FIVE LINES FOR EVERY ST. VLADIMIRIAN TO READ FOR THIS WEEK!

But such a one as believes in his resurrection from the dead, the same prepares here for the future life; attempts to live in accordance with the commandments of the Lord; honors the feasts of the Lord; and takes care not to offend against their sanctity through deeds of carnal impurity. And what was done among us, us Orthodox Christians, on this radiant Feast? It is shameful even to speak of it; but it is necessary to do so. Christians, to the great grief of Holy Mother the Church, turned the bright days of Pascha Week into dark days, days deserving of tears and lamentation. So very many celebrated not the feast of Christ’s Resurrection, and our own resurrection from dead works, but a feast of demonic resurrection in their souls. The Great Fast was a defeat of, was death for, the devil; because he fled from many souls and died to them, as it were, after their sincere repentance and communion of the Holy Mysteries; but on the feast of Pascha he rose again in not a few souls. How did he arise? Through gluttony, drunkenness, outrage and other vices that drunkenness gives rise to, and to which many Christians gave themselves over. It is thus that Christians love Christ; it is thus that they celebrate the greatest holiday of the year! What benefit is there in such people calling themselves Christians? Many pagans live better lives than that and, without a doubt, are more worthy in God’s eyes than are they. Those of other [non-Christian] faiths and those who are not Orthodox, who dwell in our city [Kronstadt] are astonished at such behavior, and on so great a holiday, and say: there are the Christians, for you; there are the Orthodox, for you! They celebrate like real pagans, and on such a holiday, yet! That is what those of other faiths and those who are not Orthodox say of us. But what does the Lord Himself say of our holidays; or, more precisely—of our observance of them? My soul hateth your festivals, and I cannot bear the great day, saith the Lord, I am surfeited; I will no more pardon your sins (Esaias 1, 14).

Brethren! Whom have we begun to resemble? To what extent have we given ourselves over to forgetfulness? And the word of Scripture is being fulfilled in us in all its force: and man, being in honor, understandeth not; he is compared to senseless cattle and hath become like unto them (Ps. 48; 13, 21). Christ the Lord hath honored us with His name; He hath washed us with His blood; he hath made of us a chosen people, an holy nation (I Pet. 2, 9); while we insolently, madly, have despised God’s mercy and dishonor ourselves by all means of dissolute acts. Do not flatter yourselves, brethren: neither thieves, nor murderers, nor fornicators, nor adulterers shall inherit the Kingdom of God (I Cor. 6; 9, 10). Yes, if you do not cease from behaving thus, especially on holy days which, according to the Lord’s commandment, should be consecrated and sanctified, then ye will not see the Kingdom of God.

Brethren! it is extremely necessary for us to behave more wisely, and to attend more closely to ourselves, during the feasts of the Lord. The Lord will call us strictly to account for our foolish revelry. It is not according to the flesh, as do those who worship idols; but, rather, according to the spirit, that we should celebrate our holidays; although even bodily celebration, if it occurs together with the spiritual, is permitted and is not hateful to the Lord; but, in that case, it must never exceed the bounds of moderation. God is spirit (John 4, 24; 2 Cor. 3, 17); our soul, redeemed by the Savior, is spirit: therefore should our holidays be more spiritual than fleshly. Such a one as celebrates only bodily, the same celebrates not unto God, but unto his idol—the belly; or, which is all the same, to the demon of intemperance. God deliver everyone from such feasts! The abundance of material viands is permitted to Christians on holidays to the glory of God, in order that we might eat and drink in moderation, thanking God Who, together with spiritual joy, sends us bodily consolation, also, in the variety and sweetness of the viands and beverages, in order that our joy might not be wanting. But spiritual joy on a holiday must always surpass that of the body; while, with us—it is the opposite.

It is said, in God’s commandment: remember the Sabbath day, and sanctify it (Ex. 20, 8); in our language of the New Testament, this means: remember the Day of Resurrection; do not forget its holiness and try to sanctify it yourself by your good deeds.

O Lord! grant that we might always remember Thy commandment concerning how we are to celebrate holy days; that we might keep it holy and be well-pleasing unto Thee with spiritual celebration. Amen.

