Garden Center Visit For March
Fr. Paul began our visit with the story of John the Baptist. As soon John baptizes Jesus in the River
Jordan, the sky opened, and the Holy Spirit appeared in the form of a dove, and the voice of God was heard, saying, “This is my
beloved son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Fr. Paul told us how Jesus took seven loaves and a few fish, gave thanks, broke them and gave them to the
disciples to give to the four thousand men, women and children.
Lights are turned off as Laurie passes out candles as we pray the Lord’s Prayer.
Our evening ended singing memory eternal for the departed, as requested by one of the residents, Janet.
New Members Recognized
As is our custom, St. Luke parish recognized its new members that joined the parish in the previous year.
Fr. Paul presented each with an icon.
Group Photo – “God grant them many years!”
Sunday of Orthodoxy
On the first Sunday of Lent, Orthodox Christians celebrate the official declaration of the 7th Ecumenical Council 787AD that the veneration of Icons is not the worship of images as the 2nd commandment describes. To celebrate the event, the parishioners of St. Luke held a procession of Icons, ( See Iconography) while the choir sang the hymn of the event. At its conclusion the proclamation of Orthodoxy and Creed were recited.
Proclamation of Orthodoxy:
As the Prophets beheld, as the Apostles have taught, as the Church has received, as the Teachers have dogmatized, as the Universe has agreed, as grace has shown forth, as Truth has revealed, as Falsehood has been dissolved, as Wisdom has presented, as Christ awarded; Thus we declare, thus we assert, thus we preach Christ Our True God, and honor His Saints in words, in writings, in thoughts, in sacrifices, in Churches, in Holy Icons; On the one hand worshipping and reverencing Christ as God and Lord, and on the other, honoring the Saints as true servants of the same Lord of All, and offering them proper veneration.
This is the Faith of the Apostles,
This is the Faith of the Fathers,
This is the Faith of the Orthodox,
This is the Faith which has established the Universe.
Scene from the procession.
Scene from the procession.
Scene from the procession.
The Reading of the Canon of St. Andrew of Crete
A canon is a liturgical poem divided into verses with a refrain. The Canon of St. Andrew, written in the 7th century, is divided into four sections, which are read on Monday through Thursday during Compline of the first week of Lent. St. Andrew, in composing the canon, traces the lives of people in the Bible who lived according to God’s commandments with those who failed. By doing this, St. Andrew reminds us of our failings and need of repentance. An example of a verse with refrain is the following:
Solomon was carried away by gratification of his lust. Alas, he who loved wisdom now makes love to prostitutes and finds himself estranged from God. But in your every thought you have imitated him, O my soul, through your disgraceful love of luxury.
Refrain: Have mercy on me O God, have mercy on me.
During the reading the faithful make prostrations (a bow with the head to the floor)
This year we were blessed to have His Grace, the Right Reverend Paul, Bishop of Chicago and the Diocese of the Midwest join us for the service. Following the service he spoke to us about the meaning of the Canon of St. Andrew.
35 Years A Priest
This Sunday Fr. Paul celebrated the 35th anniversary of his ordination as a priest. Lay Chairperson, Rick
Wolf presented gifts to Fr. Paul and Protinica Michelle in honor of this event. We thank Fr. Paul for his years of service and
ask that “God Grant Them Many Years!”