Newsletter Mar. 2, 2023

The Holy Synod of our Church elected His Eminence Metropolitan SABA to become our new Metropolitan of North America.

Some links with further information:
Biography of His Eminence Metropolitan-elect Saba: https://www.antiochian.org/regulararticle/1524
Letter of Patriarch John X to the Antiochian Archdiocese: https://www.antiochian.org/regulararticle/1525

Since we have a large group of people preparing for Baptism/Chrismation this Lent, we will reserve our Wed. evening classes during Lent for just the current catechumens only. After Pascha, the classes will again be open to everyone.

Note: There will be no class on Wed. March 1 since well be praying the Great Canon of Repentance that evening.

The Denver area Orthodox Churches will again share a pan-Orthodox Vespres service each Sunday evening during Great Lent. The schedule is included here and on our website calendar.

March 5, Assumption Theotokos Cathedral, Denver 6:00 PM
March 12, Holy Transfiguration Cathedral, Denver 5:00 PM
March 19, Ss. Peter & Paul, Boulder 5:00 PM
March 26, St Spyridon, Loveland 5:00 PM
April 2, St Elias, Arvada 5:00 PM

Father Andrew Stephen Damick at St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Chruch
March 03 – 05, 2023
https://saintspyridon.church/common/ePost.php?EVID=284

We had good discussion this Tuesday regarding what the new group could entail. We have decided to meet once a month on the first Tuesday of the month. So we will meet Tuesday March 7. Come and see if you are interested!

Please remember that our full calendar continues to be available at our parish web site. Here is a link:
http://stjfc.org/Pages/Calendar/calendar.php

Full schedule:
https://stjfc.org/Pages/Ministries/Prosphora/Docs/prosphora sched 2023 web.pdf

Full schedule:
https://stjfc.org/Pages/Ministries/Altar/Docs/epistle readers for 2023.pdf

Epistle: ST. PAUL’S LETTER TO THE HEBREWS 11:24-26, 32-40

Brethren, by faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to share ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered abuse suffered for the Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he looked to the reward. And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets — who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign enemies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated — of whom the world was not worthy — wandering over deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had foreseen something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

Gospel: JOHN 1:43-51

At that time, Jesus decided to go to Galilee. And he found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael, and he said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!” Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” Jesus answered him, “Because I said to you, I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You shall see greater things than these.” And he said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.”

The Athonite Schemamonk Ilya Spending the Final Years of His Ascetic Life in a Godless Country

The Venerable Ilya of Makeyevka lived a life of imitating Christ, for which the Lord rewarded him with rich spiritual gifts. Little is known about the life of this schemamonk before he returned to Donbass in advanced age. The persecution of the godless authorities forced him to stay in people’s homes. By the power of God’s grace, the Elder healed people, drove away demons, prayed at night and foretold people’s future. When miracles occurred through his prayers, he humbly said, “It was not me who healed you, but God. Thank the Lord! Pray to him, give thanks – and all will be well in your life.”

…

People who knew the elder said that he was slender, well-looking, and always wore a neat, light-coloured cassock. He seemed to be visibly glowing with spiritual beauty. Despite his age and the fact that he used a walking stick, Father Ilya was faster than many young people. One of his eyes seemed to always be closed, although it is not visible in his photographs. The Elder used to say that one eye was enough for looking at this world and always screened the windows of his cell with curtains. His kindness and love for neighbor were heard in his soft gentle voice. He usually addressed everyone as “my dear”, and no one has ever seen him irritated, depressed or despondent.

…

The following miraculous occurrence is yet another proof that the saint continues to pray for the people of his native city even after his death. In the midst of the hostilities in 2014, believers noticed that the slippers on the Saint’s relics were covered with a layer of road dust, as if schemamonk Ilya personally went around the city, praying for the suffering. Yet, the relics were always under glass, and the rest of the vestments remained clean. This resembles a similar known miracle with the slippers of St. Spyridon of Trymythus.

The saints of God illuminate the world with amazing light, strengthening us in faith and hope for the Lord’s mercy. We pray to the Venerable Ilya of Makeyevka, asking his holy prayers for peace in the lands of Holy Rus and the salvation of all Orthodox Christians. Venerable Father Ilya, pray to God for us!

Read the entire article:
https://catalog.obitel-minsk.com/blog/2023/03/the-athonite-schemamonk-ilya-spending-the-final-years-of-his-ascetic-life-in-a-godless-country