Welcome, and thank you for visiting St. Mary Orthodox Church online. We hope that our website highlights the wide variety of worship, fellowship, ministery and education opportunities available. Please feel free to read more about our church on this site, or come join with us in prayer. We would love to greet you and share with you our love for Jesus Christ and for you, our neighbor.

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This Sunday the Church celebrates the Fourth Sunday of Great, commemorating our +Venerable Father John Climacus, the author of 'The Ladder of Divine Ascent.' In his writing, Saint John reminds us that the Kingdom of God is not given to us, but to achieve it requires constant effort and ascent on our part. 

Attached to this week's email is The Weekly Bulletin. Please take a few minutes to read through it, in particular, the Schedule of Services for this coming Holy Week.

Join us in prayer this coming week at Saint Mary: 

• Saturday, April 13th: Great Vespers Service at 6:30 PM.
• Sunday, April 14th: Matins at 8:50 AM, followed by the Divine Liturgy at 10:00 AM.
• Monday, April 15th: Great Compline Service at 6:30 PM.
• Wednesday, April 17th: Presanctified Liturgy at 6:30 PM.
• Thursday, April 18th: Little Compline; The Canon of Saint Andrew; and the Reading of the Life of Saint Mary of Egypt at 6:30 PM.
• Friday, April 19th: Little Compline with the 5th Akathist (Madayah) Service at 6:30 PM. (This is the final Akathist Service of Great Lent)

“Humility is the only virtue that no devil can imitate. If pride made demons out of angels, there is no doubt that humility could make angels out of demons.”  +Saint John Climacus

May your lenten journey continue to be blessed!

Fr. Peter

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This Week at Saint Mary

"The Third Sunday of Lent is called “The Veneration of the Cross.” We are in Mid-Lent. On the one hand, the physical and spiritual effort, if it is serious and consistent, begins to be felt, its burden becomes more burdensome, our fatigue more evident. We need help and encouragement. On the other hand, having endured this fatigue, having climbed the mountain up to this point, we begin to see the end of our pilgrimage, and the rays of Pascha grow in their intensity.  Inasmuch as in the forty days of fasting we in a way crucify ourselves … and become bitter and despondent and failing, the Life-Giving Cross is presented to us for refreshment and assurance, for remembrance of our Lord’s Passion, and for comfort. We are like those following a long and cruel path, who become tired, see a beautiful tree with many leaves, sit in its shadow and rest for a while and then, as if rejuvenated, continue their journey; likewise, in the time of fasting and difficult journey and effort, the Life-Giving Cross was planted in our midst by the holy fathers to give us rest and refreshment, to make us courageous for the remaining task. The Cross is called the Tree of Life, it is the tree that was planted in Paradise, and for this reason our fathers have planted it in the midst of Holy Lent, remembering both Adam’s bliss and how he was deprived of it, remembering also that partaking of this Tree we no longer die but are kept alive …. ."      Fr. Alexander Schmemann

       This Saturday and Sunday (April 6 & 7) we are blessed to have His Grace, Bishop Nicholas (Auxiliary Bishop to the Metropolitan and Bishop of the Diocese of Miami and Southeast) visiting with us. He will preside over Saturday Great Vespers and the Sunday Hierarchical Divine Liturgy. Let us greet him and receive his blessing.

  Catechism Class # 6 is Tuesday, April 9th, from 7:00 to 8:00 PM - Topic: Confession, Spiritual Guidance and Communion (Classes are held in the Conference Room).

   If we have yet to do so this Lent, join us in prayer at one of our three weekday services.

Saturday, April 6th:

Great Vespers Service at 6:30 PM (Bishop Nicholas presiding).

   Sunday, April 7th: 3rd Sunday of Great Lent - Veneration of the Precious Cross

Orthros at 8:50 AM; Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at 10:00 AM (Bishop Nicholas presiding); Procession of the Holy Cross following Communion. 

Coffee Hour in honor of Bishop Nicholas' visit following the services.

Monday, April 8th:

Great Compline Service at 6:30 PM

   Wednesday, April 10th:

Presanctified Liturgy at 6:30 PM.

Friday, April 12th:

4th Akathist Service (Salutations to the Theotokos) at 6:30 PM.

May God continue to strengthen you in your journey to the Light of the empty tomb of Christ.

