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TONIGHT (APRIL 6th) 7-9:30 PM
The Great Canon of St Andrew of Crete
& Reading of the Life of St. Mary of Egypt

Великий Kанон Cв. Андрія Критського"Поклони"

There will be plenty of room. Have your children bring blankets- they can fall asleep to the prayers. Read more about this service below.

NOTE: Liturgy of Presanctified Gifts this afternoon at 3 PM (not 5pm)+ Tomorrow at 5pm Friday at 5pm
HELP: Volunteers needed for grounds keeping (students looking for hours or anyone else) and humanitarian aid collection packing and sorting 12-4 this Saturday after Liturgy.

ABOUT THE SERVICE

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Tonight is the yearly singing of the Great Canon and the reading of the life of Saint Mary of Egypt. If you will be praying at home, download THE GREAT CANON 2021 (file below). Before the canon (and after if you wish), read “A Who’s Who Guide of the Great Canon” which explains who all the biblical characters are that will be referenced in the various odes. I strongly recommend reading this in order to better grasp the meaning of the texts - and its a fantastic bible lesson!

I have provided the Life of Saint Mary of Egypt in full as a PDF document, and also a link to a recording of it. It's worthwhile for sure! If possible, before this evening, listen to the podcast episode from “Firstfruits” (link provided below).

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

The Great Canon 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”.

THE GREAT CANON (PDF)
WHO's WHO of THE GREAT CANON (PDF)
LIFE OF SAINT MARY OF EGYPT (PDF)

A podcast about what happens tonight: https://www.ancientfaith.com/podcasts/firstfruits/the_great_canon_of_st._andrew_of_crete
A recording of the life of Saint Mary of Egypt:
http://www.st-marymagdalene.org/parish-blog/2019/4/9/the-life-of-st-mary-of-egypt
Podcast - Great Lent Week 5
Speaking the Truth in Love- Fr. Thomas Hopko

Finally: For those who are physically able approximately 250 prostrations are made, so wear loose clothing (un-tucked shirts are a good idea). Physically unable to do prostrations? No problem, just listen!
If you are local- make an effort to come if you are able to...

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