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Announcements
We will celebrate the Feast of the Theophany (or Baptism) of Our Lord on Thursday. Following the Divine Liturgy will be the service of the Great Blessing of Holy Water. Please speak to Father Basil to arrange the blessing of your home. Please note there will be no Vespers on Tuesday but we will have Vespers on Wednesday for Theophany. The cover photo is of a Statue portraying Saint Seraphim praying on the rock (Korennaya monastery, Kursk Oblast).
THIS WEEK’S SERVICE SCHEDULE & SCRIPTURE READINGS Monday, 1/3
NO SERVICE
2 Timothy 2:20-26
Luke 19:37-44
Tuesday, 1/4
Matins 8 a.m.
2 Timothy 3:16-4:4
Luke 19: 45-48
1 Cor. 9:19-27
Luke 3:1-18
Vespers 4 p.m.
Wednesday, 1/5 Thursday, 1/6
Liturgy 9 a.m.
Titus 2:1114; 3:407
Matt. 3:13-17
Friday, 1/7
Matins 8 a.m.
Acts 9:1-8
John 1:29-34
Ephesians 1:16-23
Luke 12:32-40
Theophany of Our Lord St. John the Baptist
Vespers 4 p.m.
Saturday, 1/8
Saturday after Theophany
Titus Luke 1:15-2:10 20:19-26 Ephes. 6:10-17
Matt. 4:1-11
THIS WEEK’S FASTS Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
!"#$%&'#()#"( “Lord, I Call”
ST. SERAPHIM of Sarov (Tone 1)
From the morning watch even to the night, let Israel hope in the Lord!
SUNDAY (Tone 7)
Lead forth my soul from prison, that I may confess Thy name!
Come, let us rejoice in the Lord, Who destroyed the dominion of death! Let us sing to Him with the bodiless hosts, for He enlightened the race of Man! O our Maker and Savior, glory to Thee! The righteous await me, till Thou shalt reward me.
Thou didst endure the Cross and burial for our sake! By Thy death, Thou didst slay death as God! We fall down before Thy Resurrection on the third day, O Savior, glory to Thee! Out of the depths have I cried unto Thee, O Lord; O Lord, hear my voice!
When the Apostles beheld the Resurrection of the Maker, they were amazed and sang the angelic praise! This is the glory of the Church! This is the richness of the Kingdom! O Lord, crucified for our sake, glory to Thee!
FOREFEAST of Theophany (Tone 4)
O most glorious wonder! An athlete in piety appears at Sarov; he has become a fervent intercessor with God for us. Rejoice, monks of Sarov, who possess the relics of the holy monk! Rejoice, Orthodox faithful! You possess the most holy Seraphim as your defender in affliction. Cry out to him: “Rejoice, light of the Russian land! You quenched the darkness of the enemy. Entreat the Lord to grant our souls peace and great mercy!” For with the Lord there is mercy and with Him is plenteous redemption, and He shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.
O most glorious wonder! Behold, in the monastery of Sarov a firm pillar of goodness; the blessed Seraphim appears in truth to us. Therefore the assemblies of those who are wise in God cry out, exulting in Spirit: “O Saint, and Father Seraphim, entreat the Lord to grant our souls peace and great mercy!” O praise the Lord, all ye nations, praise Him, all ye people!
Let Thine ears give heed to the voice of my prayer!
O faithful, let us celebrate the Forefeast of Christ’s Theophany! Let us sing hymns to honor the noble Baptism of our God, for He wills to approach the Forerunner in the flesh! As a Man, He asks for the Baptism of salvation: the regeneration of all those who accept Him in faith and become partakers of the Spirit. If Thou observest transgression, Lord, O Lord, who shall stand? For with Thee is propitiation.
Christ is made manifest. God is revealed, as David clearly foretold of old. He comes to His servant, seeking Baptism. Be filled with joy, O river Jordan! Dance, earth and seas; hills and mountains! Exult, O hearts of men, for a great light is coming upon you! For Thy name’s sake have I waited upon Thee, O Lord; my soul hath waited upon Thy word; my soul hath hoped in the Lord.
