www.holyres.net/videos
SUNDAY, January 29, 2023 –Tone 8
Sunday of Zacchaeus
Hieromartyr Ignatius the Godbearer, Bishop of Antioch (107)
8:30 a.m. – Matins – St. John 21:15-25
9:30 a.m. – Reception of Catechumens
9:45 a.m. –Divine Liturgy
1 Timothy 4:9-15; St. Luke 19: 1-10
After Liturgy: Church School
Video of Services: www.holyres.net/videos
MEETING OF THE LORD IN THE TEMPLE
WEDNESDAY – Feb. 1 – 6:00 p.m. – Vespers –
THURSDAY – Feb. 2 – 10:00 a.m. – Divine Liturgy –
HOUSE BLESSINGS – There are a few weeks left this year available for house blessings. If you would like your house blessed, ask Fr. Paul to schedule it.
LOOKING AHEAD:
February 1, 9 a.m. – Dr. Jeannie Constantinou will be interviewed by Jim Thorn on WYAB radio 103.9 FM.
February 6-10 – Fr. Paul at Diocesan Clergy Retreat, Nicholasville, KY
February 11 – Work Day – to clean up buildings and grounds
February 12 – Dr. Jeannie Constantinou to speak at Coffee Hour
February 27 – Forgiveness Sunday – Lent Begins
March 25 – Annunciation
April 8 – Holy Week begins
April 16 – Holy Pascha
May 26, Ascension
June 4, Pentecost
May 13, September 9 – Orthodox serve at Stewpot
July 17-21 – Diocesan Assembly, Greenville, SC
FOR THOUGHT –
All the signs of the Church, whether inward or outward, are recognized only by herself, and by those whom grace calls to be members of her. To those, indeed, who are alien from her, and are not called to her, they are unintelligible;. . . The Church and her members know, by the inward knowledge of faith, the unity and unchangeableness of her spirit, which is the spirit of God…
…
Every one that seeks for proof of the truth of the Church, by that very act either shows his doubt, and excludes himself from the Church, or assumes the appearance of one who doubts and at the same time preserves a hope of proving the truth, and arriving at it by his own power of reason: but the powers of reason do not attain to the truth of God, and the weakness of man is made manifest by the weakness of his proofs. The man who takes Scripture only, and founds the Church on it alone, is in reality rejecting the Church, and is hoping to found her afresh by his own powers: the man who takes tradition and works only, and depreciates the importance of Scripture, is likewise in reality rejecting the Church, and constituting himself a judge of the Spirit of God, who spoke by the Scripture. For Christian knowledge is a matter, not of intellectual investigation, but of a living faith, which is a gift of grace. Scripture is external, an outward thing, and tradition is external, and works are external: that which is inward in them is the one Spirit of God. . . . The Church does not prove herself either as Scripture or as tradition or as works, but bears witness to herself, just as the Spirit of God, dwelling in her, bears witness to Himself in the Scriptures. A. Khomiakov (1804—1860), The Church is One
www.holyres.net – fatherpaul@holyres.net – 414 E. College St., Clinton, MS 39056
Phone 601 924-2441 – email office@holyres.netTo donate: www.holyres.net/donate
Video of Services: www.holyres.net/videos
SATURDAY, January 21, 2023
PRO-LIFE VIGIL – 3:30 p.m. – State Capitol Building – South Steps, 400 High St., Jackson
SUNDAY, January 22, 2023 –Tone 7
Apostle Timothy of the 70
New Martyrs and Confessors of Russia
8:30 a.m. – Matins – St. John 21:1-14
9:30 a.m. –Divine Liturgy
1 Timothy 1: 15-17; St. Luke 18: 18-27
Romans 8:28-39; St. Luke 21: -8-19
After Liturgy: Church School
METROPOLITAN TIKHON has declared this Sunday as Sanctity of Life Sunday. There will be special prayers for this. See his teaching below.
Video of Services: www.holyres.net/videos
WEDNESDAY – 6:00 p.m. – Vespers
HOUSE BLESSINGS – There are several weeks this year available for house blessings. If you would like your house blessed, ask Fr. Paul to schedule it. For more information on house blessings: housebless_preparation.pdf
LOOKING AHEAD:
February 2 – Meeting of the Lord
February 6-10 – Fr. Paul at Diocesan Clergy Retreat, Nicholasville, KY
February 11 – Work Day – to clean up buildings and grounds
February 12 – Dr. Jeannie Constantinou to speak at Coffee Hour
February 27 – Forgiveness Sunday – Lent Begins
March 25 – Annunciation
April 8 – Holy Week begins
April 16 – Holy Pascha
May 26, Ascension
June 4, Pentecost
May 13, September 9 – Orthodox serve at Stewpot
July 17-21 – Diocesan Assembly, Greenville, SC
ADDRESS OF METROPOLITAN TIKHON FOR SANCTITY OF LIFE SUNDAY
To the Clergy, Monastics, and Faithful of the Orthodox Church in America,
My Beloved Children in the Lord,
From the earliest times, Christians have been at variance with the world because of their reverence toward sexuality, marriage, and human life at all its stages. In the post-apostolic Epistle to Diognetus, very possibly from the pen of St. Polycarp, the disciple of St. John the Theologian, we read that Christians ‘marry, as do all others; they beget children; but they do not destroy their offspring. They have a common table, but not a common bed. They are in the flesh, but they do not live after the flesh’ (ch. 5).
Rather than viewing pleasure and fleeting happiness as the supreme good, Christians know that virtue, a rightly-ordered relationship with God and the world which he created, is what leads up toward true goodness, which is God himself. Another word for this right relationship with the Creator is life.
Jesus Christ, the Son of God and incarnate Word came to tear down the dividing wall of hostility between God and man and restore us to our friendship with the Divinity, which friendship had eroded because of sin (Eph. 2:14). Thus he is revealed to be the Life and Light of the world (Jn. 8:12, 11:25, 14:6), the one in whom and through whom we enter into a rightly-ordered relationship with existence and the Source of existence, and who shows us what that relationship—virtue—is, and where it leads—eternal life, eternal relationship with the Lord and his saints.
Life, for Christians, means far more than biological life. And yet this deeper and broader conception of life should only increase our reverence for biological life. For, in Christ, we understand that every human being is created in the image of God, and that every human life is a free gift of the Father, from whom comes every good and perfect gift (Gen. 1:27, Jam. 1:17).
Thus, we understand that there is no opposition between reverence for life and true human flourishing. Or, to cast the matter more bluntly, we can never accept abortion and infanticide as a solution for other human ills. Rather, we must see the sins of abortion and infanticide as manifestations of the same evils that underlie other social injustices.
This year, Sanctity of Life Sunday has taken on a new meaning. The Supreme Court has undone, as far as lies in its power, the injustice wrought by its decision in the case of Roe v. Wade. But this means that our work in defense and promotion of life is only just beginning.
We know that, as soon as Christians gained a voice in the Roman Empire, that used that voice to speak against the enormities that the Empire committed against human dignity: slavery, gladiator and beast fights, and, yes, abortion and infanticide. As long as we Orthodox Christians have some voice in this pluralistic, democratic society, it is right that we use this voice to defend the weakest among us, including especially the unborn children who still lie under threat of legalized abortion in many jurisdictions.
But we must never, ever allow ourselves to become focused solely on political, and much less partisan and ideological, pursuits. Instead, the defense and promotion of life must start and end with our personal commitment: in our hearts, in our families, in our parishes, in our communities, with alms of time and treasure and talent and effort. With whatever resources God may give us, we must promote true human flourishing, starting with the right to life for all people, at all stages of life. And we must do what we can to orient our life toward God through virtuous living, encouraging the same in our brethren and neighbors wherever and however it is possible. In so doing, we might hope to attain to the everlasting life and bountifulness of the heavenly kingdom, where Christ the Lord reigns with his Father and his All-holy and life-giving Spirit.
Yours in Christ,
+TIKHON
Archbishop of Washington
Metropolitan of All America and Canada
www.holyres.net – fatherpaul@holyres.net – 414 E. College St., Clinton, MS 39056
Phone 601 924-2441 – email office@holyres.netTo donate: www.holyres.net/donate
Video of Services: www.holyres.net/videos
SUNDAY, January 15, 2023 –Tone 6
Ven Paul of Thebes (341), and John Calabytes “the hut-dweller” (5th cent.)