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This Week at Saint Mary

(For March 30 - April 5th)

Saturday, March 30th

Great Vespers Service at 6:30 PM

Sunday, March 31st

Matins Service at 8:50 AM, followed by the Divine Liturgy at 10:00 AM.

Monday, April 1st

Great Compline Service at 6:30 PM

Tuesday, April 2nd

Catechism Class #5: Subject - Confession (Spiritual Guidance), Communion and Ordination. Classes are held from 7:00 to 8:00 PM in the Conference Room. Everyone is welcome to attend and participate.

Wednesday, April 3rd

Presanctified Liturgy at 6:30 PM

Friday, April 5th

Little Compline and the 3rd Akathist (Madayah) Service at 6:30 PM.

**The Sacrament of Confession is offered 30 minutes prior to each evening service.

Attached to this week's email is The Weekly Bulletin (which includes this Sunday's liturgical hymns and scripture readings and announcements) and Metropolitan Saba's Teaching on the 'Date of Pascha.' 

"We know that prayer in and of itself cannot save us, but carrying it out before God can. For when the Lord's eyes are upon us He sanctifies us, as the sun warms everything upon which it shines."   +Saint Gregory Palamas

Have a blessed week!

With love in Christ, 

Fr. Peter

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Beloved in Christ,

This week, I offer the words of Saint John Chrysostom, who reminds us that fasting during Great Lent is more than abstinence from food and drink.

"Do you fast?  Give me proof of it by your works.  If you see a poor man, take pity on him.  If you see a friend being honored, do not envy him.  Do not let only your mouth fast, but also the eye, and the feet, and the hands and all the members of our bodies.  Let the hands fast, by being free of avarice.  Let the feet fast, by ceasing to run after sin.  Let the eyes fast, by disciplining them not to glare at that which is sinful.  Let the ears by not listening to evil talk and gossip.  Let the mouth fast from foul words and unjust criticism.  For what good is it if we abstain from birds and fishes, but bite and devour our brothers?"      +Saint John Chrysostom

NOTES:

• Attached to this week's email is The Weekly Bulletin and Metropolitan Saba's teaching. Please take a few minutes to read through both.
• This coming Sunday (March 24th), the Saint Mary's Ladies Society will host their annual 'Annunciation Luncheon' following the Divine Liturgy in support of the Antiochian Women 2024 Project: 'Endowment Fund for Widowed Clergy Wives.' Donation is $15.00 for adults, $5.00 for children 10 years and under. Please support our ladies and this worthwhile project.
• Have you attended a Lenten Service this past week? Join us in prayer this coming week:

 *Saturday, March 23rd - Great Vespers Service at 6:30 PM

*Sunday, March 24th - Matins Service at 8:50 AM, Divine Liturgy at 10:00 AM

(At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, we will have the Procession of Icons in celebration of 'Orthodoxy Sunday.')

*Monday, March 25th: Feast of the Annunciation of the Theotokos - Vesperal Divine Liturgy at 6:30 PM

*Wednesday, March 27th - Presanctified Liturgy at 6:30 PM

*Friday, March 29th - 2nd Akathist (Madayah) Service at 6:30 PM

May your Lenten journey to the Light of the empty tomb of Christ be blessed.

With love in Christ,

Fr. Peter

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Beloved in Christ,

Have you started making plans for your summer vacation? Maybe you’re planning on seeing different parts of our country, or maybe a cruise, or even a trip overseas to see loved ones. Before we leave for a vacation, much planning is needed - how are we getting there, where are we going to stay, what are we going to do , and ultimately, what is the cost. If we plan accordingly, our vacation can be most rewarding and enjoyable.

For Orthodox Christians worldwide, this coming Monday, March 17th, begins the journey of Great Lent. From Clean Monday through the following 40 days and Holy Week, we journey along a path with a clear goal in mind; The Light of the empty tomb of Christ - Great and Holy Pascha! With our fasting, our prayers, almsgiving and charity, we are also called to reset our spiritual lives and turn our attention to the Kingdom of God. 

As we undertake this lenten journey, we should sincerely reflect on the essence of our lives, and our relationship with God. Are the things of this world consuming us and becoming earthly treasures? Jesus Christ teaches us in this coming Sunday's gospel reading (Matthew 6: 14-21) "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will be your heart also."
Great Lent should be the impetus to always seek and cultivate in our hearts love, mercy, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, compassion, faithfulness, truthfulness, acts of charity, hospitality and bearing witness to God’s love to others. These are the true treasures that lead to the Kingdom of God.

