On Thomas Sunday, the parishioners of ASONA and guests travelled to Gateway Park to celebrate our annual parish picnic. The day was in the low 70's with an occasional stiff breeze, but the comfort and happiness of the day prevailed. We greeted each other with the Paschal Greeting, "Christ is Risen! Indeed, He is Risen!", and sang the Paschal Troparion to bless the food. What a feast was provided! And part from this bubbles, tug-of-war, and an ASONA-style Easter Egg Hunt all took place with joy. See the gallery below for highlights from our picnic.   … [Read more...]

Great Lent, Holy Week, and Pascha have passed, and ASONA is continuing the Paschal celebration. As a part of remembering our heart warming journeys, here are some photo galleries to remind us all what we have just been through. Glory to God! Christ is Risen! Great Lent Lazarus Saturday Baptisms Holy Week Pascha               … [Read more...]

  “The angel cried unto her that is full of grace: O Pure Virgin, rejoice, and again, I say rejoice; for Thy Son hath risen from the grave on the third day…” Paschal Matins – 9th Irmos To the Reverend Clergy, Monastics and Laity of the Western American Diocese CHRIST IS RISEN! TRULY HE IS RISEN! The day of Christ’s Resurrection, Pascha, is a time of joyousness, light and new life – I am come that they might have life, and that they may have it more abundantly (John 10:10).  A life in Christ is a life centered not on something transient and fashionable, but it is a life focused on the stability of eternity in God.  It is a life of happiness and joy free of the passions and temporal … [Read more...]