Thou art the River of Peace and Valley of Paradise, O All-powerful Lord. How canst a river receive Thee naked, in its course, the One Who mantled the heavens with clouds? Thou shalt strip the evil Enemy naked, clothing mankind with immortality!
Great are Thy mysteries, O Christ our God! Thou hast given us the holy monk Seraphim to be a light for us, a strong defender against the enemy, intercessor before God for monastics and all the Orthodox faithful, his own monastery’s strength and boast. For now he intercedes with Thee, O Lord, asking for our souls peace and great mercy. For His mercy hath been confirmed upon us and the truth of the Lord remaineth forever.
When thou didst enter the Sarov wilderness, O venerable Seraphim, then, completely stripping off thine own will, thou didst show thyself steadfast in every obedience. Thou didst endure insults and dishonor, rejoicing; thou didst love the blows and wounds from evil men, for whom thou didst also pray, O holy monk. And as we glorify thy most honorable memory, we pray thee, O venerable father: “Entreat the Lord to grant peace to the world, and great mercy to our souls!”
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ST. SERAPHIM of Sarov (Tone 8)
(Wisdom of Solomon 5:15-6:3)
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit…
Come, O assemblies of the faithful, let us glorify our most wondrous Father with songs of praise, and let us cry out to him: “O venerable Father Seraphim, thou hast truly been granted life divine, and hast received a crown of unfading glory from God. Therefore the Monastery of Sarov praises thee, and the people, beholding the precious shrine of thy relics and the miracles that have taken place, glorify the Lord Who has glorified thee. Entreat Him now, O venerable Father, to grant peace and great mercy to our souls!”
DOGMATIKON (Tone 7)
Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
No tongue can speak of thy wonderful childbearing, for the order of nature was overruled by God. Thou wast revealed to be a Mother above nature, for thou didst remain a Virgin beyond reason and understanding. Thy conception was most glorious, O Theotokos! The manner of thy giving birth was ineffable, O Virgin! Knowing thee to be the Mother of God, devoutly we pray to thee: “Beseech Him to save our souls!”
Old Testament Readings
ST. SERAPHIM of Sarov
(Wisdom of Solomon 3:1-9)
The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and no torment will ever touch them. In the eyes of the foolish they seemed to have died, and their departure was thought to be an affliction, and their going from us to be their destruction; but they are at peace. For though in the sight of men they were punished, their hope is full of immortality. Having been disciplined a little, they will receive great good, because God tested them and found them worthy of himself; like gold in the furnace he tried them, and like a sacrificial burnt offering he accepted them. In the time of their visitation they will shine forth, and will run like sparks through the stubble. They will govern nations and rule over peoples, and the Lord will reign over them for ever. Those who trust in him will understand truth, and the faithful will abide with him in love, because grace and mercy are upon his elect, and he watches over his holy ones.
The righteous live for ever, and their reward is with the Lord; the Most High takes care of them. Therefore they will receive a glorious crown and a beautiful diadem from the hand of the Lord, because with his right hand he will cover them, and with his arm he will shield them. The Lord will take his zeal as his whole armor, and will arm all creation to repel his enemies; he will put on righteousness as a breastplate, and wear impartial justice as a helmet; he will take holiness as an invincible shield, and sharpen stern wrath for a sword, and creation will join with him to fight against the madmen. Shafts of lightning will fly with true aim, and will leap to the target as from a well-drawn bow of clouds, and hailstones full of wrath will be hurled as from a catapult; the water of the sea will rage against them, and rivers will relentlessly overwhelm them; a mighty wind will rise against them , and like a tempest it will winnow them away. Lawlessness will lay waste the whole earth, and evil-doing will overturn the thrones of rulers. Listen therefore, O kings, and understand; learn, O judges of the ends of the earth. Give ear, you that rule over multitudes, and boast of many nations. For your dominion was given you from the Lord, and your sovereignty from the Most High, who will search out your works and inquire into your plans. (Wisdom of Solomon 4:7-15)
For even if they put forth boughs for a while, standing insecurely they will be shaken by the wind, and by the violence of the winds they will be uprooted. The branches will be broken off before they come to maturity, and their fruit will be useless, not ripe enough to eat, and good for nothing. For children born of unlawful unions are witnesses of evil against their parents when God examines them. But the righteous man, though he die early, will be at rest. For old age is not honored for length of time, nor measured by number of years; but understanding is gray hair for men, and a blameless life is ripe old age. There was one who pleased God and was loved by him, and while living among sinners he was taken up. He was caught up lest evil change his under-
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standing or guile deceive his soul. For the fascination of wickedness obscures what is good, and roving desire perverts the innocent mind. Being perfected in a short time, he fulfilled long years; for his soul was pleasing to the Lord, therefore he took him quickly from the midst of wickedness. Yet the peoples saw and did not understand, nor take such a thing to heart, that God’s grace and mercy are with his elect, and he watches over his holy ones.
