It is a great day in the life in any parish when one of their own is elevated to Holy Orders, and even more so when one of those is ordained to the rank of presbyter, to the Holy Priesthood.  On Sunday, February 20, 2022, a small group from ASONA, including Fr. John, Dcn. Joseph, and Mka Deborah Peck, travelled to participate in the ordination of Dcn Michael Vallecillo to the Priesthood at Holy Virgin Cathedral in San Francisco, the resting place of the relics of St. John Maximovitch.  Fr. Michael will be assigned to St. Herman’s parish in Show Low, AZ. Here is the link to the video of the entire service (the ordination begins at 1:23:00). Here is the link to the video starting with the … [Read more...]

The Fast of the Nativity is the Church's wise solace and aid to human infirmity. We are a forgetful people, but our forgetfulness is not unknown to God; and our hearts with all their misconceptions and weakened understandings are not unfamiliar to the Holy Spirit who guides and sustains this Church. We who fall far from God through the magnitude of our sin, are called nonetheless to be close to Him. We who run afar off are called to return. Through the fast that precedes the great Feast of the Incarnation -- which itself is the the heart and substance of our calling -- the Church helps draw us into the full mystery of what that call entails. Like Great Lent, the fast of the Nativity is a … [Read more...]

The River of Fire is "an all-consuming fire and an illuminating light" Upon Christ's Second Coming, everyone who has ever lived will see Him in His uncreated light, forever. For "those who worked good deeds in their lifetime will go towards the resurrection of life, while those who worked evil in their lifetime will go towards the resurrection of judgment (John.5:29)".  All will be separated at the moment of the final judgement, with the good experiencing paradise as exceedingly good, and radiant, while those who have rejected His love, and whose lives ended without repentance, will look upon Christ as hell, the "all-consuming fire" spoken of in Hebrews 12:29. It is from Christ's … [Read more...]

Not sure what to do about those whose fate we are unsure of? Now you know what to do. “The Liturgy is our family, our gathering, our house. And what a spacious house it is! Together with us are those who are absent, along with sinners, and the wicked, and the dead, indeed, EVEN THOSE WHO ARE IN HELL, but who may yet remember something about God. And who knows how many of these will find relief, be drawn out of Hades, and even dragged up from the depths of hell, thanks to the prayers of the Church, her memorial services, and Divine Liturgies.” ~ Elder Aimilianos of Simonopetra, Θεία Λατρεία [Divine Worship], pp. 214, 222-224. … [Read more...]

by Natalia Mihailova  Happiness is often elusive, especially in our daily work. Life involves many temptations and unexpected troubles. With a solid faith and proper way of life it is possible to find joy in everything you do or are faced with. The following seventeen points will bring God into your life each hour of your day allowing you will become more effective and true to your deepest values. Implement them and you will find they also will lead to a life based on joy. Remember your power to choose. You make the choices in your life. You can choose to act with God or to ignore His grace. You were created in God’s image and have free will. If you feel unhappy remember that you are … [Read more...]

On Sunday, August 1st ASONA will hold the first Instructional Proskomedia in 3 years. The Proskomedia (from the Greek προσκομιδή, “offering”), sometimes referred to as prothesis (from the Greek πρόϑεσις, "setting forth") or proskomide, is the Office of Oblation celebrated by the priest prior to the Divine Liturgy during which the bread and wine are prepared for the Eucharist. The Proskomedia is a prerequisite for the Divine Liturgy. The priest conducts the Office of Oblation behind the Iconostasis at the Table of Oblation or Table of Preparation that is located to the left of the Altar Table. Proskomedia, when translated to English, means "preparation." Don't miss this chance to see the … [Read more...]

In the next two weeks, ASONA will have the honor of having two miraculous icons visit for prayer and veneration. During these turbulent times, this is a fantastic and opportune time for us to gather together to praise God and entreat the Theotokos, the Mother of Mercy, for her intercessions. … [Read more...]

Every Orthodox Christian is aware and generally knows the reason behind the fasts for Pascha and Christmas. But while they may know of the Dormition Fast, it is notable that some do not observe the fast, and more than a few question why it is there, not understanding its purpose. Given the pervasive misunderstanding of the purpose of fasting itself, a refresher on its purpose is always a good idea. There is a perception that we should fast when we want something, as though the act of fasting somehow appeases God, and seeing us “suffer” gets Him to grant our request. Nothing can be further from the truth. Fasting Pleases God? It is not our fasting that pleases God, it is the fruits of our … [Read more...]