Guía de la iglesia

At night our spirit rises early to You, our God, for Your commandments are light upon the earth. Incline Your ear and hear us; and remember, Lord, by name all those who pray with us, and save them by Your power. Bless Your people and sanctify your inheritance. Give peace to Your world, to the churches, to our rulers and to all Your people. Teach us Your justice, O God, your commands and Your statutes. Enlighten the eyes of our understanding, lest we ever sleep unto death in sins. Drive away all gloomy darkness from our hearts. Give us the grace of Your justice and by the seal of your Holy Spirit, keep our life free from harm. Direct our steps in the way of peace. Grant that we may see the dawn and the day in joy, that we may offer You our unceasing prayers. Remember also, Lord, in the greatness of Your compassion all our brethren by land and sea and in every place of Your dominion who ask for Your love and Your help; and give to all Your mercy. We praise, hymn, bless and give You thanks, O God of our fathers, for You have turned aside the shades of night and shown us again the light of day. Make the true sun of justice shine in our hearts; enlighten our mind and guard all our senses, so that, walking uprightly by day in the way of Your commandments, we may reach eternal life. For you are our God and to you we give glory, to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Today your divine commemoration has shone brightly like the sun, enlightening the faithful, O all-blessed Simeon, illumining the creation with divine radiance, chasing away the gloom of sufferings and the darkness of demons. For this we bless you and honor you each year as a universal light-giver and most fervent intercessor. You wisely gained the unchanging things of heaven in return for those on earth that are fleeting. You received incorruptible glory for that which is corruptible. In exchange for great tortures and numerous insults, O Simeon, you received the ineffable things of God. Rejoicing in them with your fellow contenders, O glorious one, entreat Christ on behalf of those who praise you in faith! When the arrows of your words pierced the ranks of the wicked, O martyr Simeon, then the clouds of heaven sent forth their voice and the choirs of angels marveled at your bravery, rejoicing. And we the faithful now celebrate your falling asleep as we glorify the Savior. Amen.

Blessed is he who in the Lord has become free of all the affairs of this vain life. Blessed is he who has in mind the coming terrible judgement and tries to heal the wounds of his soul with tears. Blessed is he who in tears has become like a cloud, and daily uses them to extinguish the fiery flame of the evil passions. Blessed is he who excels in good measures of ascetic feats, hoping to receive from God the heavenly kingdom. Blessed is he who like a fire is ablaze with love and has burned up in himself all impure thoughts and corruption of the soul. Blessed is he who has found a choice heavenly pearl and, having sold all that he had on earth, has bought this one jewel. Blessed is he who has found a treasure hidden in a field, rejoiced and cast aside all, and acquired this one piece of land. Blessed is he who ceaselessly remembers the day of his departure and strives to be ready and fearless in that hour. Blessed is he who finds boldness in the hour of his leave-taking, when the soul with fear and trembling bids farewell to the body, for the angels shall come to take his soul, to separate it from the body and place it before the throne at the immortal and terrible judgement place. Blessed is he who trusts in the Lord. Amen.

Spoiler Alert!!! it's not about Passover!

You, O Christ, Who are rich, have assumed poverty, and enriched the human race with illumination and immortality; enrich me with virtues, for I have grown poor by the pleasures of this life! Establish me with Lazarus the Poor; deliver me from the punishments of the rich and from the torment of Gehenna that awaits me! I have become rich with evil in a wretched way. I have loved luxury and exploited the pleasures of life; I have come under the condemnation of the fire of Gehenna, I have slighted my mind, and am famished and cast down before the gates of divine deeds. Therefore, have compassion on me, O Lord and Master! Believers, let us diligently begin the sixth week of the solemn fast! Let us sing songs to the Lord as He comes in glory to Jerusalem to cause death to die by His divine power! So, let us prepare the branches of the virtues, as emblems of victory, and let us cry, "Hosanna!" to the Creator of all! Amen.

Antiphonal chanting at St George! Gabriel, Elaine, and the Chanters have done a wonderful job. Thank you all for your dedication!!!