Aposticha
SUNDAY (Tone 7)
As the Savior of the world Thou didst arise from the tomb. As God, Thou didst resurrect the race of men with Thy flesh. O Lord, glory to Thee! Ç°F -PSE IBUI CFDPNF ,JOH XJUI CFBVUZ IBUI IF DMPUIFE IJNTFMG
Come, let us worship the One Who rose from the dead, and enlightened all creation! By His death, He has saved us from the torments of hell. By His Resurrection He has granted us eternal life and great mercy. 'PS )F IBUI FTUBCMJTIFE UIF XPSME XIJDI TIBMM OPU CF NPWFE
Into hell didst Thou descend, capturing death, O Christ. In three days, didst Thou arise again, resurrecting us who glorify Thy Resurrection, O Lord and Lover of Man!
FOREFEAST of Theophany (Tone 3)
Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Come, all you faithful! Let us leave the land of Judea! Instead, let us go to the wilderness of Jordan! Let us behold the Baptism of our incarnate Enlightener! The Baptist hesitates, crying out with fear: “I dare not place my hand on Thy head, O Savior! If the sea fled and the Jordan turned back, how shall I touch the Fire before which the Seraphim tremble? The Jordan was parted when Elisha struck it with Elijah’s mantle; shall not the waters return to their primal chaos when they behold Thee naked in their courses? How shall I not be burned by the all-consuming Fire? The Jordan itself will forbid me, crying out: ‘Baptist, how will you baptize my Lord?’� But the Lord commanded him, saying: “Hinder not the cleansing of all! I shall sanctify all creation with living water; for this I am made manifest!�
Troparia
ST. SERAPHIM of Sarov (Tone 4)
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When Thou wast placed in the tomb as one asleep, the sight was great and awesome. But when Thou didst rise on the third day as almighty God, Thou didst resurrect Adam with Thyself. Glory to Thy Resurrection, O only Lover of Man!
ST. SERAPHIM of Sarov (Tone 6)
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit‌
Holy Father Seraphim, who can worthily praise thy wondrous life? What tongue can tell of thy struggles in the wilderness: the vigils, the fasting, the isolation and silence, the ceaseless prayer? Truly thou art the pride of ascetics, a powerful intercessor before God. Rejoice, example of monks! Rejoice, haven for those in torment! Pray to the Lord that our souls may be saved!
SUNDAY (Tone 7)
By Thy Cross, Thou didst destroy death. To the thief Thou didst open Paradise. For the Myrrhbearers Thou didst change their lamentation into joy. And Thou didst command Thine Apostles, O Christ God, to proclaim that Thou art risen granting unto the world great mercy. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit‌
You loved Christ from your youth, O blessed one, and, longing to work for Him alone, you struggled in the wilderness in constant prayer and labor. With penitent heart and great love for Christ you were favored by the Mother of God. Therefore we cry to you: “Save us by your prayers, venerable Seraphim, our father!�
Resurrectional Dismissal Theotokion (Tone 4) Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Prepare, O Zebulon, and adorn yourself, O Naphtali! River Jordan, cease flowing, and receive with joy the Master coming to be baptized! Adam, rejoice with our First Mother, and do not hide yourself as you did of old in Paradise; for having seen you naked, He has appeared to clothe you with the first garment. Christ has appeared to renew all creation.
