Fr. Gregory has lost his voice, so unfortunately we cannot have services for the 14000 Martyrs on Monday evening and Tuesday morning. He has tested negative for Covid but is not improving, and in fact getting worse. So he will work with his doctor to try to figure out what is happening. Please pray that he will improve enough for us to hold services on Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning as scheduled. But please also keep an eye on our web site for the latest updates on the schedule this week. It would be wise to check the web site before heading out for services...

Concerning prayer in church, know that it is higher than prayers at home, for it is raised by a whole group of people, among which many are most pure prayers, offered to God from humble hearts, which He accepts as fragrant incense. Along with these our prayers are also accepted, even though they are feeble and worthless.

Venerable Macarius of Optina
Living without Hypocrisy

"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: Hebrews 8:7-13 & Mark 10:46-52
Tuesday: Hebrews 9:8-10,15-23 & Mark 11:11-23
Wednesday: Hebrews 10:1-18 & Mark 11:23-26
Thursday: Hebrews 10:35-11:17 & Mark 11:27-33
Friday: Colossians 2:8-12 & Luke 2:20-22,40-52
Saturday: I Timothy 3:14-4:5 & Matthew 3:1-11

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

By St. Justin (Popovich):

http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/phronema/bible_how.aspx

By Bishop Kalistos (Ware):

http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/phronema/ware_howto.aspx