Sunday of Cheesefare Explusion of Adam from Paradise

Archpastoral Epistle of His Beatitude, Metropolitan Jonah for the Beginning of

Great Lent 2010 To the Very Reverend and Reverend Clergy, Monastics, and Faithful of The Orthodox Church in America Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The gateway to divine repentance has been opened:

let us enter eagerly, purified in our bodies and observing abstinence from food and passions, as obedient servants of Christ who has called the world into the heavenly King-dom. Let us offer to the King of all a tenth part of the whole year, that we may look with love upon His Resur-rection. [Cheesefare Monday, Matins sessional hymn]

We approach the Great Fast as our preparation to celebrate the life-giving Passion and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Great Lent is a time of great beauty and profundity, a time which the Church calls the "tithe of the year" which we give to Christ in a spirit of fasting and self-denial. We fast, we pray, we go to services, and we give alms. But what is different in us the very day after Pascha? Have we attained inner peace? Have we come to self-control over our passions? Has my soul been healed, even a little?

Lent is the time for repentance. But that repentance does not simply mean feeling sorry for our sins, much less trying to do some kind of penitential acts to atone for them. Rather, the goal of repentance is the transforma-tion of our minds and hearts, our very consciousness. It means a transformation of our whole life. To engage it means that we have to embrace change. This change not only affects our diet for a few weeks, or abstaining from some bad habits. It means a different way of behaving, of perceiving God, ourselves, our neighbors. It means a re-jection and renunciation of the ways we have been living and treating others, and the adoption of a new way of life. We have to come to the recognition that how we have been living and behaving does not lead us deeper into communion with God and our neighbors, but rather alien-ates us from both, and from our very self.

So often we become trapped by our own self-righteousness and pride, thinking that we do not have to change. This is delusion. If we are so sure of ourselves, how have we left room for God to even show us our shortcomings? We fall into the trap of the Pharisee. This is especially the case when we let ourselves criticize and judge our neighbors. If we allow ourselves to judge and criticize, then we can be sure that we have cast God out of our lives. Who needs Him, if I can judge everyone and everything? We pick and pick at our neighbors, from ex-ternal appearances to deep judgments about their integ-rity. And in so doing, we destroy our own souls. We pro-ject all our own insecurities on those around us, not car-ing whose feelings we hurt or whose lives we destroy.

And in reality, it has nothing to do with that other person; our judgment is only an image of myself and my insecuri-ties, and the sins we don't want to admit to ourselves.

If we judge and criticize our neighbor, our fasting is in

vain. Our repentance is hypocrisy. And we make a mockery of Jesus Christ. We receive the Eucharist unto damnation. And we are oblivious to it, in our own self-righteousness.

Repentance, being "transformed in the renewal of our

minds," means that, like the Prodigal, we have "come to ourselves," and recognized that our minds and hearts have taken the wrong road. We can perhaps see some of the damage we are causing to ourselves and others. We recog-nize that our minds are filled with angry, suspicious, judg-mental, and self-righteous thoughts, and that we have no inner peace.

How do we repent? The first thing we must do is with-draw from the stimulus: to stop exposing ourselves -- tem-porarily -- to the issues and people that bring up these an-gry thoughts and judgments. We have to stop ourselves from rehearsing the wrongs done to us (and hence our judgment and condemnation of the person who wronged us), and realize this is just our own self-justification rooted in pride and vainglory. Then we need to pray that God will forgive us for our anger and pride, and forgive the other for what he or she has done. Then we can let it go. So long as we are provoked by thoughts of the remembrance of wrongs (resentments), and react with anger, we have not worked it through. But when the remembrance of some-thing no longer disturbs our peace, we know that God has worked in our hearts.

Great Lent can be a clinic, a hospital, for our souls that are sick with the passions. Have we been healed? We can have our minds and hearts lifted up to heaven itself, if we want. We can use Great Lent to lay the foundational stones of discipline, and build habits that will stay with us the rest of the year. We can emerge from Lent with our hearts illu-mined and our minds cleansed, with a new way of being. Will we allow ourselves to change and be transformed in repentance?

It is only this transformation that will open our spiritual eyes, that in our hearts and with all our being we will be able to shout with joy, "Christ is risen from the dead, tram-pling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life!"

With love in our Merciful Savior,

+JONAH

Archbishop of Washington Metropolitan of All America and Canada

Tone 3. Forgiveness Sunday. The Expulsion of Adam from Para-dise. Ven. Auxentius of Bithynia (ca. 470). Repose of St. Cyril, Equal-to-the-Apostles and Teacher of the Slavs (869). Ven. Isaac, Recluse, of the Kiev Caves (Near Caves—ca. 1190). The Twelve Greeks who built the Dormition Cathedral in the Lavra of the Kiev Caves (11th c.). Translation of the Relics of Martyrs Michael and his councilor, Theodore, of Chernígov (1578). Ven. Maron, Hermit, of Syria (4th c.). St. Abraham, Bishop of Charres in Mesopotamia

Tone 3 Troparion (Resurrection) Let the heavens rejoice! Let the earth be glad! For the Lord has shown strength with His arm. He has trampled down death by death. He has become the first born of the dead. He has delivered us from the depths of hell, and has granted to the world//

great mercy.