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*+,+-#&.+%/"01&23&4%&526-&76"1(2(%28 Beatitude Verses
Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Through thy love for the Virgin, O ven’rable Seraphim, SUNDAY thou wast given fire out of Heaven, kindling thy soul’s Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy. Fair to look upon and good for food was the fruit that estate to yet more ardent love for thine incarnate Crekilled me; while Christ is the tree of life. Eating there- ator and for her from He took flesh to recover us. of, I die not but cry aloud with the thief; Remember Troparia me, O Lord, in Thy kingdom.
SUNDAY (Tone 7)
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Lifted upon the cross, Thou Who art compassionate, hast blotted out the handwriting of Adam’s sin in days of old, and Thou hast saved from error all the whole line of mortal men. Therefore we sing Thy praises, O benefactor and Lord. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Thou hast nailed our sins upon the cross, O Christ Who art compassionate, and by Thy death hast Thou put death to death, raising the dead from the dead. Therefore we venerate Thy holy Resurrection. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
By Thy Cross, Thou didst destroy death. To the thief Thou didst open Paradise. For the Myrrhbearers Thou didst change their lamentation into joy. And Thou didst command Thine Apostles, O Christ God, to proclaim that Thou art risen granting unto the world great mercy.
FOREFEAST of Theophany (Tone 4)
Prepare, O Zebulon, and adorn yourself, O Naphtali! River Jordan, cease flowing, and receive with joy the Master coming to be baptized! Adam, rejoice with our First Mother, and do not hide yourself as you did of old in Paradise; for having seen you naked, He has appeared to clothe you with the first garment. Christ has appeared to renew all creation.
The serpent once emptied his poison into the ears of Eve; while Christ on the wood of the cross poured the ST. SERAPHIM of Sarov (Tone 6) sweetness of life into the world. Remember me, O You loved Christ from your youth, O blessed one, and, Lord, in Thy kingdom. longing to work for Him alone, you struggled in the wilderness in constant prayer and labor. With peniof Sarov ST. SERAPHIM Blessed are you when men shall revile you and persecute you, tent heart and great love for Christ you were favored and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake. by the Mother of God. Therefore we cry to you: “Save Admist the towering trees, where stillness reigned with us by your prayers, venerable Seraphim, our father!� a sovereign sway, thy pure unwearying prayer ascended as incense with thy voiceless unceasing cries: ‘Holy, Kontakia SUNDAY (Tone 7) Holy, Holy, O Almighty Lord of Sabaoth.’ No longer can the might of death hold mankind, for Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in Christ hath come down destroying and loosing its heaven. Thou art a light unto monks, an intercessor for all the powers. Hell is bound, and the prophets with one voice world, a kind protector of little children, a shepherd rejoice, saying, the Savior hath appeared to those with unto nuns, teaching all to cry: ‘Holy, Holy, Holy, God faith. Go forth, ye faithful unto the resurrection. the man-befriending Trinity.’
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit‌
A mortal wearing our flesh, thou brakest through fallen nature’s bonds, and thou in trembling and joy didst stand with thy namesakes at God’s throne, crying mystically: ‘Holy, Holy, Holy is the Father, Word and Comforter.’ ~6~
ST. SERAPHIM of Sarov (Tone 2)
spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempered. Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
