Many thanks to everyone who helped make the 3rd annual AZ Missions Development Conference a successful and happy gathering for all. Attendees, both clergy and laity, gathered from all over Arizona and 3 other states to attend. Pictures of the event are below. And extra special thank you's to our speakers - Metropolitan JONAH, Fr. Hans Jacobse, and Fr. Thaddaeus Hardenbrook. More photos will be added soon! Recordings of the talks will be available on the APP only. … [Read more...]
Ascension and Pentecost in Fourth Century Jerusalem According to Nun Egeria
Egeria was a nun who authored a detailed account of a pilgrimage to the Holy Land in the early 380s, making it the earliest of the kind. Regarding the feasts of Ascension and Pentecost, she writes: Easter to Pentecost Now, from Easter to the fiftieth day, that is, to Pentecost, no one fasts here, not even those who are apotactitae.* During these days, as throughout the whole year, the customary things are done at the Anastasis** from the first cockcrow until morning, and at the sixth hour and at vespers likewise. But on the Lord's Days the procession is always to the Martyrium,*** that is, to the great church, according to custom, and they go thence with hymns to the Anastasis. … [Read more...]
From Pascha to Pentecost
By Protopresbyter Dr. George D. Dragas 1. The Pentecostal Period. The word, Pentecost means “the fiftieth” and is used to designate the great event of the Outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Epiphoitesis) upon the Apostles and the Church on the 50th day after the Resurrection of Christ, just ten days after His Ascension into Heaven. Before His Passion, the Lord spoke to his Disciples about the gift of the Holy Spirit, which they were to receive after the Ascension. The details are preserved in the Gospel of Saint John: “I will ask the Father to send you the Holy Spirit who will defend you and always be with you” (14:16). He also said, “The Holy Spirit can not come to defend you until I … [Read more...]
On the Midfeast of Pentecost
by Fr. Seraphim Rose Lay Sermon by Eugene Rose (future Hieromonk Seraphim), May 1965 For too many of us, perhaps, the weeks following the radiant Feast of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ are a time of relaxation and even of indulgence; the rigors of the Fast being ended, the body revels while the spirit grows weak. But if this is unfortunately so, it is our own fault and not the fault of the Holy Church; for she never ceases to draw our minds upward and instruct us as to what thoughts and actions are appropriate for Orthodox Christians in this holy season. Each Sunday after Easter has a special name drawn from the appointed Gospel reading; between Easter and the Ascension there … [Read more...]
2021 Holy Week and Paschal Photos
We have collected what photos we can to archive our historic celebration of Holy Week and Pascha this year. If you have other photos to include, send them to Fr. John ASAP. And thanks to everyone who made this year's Paschal celebration so glorious! Christ is Risen! Indeed, He is Risen! … [Read more...]
Fifty Days of Sundays
by Fr. Patrick Henry Reardon When, at the Council of Nicaea, the Church formally determined that Pascha should always be observed on a Sunday, that determination necesarily affected the final day of Pentecost. Thus, beginning and ending on a Sunday, the whole fifty days of Pentecost began to take on some of characteristics associated with Sunday, the day of the Lord’s Resurrection. This adjustment involved two disciplines in particular: the fast days and the posture of prayer. First, because the entire fifty days of the Paschal season was a celebration of the Lord’s Resurrection, Christians began to observe that interval as a non-fasting period. That is to say, from the fourth century on, … [Read more...]
Honoring the Crown of Creation: Orthodox Christians, Bio-Ethics, and the COVID-19 Vaccine
“Recognize the dignity that belongs to you. He did not cause your origin by commandment, but there was a consultation in God in order to know how to introduce into life this being worthy of honor...” -St Basil the Great The purpose of this pamphlet is to provide Orthodox Christians with information to morally navigate the new line of vaccines that have been introduced to the public in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic. Though this pamphlet deals specifically with the various COVID-19 vaccines available, this information can also be applied to the investigation of other vaccines that concern Christian morality, specifically the use of aborted children in scientific research … [Read more...]
Paschal Address of His Eminence Archbishop Kyrill
Reverend Fathers, Venerable Monastics, and Pious Faithful of the Western American Diocese ROCOR: Precious Children of the Church, my beloved flock: CHRIST IS RISEN! The rising of the Lord from the grave is the anticipation of faithful Christians each year, but for many people no more so than at present. A year ago, it was not possible to be in the churches for Pascha, on account of State restrictions relating to the pandemic, and this sad reality persisted for a very long time. But God is merciful, and recently we have been able, in this God-preserved Diocese, to return to a life of more-or-less liturgical “normalcy,” celebrating and participating in the Sacraments of the Church … [Read more...]
2021 Palm Sunday Celebration!
The celebration of Palm Sunday this year was especially glorious. If you missed it, here are a few photos of the celebration. … [Read more...]
2021 Lazarus Saturday Baptisms
On Lazarus Saturday, ASONA welcomed many new souls into the flock of Christ through the ancient mystery of Baptism. Fr. John Peck, Fr. Christopher Horsely, and Dcn Joseph Peck celebrated the Holy Mystery. Here are some highlights! … [Read more...]
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