At STV we collect non-perishable food items. Always. We don't have food drives - we do this every single day. There are many people in our local community who are food insecure. We ask our parishioners to bring a can or box of non-perishable food every time they come to church. Make this a part of your family worship! The little you give means a lot to a family who is food insecure. Remember our Lord's admonition to us in this regard: "For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." (Matthew 25:35-40)

We present here a short educational offering for both children and adults on the upcoming Sunday's principle Gospel reading so that all can better prepare for the Divine Services. Parents are asked to review the children’s portion with their children. It is very important for us to attend the Divine Services on Sundays and whenever else we are able, but in addition it is our spiritual responsibility to educate ourselves and our families in the faith. It is our hope that this mid-week offering will be an aid in this regard. Please contact Fr. Gregory with questions or suggestions.

For Various Ages: from the Antiochian Archdiocese

Each year around the Thanksgiving Holiday we have two special collections in our parish to assist those in need. We thank God prayerfully for His bounty towards us, and we thank Him materially by helping those who are struggling in this life.

On the Sunday AFTER Thanksgiving (Sunday, November 26) we have a collection to support our Diocesan Fund for those in Need. Archbishop Peter is often approached for help – this fund allows him to help those who are appealing to him in their time of difficulty.

On the second Sunday AFTER Thanksgiving (this coming Sunday, December 3) we have a collection to support International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC). IOCC is the clearinghouse charity for all Orthodox Churches in North America. They provide help to all in need in North American and throughout the world – regardless of their confession of faith.

Both these collections will take place in the church at the end of the Liturgy, as we receive the antidron. If you would like to support either of these collection you can do that here (please specify the reason for your donation):

ST. VLADIMIR'S DONATE PAGE
If you would prefer not to use the on-line tools please contact our Treasurer, Mikhail Fisenkov, at treasurer@stvladimiraami.org.

Please note that the yearly Lenten period in preparation for our Lord’s Nativity begins on November 28. From this day until January 7 we do not partake of meat or dairy products. On many days during this lent fish is allowed. Please consult the parish schedule of services for details in this regard. Have questions about fasting? Never tried to follow the fast before? Please talk to Fr. Gregory or Fr. Colin for answers! “We abstain from meats that we might abstain from the passions...” writes St. John Chrysostom. Let us indeed use the fast for what it is – a tool to aid us in our spiritual struggle for salvation!

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

CLICK HERE TO JOIN!!!
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“Wherever there is obedience, humility, and struggling, the demons can never take a person captive. Hardness, disobedience, and pride give birth to despondency and negligence. Then all the demons come and turn the soul of that person into a dunghill and a stable. And they do not relent until they make him responsible for new and old sins, and totally captive.”

Monastic Wisdom: The Letters of Elder Joseph the Hesychast by Elder Joseph Hesychast

"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: I Timothy 1:1-7 & Luke 14:12-15
Tuesday: I Timothy 1:8-14 & Luke 14:25-35
Wednesday: I Timothy 1:18-20,2:8-15 & Luke 15:1-10
Thursday: I Timothy 3:1-13 & Luke 16:1-9
Friday: I Timothy 4:4-8,16 & Luke 16:15-18,17:1-4
Saturday: Galatians 3:8-12 & Luke 9:57-62

Понедельник: I Тим. 1:1-7 и от Луки 14:12-15
Вторник: I Тим. 1:8-14 и от Луки 14:25-35
Среда: I Тим. 1:18-20,2:8-15 и от Луки 15:1-10
Четверг: I Тим. 3:1-13 и от Луки 16:1-9
Пятница: I Тим. 4:4-8,16 и от Луки 16:15-18,17:1-4
Суббота: Гал. 3:8-12 и от Луки 9:57-62

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)