Though Great Lent is not an exciting vacation, it is a journey into paradise for which we were created. Let us begin this journey with love, mercy and forgiveness abiding in our hearts. Let us plan to fast with a purpose and a goal, using it as a tool to reach our destination. And let us make the time to seriously reflect on our lives and evaluate what we consider as truly important, and then ask ourselves, “Am I storing up my treasure in heaven?”

May our lenten journey to the Light of the empty tomb of Christ be blessed!

NOTES:

1) Attached to this email is The Weekly Bulletin. In particular, please take note of the Schedule of Services of the First Week of Great Lent.

2) Join us in prayer this weekend at Saint Mary's:

• Saturday, March 16th: Great Vespers Service at 6:30 PM.
• Sunday, March 17th: Matins at 8:50 AM; Divine Liturgy at 10:00 AM. A 10 Year Trisagion (Memorial) Service for the repose of Metropolitan Philip of thrice blessed memory, and a 1 Year Trisagion (Memorial) Service for the repose of Archdeacon Joseph Harb will be offered. 
• Sunday Evening, March 17th: Forgiveness Lenten Vespers with the Rite of Forgiveness at 6:30 PM.

"Fasting appears gloomy until one steps into its arena. But begin and you will see what light it brings after darkness, what freedom from bonds, what release after a burdensome life…"    +Saint Theophan the Recluse

With love in Christ,

Fr. Peter

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Beloved in Christ,

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Beloved in Christ,

The Parable of the Prodigal Son in the gospel reading for this coming Sunday (Luke 15:11-32), provides us with an example of how to get over our pride and repent of even the most shameful acts. In the parable, the youngest son had given his father the ultimate insult by asking for his inheritance, which was basically to tell him that he was tired of waiting for him to die. The father apparently meant nothing to his son other than as a source of cash that he could use to fund what would become a sinful lifestyle. As the money was wasted away, the son found himself in despair. He realized the only hope he had was his father and at best his father would take him back as one of his hired servants. The son returned home, acknowledged and repented of his wasteful behavior, seeking mercy from his father. What happened next is the crux of the parable.

The father showed the son his love. He embraced him. He was not simply forgiving someone who had rejected and insulted him. No, he was celebrating a resurrection: “for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.” (Luke 15:24) When we return to God, He receives us no matter what we have done, thought or said in our lives.

As we prepare for Great Lent, we must be mindful of the lesson this parable teaches, that when we come to our senses and recognize our sins, turn away from them, God joyfully receives us - which is depicted in the above icon of the Prodigal Son. 

NOTES:

1) Attached to this email is The Weekly Bulletin and Metropolitan Saba's Weekly Teaching. Please take some time to read through both.

2) Catechism Classes begin this Tuesday, March 5th, from 7:00 to 8:00 PM, in the Conference Room. Catechumens, Inquirers and anyone interested in learning more about the Orthodox Christian Faith are encouraged to attend.

3) Join us in prayer this week at Saint Mary's:

• Saturday, March 2nd: Great Vespers Service at 6:30 PM.
• Sunday, March 3rd - Sunday of the Prodigal Son: Matins begin at 8:50 AM, followed by the Divine Liturgy at 10:00 AM. The 'Children's Sermon' will be offered prior to Communion.
• Wednesday, March 6th: Vespers Service at 6:30 PM, followed by a Spiritual Discussion.

"Bring forth the best robe and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: and bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: for this is My son who was dead, and is alive again; and he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.’ (Luke 15:22-24) And this is taking place for each and every one of us, and for the sake of every sinner who repents."                +Saint Justin Popovich 

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Beloved in Christ,

Over the period of the next nine Sunday's, we will hear a most beautiful hymn during the Matins Service. Entitled 'Open to Me the Doors of Repentance' is taken from the Lenten Triodion, which orders our daily prayers and discipline from the Sunday of the Pharisee and Publican through Holy Week. This particular hymn strikes at the heart of what the weeks prior to the start of, and the time of Great Lent is meant to be for us.

"Open to me the doors of repentance, O Life-giver; for my soul goes early to the temple of Thy holiness, coming in the temple of my body, wholly polluted. But because Thou art compassionate, purify me by the compassion of Thy mercies.