8:30 a.m. – Matins – St. John 20: 19-31
9:30 a.m. –Divine Liturgy
1 Timothy 1: 15-17; St. Luke 18: 18-27
After Liturgy: Church School
Video of Services: www.holyres.net/videos
WEDNESDAY – 6:00 p.m. – Vespers
+ CHRIS GRILLIS, lifetime member of Holy Trinity – St. John Orthodox Church, fell asleep in the Lord January 8 after a long illness. The funeral will be Saturday, January 14th at 11:00 at Holy Trinity-St. John the Theologian Greek Orthodox Church, Pear Orchard Drive in Jackson. Interment will follow at the Jessamine Cemetery in Ridgeland. Obituary. May he rest with the blessed
HOUSE BLESSINGS – There are several weeks this year available for house blessings. If you would like your house blessed, ask Fr. Paul to schedule it. For more information on house blessings: housebless_preparation.pdf
LOOKING AHEAD:
February 2 – Meeting of the Lord
February 6-10 – Fr. Paul at Diocesan Clergy Retreat, Nicholasville, KY
February 11 – Work Day – to clean up buildings and grounds
February 27 – Forgiveness Sunday – Lent Begins
March 25 – Annunciation
April 8 – Holy Week begins
April 16 – Holy Pascha
May 26, Ascension
June 4, Pentecost
May 13, September 9 – Orthodox serve at Stewpot
July 17-21 – Diocesan Assembly, Greenville, SC
FOR THOUGHT:
More have I not to say, my Lords, but that like as the blessed apostle St. Paul, as we read in the Acts of the Apostles, was present, and consented to the death of St. Stephen, and kept their clothes that stoned him to death, and yet be they now both twain holy saints in Heaven, and shall continue there friends for ever, so I verily trust, and shall therefore right heartily pray, that though your Lordships have now here in earth been judges to my condemnation, we may yet hereafter in Heaven merrily all meet together, to our everlasting salvation. – St. Thomas More to those who condemned him to death — 1535
www.holyres.net – fatherpaul@holyres.net – 414 E. College St., Clinton, MS 39056
Phone 601 924-2441 – email office@holyres.netTo donate: www.holyres.net/donate
Video of Services: www.holyres.net/videos
SUNDAY, January 8, 2023 – Sunday after the Theophany of the Lord – Tone 5
8:30 a.m. – Matins – St. John 20: 11-18
9:30 a.m. –Baptismal Liturgy
Romans 6: 3-11, Matthew 28: 16-20
Eph. 4: 7-13, Matthew 4: 12-17
After Liturgy: NO Church School
4 p.m. – Join other Orthodox in Blessing of Ross Barnett Reservoir
At Crab’s Seafood – Next to Cock of the Walk on the Reservoir
www.google.com/maps/@32.4225863,-90.0850837,17z
Stay and eat together at Crab’s (each pay for his own.)
CHECK EMAIL BEFORE LEAVING IN CASE WE CALL IT OFF FOR RAIN!
Video of Services: www.holyres.net/videos
WEDNESDAY – 6:00 p.m. – Vespers
REMEMBER OUR CHARITIES FUND, from which we help members in need as well as local and Orthodox charities. Just mark a check “Charities.”
LOOKING AHEAD:
February 2 – Meeting of the Lord
February 6-10 – Fr. Paul at Diocesan Clergy Retreat, Nicholasville, KY
February 19 – Forgiveness Sunday – Lent Begins
March 25 – Annunciation
April 8 – Holy Week begins
April 16 – Holy Pascha
May 26, Ascension
June 4, Pentecost
May 13, September 9 – Orthodox serve at Stewpot
July 17-21 – Diocesan Assembly, Greenville, SC
FOR THOUGHT:
The voluntary control of birth in marriage is only permissible, according to the essence of a spiritual life, when the birth of a child will bring danger and hardship. Those who are living the spiritual life will come to the decision not to bear children only with sorrow, and will do so before God, with prayers for guidance and mercy. It will not be a decision taken lightly or for self-indulgent reasons. – Fr. Thomas Hopko, Spirituality. Read more at www.oca.org/orthodoxy/the-orthodox-faith/spirituality/sexuality-marriage-and-family/family
www.holyres.net – fatherpaul@holyres.net – 414 E. College St., Clinton, MS 39056
Phone 601 924-2441 – email office@holyres.netTo donate: www.holyres.net/donate
Video of Services: www.holyres.net/videos
SUNDAY, January 1 2023 – Circumcision of the Lord – St. Basil the Great – Tone 4
8:30 a.m. – Matins – St. John 20: 1-10
9:30 a.m. – Reception of Catechumens
9:40 a.m. – Divine Liturgy: 2 Tim. 4: 5-8; St. Mark 1: 1-8 (Sunday before Theophany)
Col. 2: 8-12; St. Luke 2: 20-21. 40-51 (Circumcision)
After Liturgy: Church School
NO FASTING until January 4 !
Video of Services: www.holyres.net/videos
WEDNESDAY – 6:00 p.m. – Vespers
THURSDAY
12:00 Noon – Akathist reading in the temple
6: 00 p.m. – THEPHANY VIGIL AND BLESSING OF WATER
NEXT SUNDAY, January 8 – SUNDAY AFTER THEOPHANY
Baptismal Liturgy
No Church School
NEXT SUNDAY 4 p.m. – Blessing of Ross Barnett Reservor
At Crab’s Seafood – Next to Cock of the Walk on the Reservoir
Stay and eat together at Crab’s (Each pay for his own.)
MONDAY, January 9 -12– Fr. Paul in Moscow, TN.
REMEMBER OUR CHARITIES FUND, from which we help members in need as well as local and Orthodox charities. Just mark a check “Charities.”
LOOKING AHEAD:
February 2 – Meeting of the Lord
February 6-10 – Fr. Paul at Diocesan Clergy Retreat, Nicholasville, KY
February 19 – Forgiveness Sunday – Lent Begins
March 25 – Annunciation
April 8 – Holy Week begins
April 16 – Holy Pascha
May 26, Ascension
June 4, Pentecost
May 13, September 9 – Orthodox serve at Stewpot
July 17-21 – Diocesan Assembly, Greenville, SC
FOR THOUGHT:
Lately I have published some classic poems related to the occasion, and several members expressed appreciation of them, so I will continue as appropriate. – Fr. Paul
John Milton, Upon the Circumcision, 1634
YE flaming Powers, and wingèd Warriors bright,
That erst with music, and triumphant song,
First heard by happy watchful Shepherds’ ear,
So sweetly sung your joy the clouds along,
Through the soft silence of the listening night,— 5
Now mourn; and if sad share with us to bear
Your fiery essence can distill no tear,
Burn in your sighs, and borrow
Seas wept from our deep sorrow,
He who with all Heaven’s heraldry whilere 10
Entered the world, now bleeds to give us ease.
Alas! how soon our sin
Sore doth begin
His infancy to seize!
O more exceeding Love, or Law more just? 15
Just Law indeed, but more exceeding Love!
For we, by rightful doom remediless,
Were lost in death, till He, that dwelt above
High-throned in secret bliss, for us frail dust
Emptied his glory, even to nakedness; 20
And that great Covenant which we still transgress
Intirely satisfied,
And the full wrath beside
Of vengeful Justice bore for our excess,
And seals obedience first with wounding smart 25
This day; but oh! ere long,
Huge pangs and strong
Will pierce more near his heart.
www.holyres.net – fatherpaul@holyres.net – 414 E. College St., Clinton, MS 39056
Phone 601 924-2441 – email office@holyres.net To donate: www.holyres.net/donate
Video of Services: www.holyres.net/videos
SUNDAY, January 1 – Circumcision of the Lord – St. Basil the Great – Tone 4
8:30 a.m. – Matins
9:30 a.m. – Reception of Catechumens
9:40 a.m. – Divine Liturgy:
After Liturgy: Church School
WEDNESDAY – 6:00 p.m. – Vespers
THURSDAY – 6: 00 p.m. – THEPHANY VIGIL AND BLESSING OF WATER
NEXT SUNDAY, January 8 – SUNDAY AFTER THEOPHANY –
9: 30 a.m.– Baptismal Liturgy
4:00 p.m. – Blessing of Ross Barnett Reservor
Christ is Born! Glorify Him!
SATURDAY, December 24, 2022 – EVE OF THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD
6:00 p.m. – Vigil: Compline and Matins
Matins Gospel St. Matthew 1: 18-25
SUNDAY, December 25, 2022 – NATIVITY OF THE LORD
9:30 a.m. – Divine Liturgy: Gal. 4:4-7; St. Matthew 2: 1-12
No Church School
NO MEAL AFTER LITURGY
NO FASTING today until January 4 !
Video of Services: www.holyres.net/videos
WEDNESDAY – 6:00 p.m. – Vespers
FATHER PAUL will not go to Memphis after Liturgy Sunday because of the weather.
AT THIS TIME remember our Charities Fund, from which we help members in need as well as local and Orthodox charities. Just mark a check “Charities.”
LOOKING AHEAD:
January 1 – St. Basil and Circumcision of the Lord
January 6 – Theophany – Baptism of the Lord
February 2 – Meeting of the Lord
February 6-10 – Fr. Paul at Diocesan Clergy Retreat, Nicholasville, KY
February 19 – Forgiveness Sunday – Lent Begins
March 25 – Annunciation
April 8 – Holy Week begins
April 16 – Holy Pascha
May 13, September 9 – Orthodox serve at Stewpot
July 17-21 – Diocesan Assembly, Greenville, SC
FOR THOUGHT:
Mary’s virginity and giving birth, and even the Lord’s death escaped the notice of the prince of this world: these three mysteries worthy of proclamation were accomplished in God’s silence. – St. Ignatius of Antioch
“We would see a sign.” The Word within a word, unable to speak a word, swaddled with darkness.
– T. S. Eliot, Gerontion
www.holyres.net – fatherpaul@holyres.net – 414 E. College St., Clinton, MS 39056
Phone 601 924-2441 – email office@holyres.netTo donate: www.holyres.net/donate
Video of Services: www.holyres.net/videos
CHRIST IS BORN! GLORIFY HIM!Services for the Birth of the LordSATURDAY, December 24, 2022 – EVE OF THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD
6:00 p.m. – Vigil: Compline and Matins
Matins Gospel St. Matthew 1: 18-25
SUNDAY, December 25, 2022 – NATIVITY OF THE LORD
9:50 a.m. – Divine Liturgy: Gal. 4:4-7; St. Matthew 2: 1-12
No Church School
NO MEAL AFTER LITURGY
NO FASTING today until January 4!