Tone 6 Kontakion (from the Lenten Triodion) O Master, Teacher of wisdom, Bestower of virtue, Who teaches the thoughtless and protects the poor, strengthen and enlighten my heart! O Word of the Father, let me not restrain my mouth from crying to You: “Have mercy on me, a transgressor,//

O merciful Lord!”

Romans 13:11-14:4 (Epistle) 11 And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is

nearer than when we first believed. 12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. 13 Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunken-ness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts. 1 Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. 2 For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. 3 Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him. 4 Who are you to judge an-other's servant? To his own master

he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.

Matthew 6:14-21 (Gospel) 14 For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heav-enly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, nei-ther will your Father forgive your trespasses. 16 Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypo-crites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assur-edly, I say to you, they have their reward. 17 But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. 19 Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

As we begin the Great Fast, the Church reminds us of Adam's expulsion from Para-dise. God commanded Adam to fast (Gen. 2:16), but he did not obey. Because of their disobedience, Adam and Eve were cast out of Eden and lost the life of blessedness, knowl-edge of God, and communion with Him, for which they were created. Both they and their descendents became heirs of death and corruption. Let us consider the benefits of fasting, the consequences of disobedience, and recall our fallen state. Today we are invited to cleanse ourselves of evil through fasting and obe-dience to God. Our fasting should not be a negative thing, a mere abstention from certain foods. It is an opportunity to free ourselves from the sinful desires and urges of our fallen nature, and to nourish our souls with prayer, repentance, to participate in church services, and partake of the life-giving Mysteries of Christ. At Forgiveness Vespers we sing: "Let us begin the time of fasting in light, preparing ourselves for spiritual efforts. Let us purify our soul, let us purify our body. As we abstain from food, let us abstain from all passion and enjoy the virtues of the spirit…."

Pan Orthodox Great Lenten Service Schedule

FEBRUARY 2010

20, Sat. Pan Orthodox Vespers @ Holy As-sumption @ 5:00 PM, Guest Preacher: Rev. Fr. Michael Corbin (from St. George Antio-chian), followed by lenten reception.

21. SUNDAY OF ORTHODOXY @ The John-son Center-Malone University on Cleveland Ave. , Canton , Orthros: 9:00 AM, Divine Lit-urgy: 10:00 AM, Guest Preacher: Rev. Fr. Sta-cey Richter, Holy Assumption OCA. Followed by cookies & coffee reception in next door hall. Combined Choirs, Sunday School Chil-dren, and Altar Boys.

24, Wed., March, Presanctified Liturgy @ St. Haralambos Greek, Canton @ 6:30 PM. Fol-lowed by lenten dinner. Guest Preacher: Rev. Protopresbyter Dragon Filipovic.

MARCH 2010

3, March, Wed., Presanctified liturgy @ Holy Trinity Greek Canton , @ 6:30 PM, followed by lenten dinner. Guest Preacher: Rev. Dr. Nicholas V. Gamvas, Protopresbyter.

10, March, Wed. Presanctified Liturgy @ Holy Assumption OCA Canton , @ 6:30 PM, fol-lowed by a lenten dinner. Guest Preacher: Rev. Fr. Constantine Valantasis, Economos.

17, March, Wed., Presanctified Liturgy @ St. George Antiochian, Canton @ 6:30 PM, followed by lenten dinner. Guest Preacher: Rev. Dr. Daniel Rogich, Protopres-byter.

24, March, Wed., Presanctified Liturgy @ St. George Serbian, North Canton , @ 6:30 PM, followed by a Lenten dinner, Guest Preacher: Rev. Fr. Basil Shaheen.

APRIL 2010

1, April, Thursday, Service of the Nipter (Washing of the Feet) @ Holy Trinity Greek, Canton @ 2:00 PM All Stark County Orthodox Clergy participating.

There will be no church at

Holy Assumption next Sunday!

Instead – there will be a pan-Orthodox

liturgy for all Orthodox at the Malone

Johnson Center at 10 am Sunday Feb

21. All the local Orthodox churches are

closed that day and will be celebrating

together the Sunday of Orthodoxy! All

the area priests will be concelebrating.

Please come to this very festal celebra-

tion of praise to God!

1. Altar Boys can serve if they would like

to! It will be a big event! Please bring

robes (gold preferred) and an Icon (not a

candle) for each entrance and the icon

procession. Altar servers may borrow

their robes from church.

2. Our church will get one table to ad-

vertise (not selling any items).

3. We need to volunteers to be ushers at

this liturgy.

4. A DVD of the service will be on sale

for $5.00

As your new priest, these are books that I have found extremely valuable, and I would like to have on hand for parishioners to read, and are needed for the church library.. We are looking for people who may want to donate toward the acquisition of some of these books, or donate the book itself. Thank you for your help!