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Forsaking the beauty as well as the corruption of this world, you settled in the monastery of Sarov, O Saint. There you lived an angelic life, becoming for many Alleluia Verses SUNDAY before Theophany (Tone 8) the way to salvation. Therefore, Christ has glorified you, Father Seraphim, enriching you with abundant 7T O God, be bountiful to us and bless us, show the healing and miracles. So we cry to you: “Save us by light of Thy countenance upon us, and have mercy on us! your prayers, venerable Seraphim, our father!� 7T That we may know Thy way upon the earth, and of Theophany Thy salvation amongst all nations. FOREFEAST (Tone 4) #PUI OPX BOE FWFS BOE VOUP BHFT PG BHFT "NFO
ST. SERAPHIM (Tone 6) Today the Lord enters the Jordan and cries out to 7T Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly John: “Do not be afraid to baptize Me. For I have delights in His commandments. come to save Adam, the first-formed man.� of Sarov
Gospel Reading
Prokeimenon
SUNDAY before Theophany (Mark 1:1-8)
SUNDAY before Theophany (Tone 6)
Save, O Lord, Thy people, and bless Thine inheritance. Ç°F CFHJOOJOH PG UIF (PTQFM PG +FTVT $ISJTU UIF 4PO PG (PE "T JU JT XSJUUFO JO *TBJBI UIF QSPQIFU A#FIPME 7T To thee, O Lord, will I cry; O my God, keep thou * TFOE NZ NFTTFOHFS CFGPSF ZPVS GBDF XIP TIBMM QSF not silent toward me. QBSF ZPVS XBZ UIF WPJDF PG POF DSZJOH JO UIF XJMEFS OFTT QSFQBSF UIF XBZ PG UIF -PSE NBLF IJT QBUIT ST. SERAPHIM of Sarov (Tone 7) TUSBJHIUw +PIO UIF CBQUJ[FS BQQFBSFE JO UIF XJMEFS 7T Honorable before the Lord is the death of His saints. OFTT QSFBDIJOH B CBQUJTN PG SFQFOUBODF GPS UIF GPS HJWFOFTT PG TJOT "OE UIFSF XFOU PVU UP IJN BMM UIF Epistle Reading before Theophany DPVOUSZ PG +VEFB BOE BMM UIF QFPQMF PG +FSVTBMFN SUNDAY (2 Timothy 4:5-8) BOE UIFZ XFSF CBQUJ[FE CZ IJN JO UIF SJWFS +PSEBO My son Timothy, watch thou in all things, endure afDPOGFTTJOH UIFJS TJOT /PX +PIO XBT DMPUIFE XJUI flictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof DBNFM T IBJS BOE IBE B MFBUIFS HJSEMF BSPVOE IJT of thy ministry. For I am now ready to be offered, and XBJTU BOE BUF MPDVTUT BOE XJME IPOFZ "OE IF the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a QSFBDIFE TBZJOH i"GUFS NF DPNFT IF XIP JT NJHIUJFS good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of UIBO * UIF UIPOH PG XIPTF TBOEBMT * BN OPU XPSUIZ UP righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, TUPPQ EPXO BOE VOUJF * IBWF CBQUJ[FE ZPV XJUI XB shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto UFS CVU IF XJMM CBQUJ[F ZPV XJUI UIF )PMZ 4QJSJU w all them also that love his appearing.
ST. SERAPHIM of Sarov (Luke 6:17-23)
ST. SERAPHIM of Sarov (Galatians 5:22-6:2) Brethren, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are
At that time, +FTVT TUPPE PO B MFWFM QMBDF XJUI B HSFBU DSPXE PG IJT EJTDJQMFT BOE B HSFBU NVMUJUVEF PG QFP QMF GSPN BMM +VEFB BOE +FSVTBMFN BOE UIF TFBDPBTU PG 5ZSF BOE 4JEPO XIP DBNF UP IFBS IJN BOE UP CF IFBMFE PG UIFJS EJTFBTFT BOE UIPTF XIP XFSF USPV CMFE XJUI VODMFBO TQJSJUT XFSF DVSFE "OE BMM UIF DSPXE TPVHIU UP UPVDI IJN GPS QPXFS DBNF GPSUI GSPN IJN BOE IFBMFE UIFN BMM "OE IF MJGUFE VQ IJT FZFT PO )JT EJTDJQMFT BOE TBJE i#MFTTFE BSF ZPV QPPS GPS ZPVST JT UIF ,JOHEPN PG (PE #MFTTFE BSF
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ZPV UIBU IVOHFS OPX GPS ZPV TIBMM CF TBUJTÃFE #MFTTFE BSF ZPV UIBU XFFQ OPX GPS ZPV TIBMM MBVHI #MFTTFE BSF ZPV XIFO NFO IBUF ZPV BOE XIFO UIFZ FYDMVEF ZPV BOE SFWJMF ZPV BOE DBTU PVU ZPVS OBNF BT FWJM PO BDDPVOU PG UIF 4PO PG NBO 3FKPJDF JO UIBU EBZ BOE MFBQ GPS KPZ GPS CFIPME ZPVS SFXBSE JT HSFBU JO IFBWFO w Please note Holy Communion is reserved for Orthodox Christians who have prepared themselves beforehand through confession and fasting. All are welcome to receive the blessed bread and Father’s blessing after services.