Video of Services: www.holyres.net/videos
SUNDAY, December 18, 2022 – 27th Sunday after Pentecost, Tone 2
Sunday before the Nativity
8:30 a.m. – Matins – Gospel – St. Luke 24: 12-35
9:50 a.m. – Divine Liturgy: Heb. 11: 9-10, 17-23, 32-40; St. Matthew 1: 1-25
After Liturgy – Church School
Video of Services: www.holyres.net/videos
WEDNESDAY – 6:00 p.m. – Vespers – Forefeast of the Nativity
SATURDAY, December 24, 2021 – Eve of the Nativity of the Lord
6:00 p.m. – Vigil: Compline and Matins
SUNDAY, December 25, 2021 – Nativity of the Lord
9:30 a.m. – Divine Liturgy of St. Basil – Gal, 4:4-7; St. Matthew 2:1-12
NO FASTING from today until January 4
PASTOR’s WORD: It is not appropriate to discuss politics at church, whether local or national or international, nor to ask people about their political views. For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:20). To be at one minute receiving the Lord’s Body and the next talking or (God forbid) arguing about political issues drives away the Holy Spirit whom we want to dwell in us. – Fr. Paul
LOOKING AHEAD:
December 24 – Eve of the Nativity
December 25 – Nativity of the Lord
January 1 – St. Basil and Circumcision of the Lord
January 6 – Theophany – Baptism of the Lord
February 2 – Meeting of the Lord
February 6-10 – Fr. Paul at Diocesan Clergy Retreat, Nicholasville, KY
February 19 – Forgiveness Sunday – Lent Begins
March 25 – Annunciation
April 8 – Holy Week begins
April 16 – Holy Pascha
May 13, September 9 – Orthodox serve at Stewpot
July 17-21 – Diocesan Assembly, Greenville, SC
www.holyres.net – fatherpaul@holyres.net – 414 E. College St., Clinton, MS 39056
Phone 601 924-2441 – email office@holyres.netTo donate: www.holyres.net/donate
Video of Services: www.holyres.net/videos
SUNDAY, December 11, 2022 – 26th Sunday after Pentecost, Tone 1
Sunday of the Forefathers
8:30 a.m. – Matins – Gospel – St. Luke 24: 1-12
9:30 a.m. – Divine Liturgy: Col. 3: 4-11; St Luke 14: 16: 24
After Liturgy – Church School
After Coffee Hour – Annual Parish Meeting
Video of Services: www.holyres.net/videos
WEDNESDAY – 6:00 p.m. – Advent Paraklesis, Confessions
CHURCH CALENDARS are here in the bookstore. I urge you to buy at least one for your home so you will know what is going on in church – Fr. Paul
BABIES! – we are blessed with lots of them, just born or about to be. We will baptize some on January 8, the Sunday after the Baptism of the Lord, and the rest on Pascha Saturday morning, April 15. We will make them catechumens some time before these dates. Be thinking of sponsors (godparents) and patron saints and discuss them with me. Mothers should come to be “churched” forty days after birth; let me know when you are coming. – Fr. Paul
LOOKING AHEAD:
December 24 – Eve of the Nativity
December 25 – Nativity of the Lord
January 1 – St. Basil and Circumcision of the Lord
January 6 – Theophany – Baptism of the Lord
February 2 – Meeting of the Lord
February 6-10 – Fr. Paul at Diocesan Clergy Retreat, Nicholasville, KY
February 19 – Forgiveness Sunday – Lent Begins
March 25 – Annunciation
April 8 – Holy Week begins
April 16 – Holy Pascha
May 13, September 9 – Orthodox serve at Stewpot
July 17-21 – Diocesan Assembly, Greenville, SC
The Journey of the Magi
A cold coming we had of it,
Just the worst time of the year
For a journey, and such a long journey:
The ways deep and the weather sharp,
The very dead of winter.’
And the camels galled, sorefooted, refractory,
Lying down in the melting snow.
There were times we regretted
The summer palaces on slopes, the terraces,
And the silken girls bringing sherbet.
Then the camel men cursing and grumbling
and running away, and wanting their liquor and women,
And the night-fires going out, and the lack of shelters,
And the cities hostile and the towns unfriendly
And the villages dirty and charging high prices:
A hard time we had of it.
At the end we preferred to travel all night,
Sleeping in snatches,
With the voices singing in our ears, saying
That this was all folly.
Then at dawn we came down to a temperate valley,
Wet, below the snow line, smelling of vegetation;
With a running stream and a water-mill beating the darkness,
And three trees on the low sky,
And an old white horse galloped away in the meadow.
Then we came to a tavern with vine-leaves over the lintel,
Six hands at an open door dicing for pieces of silver,
And feet kicking the empty wine-skins.
But there was no information, and so we continued
And arriving at evening, not a moment too soon
Finding the place; it was (you might say) satisfactory.
All this was a long time ago, I remember,
And I would do it again, but set down
This set down
This: were we led all that way for
Birth or Death? There was a Birth, certainly
We had evidence and no doubt. I had seen birth and death,
But had thought they were different; this Birth was
Hard and bitter agony for us, like Death, our death.
We returned to our places, these Kingdoms,
But no longer at ease here, in the old dispensation,
With an alien people clutching their gods.
I should be glad of another death. – T. S. Eliot
www.holyres.net – fatherpaul@holyres.net – 414 E. College St., Clinton, MS 39056
Phone 601 924-2441 – email office@holyres.netTo donate: www.holyres.net/donate
Video of Services: www.holyres.net/videos
SUNDAY, December 4, 2022 – 25th Sunday after Pentecost, Tone 8 Holy Great Martyr Barbara & Martyr Juliana (306); Ven. John of Damascus (776); Glorification of Holy Priest-Martyr Alexander Hotovitzky, Missionary in America, Martyr in Russia 8:30 a.m. – Matins … Continue reading →
SUNDAY, November 27, 2022 – 24th Sunday after Pentecost, Tone 7 8:30 a.m. – Matins – Gospel – St. Mark 16: 1-8 9:40 a.m. – Divine Liturgy: Ephesians 2: 14-22; St. Luke 13: 10-17 After Liturgy –Church School Video … Continue reading →
SUNDAY, November 20, 2022 – 23rd Sunday after Pentecost, Tone 6 Forefeast of the Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple 8:30 a.m. – Matins – Gospel – St. Matthew 28: 16-20 9:30 a.m. – Divine Liturgy: Ephesians … Continue reading →
Everyone capable of thanksgiving is capable of salvation and eternal joy. Thank You, O Lord, for having accepted this Eucharist, which we offered to the Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and which filled our hearts with the joy, … Continue reading →
SUNDAY, November 13, 2022 – 22nd Sunday after Pentecost, Tone 5 St. John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople (407) 8:30 a.m. – Matins – Gospel – St. John 21: 15-25 9:30 a.m. – Divine Liturgy: Gal. 6: 11-18; St. Luke … Continue reading →
Fr. Silviu Bunta was the guest speaker for our deanery retreat November 2-4, 2022. Here are recordings of his talks. November 2 November 3, number 1 November 3, number 2 November 3, number 3
SUNDAY, October 30, 2022 – 20th Sunday after Pentecost, Tone 3 Hieromartyr Zenobius and his sister Zenobia (285) 8:30 a.m. – Matins – Gospel – St. John 20: 19-31 9:30 a.m. – Divine Liturgy: Gal. 1: 11-19; St. … Continue reading →
SUNDAY, October 23, 2022 – 19th Sunday after Pentecost, Tone 2 Holy Apostle James, Brother of the Lord 8:30 a.m. – Matins – Gospel St. John 20: 11-18 9:30 a.m. – Divine Liturgy: 2 Cor. 11:31-12:9; St. Luke … Continue reading →
SUNDAY, October 16, 2022 – 18th Sunday after Pentecost, Tone 1 Holy Fathers of the 7th Ecumenical Council 8:30 a.m. – Matins – Gospel – St. John 20: 1-10 9:30 a.m. – Divine Liturgy: 2 Cor. 9: 6-11; St. … Continue reading →
SUNDAY, October 9, 2022 – 17th Sunday after Pentecost, Tone 8 Glorification of St. Tikhon, Enlightener of North America, Patriarch of All Russia 8:30 a.m. – Matins – Gospel St. Luke 24: 36 – 53 9:30 a.m. – Divine … Continue reading →
SUNDAY, October 2, 2022 – 16th Sunday after Pentecost, Tone 7 8:30 a.m. – Matins – Gospel St. Luke 24: 12-35 9:30 a.m. – Divine Liturgy: 1 Cor. 6: 1-10; ; St. Luke 6: 31-36 After Liturgy – Sunday … Continue reading →