Books Needed “Liturgy and Life” by Fr Alexander Schmemann $7 “The Orthodox Church” by Kallistos Ware $11 “Dorotheos of Gaza: Discourses and Sayings” $14 “The Eucharist” by Fr Alexander Schmemann $18 “The Orthodox Way” by Kallistos Ware $16

Due to the generosity of a parishioner who wishes to remain anonymous, one copy of all the previously listed books have already been ordered. Thank you and praise and thanks be to God! The above books are still needed. In addition, with the blessing of the parish council I will be going through the library and taking inventory. More books will be added to this list in the future! Your help in this matter is appreciated.

Fr Stacey

February Birthdays

14 Cecelia Krajci 15 Rayna Hawley 19 Emma Mathewson 21 Shelly Hoffman 27 Jeanette Gates 23 Trudy Richter 23 David Mudrak

Announcements:

Saturday March 6th & 7th — Miracle Working Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “She who quick to hear” Retreat at SS Peter & Paul Orthodox Church 2238 East 32nd St, Lorain, Ohio 44055. See bulletin board for sign up information. Please save aluminum cans and bring them to Church. The pro-ceeds help support SAMP (Support a Mission Priest).

please email announcements for bulletin by Friday to stevenmathewson@gmail.com or call steven at

330-455-2859 (leave message)

YOUTH SCHEDULE

Feb. 14: Forgiveness Sunday- no Sunday School/Youth event Feb. 21: Sunday of Orthodoxy - no Sunday School/Youth event Feb. 28: Sunday School On March 14 the youth of the church will assemble Health Kits as a Lenten project. These kits, shown on the IOCC website, will be sent to Haiti and other coun-tries. Details of items needed for the kits will be at the candle desk.

Holy Assumption Orthodox Church

Schedule: Monday Canon of St Andrew 6:30 PM

Tuesday Canon of St Andrew 6:30 PM

Wednesday Fr Stacey office hours: 10:00 AM - 1:30 pm

Canon of St Andrew 6:30 PM

Thursday Canon of St Andrew 6:30 PM

Friday Fr Stacey office hours: 10:00 AM - 1:30 pm

Presanctified Liturgy 6:00 PM (with lentin covered dish to follow)

Saturday (hosting Sunday of Orthodoxy

Vespers)

Great Vespers 5:00 PM Choir Practice 6:00 PM (1/2 hour)

Sunday of Orthodoxy February 21st

Orthos 9:00 AM

Liturgy 10:00 AM

At Malone Johnson Center—

Cleveland Ave NW (just south

of Post Office)

(No services at Holy Assumption)

Feb 14 Krajci, Romano, Meeks Feb 21 Mudrak, Byrnes Feb 28 Kosita, emmert, Lint Mar 7 Gates, Manos, Manos Mar 14 Monahan, Kisha, Kisha-Wise

Sunday of Orthodoxy Choir Practices

The first Sunday of Lent is February 21 Rehearsals will be held at Holy Trinity Greek Church 4705 Fairhaven Ave. NW at 6:30 pm Heidi will be directing the choir.

Thursday, February 18 We will need to make a conscience effort and commitment to the singing for this service a s a combined community praising with one voice. The Sunday of Orthodox Liturgy will be held at

Johnson Center on Malone College campus.

February 14th, 2010 To all parishioners of Holy Assumption:

The attendance at Holy Assumption within the past six months has been increasing!

This is good news – thanks be to our great God and glory to Him! This has raised a concern regarding adequate seating in our church. This concern came to the attention of our parish council and it was determined that before proceeding any further with this question, we would ask Archbishop Job concerning this matter. By the amazing grace of God, I was privileged to meet privately with Archbishop Job the day prior to his death. We discussed many matters of relevance to Holy Assumption including the matter of seating and pews.

The Archbishop expressed a clear view that we need more pews to accommodate in-

creased attendance and gave me and the parish the blessing to look further into this, and for us to handle this on our own. The result of this was that the parish council initiated the for-mation of a Seating Committee. The Seating Committee has met twice in the past month. Information from their meetings was presented to Parish Council on Monday, Feb. 8. With more visitors and with attendance of regular members increasing, it has been determined that more seating within the Nave is necessary. With the pews we have in storage, it has been decided that it is not necessary to purchase any new seating. The pews we have will be refurbished (2 at a time) and we will begin to install them in the Nave to accommodate seat-ing for those in attendance. The placement of the pews has been debated and will be done in a way that maintains standing room within the Nave and will not interfere with the flow of services. The Parish Council unanimously approved the Committee’s recommendations. Any questions or concerns can be answered by committee members: Jeff Fedorko, Jeff Byrnes, Pete Mudrak, Subdeacon Eusebius, and Elena Monahan or myself. The issues of seating have not always been handled well here in the past. It has at times been a very thorny issue. We are hoping to handle it better this time! I am particularly thankful that we are doing this with our late Archbishop’s blessing, knowledge and prayers - even more so after his death!

Your unworthy priest, fr Stacey Richter