You stood before the doors of the Church, polluted with evil and unable to enter. Accused by your own conscience, O wise one of God, you converted to a better way of life. Looking upon the icon of the blessed Mother of God, you condemned all your past sins, O Mother Mary, and went to bow before the precious Cross. Having worshipped at the holy places with great joy, you received saving grace for your journey of virtue. You set out in haste to follow the narrow path. You crossed the river Jordan and went to live where the Baptist had dwelt. Through self-denial you tamed the savagery of the passions; through violence you broke the rebellion of your flesh, taking the Kingdom of God by force. You lived alone in the wilderness; as you erased the images of sin from your soul, God marked it with the imprint of holiness. Filled with the spirit, O Blessed Mother, you walked on the surface of the waters; by your prayers you ascended from earth to heaven. Since you stand before Christ, O glorious Mary, entreat Him with boldness to save our souls! The image of God was truly preserved in you, O Mary of Egypt, for you took up the Cross and followed Christ. By so doing, you taught us to disregard the flesh for it passes away; but to care instead for the soul, for it is immortal. Therefore your spirit, O holy Mother Mary, rejoices with the angels. With the sword of abstinence, you cut down the corrupt desires of your soul and the passions of your flesh. With the silence of the wilderness you strangled your sinful words and thoughts. You watered the desert with the streams of your tears. You made the fruits of repentance grow for us. We celebrate your memory, O holy one. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

The Church of God gave you to the flock and reasonable sheep of Christ as an invincible champion, O blessed Eutychius. You drove out the impious Nestorius, who vainly blasphemed the all-glorious and pure Mother of God, denying that she is in truth the Theotokos. You rejected him. You wisely guided your flock to the pasture of the right Faith, the living water of true wisdom, the beautiful green of grass planted by God for the food of incorruption which never fails or falls away. Your mouth overflowed with the divine words of eternal life and the thoughts that do not pass away. You cut down the words of the heretics like roots and thorns with the scythe and plow of your teaching. You felled their vile hearts and sowed your correction: the judgment of the divine commandments. Showing these to be fruitful, you earned your talent doubly, bearing it to your Master. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Your memorial, O Bishop Basil, is celebrated with brilliant praise, and the assemblies of the Orthodox faithful rejoice. You were a righteous one, and ever embodied and honored the pure beauty of chastity and the virtues of meekness and peace. Patiently imitating the divine Paul in your banishment, O hierarch Basil, you ended your life in poverty and sorrows, yet you went from place to place, richly comforted. Now having received from God your abode in a place of eternal gladness you dwell in the land of delight and peace. As a hierarch received by God, you gaze on the unfading spiritual abode, for you were granted to behold the things of heaven. You were clothed in the robes of Truth and girded with righteousness, O most blessed one, face to face beholding the splendid beauty of the wise ones! Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit ,both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Some of the chanting from last night's Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts....