SUNDAY, September 25, 2022 – 15th Sunday after Pentecost, Tone 6 Ven. Sergius, Abbot and Wonderworker of Radonezh (1394) 8:30 a.m. – Matins – Gospel St. Luke 24: 1-12 9:30 a.m. – Divine Liturgy: 2 Cor. 4: … Continue reading →
SUNDAY, August 28 – 11th Sunday after Pentecost, Tone 2 St. Moses the Black (4th cent.); St. Job of Pochaev (1659) 8:30 a.m. Matins – 11th Matins Gospel: St. John 21: 15 – 25 9:30 a.m. –Divine Liturgy: … Continue reading →
SUNDAY, August 21 – 10th Sunday after Pentecost, Tone 1 Afterfeast of the Dormition of the Theotokos 8:30 a.m. Matins – 10th Matins Gospel: St. John 21: 1-14 9:30 a.m. – Baptismal Divine Liturgy: Rom. 6:3-11, Matt. 28:16-20 … Continue reading →
SUNDAY, August 14 – 9th Sunday after Pentecost, Tone 8 Forefeast of the Dormition of the Theotokos Holy Prophet Micah (8th cent. BC) 8:30 a.m. Matins – 9th Matins Gospel: St. John 20: 19-34 9:30 a.m. – Divine Liturgy: 1 … Continue reading →
SUNDAY, August 7 – 8th Sunday after Pentecost, Tone 7 Afterfeast of the Transfiguration Martyr Dometius of Persia (363) 8:30 a.m. Matins – 8th Matins Gospel: St. John 20:11-18 9:30 a.m. – Divine Liturgy: 1 Cor. 1: 10-18; … Continue reading →
SUNDAY, July 31 – 7th Sunday after Pentecost, Tone 6 Forefeast of the Procession of the Holy Cross Righteous Joseph of Arimathea, Righteous Eudocimus of Cappadocia (9th cent.) 8:30 a.m. Matins – 7th Matins Gospel: St. John 20:1-10 … Continue reading →
August 6 Great Vespers Friday August 5, 2022, 6 p.m. Divine Liturgy Saturday, August 6, 2022, 9:30 a.m. TRANSFIGURATION OF THE LORD Three events — St Peter’s confession of the Lord as Messiah, the Lord’s first prediction of his … Continue reading →
SUNDAY, July 24 – 6th Sunday after Pentecost, Tone 5 Holy Passionbearers Boris and Gleb (1015), Holy Martyr Chrisina of Tyre 8:30 a.m. Matins – St. Luke 24:36-53 9:30 a.m. – Divine Liturgy: Romans 12: 6-14; St. Matthew … Continue reading →
SUNDAY, July 17 – 5th Sunday after Pentecost, Tone 4 Commemoration of the first six ecumenical councils Great Martyr Marina (Margaret) of Antioch in Pisidia (4th cent.) Royal Passionbearers Tsar Nicholas (Nikolai), Tsaritsa Alexandra, Tsarevich Aleksy, Grand Duchesses Olga, Tatiana, … Continue reading →
SUNDAY, July 10 – 4th Sunday after Pentecost MATINS WILL NOT BE SERVED TODAY 9:30 a.m. – Divine Liturgy– Romans 6:18-23; St. Matthew 8: 5-13 (Sunday) Galatians 5:22 – 6:2; St. Matthew 4:25 –5:12 (Venerable Anthony … Continue reading →
SUNDAY, July 3 – 3rd Sunday after Pentecost MATINS WILL NOT BE SERVED TODAY 9:30 a.m. – Divine Liturgy–Romans 5: 1-10; St. Matthew 6:22-33 Martyr Hyacinth of Caesaria in Cappadocia (108) AFTER LITURGY – Blessing of 21 children … Continue reading →
Unborn Lives Matter! – Thanks be to God! SUNDAY, June 26 – 2nd Sunday after Pentecost – ALL SAINTS OF NORTH AMERICA 8:30 a.m. – Matins – Matins Gospel #2: St. Mark 16: 1-8 9:30 a.m. – Divine … Continue reading →
SUNDAY, June 19 – 1st Sunday after Pentecost – ALL SAINTS NO MATINS this Sunday 9:30 a.m. – Divine Liturgy – Hebrews 11:33-12:2; St. Matthew 10: 32-33, 37-38, 19:27-30 After Liturgy – 40th Day Memorial for Joe Khalaf … Continue reading →
O Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth Come and abide in us! SUNDAY, June 12 – 8th Sunday of Pascha HOLY PENTECOST, FEAST OF THE HOLY TRINITY 8:30 a.m. – Matins – St. John 20:19-23 9:30 a.m. – … Continue reading →
O Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, Who art everywhere present and fillest all things, Come and abide in us, cleanse us from every impurity, and save our souls, O Good One! On Sunday, June 12, we will celebrate the … Continue reading →
Services: Wednesday, June 1, 6 p.m. – Vespers Thursday, June 2, 9:30 a.m. – Divine Liturgy About the Ascension
Christ is Risen! SUNDAY, May 29 – 6th Sunday of Pascha: The Blind Man 8:30 a.m. – Matins – St. John 20: 11-18 9:30 a.m. – Divine Liturgy – Acts 16: 16-34; St. John 9: 1-38 WEDNESDAY, … Continue reading →
Christ is Risen! SUNDAY, May 22 – 5th Sunday of Pascha: The Samaritan Woman 8:30 a.m. – Matins – St. John 20: 1-10 9:30 a.m. – Divine Liturgy – Acts 11: 19-26, 29-30; St. John 4: 5-42 CHURCH … Continue reading →
Christ is Risen! SUNDAY, May 15 – 4th Sunday of Pascha: The Paralytic 8:30 a.m. – Matins – St. Luke 24: 1-2 9:30 a.m. – Divine Liturgy – Acts 9: 32-42; St. John 5: 1-15 CHURCH SCHOOL … Continue reading →
Christ is Risen! SUNDAY, May 8 – 3rd Sunday of Pascha: Holy Myrrhbearers, Holy Apostle John the Theologian 8:30 a.m. – Matins – Mark 16: 9-20 9:30 a.m. – Divine Liturgy – Acts 6: 1-7; St. … Continue reading →
Paschal Sermon of St. John Chrysostom (d. 407) If any man be devout and love God, let him enjoy this fair and radiant triumphal feast. If any man be a wise servant, let him rejoicing enter into the joy of … Continue reading →
Christ is Risen! SUNDAY, May 1 – St. Thomas Sunday 8:30 a.m. – Matins – Matthew 28: 16-20 9:30 a.m. – Divine Liturgy – Acts 5:12-20; St. John 20:19-31 CHURCH SCHOOL after Liturgy TOMORROW, May 2 … Continue reading →
Christ is Risen! April 24, 2022 HOLY PASCHA SATURDAY 11:30 p.m. – The Paschal Service: Nocturn, Matins, Divine Liturgy Acts 1: 1-8; St. John 1:17 SUNDAY – 4 p.m. – Paschal Vespers and Feast FUNERAL OF JOE KHALAF: MONDAY, April … Continue reading →
PALM SUNDAY
Matins Gospel: St. Matthew 21:1-11, 15-17
Palm Procession after Matins
Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom:
Philippians 4: 4-9; St. John 12: 1-18
After Coffee Hour we return to the Temple for the first Bridegroom Matins service.
CHURCH SCHOOL will be held after Liturgy.
HOLY MONDAY and TUESDAY – 6 p.m. – Bridegroom Matins
HOLY WEDNESDAY – 6 p.m. – Holy Anointing, followed by Bridegroom Matins
HOLY THURSDAY
11 a.m. – Divine Liturgy
6 p.m. – Matins of Holy Friday – 12 Gospels
HOLY FRIDAY
3 p.m. – Vespers, placing the Epitaphios (Shroud) in the Tomb
7 p.m. (Note Time) – Matins of Holy Saturday – the Epitaphios is carried in procession through the cemetery
HOLY SATURDAY
9 a.m. – Initiation of new members and Divine Liturgy
11:30 p.m. – Paschal Service: Matins and Divine Liturgy, Feast follows!
SUNDAY
NO MORNING SERVICE (the midnight service was the Sunday Liturgy)
4 p.m. – Paschal Vespers and Feast
NOTE: When you enter the Church, first notice what is going on. If the Gospel is being read, stand at attention and listen. Wait until it is finished before writing prayer requests, lighting candles, etc.
CAMP ALL SAINTS, headed by our Dean, Fr. Jason Foster, will be in session for one week – July 4-8, 2022, for ages 8-18. You can register your children now at https://www.allsaintssummercamp.org/ Cost is $305. You can use the pay options on the website, or if you need financial help go, ahead and register and let Fr. Paul know. If you don’t need help, let him know anyway so he will know who is going. In the past our parents have carpooled children there.
OUR YOUTH FUND helps send our young people to Orthodox summer camps. Please consider making a donation. Just mark a check “Youth Fund” or go to www.holyres.net/donate and under “Purpose” choose Youth Fund.
ANY GRADUATES? – high school, college, etc. – let us know so we can congratulate them.
LOOKING AHEAD:
May 2 – Lebanese Dinner at St. George’s, Vicksburg.
May 7 – Serve at Stewpot
June 2 – Ascension
June 5 – BISHOP GERASIM visit
June 12 – Pentecost
July 18–22 – OCA All-American Council, Baltimore
www.holyres.net – fatherpaul@holyres.net – 414 E. College St., Clinton, MS 39056
Phone 601 924-2441 – email office@holyres.net To donate: www.holyres.net/donate
Fifth Sunday of Lent – St. Mary of Egypt – Tone 1
Matins Gospel #9 – St. John 20: 19-31
Liturgy of St. Basil: Hebrews 9:11-14; St. Mark: 10:32-45 (Sunday)
Gal. 3:23-29; St. Matthew 4:25 – 5:12 (St. John)
CHURCH SCHOOL will be held after Liturgy.
