Church guide

Fr. Seraphim at St. Anthony Monastery, AZ, writes as follows: A priest, Fr. Alexei Makshakov, had just finished building their home in March of this year. Father and Matushka Maria have five children, one of whom, a 14 year old girl, has cerebral palsy. The home was built with her needs in mind. On March 23rd the home burned down, including the special equipment for the girl. Fr. Alexei built their home practically with his own hands, but with borrowed funds, which he still owes. The special chair for the girl (cost of about $2,000) needs to be replaced, and the family needs shelter. Fr. Alexei was blessed into his vocation by staretz Ioann Krestiankin. He has served the Orthodox church now for 25 years in the city of Rybinsk. Among other things, Fr. Alexei is engaged in restoring two churches in the region, working with his own hands, because he is a capable builder. However, the most urgent need is to help his special needs daughter, Katia, restore his own home, and repay his debts for building materials. Donations may be forwarded to a PayPal account in Matushka Maria’s name: PayPal: [email protected] . Donations need to be marked “gift.” Please make a PayPal donation to support this family in their time of need. We will also take a collection after Divine Liturgy this weekend.

“No matter what happens to us on the path of life—whether sorrowful, uncomfortable, or difficult—let us bear everything patiently, without complaining, with good humor, knowing in advance that we will not only pick flowers on the road of life, but thorns as well.” +St John of Tobolsk, The Sunflower 🌻

A beautiful Memorial Day to pray for all the Orthodox military and family buried in Eternal Hills Cemetery in Oceanside. And to proclaim to the graves, "Christ is Risen!"

Very impressed with Gilbert Woodworks! They installed the relics into our new icons of Blessed Luke the Surgeon and the New Romanian Martyrs in one day (in time for the Moleben last night). The icon of St Luke was written by Matushka Anna Kalinina and that of the New Romanian Martyrs by the monastery at the former Aiud prison where the relics are kept in an ossuary. A real blessing for our Mission.

Fr. Andrew shared this interesting interview in yesterday’s church email. Metropolitan Nikolaos knew St. Paisios and reflects on some of his experiences on Athos.

St. Andrew Orthodox Church hosted their annual Greek festival today in Riverside. Some of the Brotherhood enjoyed the day feasting on feta fries and baklava!

Registration is open for St. Eugene’s Orthodox Youth Camp! Our diocese is also looking for volunteers to serve as camp counselors. Visit http://www.steugenecamp.org/ for more information.

The Hawaiian-Iveron Icon on Pascha was rich with myrrh: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V506i7Vm-KE&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR25FLjbQn8BjXnOkOV95hXqLoORrZv4m3Cr7-TSPZf-o3vSbrcEMj8iepU

"The evil prompter, the devil, does not immediately suggest to us that we should do what we like and that we should sin. Instead he cunningly beguiles us little by little, whispering, “Even if you live independently without going to God’s Church or listening to the Church teacher, you will still be able to see for yourself what your duty is and not depart from what is good.” When he separates someone from the divine services and obedience to the holy teachers, he also distances him from God’s vigilance and surrenders him to evil deeds. God is everywhere present. Only one thing is far away from His goodness: evil. Being in the power of evil through sin we set off on a journey far away from God. As David says to God, “The evil shall not stand in thy sight” (Ps. 5:5)." +St Gregory Palamas

Wow! The Brotherhood went above and beyond today. They always put on the Agape Meal after Liturgy on the Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women, which this year happened to fall on Mother’s Day. Many thanks to everyone who contributed to the meal—it was fantastic!

Summer camp for adults? We’re in! Join other Orthodox young adults for a fun-filled and spiritually enlightening weekend. Victoria Ramos’ brother Fr. Seraphim is the guest speaker. If you have any questions go online or ask Victoria.

A great opportunity at Saint Andrew Orthodox Church in Riverside! Come learn about the important sacrament of confession.

Our resident artist, Elena Borowski, is participating in a show by the San Diego Silk Guild at the Fallbrook Library May 17-July 6. Stop by to see some beautiful artwork AND proceeds from Elena’s piece (pictured below) will be donated to the church’s building fund. Thank you Elena!

Today is the first day of fasting since Pascha. For those who are not familiar with the Orthodox fast, we DO eat—most of us abstain from meat, dairy, and olive oil. Fish and wine are consumed on feast days that fall on a fast. Fasting happens on Wednesdays and Fridays and certain seasons of the year like Lent. Anyway, this is a great app available for $4.99 featuring all vegan and oil free recipes. The vegan mushroom risotto is delicious and super creamy thanks to nutritional yeast and cashew milk. Check it out next time you’re looking for meal ideas!

Today is known as Radonitsa or “Day of Rejoicing.” You can participate by joining one of our graveside services as we bring the joy of the Resurrection to 3 local cemeteries. Or join us tonight for a special memorial for Elena and Nadia’s family followed by a light supper. This is also a great day to pray for your own departed loved ones. Christ is risen!

ON TUESDAY, May 7, we will visit the cemeteries to sing memorial and Paschal hymns at the graves. Fr. Andrew will begin at Oak Hill Cemetery in Escondido at noon, then move on to Mt Hope in San Diego by 2 PM, then El Camino Memorial in Sorrento Valley by 3:30 PM (with picnic on the lawn at the St Demetrios chapel), then conclude back at our Church at 7 PM. Any are welcome to attend and join us to sing the Paschal Hymns, especially at the Church where we will have a special memorial for the Afanassiev family with a reception. The blessing of graves the week after Bright Week is called “Radonitsa” the “Day of Rejoicing.” During Holy Week and Bright Week we do not serve memorial services (excepting funerals) so that we may focus on Christ’s passion and glorious resurrection. The Tuesday following Thomas Sunday is the day designated on which we begin to sing memorials.

Many thanks to Elena for making all the kulich (Russian Easter bread). How are we ever going to wait another year to eat this again?

More images from our Paschal picnic on Sunday. What a wonderful celebration after a beautiful week of services. Christos anesti!

Images from Agape Vespers on Sunday. Everyone was so tired but joyful! Christ is risen!

Just a friendly reminder to sing the Paschal Hours during Bright Week instead of your usual prayer rule. See Fr. Andrew’s email from last night for the full text.

Dec. 24th: Christmas Carols, old & new. Service - eternally new.

A little story about a beautiful church in Russia, also named for St Katherine, and where St John Kochurov was martyred.