S
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Ç°F 0SUIPEPY 'BJUI %PDUSJOF 4PVSDFT PG $ISJTUJBO %PDUSJOF
Ç°F -JUVSHZ 8IFO UIF $IVSDI XIJDI NFBOT MJUFSBMMZ UIF HBUIFSJOH PS BTTFNCMZ PG QFPQMF XIP BSF DBMMFE UPHFUIFS UP QFSGPSN B TQFDJĂD UBTL BTTFNCMFT BT (PE T 1FPQMF UP XPSTIJQ UIJT HBUIFSJOH JT DBMMFE UIF MJUVSHZ PG UIF $IVSDI "T B XPSE liturgy NFBOT UIF DPNNPO XPSL PS BDUJPO PG B QBSUJDVMBS HSPVQ PG QFPQMF GPS UIF TBLF PG BMM Ç°VT UIF EJWJOF MJUVSHZ PG UIF $ISJTUJBO $IVSDI NFBOT UIF DPNNPO XPSL PG (PE EPOF CZ UIF QFPQMF PG (PE The liturgy of the Old Testament people was the official Christian forms and meaning. In addition, a great wealth worship in the temple of Jerusalem according to the Mo- of specifically Christian prayers, hymns and blessings saic Law, as well as the annual feasts and fasts and the pri- were developed, together with specifically Christian feasts vate prayers and services held by the Israelites at home or and celebrations in remembrance of New Testamental in the synagogues. 4ZOBHPHVFT by definition are houses events and saints. of gathering; they are not temples since according to the The living experience of the Christian sacramental and Law there was just the one UFNQMF in Jerusalem where liturgical life is a primary source of Christian doctrine. In the priestly worship was conducted. In the synagogues the the liturgy of the Church, the Bible and the Holy TraIsraelites gathered for prayer and scriptural study, preachdition come alive and are given to the living experience ing, and contemplation of the Word of God. of the Christian people. Thus, through prayer and sacIn the New Testament Church the liturgy is centered in ramental worship men are “taught by Godâ€? as it was prethe person of Christ and is primarily a “christeningâ€? of dicted for the messianic age (Jn 6:45). the Old Testament liturgical life. The Christian Church In addition to the living experience of the liturgy, the texts retains the liturgical life of the Old Testament in a new of the services and sacraments provide a written source of and eternal perspective. Thus, the prayers of the Old doctrine in that they may be studied and contemplated Testament, the scriptures and the psalms, are read and by one who desires an understanding of Christian teachsung in the light of Christ. The sacrifice of the Body and ings. According to the common opinion of the Orthodox Blood of Christ replaces the Old Testament sacrifices in Church, the sacramental and liturgical texts -- the hymns, the temple. And the Lord’s Day, Sunday, replaces the old blessings, prayers, symbols, and rituals -- contain no forJewish sabbath which is Saturday. mal errors or deformations of the Christian faith and can The Jewish feasts also take on new meaning in the Chris- be trusted absolutely to reveal the genuine doctrine of the tian Church with the central feast of Passover, for example, Orthodox Church. It may well be that some of the historibecoming the celebration of Christ’s death and resurrec- cal information contained in church feasts is inaccurate or tion; and the feast of Pentecost becoming the celebration merely symbolical, but there is no question in the Church of the coming of the Holy Spirit which fulfills the Old that the doctrinal and spiritual meaning of all of the feasts Testamental Law. The Christian liturgical year is also pat- is genuine and authentic and provides true experience and knowledge of God. terned after the Old Testamental prototype. From the basic foundation of the Old Testament litur- The series The Orthodox Faith is intended to provide bagy the Church developed its own sacramental life with sic, comprehensive information on the faith and the life of baptism in the name of the Holy Trinity, chrismation, the Orthodox Church for the average reader. The author holy communion, marriage, repentance, healing and the is Fr. Thomas Hopko, Dean Emeritus of St. Vladimir’s Churchly ministry and priesthood taking on specifically Seminary, Crestwood, NY. ~10~
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Romanian children singing Christmas carols St. Luke Orthodox Christian Church 1415 Woodstock Ave. Anniston, AL 36207