Wednesday, 6 p.m. – Presanctified Liturgy
Friday, 6 p.m. – Vespers
Saturday, 9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy – Lazarus Saturday
CONFESSION! All should make a confession before Pascha. Fr. Paul will hear confessions after Coffee Hour today; priority will be given to out of town members and those who have not made a confession this year.
CAMP ALL SAINTS, headed by our Dean, Fr. Jason Foster, will be in session for one week – July 4-8, 2022, for ages 8-18. You can register your children now at https://www.allsaintssummercamp.org/ Cost is $305. You can use the pay options on the website, or if you need financial help go, ahead and register and let Fr. Paul know. If you don’t need help, let him know anyway so he will know who is going. In the past our parents have carpooled children there.
OUR YOUTH FUND helps send our young people to Orthodox summer camps. Please consider making a donation. Just mark a check “Youth Fund” or go to www.holyres.net/donate and under “Purpose” choose Youth Fund.
ANY GRADUATES? – high school, college, etc. – let us know so we can congratulate them.
LOOKING AHEAD:
April 16 – Lazarus Saturday – Holy Week Begins
April 24, 2022 – Pascha!
May 2 – Lebanese Dinner at St. George’s, Vicksburg.
May 7 – Serve at Stewpot
June 5 – BISHOP GERASIM visit
July 18–22, 2022 – OCA All-American Council, Baltimore
FOR THOUGHT – Ye were led to the holy pool of Divine Baptism, as Christ was carried from the Cross to the Sepulchre which is before our eyes. And each of you was asked, whether he believed in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, and ye made that saving confession, and descended three times into the water, and ascended again; here also hinting by a symbol at the three days burial of Christ . . . And at the self-same moment ye were both dying and being born; and that Water of salvation was at once your grave and your mother. O strange and inconceivable thing! we did not really die, we were not really buried, we were not really crucified and raised again; but our imitation was in a figure, and our salvation in reality. Christ was actually crucified, and actually buried, and truly rose again; and all these things He has freely bestowed upon us, that we, sharing His sufferings by imitation, might gain salvation in reality. O surpassing loving-kindness! Christ received nails in His undefiled hands and feet, and suffered anguish; while on me without pain or toil by the fellowship of His suffering He freely bestows salvation. Let no one then suppose that Baptism is merely the grace of remission of sins, or further, that of adoption; as John’s was a baptism conferring only remission of sins: whereas we know full well, that as it purges our sins, and ministers to us the gift of the Holy Spirit, so also it is the counterpart of the sufferings of Christ. For this cause Paul just now cried aloud and said, Or are ye ignorant that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus, were baptized into His death? We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into His death. . . — St. Cyril of Jerusalem (4th cent.)
www.holyres.net – fatherpaul@holyres.net – 414 E. College St., Clinton, MS 39056
Phone 601 924-2441 – email office@holyres.net To donate: www.holyres.net/donate
April 15 – 24, 2022
The Orthodox Holy Week and Pascha services set before us a rich feast of Christian experience that no seeker of God should miss. Here we will speak briefly of them to give our guests an idea what to expect. Many people ask me how long these services last, so I have given the time as well as I remember. Orthodox are not very conscious of time in the Church services; if you think you can’t stay for the entire service, just come for what you can.
LAZARUS SATURDAY, April 16, 9:30 a.m. – This is the Divine Liturgy such as we have on Sundays, celebrating the raising of Lazarus (John 11). It lasts about an hour and 45 minutes. This is considered the beginning of Holy Week, since His love for His friend Lazarus and his sisters Mary and Martha was the immediate reason that Our Lord returned to Judea (John 11:8). This service is served in bright vestments, as the raising of Lazarus is a precursor of Our Lord’s own Resurrection and ours.
PALM SUNDAY, April 17, 9:30 a.m. – Procession with palms outdoors around the Church and Divine Liturgy. This is a festive service recalling Our Lord’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem.
After Coffee Hour we return to the Temple for the first Bridegroom Matins service.
BRIDEGROOM MATINS is so called from the haunting theme song which begins:
Behold, the Bridegroom comes at midnight. And happy is that servant whom he shall find watching, But behold, unworthy is that servant whom he shall find heedless… (cf Matt. 25:1 ff, Luke 12:35 ff)
Our Lord is the Bridegroom whom His beloved bride, His people, were not ready to receive. At these services we read the scathing prophesies addressed these three days to the leaders of Israel (Matthew 21:18 – 23:39). Will we be ready when He comes? Each Bridegroom service lasts about an hour.
HOLY MONDAY and TUESDAY, April 18-19, 6 p.m. – Bridegroom Matins (see above).
HOLY WEDNESDAY EVENING, April 20, 6 p.m. – we bless olive oil and members are anointed with it for healing. Our Lord’s death and Resurrection are for our healing and salvation: By His stripes we are healed (Isaiah 53:5). This service lasts about an hour, and will be followed by Bridegroom Matins.
HOLY THURSDAY, April 21, 11 a.m. – Divine Liturgy – The Mystical Supper at which the Lord initiates the Liturgy and washes the Disciples feet. It lasts about two hours.
HOLY THURSDAY, April 21, 6 p.m. – Matins of Holy Friday. During it we read twelve Gospel readings of Our Lord’s crucifixion, interspersed with some of the most beautiful hymns of the whole year. In the middle of this service a large Cross is placed in the center of the Church for veneration. This service lasts over two hours.
HOLY FRIDAY, April 22, 3 p.m. – Vespers. The Epitaphios, a fabric with an image of the Lord laid in the tomb, representing the burial cloth of the Lord, is carried in procession and laid on a special table covered with flowers representing His Tomb. About an hour.
HOLY FRIDAY, April 22, 7 p.m. – Matins of Holy Saturday – the Epitaphios is carried in procession through the cemetery next to the Church, as Christ descended among the dead to raise them to himself. This service lasts about an hour and a half. The many readings and hymns of the Holy Friday services present us with many different facets of the awesome and compelling mystery of our Lord’s Passion. About two and a half hours.
HOLY SATURDAY, April 23, 9 a.m. – Initiation of new members and Divine Liturgy. This is the ‘Blessed Sabbath’ on which God rested — in the Tomb, the real meaning of Genesis 2:2. It is the most appropriate time for Baptism, as those baptized are ‘buried’ with Christ to share His Resurrection (Romans 6:3-4). Lent has its origin as the last intensive preparation for those who would be baptized this day. We read 15 Old Testament readings that illuminate Baptism, including the Creation and the Exodus. Our new members are Baptized and Chrismated (Anointed), then we continue with the Divine Liturgy. This service lasts about three hours.
SATURDAY, April 23, 11:30 p.m. – this is THE service of the year for Orthodox, and no one wants to miss it. At midnight all lights in the Church are put out. This is the darkness and silence of the Tomb. Finally the bishop or priest comes out of the altar with a candle. Everyone comes forward and lights a candle from this light. Carrying the candles, we make a procession outside around the Temple, coming back to the front porch. There we hear the greeting ‘Christ is Risen!’ for the first time and reply, ‘Indeed He is Risen!’ We will greet each other this way for forty days. We go into the Temple, now brightly lighted and adorned with flowers, and sing the joyous Paschal Matins and Liturgy, and members receive the Body and Blood of the Risen Lord. After this service we go to the Parish Hall and find the tables sagging with every kind of good food, and we celebrate together until quite late.
SUNDAY April 24, there is NO MORNING SERVICE (the midnight service was the Sunday Liturgy).
SUNDAY, May 24, 4 p.m. we will gather for the short, joyous Paschal Vespers and more feasting. Members and clergy of our sister church of St. Peter in Madison will join us for this service and feast.
Read more about Holy Week
Third Sunday of Lent – Veneration of the Holy Cross – Tone 7
Matins Gospel #7 – St. John 20: 1-10
Liturgy of St. Basil: Hebrews 4: 14 – 5: 6; St. Mark: 8: 34 – 9: 1
CHURCH SCHOOL will be held after Liturgy.
Wednesday, 6 p.m. – Presanctified Liturgy – St. Innocent, Bishop of Alaska and Metropolitan of Moscow
Friday, 6 p.m. – Presanctified Liturgy – St. Mary of Egypt
Saturday, 9:00 a.m. WORK DAY – Come and help clean up our Church both inside and outside. See tasks on bulletin board.
EVENING LITURGY or Presanctified – I am asked about fasting for Holy Communion. I bless you to eat a normal lunch (no meat); after that fast entirely except for water. — Fr. Paul
CAMP ALL SAINTS, headed by our Dean, Fr. Jason Foster, will be in session for one week – July 4th -8th, 2022, for ages 8-18. You can register your children now at https://www.allsaintssummercamp.org/ Cost is $305. You can use the pay options on the website, or if you need financial help go ahead and register and let Fr. Paul know. If you don’t need help, let him know anyway so he will know who is going. In the past our parents have carpooled children there.