St. John of Kronstadt
What Has the Feast of Pascha Left in Our Souls?

"This is the cause of all evils: the ignorance of the Scriptures. We go into battle without arms, and how ought we to come off safe?" -St. John Chrysostom, Homily IX on Colossians.

In order to help increase the general knowledge of scripture in our parish family we present here for your edification the scripture readings for the coming week. At least one Gospel Reading and one Epistle reading are assigned for each day of the year (although during Great Lent the readings are from the Old Testament). Hearing or reading only those readings appointed for Sunday merely scratches the surface of the great spiritual wealth that the scriptures provide us. Some of the readings are easily understandable – others are less so. As Orthodox Christians we do not make private interpretation of scripture, but rather consult the fathers of the Church for their explanations to aid us in our understanding. Those wishing to have access to such explanations are asked to contact Fr. Gregory or inquire in the kiosk for further reading in this regard. Bibles may also be acquired in the kiosk.

Monday: Acts 1:12-17, 21-26 & John 1:18-28
Tuesday: Acts 2:14-21 & Luke 24:12-35
Wednesday: Acts 2:22-36 & John 1:35-51
Thursday: Acts 2:38-43 & John 3:1-15
Friday: Acts 3:1-8 & John 2:12-22
Saturday: Acts 3:11-16 & John 3:22-33

Понедельник: Деян. 1:12-17, 21-26 и от Иоанна 1:18-28
Вторник: Деян. 2:14-21 и от Луки 24:12-35
Среда: Деян. 2:22-36 и от Иоанна 1:35-51
Четверг: Деян. 2:38-43 и от Иоанна 3:1-15
Пятница: Деян. 3:1-8 и от Иоанна 2:12-22
Суббота: Деян. 3:11-16 и от Иоанна 3:22-33

Please find below several very nice articles on how to read the scripture from an Orthodox point of view.

By St. Justin (Popovich)

By Bishop Kalistos (Ware)

SUNDAY LITURGY IS NOT ON NOW!
We served Liturgy at Midnight!
The next service at STV is Paschal Vespers & Matins at 2:00 p.m.
Then: Paschal Divine Liturgy (PLUS the Feast of St. George)
tomorrow at 8:00 a.m.
Where could you find the whole Bright Week schedule you ask? Please see the link below!
HOLY WEEK 2024 AT STV

Our parish Sunday publications are available now at the link below. Find our Prayer List, "Good News", and "Sunday Reading", plus other parish publications!
PARISH PUBLICATIONS ENGLISH + РУССКИЙ

Confession and Communion are the two sacraments we most often partake of as Orthodox Christians and thus it behooves us to learn about these, how to prepare for these, and how to best take advantage of the Grace that our Lord freely gives us in these sacraments. At St. Vladimir’s we have created a special web site for this purpose with much information in this regard. Please find the web site listed below and please contact Fr. Gregory with questions!

CONFESSION AND COMMUNION AT ST. VLADIMIR'S
PRAYERS BEFORE COMMUNION - PARISH PRAYER KIT

We greet all our parish family and friends with the feast of feasts and the day of days: the Glorious Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ!

Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!

Христос Воскресе! Воистину воскресе!
***LIVE STREAM OF PASCHAL SERVICES ON NOW!***

SATURDAY VIGIL IS NOT ON NOW!
We begin reading the Acts of the Apostles at 9:00 p.m.
Then Midnight Office at 11:30 p.m.
Then Paschal Matins and Liturgy at 12:00 a.m.
PLEASE NOTE: NO LITURGY AT 10: A.M.!
Where could you find the whole Bright Week schedule you ask? Please see the link below!
HOLY WEEK 2024 AT STV

According to the tradition of the Holy Church we will serve the Divine Liturgy at midnight tonight. THERE WILL BE NO DIVINE LITURGY AT 10 A.M. TOMORROW!

Here we provide the Synaxarion for Holy Saturday for the edification of our readers. This week we will provide the Synaxarion for each day of Holy Week for our readers so that even if one cannot attend the Divine Services one can still remain as close to the Lord as possible during this very important week.

English ~ Русский