We are a parish of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad, and all are welcome to worship with us! Our services are in English. Please join us at our coffee hour downstairs after the service.
March 12/25, 2007
Fifth Sunday of Great Lent
Commemoration of St. Mary of Egypt
Sunday Troparion, Tone 8: From on high didst Thou descend, O Compassionate One; * to burial of three days hast Thou submitted*that Thou mightest free us from our passions. * O our Life and Resurrection, O Lord, glory be to Thee.
Troparion to St. Theodore Stratelates, Tone 4: By true strategy, O trophy-bearer * thou wast an illustrious general of the Heavenly King, O Theodore. * For thou didst wisely arm thyself with the weapons of faith, * and didst utterly annihilate the hordes of demons, * and didst prove a victorious athlete, * wherefore with faith * we ever call thee blessed.
Troparion to St. Theodore the Tyro, Tone 2: Great are the triumphs of faith! * The holy martyr Theodore rejoiced in a fountain of flame as in refreshing water. * For having been made a whole burnt offering by fire, * he was offered as a sweetbread to the Trinity, * By his prayers, O Christ God, save our souls.
Troparion to St. Mary of Egypt, Tone 5: Enlightened by the grace of the Cross, * thou wast shown forth as a radiant lamp of repentance, * dispelling the darkness of the passions, O all-holy one. * Wherefore, thou didst appear as an angel in the flesh * unto the sacred Zosimas in the wilderness, * O Mary, our righteous mother, * do thou intercede with Christ for us.
Sunday Kontakion, Tone 8: Having arisen from the tomb, Thou didst raise up the dead and didst resurrect Adam. Eve also danceth at Thy Resurrection, and the ends of the world celebrate Thine arising from the dead, O Greatly-merciful One.
Kontakion to St. Theodore Stratelates, Tone 2: Armed with faith and courage of soul, * and having taken in thy hand the Word of God as a spear, * thou didst conquer the enemy, * O glory of martyrs, Theodore. * With them cease not to intercede with Christ God for us all.
Kontakion to St. Theodore the Tyro, Tone 8: Having received the faith of Christ in thy heart as an inner shield, * thou didst overcome all the opposing forces, O great champion, * and thou hast been crowned with a heavenly crown, O Theodore, * for thou are eternally invincible.
Kontakion to St. Mary of Egypt, Tone 3: Thou who once of old wast filled with all manner of fornication, * art now seen today to be a bride of Christ by thy repentance. * Thou didst love and emulate the life of the angels. * By the Cross thou didst annihilate the hordes of demons; * for this cause thou art a bride now in the kingdom of the heavens, * O Mary, thou all-modest one.
Kontakion to the Theotokos, Tone 6: O protection of Christians that cannot be put to shame, * mediation unto the Creator most constant, * O despise not the suppliant voices of those who have sinned, * but be thou quick, O good one, to come unto our aid, * who in faith cry unto thee: * Hasten to intercession, and speed thou to make supplication, * thou who dost ever protect, * O Theotokos, them that honor thee.
Today’s Readings
Epistle: Hebrews 9:11-14; Galatians 3:23-29
Gospel: Mark 10:32b-45; Luke 7:36-50
Parish News
vCongratulations to Edward Akiwumi, who is being baptized today, and his sponsor, Reader Andrew Miller. Many years!
vToday and next Sunday, by decree of the Synod of Bishops, we will taking up an offering for the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission. This fund goes toward our monasteries and sacred sites in the Holy Land, including the Convent of the Ascension on the Mount of Olives, the Convent of St. Mary Magdalene in Gethsemane and the Bethany School. The school ministers to children (and their families) from among the much-suffering Palestinian Orthodox Christians.
vAnd we are receiving donations for the flowers for Pascha.
vThe last Pan-Orthodox Lenten Vespers of the year will be served tonight at St. George Antiochian Church in Lewiston at 6:00pm. Fr. Paul Solberg will speak on “Living Orthodoxy in our Communities”.
vThe last Liturgy of the Pre-Sanctified Liturgy of the year will be served this Wednesday. Matins will begin at 8:00am and Liturgy at 10:00am. The usual conditions for receiving Holy Communion apply.
vOn Friday at 6:30pm we will serve Great Compline for Lazarus Saturday. Confessions will be heard afterwards.
vConfessions for Pascha: Any confessions made from now through Holy Friday will “count” for Pascha. Please make your confession sooner rather than later, especially if you have not made your confession recently. No confessions will be heard on Holy Saturday unless out of great need.
vGabriella Damiano says that she is more than happy to receive visitors so that folks can meet Baby Michael. And she says she won’t complain if anyone brings by a casserole…
vPlease remember in your prayers those traveling: Ludmilla Ibarra, Valentina Jaffrey and Marcus Bursik.
If you are visiting today:
·There are service books underneath the candle stand that you may borrow and follow along in. If you get lost, ask your neighbor to help you find the page.
As you can see, we stand for most of the service. If you are not accustomed to this, please feel free to sit if you feel the need. No one will mind! You should still stand during the Scripture readings and when the priest comes through.
In the Orthodox tradition, women cover their heads in church, and extra scarves can be borrowed from the candle stand at the entrance.
You will see people making the sign of the cross and bowing. Feel free to follow suit or not, however you are comfortable. Again, no one will mind either way.
Feel free to venerate (kiss) the icons and purchase a candle to light. Commemoration slips for Orthodox, living and reposed may be placed on the tray by the candle stand. Please write down how many prosphora you would like (suggested donation: $1/ea.)
At the end of the service, you may come forward to venerate the hand-cross if you wish.
At our parish we do not pass a collection plate. Gifts are voluntary and can be left at the candle stand.
Anyone who wishes to receive Holy Communion must be an Orthodox Christian and make their Confession beforehand. Please speak with Fr. Peter for more information.
