From Ukraine

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Dear Parishioners and Friends of St. Elias Church,

I am forwarding on to you the full text (in English) of Volodymyr Zelensky’s First Speech as President of Ukraine. We don’t usually feature political leaders on our blog but since this event in Ukraine affects many of our friends and family we are making an exception.

If you are of Ukrainian origin, you must read this and take hope….If you are not of Ukrainian origin, but love the people who founded our parish, you must read this as well. The positive words give us some hope that God hears our Sunday prayer for “the people of Ukraine….” They have made a surprising choice, let us all wish him well!

Enjoy!

Fr. Roman

Preparing for The Great Canon of Saint Andrew of Crete- and a "PSA"

After Liturgy, part of lenten catechesis, the children (and grown-ups) prepared for the Canon of St. Andrew of Crete. They learned the refrain and how to make prostrations properly.

The Great Canon will begin here THIS WEDNESDAY AT 7 PM and lasts approximately 2.5 hours. For those who are physically able, approximately 250 prostrations are made, so wear proper footwear and loose clothing (un- tucked shirts are a good idea). Physically unable? No problem, come listen! This is our “Full Contact Christianity”; a combination of scripture, physical exercise, and an epic narrative about a truly amazing woman. Why not check it out? You won’t regret it! A great way to prepare for confession and Pascha.Haven’t attended any Lenten services yet? This is your chance to make up for it!

MY SOUL, MY SOUL ARISE! WHY ARE YOU SLEEPING?

This coming Wednesday evening we gather for the singing of the Great Canon, the composition of St. Andrew of Crete. This service is a masterpiece of liturgical hymnody and repentance that each and everyone of us need to hear and experience. Together with the reading of the Life of Saint Mary of Egypt, it proves an invaluable source of encouragement and formation.

There is no other sacred hymn which compares with this monumental work, which St Andrew wrote for his personal meditations. Nothing else has its extensive typology and mystical explanations of the scripture, from both the Old and New Testaments. One can almost consider this hymn to be a “survey of the Old and New Testament”.

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO KNOW ABOUT THE GREAT CANON: The Great Canon was written by a holy man to teach himself the right way to live. We cannot benefit from it unless we make it a priority to stand in prayer, in the church, and listen to it, with a great desire and expectation for God’s grace to teach us and heal us. Our theology is first and foremost – experienced and prayed, and not only “studied”.


ДУШE МОЯ, ДУШE МОЯ, УСТАНЬ!

Одна з характерних особливостей богослужіння Великого посту – читання чи спів Великого покаянного канону святителя Андрія Критського. Для багатьох вірян цей канон – чи не єдина відмінність великопісного часу від решти церков- ного року, адже у суботи та неділі під час Великого посту особливостей зовсім мало, а з буден-них служб серед вірян найбільш популярні дні, коли
читається канон св. Андрія Критського. Для того, щоб відчути «атмосферу» Великого посту як часу каяття та оновлення, варто не пропустити зовсім особливе богослужіння на п’ятій седмиці Великого посту– так зване «Маріїне стояння». Це утреня четверга 5-ї седмиці, у парафіяльній практиці найчастіше її служать в середу ввечері. Окрім Великого покаянного канону, за цією службою читається житіє преподобної Марії Єгипетської як приклад справжнього навернення від безодні гріха до висот праведності.

В ЦЮ СEРEДУ ВEЧ. - ВEЛИКИЙ КАНОН 19.00 - 21.30

Full schedule of services for Lent + Pascha click here