Newsletter November 6, 2025

Impressions of a Visit, Part One

Faith in the modern West has become like a branch of philosophy, with man as its only reference point. This shift began with the Great Schism and the growing exaltation of human reason at the expense of the Holy Spirit, who enlightens and sanctifies the mind to understand divine truth. Man became the final authority, and the spiritual and theological heritage that illuminated it grew weak. As a result, the living action of God has largely faded from view.

In the East, however, God remains the Alpha and Omega, ever-present in His Church through the Holy Spirit. Decisions of Church councils are still made in the spirit of the Apostolic phrase: “It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us” (Acts 15:28). Of course, practice does not always reach the level of the teaching. A council may err, since its members are human and not necessarily illumined. But faith itself remains preserved by the steadfast holy tradition and by the saints, who correct deviations. Only God, acting in His saints who are enlightened by the Holy Spirit, preserves the Church’s integrity.

Read the entire article: https://www.antiochian.org/regulararticle/2618

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

Full schedule:
https://stjfc.org/Pages/Ministries/Prosphora/Docs/prosphora sched 2025 web.pdf

Full schedule:
https://stjfc.org/Pages/Ministries/Altar/Docs/epistle readers for 2025.pdf

Epistle: ST. PAUL’S LETTER TO THE GALATIANS 6:11-18

Brethren, see with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that would compel you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For even those who receive circumcision do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may glory in your flesh. But far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. Peace and mercy be upon all who walk by this rule, upon the Israel of God. Henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.

Gospel: LUKE 8:41-56

At that time, there came to Jesus a man named Jairus, who was a ruler of the synagogue; and falling at Jesus’ feet he besought him to come to his house, for he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying. As he went, the people pressed round him. And a woman who had had a flow of blood for twelve years and had spent all her living upon physicians and could not be healed by anyone, came up behind him, and touched the fringe of his garment; and immediately her flow of blood ceased. And Jesus said, “Who was it that touched me?” When all denied it, Peter and those who were with him said, “Master, the multitudes surround you and press upon you!” But Jesus said, “Some one touched me; for I perceive that power has gone forth from me.” And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.” While he was still speaking, a man from the ruler’s house came and said, “Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the Teacher any more.” But Jesus on hearing this answered him, “Do not fear; only believe, and she shall be well.” And when he came to the house, he permitted no one to enter with him, except Peter and John and James, and the father and mother of the child. And all were weeping and bewailing her; but he said, “Do not weep; for she is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. But taking her by the hand he called, saying, “Child, arise.” And her spirit returned, and she got up at once; and he directed that something should be given her to eat. And her parents were amazed; but he charged them to tell no one what had happened.

Thank You, God, for Allowing Me to Speak with You!

Hieroschemamonk Iulian (Lazăr)

First of all, let us delve into the word of the Savior, Who tells us: Whatever you do, without Me ye can do nothing (Jn. 15:5). That means that whatever we do, we must always flee to Him, for He alone teaches us the right faith. And let us live by faith, as it says in the Acts of the Apostles: Let us seek God, For in Him we live, and move, and have our being (Acts 17:28). From here, from this search, begins the approach to God, which takes place in conversation with God. To pray means to converse with God, whether we’re praying with someone or alone, and God accepts our prayer. This is how a Christian’s life should be, so he can always be with God. But as Holy Scripture and the Holy Fathers teach us, this is possible only if we pray unceasingly.

Pray without ceasing, pray without ceasing, pray without ceasing (1 Thess. 5:17)—thus the Apostle Paul has been exhorting us since 64 AD, when he wrote the Epistle to the Thessalonians. That means our commandment has always been the same: to pray incessantly. This word is addressed to all people, to all Christians, not to monastics and priests only. For at the time when the holy Apostle wrote this epistle, there were no churches, no priests, no monasteries. There were only Christian communities, founded by the Holy Apostles, where the faithful broke bread and communed of the Body and Blood of Christ. I think we’ll be asked about this word of the Apostle Paul, which was written for us, when we depart for the other world. For he clearly says: Pray without ceasing, not: “If you want to, if you can, then pray without ceasing.”

Read the entire article: https://orthochristian.com/173790.html