Many people seek, as if essential, a spiritual father who leads an exalted life, and they become despondent when they do not find such a one, and therefore they rarely, almost reluctantly, come to confession. This is a great mistake. You need to believe in the very Mystery of Confession, in its power, not in the person who performs the Mystery. It is essential only that the spiritual father be Orthodox and authorized by the Church. You need not argue that the personal qualities of the spiritual father are important, but you should believe and know that the Lord, active in every Mystery through His Grace, acts according to His omnipotence, regardless of these qualities.

Venerable Nikon 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: I Corinthians 15:12-19 & Matthew 21:18-22
Tuesday: I Corinthians 15:29-38 & Matthew 21:23-27
Wednesday: I Corinthians 16:4-12 & Matthew 21:28-32
Thursday: II Corinthians 1:1-7 & Matthew 21:43-46
Friday: II Corinthians 1:12-20 & Matthew 22:23-33
Saturday: Romans 15:30-33 & Matthew 17:24-18:4

Понедельник: I Кор. 15:12-19 и от Матфея 21:18-22
Вторник: I Кор. 15:29-38 и от Матфея 21:23-27
Среда: I Кор. 16:4-12 и от Матфея 21:28-32
Четверг: II Кор. 1:1-7 и от Матфея 21:43-46
Пятница: II Кор. 1:12-20 и от Матфея 22:23-33
Суббота: Рим. 14:6-9 и от Матфея 15:32-39

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

Please join us for a live broadcast of today's Divine Liturgy beginning at 10:00 a.m. at the following link:

ST. VLADIMIR AUDIO LIVE STREAM
VIDEO LIVE STREAM
Please remember - the stream only broadcasts live services. If you would like to listen to previously recorded and edited services please visit our sound blog:

SOUND OF THE PARISH BLOG
If you would like to view past services please visit our YouTube page:

ST. VLADIMIR YOUTUBE CHANNEL

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

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

Please join us for a live broadcast of tonight's Vigil beginning at 6:00 p.m. at the following links:

ST. VLADIMIR AUDIO LIVE STREAM
VIDEO LIVE STREAM
Please remember - the stream only broadcasts live services. If you would like to listen to previously recorded and edited services please visit our sound blog:
SOUND OF THE PARISH BLOG
If you would like to view past services please visit our YouTube page:

ST. VLADIMIR YOUTUBE CHANNEL

Our Subdeacon Dmitri Mihaliov will be ordained a deacon on the feast of the Prophet Micah, this August 27 at St. Vladimir’s.

First, we ask your prayers for Subdeacon Dmitri, Katherine, and Simeon - that the Lord will bless them all as Subdeacon Dmitri enters the deaconate to serve our parish family.

Second, we ask you to be attentive to the fact that beginning August 28 we will have daily evening services at 6:00 p.m. and daily Divine Liturgy at 8:00 a.m. through September 5. FIND THE FULL SCHEDULE OF SERVICES HERE.

Please participate in these special Divine Services as your schedule allows, but try to attend at least one of the Divine Services during this time in support of Subdeacon Dmitri and for the good of your salvation.

Congratulations to Subdeacon Dmitri on his upcoming ordination! May the Lord grant him many years of service in His Holy Church!

With Archbishop Peter’s blessing Fr. Gregory will be away on his annual family vacation August 1-17. In an emergency please contact Fr. Colin at (734) 890-8236, or the parish phone number at (734) 475-4590. The parish schedule of services will continue as published.

All are welcome at St. Vladimir's! Please join us this Sunday! More information can be found at this link, and we encourage you to share this with family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers!

DIVINE SERVICES FOR SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2022
As of August 20, 2021 we recommend (but do not mandate) masking for indoor activities at St. Vladimir’s. Join us!

The Lenten period in preparation for the feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God begins August 14. It is our tradition to make IOCC School Kits (to help kids in countries that need to bring their own school supplies to school in order to attend school) during this Lenten period. We’ll do the same this year with appropriate disease precautions. On Sunday, August 14 we will have a special collection to support this effort. If you can’t make it that day please contact Marina Edwards to make your donation. On Friday, August 19 (the feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord) we will make the school kits following the Divine Liturgy (starting about 10:00 a.m.). This is an important effort to get our KIDS involved in. They will be helping their peers in other countries to be educated. Please plan to join us in supporting this important effort!