OUR YOUTH FUND helps send our young people to Orthodox summer camps. Please consider making a donation. Just mark a check “Youth Fund” or go to www.holyres.net/donate and under “Purpose” choose Youth Fund.
ANY GRADUATES? – high school, college, etc. – let us know so we can congratulate them. Bragging is OK.
HAD AN ADDRESS CHANGE or phone#/email change in the last 2 years, been married, or had a baby? Please send the information to paulakss@comcast.net with DIRECTORY in all-caps on the subject line.
TOMORROW, MONDAY, March 28, MAN OF GOD, the movie about St. Nectarius of Aegina, will be shown again, at 7 p.m. the Cinemark Theater in Pearl. Here is the link for tickets .
FROM FR. PAUL – I almost did not go to this movie. I have seen too many sentimental movies about religious subjects that missed the point, and I didn’t want to see that done to St. Nectarius. But this was a great exception. I have read two biographies about him and have been to Aegina, and I will say that almost everything important about him was treated accurately. It was filmed in Greece in some of the same churches where he served, with Greek choirs singing choruses. I highly recommend you see it.
LOOKING AHEAD:
Wednesday, April 6 – GREAT CANON with the Life of St. Mary of Egypt.
April 16 – Lazarus Saturday – Holy Week Begins
April 24, 2022 – Pascha!
May 2 – Lebanese Dinner at St. George’s, Vicksburg.
May 7 – Serve at Stewpot
July 18–22, 2022 – OCA All-American Council, Baltimore
www.holyres.net – fatherpaul@holyres.net – 414 E. College St., Clinton, MS 39056
Phone 601 924-2441 – email office@holyres.net To donate: www.holyres.net/donate
http://www.holyres.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/ser2022_0320.mp3 Sermon by Fr. Alexis Baldwin
March 20, 2022
Tone 6 – Second Sunday of Lent – St. Gregory Palamas
Martyr Photini (Svetlana, Fatima), the Samaritan Woman
Holy Fathers slain at St. Sabbas Monastery (796)
Matins Gospel #6 – St. Luke 24: 36-53
Liturgy of St. Basil: Hebrews 1:10 – 2:3; St. Mark: 2: 1-12
Hebrews 7:26 – 8:2; St. John 10:9-16 (St. Gregory)
WE WELCOME Fr. Alexis, Matushka Veronika, and their boys today – Fr. Alexis will preach.
CHURCH SCHOOL will be held after Liturgy.
Wednesday, 6 p.m. – Presanctified Liturgy
Friday, 6 p.m. – Vesperal Divine Liturgy – Annunciation — This is a major feast when all Orthodox should worship if possible.
+ ANNA “POLLY” ROSENBLATT, member of Christ the Saviour Church in McComb, fell asleep in the Lord March 14, after a long illness. Her funeral and burial were served Friday in Woodville, MS, by four priests. Pray for her and her family. May she rest with the blessed!
WORK DAY SATURDAY, APRIL 2nd, starting at 9:00 a.m. — Come and help clean up our Church both inside and outside. A separate email with sign-up sheet will be sent soon.
OUR YOUTH FUND helps send our young people to Orthodox summer camps. Please consider making a donation. Just mark a check “Youth Fund” or go to www.holyres.net/donate and under “Purpose” choose Youth Fund.
TOMORROW – 7:00 PM.- MOVIE about St. Nectarius of Aegina called Man of God will be shown once only at the theaters in Pearl and Madison. Here is the link:
https://www.imdb.com/showtimes/title/tt6060964/?date=2022-03-21
Link to buy tickets:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6060964/
LOOKING AHEAD:
March 25 – Annunciation – major feast
April 16 – Lazarus Saturday – Holy Week Begins
April 24, 2022 – Pascha!
May 2 – Lebanese Dinner at St. George’s, Vicksburg.
May 7 – Serve at Stewpot
July 18–22, 2022 – OCA All-American Council, Baltimore
www.holyres.net – fatherpaul@holyres.net – 414 E. College St., Clinton, MS 39056
Phone 601 924-2441 – email office@holyres.net To donate: www.holyres.net/donate
Daylight Savings Time Starts Sunday – Set your clocks an hour later.
Note: many phones and clocks do this automatically at 2 a.m.
March 13, 2022
Tone 3 – First Sunday of Lent – Sunday of Orthodoxy
Matins Gospel #5 – St. Luke 24: 12-35
After Matins – Procession with Icons
Liturgy: Hebrews 11:24-26, 32 – 12:2; St. John 1:43 -51
CHURCH SCHOOL will resume after Liturgy.
Wednesday, 6 p.m. – Presanctified Liturgy
Friday, 6 p.m. – Presanctified Liturgy
TODAY we celebrate the restoration of icons to the churches in 843 after they had been suppressed over 100 years by heretical emperors. After Matins we will make a procession outdoors around the church. Bring icons of saints to carry. Please do not remove icons from the walls of the Church; you can borrow some from the upstairs hallway.
LAST SATURDAY our sister church of St. Peter in Madison had a great banquet celebrating 35 years as an Orthodox Church and honoring Fr. John Henderson on his retirement. The community now known as St. Peter’s was organized and worshipping some years before I came on the scene as the first pastor of Holy Resurrection. Early on Fr. John and Khouria Janet and Matushka Sissy and I became close friends. It was a joy to us all when finally St. Peter’s was received into canonical Orthodoxy in 1986, and our churches have been very close ever since. May the Lord grant them all many years!
PRAYER OF ST. EPHREM THE SYRIAN – On the weekdays of Great Lent we pray this prayer:
- Lord and Master of my life, take from me the spirit of sloth, despair, lust of power, and idle talk.
- But give rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience, and love to Thy servant.
- Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to see my own transgressions, and not to judge my brother, for blessed art Thou, unto ages of ages. Amen.
PROSTRATIONS: After each sentence of the Prayer of St. Ephrem, and on other occasions, if able we make a Great Prostration by going down on our knees and touching our forehead to the floor. Note that in my old age I am unable to do this, so don’t look to me for cues — Fr. Paul
A MOVIE has been released about St. Nectarius of Aegina. It’s called Man of God. It is scheduled to play at the theaters in Pearl and Madison, one showing only. March 21, 2022 at 7:00 p.m.
Here is the link:
https://www.imdb.com/showtimes/title/tt6060964/?date=2022-03-21
Link to buy tickets:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6060964/
FOR THOUGHT: “We have our own methods of fighting evil: prayer, repentance, patience. This is humility before each other and before God. This is a powerful weapon that destroys evil. I would like to appeal to all Orthodox people who believe in our Church: Do not be afraid of anything. Be firm in your love for God. Keep the purity of the Holy Orthodox Faith, which is the path leading a person to God. Love each other, endure each other, help each other. Evil will disappear while good will last forever. If we endure everything, live in love for all and towards each other, then no evil can defeat us. God is the God of might. Evil has no power. As long as we are with God, we will be joyful, happy and blessed.” — Metropolitan Onufriy of Ukraine
LOOKING AHEAD:
March 21 – Movie about St. Nectarius – https://www.imdb.com/showtimes/title/tt6060964/?date=2022-03-21
March 25 – Annunciation – major feast
April 16 – Lazarus Saturday – Holy Week Begins
April 24, 2022 – Pascha!
May 2 – Lebanese Dinner at St. George’s, Vicksburg.
May 7 – Serve at Stewpot
July 18–22, 2022 – OCA All-American Council, Baltimore
www.holyres.net – fatherpaul@holyres.net – 414 E. College St., Clinton, MS 39056
Phone 601 924-2441 – email office@holyres.net To donate: www.holyres.net/donate
NOTE:
- We will have a potluck coffee hour today but no church school.
- Masks will no longer be required but if you prefer to continue masking that is fine. If you feel the least bit ill please use a mask for the safety of others (or stay home.)
Tone 3 –
Sunday of Forgiveness – Expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise
Uncovering of the Precious Cross by Empress Helena in Jerusalem (326)
Matins Gospel #4 – St. Luke 24: 1-12
Liturgy: Romans 13: 11 – 14:4; St. Matthew 6: 15-21
After Coffee Hour – Vespers and Ceremony of Forgiveness
Monday – Lent Begins
Monday through Thursday, 6:00 p.m. – Compline with the Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete
Friday, 6 p.m. – Presanctified Liturgy
A MOVIE has been released about St. Nectarius of Aegina. It’s called Man of God. It is scheduled to play at the theaters in Pearl and Madison, one showing only. March 21, 2022 at 7:00 p.m.
Here is the link:
https://www.imdb.com/showtimes/title/tt6060964/?date=2022-03-21
Link to buy tickets:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6060964/
LOOKING AHEAD:
March 21 – Movie about St. Nectarius – https://www.imdb.com/showtimes/title/tt6060964/?date=2022-03-21
March 25 – Annunciation – major feast
April 16 – Lazarus Saturday – Holy Week Begins
April 24, 2022 – Pascha!
May 2 – Lebanese Dinner at St. George’s, Vicksburg.