Prepare for me the way of salvation, O Theotokos; for I have profaned myself with coarse sins, and consumed my whole life with procrastination. But by thine intercessions purify thou me from all abomination.

If I think upon the multitude of my evil deeds, wretch that I am, I tremble for the terrible Day of Judgment. But, trusting the compassion of Thy mercy, I shout to Thee like David, Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Thy Great Mercy."

When we realize that we are not perfect; When we realize that we have separated ourselves from God by our sinful words, deeds and thoughts; When we seek His mercy and compassion to achieve our desire of the Kingdom of God; When we come with humility, contrition and in sincere repentance, His response will be “loving-kindness and mercy.”

Come with humility and repentance to the Lord and He will open the gates of loving-kindness and mercy to us!

NOTES:

1) Attached to this email is The Weekly Bulletin and Metropolitan Saba's teaching. Please take a few minutes to read through them.

2) Last Sunday, we began printing a weekly bulletin for children entitled 'The Children's Word.' Copies are available each Sunday in the Church Narthex.

3) This Saturday is our annual Hafli. If you have not done so already, please reserve your tickets by contacting Nabil Aboukhaled or Jane Pasley.

4) Join us in prayer at Saint Mary's this coming week:

• Saturday, February 24th: Great Vespers Service at 6:30 PM.
• Sunday, February 25th (Sunday of the Pharisee and Publican): Matins begin at 8:50 AM, followed by the Divine Liturgy at 10:00 AM. Sunday School Classes are held immediately following Communion.
• Wednesday, February 28th: Vespers Service at 6:30 PM. The weekly Spiritual Discussion follows.

“Let your prayer be completely simple. For both the publican and the prodigal son were reconciled to God by a single phrase.”  +Saint John Climacus

With love in Christ,

Fr. Peter

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Beloved in Christ,

Lord, have mercy. These three words effortlessly roll off our tongue everytime we gather to celebrate the Divine Services of the Church. But do we spend any time reflecting on the words “Lord, have mercy?" Each time we pray "Lord, have mercy," three things happen simultaneously.

First, it indicates a relationship with the Lord. He is the Lord. We are His children, servants and followers, therefore there is an implied reliance on Him as well as obedience to Him. Secondly, “Lord, have mercy” is an admission that we are in need of His help. This Sunday's gospel lesson, Matthew (15:21-28), a Canaanite Woman, begged Jesus Christ to "have mercy" because her daughter was possessed by a demon. Because of her persistence in begging Christ for His help and most importantly her faith, her daughter was made well. When we cry to God for mercy, we are asking for Him to spare us things we deserve, as well as to help us through things such as sickness or misfortune. Third, our prayer “Lord, have mercy,” ultimately shows a faith in the presence of God in our life. That our faith is placed not in ourselves but in the Lord. 

This prayer “Lord have mercy” needs to be foundational in our lives. This is our basic prayer, in fact it is the only prayer that we need. With this prayer, Jesus Christ comes to us.

NOTES:

1. Attached to this week's email is The Weekly Bulletin and Metropolitan Saba's Weekly Teaching. Please take a few minutes to read through both.
2. Time is running out to get your tickets for our annual Hafli. Please see the information in the bulletin for details on how to obtain tickets.
3. This coming Sunday, February 18th, all of our parents with children under 18 years of age are asked to remain in church following the Divine Liturgy for a brief meeting. 
4. Our Men will be hosting their annual 'Omelet Sunday' during Coffee Hour. All proceeds will go towards the Antiochian Village Camp Scholarship Fund for our children.
5. Make time to join us in prayer this coming week:

• Saturday, February 17th - Great Vespers Service at 6:30 PM.
• Sunday, February 18th - Matins Service at 8:50 AM, followed by the Divine Liturgy at 10:00 AM.
• Wednesday, February 21st - Vespers at 6:30 PM, followed by a Spiritual Discussion on 'A Christian Ending to our Life.'

"... I run to You O Master, for You love mankind…and I rush to accomplish your work.  Help me at all times and in all things.  Deliver me from every evil thing of this world and from the works of the devil.  Save me and lead me into Your eternal Kingdom!  You are my Maker, the Provider, and the Giver of every good.  All my hope is in You, and I glorify You, now and ever and unto ages of ages amen.  +Saint Macarius the Great

With love in Christ,

Fr. Peter