I have wasted my whole life with harlots and publicans. Will I be able to repent of my many sins even when grow old? I cry to You, the Creator of all and Healer of the sick: "Save me before I completely perish, O Lord!" Weighed down with indifference, I wallow in sin. Pierced by the devil's darts, I have defiled Your image in me. Yet You convert the heedless and save the sinful. Save me before I completely perish, O Lord! I have become a stumbling block. Born of earth, I have remained attached to earthly things. Wed to Your commandments, I transgressed them and defiled my bed. Yet do not despise the creature whom You formed of earth, but save me before I completely perish, O Lord! Obsessed with the flesh, I have murdered my soul. I have become the demons' toy, the slave of lusts. In Your compassion, spare me! Put the demons to flight! Save me before I completely perish, O Lord! More than all men I have willfully sinned, and this has left me helpless and forsaken. As the enemy of my own soul, I have carnal thoughts that darken it. O Light of those in darkness, Guide of all who go astray: "Save me before I completely perish, O Lord!" "Let me live, and I shall praise You!" said the Prophet. Seek me, Your lost sheep, and number me among Your flock! Grant me time for repentance, so that with cries of sorrow I may call on You: "Save me before I completely perish, O Lord!" I have sinned, O Christ my God. I have sinned and rejected Your commandments. Be merciful to me, O Bountiful One, so that escaping from the darkness I may see with my inner eyes and cry to You in fear: "Save me before I completely perish, O Lord!" Wild beasts surround me, but snatch me from them, O Savior, for You desire all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth! As their Creator, save them, and with them save me! Save me before I completely perish, O Lord! O my Benefactor, my Redeemer and my Savior, be also my healer and reject me not! Look on me as I lie in sin, and raise me up, O Almighty One! Then shall I confess Your deeds and cry to You: "Save me before I completely perish, O Lord!" Like the foolish servant I have hidden the talent given to me and buried it in the ground. I am condemned as useless and no longer dare to ask You for forgiveness. But in Your patience pity me, so that I may cry to You: "Save me before I completely perish, O Lord!" When the woman with an issue of blood touched the hem of Your garment, You dried up the source of her sufferings. If I also approach You with unwavering faith, I will receive forgiveness of my sins. Accept me as You accepted her,and heal my grief and pain! Save me before I completely perish, O Lord! O Lord, Who created heaven and earth by Your word, You will sit upon the throne for judgment. All of us will stand in Your presence and confess our sins. Before that day comes, accept me in repentance! Save me before I completely perish, O Lord! O only Savior, look on me with compassion, and have mercy on me! Wash me clean from the filth of my sins, so that I may sing: "Save me before I completely perish, O Lord!" The devil has prepared his weapons to hunt down my humble soul. He has made me a stranger to the light of the knowledge of Your face. But rescue me from his traps, for You are mighty in strength! Save me before I completely perish, O Lord! I am completely enslaved by the passions. I have forsaken the Law and the Holy Scriptures. Heal my every part, O loving Benefactor, Who for my sake became as I am! Pity me and convert me, O merciful Destroyer of the passions! Save me before I completely perish, O Lord! The harlot washed Your pure and precious feet with her tears. She encourages all to approach You and receive remission of their sins. Grant also unto me her faith, O Savior, so that I may cry to You: "Save me before I completely perish, O Lord!" For my sake You were made poor and became a young child in the flesh. Now cleanse my soul of all filth, O Christ! I am weak and broken; send down a drop of Your mercy on me! Wash away the dirt, and heal me of my sickness! Save me before I completely perish, O Lord! Strengthen my soul, O Master! Let me run to You and always serve You, for You are my Guardian and Protector, my Defense and help! Enable me to cry to You with boldness, O Word of God: "Save me before I completely perish, O Lord!" Be our unshakeable rampart, O Jesus, our Savior and merciful God, for we have fallen into deceitful ways and deeds! Raise up Your creature, O Benefactor, and reconcile us to You in Your compassion! Save me before I completely perish, O Lord! I am like the Prodigal Son, for after wasting my riches I now am dying of hunger. Receive me as You received him, O loving Father, for I seek refuge beneath Your protection! Let me eat at Your table, so that I may cry to You: "Save me before I completely perish, O Lord!" Out of envy the author of evil drove Adam from Paradise, but by saying "Remember me," the thief on the cross regained it. With faith and fear I also cry to You, "Remember me!" Save me before I completely perish, O Lord! Stretch out Your hand to me as to Peter, and raise me from the depths, O God! Grant me grace and mercy, through the prayers of Your all-pure Mother, who gave birth to You without seed, and of all Your saints! Save me before I completely perish, O Lord! Receive me as I sing to You each day, O Lamb, Who take away my sins! I commend my soul and body entirely into Your hands, and, as is my duty, I cry to You both day and night: "Save me before I completely perish, O Lord! What inexpressible loving kindness, O gracious and long-suffering Lord! Do not cast me away from Your face, O sinless and compassionate Savior, so that with thanksgiving and rejoicing I may cry to You: "Save me before I completely perish, O Lord!" Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. 24 stichera by Simeon the Translator

The Lord wants us to love one another. Here is freedom: in love for God and neighbor. In this freedom, there is equality. In earthly orders, there may not be equality.Not everyone can be a king, not everyone a patriarch or a boss. But in any position, it is possible to love God and to please Him, and only this is important. And whoever loves God more on earth will be in greater glory in His Kingdom. St. Silouan the AthoniteWisdom from Mount Athos: The Writings of Staretz Silouan

Grant to me, O Lord, that with peace in mind I may face all that this new day is to bring. Grant to me grace to surrender myself completely to Your holy will. O Lord, instruct and prepare me in all things for every hour of this day. Whatsoever tidings I may receive during the day, teach me to accept them calmly, in the firm conviction that all eventualities fulfill Your holy will. O Lord, govern my thoughts and feelings in all I do and say. When things unforeseen occur, let me not forget that all comes down from You. Teach me to behave sincerely and reasonable toward every member of my family and all other human beings, that I may not cause confusion or sorrow to anyone. Bestow upon me, my Lord, strength to endure the fatigue of the day and to bear my share in all its passing events. O Lord, guide my will and teach me to pray, to believe, to hope, to suffer, to forgive, and to love. Amen.