May 7 – Serve at Stewpot
July 18–22, 2022 – OCA All-American Council, Baltimore
www.holyres.net – fatherpaul@holyres.net – 414 E. College St., Clinton, MS 39056
Phone 601 924-2441 – email office@holyres.net To donate: www.holyres.net/donate
BECAUSE OF COVID WE WILL NOT HAVE CHURCH SCHOOL NOR COFFEE HOUR THIS SUNDAY
Tone 3 –
Sunday of the Last Judgement
St. Raphael, Bishop of Brooklyn – repose, 1915
Matins Gospel #3 – St. Mark 16: 9-20
Liturgy: 1 Cor. 8:8 – 9:2; St. Matthew 25: 31-46 (Last Judgement)
Heb. 13: 17:21; St. John 10: 9-16 (St. Raphael)
Last day to eat meat – enjoy dairy all this week
Wednesday, March 2
- 6 p.m. Vespers
- 7 p.m. Class on Liturgy
Thursday, March 3
- Noon at the church, Supplicatory Canon to the Theotokos
PRE-LENTEN SUNDAYS
- March 6: Forgiveness Sunday
- March 7 – Monday – Lent begins.
- A big value of fasting is obedience. If you don’t feel able to keep the fast as prescribed, I encourage you to discuss it with me and get a blessing for how you intend to fast — Fr. Paul
A MOVIE has been released about St. Nectarius of Aegina. It’s called Man of God. It is scheduled to play at the theaters in Pearl and Madison, one showing only. March 21, 2022 at 7:00 p.m.
Here is the link:
https://www.imdb.com/showtimes/title/tt6060964/?date=2022-03-21
Link to buy tickets:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6060964/
LOOKING AHEAD:
March 7, 2022 – Lent begins
March 21 – Movie about St. Nectarius – https://www.imdb.com/showtimes/title/tt6060964/?date=2022-03-21
March 25 – Annunciation – major feast
April 16 – Lazarus Saturday – Holy Week Begins
April 24, 2022 – Pascha!
May 2 – Lebanese Dinner at St. George’s, Vicksburg.
May 7 – Serve at Stewpot
July 18–22, 2022 – OCA All-American Council, Baltimore
FOR THOUGHT:
While fasting with 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 to our house the poor who have no roof to cover them, that we may receive great mercy from Christ our God – Vespers, Wednesday in First Week of Lent
Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? Wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD? Is not this the fast that I have chosen – to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Isaiah 58:5
www.holyres.net – fatherpaul@holyres.net – 414 E. College St., Clinton, MS 39056
Phone 601 924-2441 – email office@holyres.net To donate: www.holyres.net/donate
Let us fast with a fast pleasing to the Lord. This is the true fast: the casting off of evil, the bridling of the tongue, the cutting off of anger, the cessation of lusts, evil talking, lies and cursing. The stopping of these is the fast true and acceptable.
–Monday Vespers of the First Week
- What is Lent?
Read more about Lent
- The Lenten Prayer of St. Ephrem the Syrian
O Lord and Master of my life
Take from me the spirit of sloth, despair, lust of power and idle talk.
But grant rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience and love to Thy servant.
Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to see my own transgressions and not to judge my brother,
For blessed art Thou unto ages of ages. Amen.
http://www.holyres.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/ser2022_0220.mp3
Sermon bt Fr. Alexis Baldwin
February 20, 2022
BECAUSE OF COVID WE WILL NOT HAVE CHURCH SCHOOL NOR COFFEE HOUR THIS SUNDAY
Tone 2 – 35th Sunday after Pentecost
Sunday of the Prodigal
Matins Gospel #2 – St. Mark 16: 1-8
Liturgy: 1 Cor. 6:12-20; St. Luke 15: 11-32
Normal fasting
Wednesday February 16
- 6 p.m. Reader Vespers
PRE-LENTEN SUNDAYS
- February 20: The Prodigal Son – normal fasting on Wednesday and Friday
- February 27: Sunday of the Last Judgement – We do not eat meat but we eat dairy products all week
- March 6: Forgiveness Sunday
- March 7 – Monday – Lent begins.
- A big value of fasting is obedience. If you don’t feel able to keep the fast as prescribed, I encourage you to discuss it with me and get a blessing for how you intend to fast — Fr. Paul
WE ARE BLESSED to have Fr. Alexis Baldwin, Matushka Veronika, and their family with us today.
FATHER PAUL and FATHER ALEXIS will be at St. Sava Church in Allen, TX, this week at the Diocese of the Pastoral Conference. Reader Vespers will be served Wednesday. You can reach Fr. Paul by cell phone 601-497-5093, If a priest is needed in an emergency, call any of the local Orthodox priests – see http://www.holyres.net/local-orthodox-priests/
HOLY CROSS MISSION IN HATTIESBURG are serving their first reader services this weekend in their new building at 702 N. 30th Ave. Thanks be to God!
A MOVIE has been released about St. Nectarius of Aegina. It’s called Man of God. It is scheduled to play at the theaters in Pearl and Madison, one showing only. March 21, 2022 at 7:00 p.m.
Here is the link:
https://www.imdb.com/showtimes/title/tt6060964/?date=2022-03-21
Link to buy tickets:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6060964/
COVID INSTRUCTIONS FROM OUR CHANCELLOR, FR. MARCUS BURCH:
- COVID exposure in the parish must be communicated to all the faithful, and those who were in close contact with the person who has tested positive must be notified. This link from the CDC details how long someone exposed to or diagnosed with COVID should isolate or quarantine if they have tested positive. It is the expectation that our priests and faithful should follow this guidance.
LOOKING AHEAD:
February 21-24 – Diocese of the South Pastoral Conference, Allen, TX
March 7, 2022 – Lent begins
March 21 – Movie about St. Nectarius – https://www.imdb.com/showtimes/title/tt6060964/?date=2022-03-21
March 25 – Annunciation – major feast
April 16 – Lazarus Saturday – Holy Week Begins
April 24, 2022 – Pascha!
May 2 – Lebanese Dinner at St. George’s, Vicksburg.
May 7 – Serve at Stewpot
July 18–22, 2022 – OCA All-American Council, Baltimore
FOR THOUGHT:
FEAR – I honestly believe that my denial of fear, my conscious dependence upon God for safety and supply, made possible His care and protection. I believe with all my heart that if I had raised a barrier of fear He couldn’t have helped me as He did so continually. — Iliana, Princess of Romania (Mother Alexandra), Hospital of the Queen’s Heart
A FAR COUNTRY — It is this unique definition of our human condition that we must assume and make ours as we begin our approach to God. A man who has never had that experience, be it only briefly, who has never felt that he is exiled from God and from real life, will never understand what Christianity is about. And the one who is perfectly “at home” in this world and its life, who has never been wounded by the nostalgic desire for another Reality, will not understand what is repentance — Fr. Alexander Schmemann, Great Lent.
www.holyres.net – fatherpaul@holyres.net – 414 E. College St., Clinton, MS 39056
Phone 601 924-2441 – email office@holyres.net To donate: www.holyres.net/donate
February 6, 2022
BECAUSE OF COVID WE WILL NOT HAVE CHURCH SCHOOL NOR COFFEE HOUR THIS SUNDAY
Tone 8 – 33rd Sunday after Pentecost
Sunday of Zacchaeus
Afterfeast of the Meeting of the Lord
Matins Gospel #11 – St. John 21: 15-25
Liturgy: 1 Tim. 4: 9-15; St. Luke 19: 1-10
Wednesday February 9
- 6 p.m. Vespers
- 7 p.m. Class by Fr. Paul on the Liturgy
THE PRE-LENTEN SEASON BEGINS NEXT SUNDAY
- February 13: The Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee. This is a fast-free week!
- February 20: The Prodigal Son – normal fasting on Wednesday and Friday
- February 27: Sunday of the Last Judgement – The last week we eat meat but we eat dairy products all week
- March 6: Forgiveness Sunday
- March 7 – Monday – Lent begins.
- If you don’t feel able to keep the fast as prescribed, I encourage you to discuss it with me and get a blessing for how you intend to fast — Fr. Paul
JUSTIN GRIFFING came into Orthodoxy in this church over 20 years ago. He is a graduate of St. Tikhon’s Seminary, and on January 23 he was ordained Deacon by Metropolitan Tikhon. He will be serving at St. Nicholas Church in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. He says, “I want to thank you for the formation I received at Holy Resurrection 20+ years ago and for all the memories of my time in the parish there… Holy Resurrection will always have a sense of home, and her people a sense of family to me.” Axios! Axios! Axios! to Deacon Justin and Matushka Zoe.
A MOVIE has been released about St. Nectarius of Aegina. It’s called Man of God. It is scheduled to play at the theaters in Pearl and Madison on showing only. March 21, 2022 at 7:00 p.m.
Here is the link:
https://www.imdb.com/showtimes/title/tt6060964/?date=2022-03-21
Link to buy tickets:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6060964/
OUR YOUTH FUND helps pay for our youth to attend Orthodox summer camps. They enjoy discovering that there are plenty of other Orthodox youth in the world. Registration starts soon so donations to the Youth Fund are welcomed.
PRO-LIFE MISSISSIPPI is hiring volunteers for cleaning crew, office support, banquet check-in support, and silent aution butler. For more information contact office@prolifems.org.
COVID INSTRUCTIONS FROM OUR CHANCELLOR, FR. MARCUS BURCH:
- COVID exposure in the parish must be communicated to all the faithful, and those who were in close contact with the person who has tested positive must be notified. This link from the CDC details how long someone exposed to or diagnosed with COVID should isolate or quarantine if they have tested positive. It is the expectation that our priests and faithful should follow this guidance.