Rejoice O Theotokos, Birthgiver of God, Virgin, full of grace, the Lord is with you: Blessed are you among women and blessed is the Fruit of your womb, for you have borne the Savior of our souls. It is truly meet to glorify you, O Birthgiver of God, ever blessed, and all undefiled, the Mother of our God. More honorable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, you who without corruption gave birth to God the Word, true Birthgiver of God, we magnify you. O gracious Mother of the gracious God, O most pure and blessed Theotokos: Pour the mercy of your Son and our God upon my impassionate soul, and with your intercessions set me to good works, that I may pass the rest of my life without blemish and, with your aid, attain heaven. O Ever-Virgin Mother of God, the only one who is pure and blessed; O Queen of the Heavenly Host, Defender of our souls: Being delivered from evil, as your servants, O Mother of God, we offer to you the hymns of thanks and victory; but as you have power invincible, deliver us from all calamity, that we may cry to you: Rejoice, O Ever-Virgin Bride! O Virgin, spotless, undefiled, unstained, all-chaste and Pure Lady, Bride of God, who by your glorious birthgiving has united God the Word with Man and linked our fallen nature with Heavenly Things; who is the hope of the hopeless, the helper of the oppressed, the ready protection of those who hasten to you, and the refuge of Christians; despise me not, who am defiled and sinful, who by my wicked thoughts, words and deeds, have become an unworthy servant, and by my slothfulness have turned into a slave to evil affections. O Mother of the God of Love, have mercy and compassion upon me, a sinner and a prodigal. Accept this prayer which is offered to you from my impure lips; and putting forward your maternal influence with your Son, my Lord and Master, beseech Him to open to me the lovingkindness of His grace; beseech Him to overlook my countless transgressions, to give me true repentance, and to make me to be a zealous doer of His commandments. And you, being gracious and compassionate and tender-hearted, be ever present with me in this life as my defender and helper, so that I may turn aside the assault of my enemies, and guide me into salvation; help my poor soul at the hour of my death, and drive far from it all the dark forms of the evil ones. And in the dreadful Judgment Day, deliver me from everlasting punishment, and present me as an inheritor of the ineffable glory of your Son, our God. O, may I obtain this, Most-Holy Lady and Birthgiver of God, through your intercessions and mediations, by the grace and exceeding great love of your Only-Begotten Son, my Lord and God and Savior, Jesus Christ, to Whom is due, with the eternal Father and the All-Holy, Good and Life-Giving Spirit, all honor and glory and worship, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Prayer does not consist merely in standing and bowing your body or in reading written prayers....it is possible to pray at all times, in all places, with mind and spirit. You can lift up your mind and heart to God while walking, sitting, working, in a crowd and in solitude. His door is always open, unlike man's. We can always say to Him in our hearts, Lord have mercy. St. Tikhon of Zadons

Having passed beyond the middle point of this holy fast, let us strive to its end, rejoicing with steadfastness! Let us anoint ourselves with the oil of charity, that we may be worthy to adore the noble passion of Christ our God, and attain His most honored and holy Resurrection! The Savior Who planted the vineyard and called the laborers is near indeed! Come, therefore, O workers in the fast: let us receive our wages, for the Giver is rich and merciful! Even if we have labored little, we receive great mercy! Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

The Lord's praises were always on your lips, O holy Father John. With deep wisdom you searched the Scriptures, which teach us to deny ourselves. You became rich in the blessings of grace, overthrowing the craftiness of the devil. You washed your soul in a fountain of tears, O most glorious Father John. You kept vigil for God and gained His mercy. Upborne on the wings of prayer, you flew to divine love and beauty. Now, together with your fellow soldiers, O holy one, you dwell in His spiritual light and unending joy. On the wings of faith, you raised your mind to God, O holy Father John. Hating the world's confusion and vanity, you took up your cross and followed Him Who sees all things. You submitted your rebellious flesh to His guidance, through the discipline of self-denial, by the power of the Holy Spirit. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Antiphonal chanting at St George! Gabriel, Elaine, and the Chanters have done a wonderful job. Thank you all for your dedication!!!

Some of the chanting from last night's Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts....

Our Loaves and Fish Ministry supplied 282 hot meals today! The Good Shepherd Center Homeless shelter received 155 meals, The Safe House received 72 meals, and The Store House received 55 meals...May The Lord bless all those who contributed, cooked, cleaned, and served these hot meals! A big thanks to The Store House for letting us serve out of their facility and helped with transportation.

No service today

Behold....The lamb-Cam!!! The Grecian festival is in full swing...come out and see us!

In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You. O heavenly King, 0 Comforter, the Spirit of truth, who are in all places and fill all things; Treasury of good things and Giver of life: Come and dwell in us and cleanse us from every stain, and save our souls, 0 gracious Lord. Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal: have mercy on us. Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal: have mercy on us. Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal: have mercy on us. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. Holy God visit and heal our infirmities for thy Name's sake. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

From today's Divine Liturgy at Archdioces.

Thanks to Jim Kapuranis and Dino Pavlakos for providing us some wonderful music in which to dine and dance by. Happy New Year!