LOOKING AHEAD:
February 19 – BeeTreats retreats for youth grades 6-12 and Young Adults 18-35 – Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, New Orleans – https://www.y2am.org/beetreats
February 21-24 – Diocese of the South Pastoral Conference, Allen, TX
March 7, 2022 – Lent begins
March 21 – Movie about St. Nectarius – https://www.imdb.com/showtimes/title/tt6060964/?date=2022-03-21
March 25 – Annunciation – major feast
April 16 – Lazarus Saturday – Holy Week Begins
April 24, 2022 – Pascha!
May 7 – Serve at Stewpot
July 18–22, 2022 – OCA All-American Council, Baltimore
Sept 3 – Serve at Stewpot
FOR THOUGHT: Avoid by every means occasions, causes, and words that produce enmity, and avail yourself of every opportunity and occasion to show holy and sincere love. By doing the first, the inimical disposition of the soul will little by little be eradicated, and by the second, love will be nourished and strengthened. Do not allow yourself for a moment to have any ill-feeling against anyone; always be kind to everyone, conquering your evil disposition by the love that endureth all things and conquereth all things. Avoid obstinacy, self-will, and opposing your neighbor; do not persist in having your own way, in order to satisfy your caprice, or in order to intentionally injure anyone. — St. John of Kronstadt, My Life in Christ
www.holyres.net – fatherpaul@holyres.net – 414 E. College St., Clinton, MS 39056
Phone 601 924-2441 – email office@holyres.net
To donate: www.holyres.net/donate
http://www.holyres.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/ser2022_0123.mp3 Sermon by Father Paul
St. Luke 2: 22 Tuesday, February 1, 6 p.m. – Great Vespers Wednesday, February 2, 9:30 a.m. – Divine Liturgy Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word. For mine eyes have seen thy salvation Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people To be a light to lighten the Gentiles, and to be the glory of thy people Israel. — St. Luke 2:29
About the Feast
Tone 5 – 30th Sunday after Pentecost
Precious Chains of the Holy Apostle Peter
St. Honoratus, Archbishop of Arles and founder of the Abbey of Lérins (429)
Matins Gospel #8 – St. John 20: 11-18
Liturgy: Col. 3:12-16; St. Luke 18:18-27
Wednesday January 19
- 6:00 p.m. Vespers
- 7:00 p.m. Class by Fr. Paul on the Liturgy
TODAY IS SANCTITY OF LIFE SUNDAY, a time especially to pray for an end to the culture of abortion and to pray for children to be spared for life, and for their mothers, many of whom are also suffering.
- The Archpastoral Message of His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon for Sanctity of Life Sunday can be read here.
- There will be a candlelight prayer vigil on the south steps of the MS Capitol building in Jackson Saturday, January 15, at 6 p.m.
- Be aware that a case from Mississippi, Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, is before the U.S. Supreme now and this court is believed to be more likely to use this case to overthrow legal abortion than at any time since 1973.
FR. MARCUS BURCH, our Diocesan Chancellor, reports: in the Carolinas and Appalachian Deaneries alone we have no fewer than 10 clergy who are in some stage of COVID. We are seeing significant spread among the laity and at least two significant outbreaks in parishes. Thanks to God I am only hearing of mild to moderately severe cases (though one priest is now suffering with pneumonia).
When there is an outbreak in a parish or mission (defined as 2 or more individuals), it needs to be reported to the Archbishop, Bp. Gerasim, and the Chancellor. We will then do our best to determine the next steps.
If you know of COVID exposure in the parish or mission you must communicate this to all the faithful, and/or inform those who were in close contact.
The current CDC guidance on how long someone exposed to or diagnosed with COVID should isolate or quarantine if they have tested positive is straightforward. It is the expectation that our priests and faithful should follow this guidance.
Here in Clinton we have received reports of several in our parish who are sick with Covid as well as other flu-like and respiratory illnesses. Please be vigilant in monitoring your health, do not come to church if you have symptoms of any respiratory illness, and seek medical attention where necessary. Wear a face covering, not only in Church but at Coffee Hour when not actually eating or drinking. Especially wear it at the serving line. If you are immunocompromised or otherwise at high risk, you continue to have a blessing to be absent from church services.
A CLASS ON THE LITURGY will be offered by Fr. Paul on Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m. in the Parish Hall. Recommended reading is Fr. Alexander Schmemann, For the Life of the World, and Fr. Thomas Hopko, The Orthodox Faith, volume II, Worship – the latter may be read online free here.
HOUSE BLESSINGS will be done now until the beginning of Great Lent (March 7). If you would like your house blessed, notify Fr. Paul and suggest times of the week or day that are good for you. Priority will be given to those who have not had a house blessing lately. Read more about preparing for your house blessing here: http://www.holyres.net/house-blessing-preparation/ Read more about Theophany (Epiphany) here:
https://www.oca.org/orthodoxy/the-orthodox-faith/worship/the-church-year/epiphany
LOOKING AHEAD:
February 21-24 – Diocese of the South Pastoral Conference, Allen, TX
March 7, 2022 – Lent begins
April 16 – Holy Week Begins
April 24, 2022 – Pascha!
July 18–22, 2022 – OCA All-American Council, Baltimore
FOR THOUGHT:
- Every birth, every entrance of a new human being into the world, every life, is a miracle of miracles, a miracle that explodes all routine, for it marks the start of something unending, the start of a unique, unrepeatable human life, the beginning of a new person. And with each birth, the world is itself in some sense created anew and given as a gift to this new human being to be his life, his path, his creation. — Fr. Alexander Schmemann
- The notion of the value of the person is something which the Gospel has introduced into ancient society which simply didn’t possess it. — Metropolitan Anthony Bloo
–
Sunday January 9 – Tone 4 – Sunday after the Theophany
Matins Gospel #7 St. John 20: 1-10
Eph. 4: 7-13; St. Matthew 4: 12-17
Blessing of Water at the Reservoir is CANCELLED this year as rain is predicted all day
Wednesday January 12: 6:00 p.m. Vespers
Next Sunday – Sanctity of Life Sunday
SERVICES STREAMED: see www.holyres.net/videos
HOUSE BLESSINGS will be done now until the beginning of Great Lent (March 7). If you would like your house blessed, notify Fr. Paul and suggest times of the week or day that are good for you. Priority will be given to those who have not had a house blessing lately. Read more about preparing for your house blessing here: http://www.holyres.net/house-blessing-preparation/
Read more about Theophany (Epiphany) here:
https://www.oca.org/orthodoxy/the-orthodox-faith/worship/the-church-year/epiphany
COVID DIRECTIVE: MASKS REQUIRED – NOTE: Covid is not over. People are catching it every day, and some are dying of it every day. All attendees except very young children must wear face masks and keep six feet away from other families. If you don’t like wearing a mask, remember that the Fathers say that “Obedience is better than fasting.” If helping your fellows avoid catching the virus is not enough reason, think of it as an obedience, to learn to let go of our fallen human self-will. In Coffee Hour too please wear your mask except when actually eating or drinking.
LOOKING AHEAD:
February 19 – BeeTreats retreats for youth grades 6-12 and Young Adults 18-35 – Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, New Orleans – https://www.y2am.org/beetreats
February 21-24 – Diocese of the South Pastoral Conference, Allen, TX
March 7, 2022 – Lent begins
April 16 – Holy Week Begins
April 24, 2022 – Pascha!
July 18–22, 2022 – OCA All-American Council, Baltimore
FOR THOUGHT:
There’s a story of an ancient monastery that had fallen on hard times. From a brotherhood that used to have more than 50 monks, there were less than a dozen left. The monastery used to be central to the life of the village, with saintly monks inspiring the people, yet now few people visited the monastery to find spiritual nourishment. A general feeling of spiritual apathy and lukewarmness was present in the monastery, and in the village.
One day a holy spiritual elder was passing through the village. He stopped at the monastery and stayed for a night. During his time there, each of the monks privately went to receive his blessing, to talk with him as well as to receive some spiritual nourishment. With each monk that came to the elder, he said the same thing. “Don’t tell anyone else this, but the Messiah is among you. He has come again, and dwells among you.”
The next morning the elder left, but each monk kept thinking about the perplexing words the elder had told him. The Messiah is among you. As they reflected more and more on this, they kept asking themselves, “Who is it? Is it Fr. John? Or is it Fr. Stavro? Or is it Fr. James?”
As the monks went about their daily work, whenever they passed one another, they began to act a little differently. “What if the Messiah is this brother?” And they began to treat each other with sincere respect and love, with deep humility and kindness. They listened carefully to each another and tried to outdo one other in their service and diakonia in the monastery as well as in the local village. In their daily liturgical services, they prayed fervently and opened their hearts to the movement of the Holy Spirit. They believed the Messiah was in their midst, and they wanted to act accordingly.
Slowly, the spirit of the monastery changed. An inner fire and spiritual zeal replaced any apathy and indifference. A community of love, divine love, developed and this agape love became very apparent to the village at large. The villagers started to flock to the monastery for spiritual nourishment and guidance, experiencing the reality of the kingdom of God.
The Messiah was in their midst.
— Published by Fr. Luke Veronis, Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, Webster, MA
www.holyres.net – fatherpaul@holyres.net – 414 E. College St., Clinton, MS 39056
Phone 601 924-2441 – email office@holyres.net