St. Longinus at the Cross — (Rabbula Syriac Gospel Book, 6th century)
Today: 8:30 am Matins; 9:30 am Divine Liturgy & Brunch & Pastoral Visitation Meeting
Tuesday: 6:00 pm Vespers
Thursday: 6:00 pm Vespers & Choir
Saturday: 6:00 pm Vespers
Sunday: 8:30 am Matins; 9:30 am Divine Liturgy, Brunch, Teen Christian Education Class
Have fun while building relationships of support with formerly homeless families and children! On Thursday, October 27, a Halloween party for formerly homeless families is happening at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church at 6:30 PM. The folks at St. Andrew’s have invited the folks at St. Nicholas’ to help out with this event. We need a few parishioners to help out with some simple booths, snacks, and a piñata at the end.
People who have experienced homelessness often lack community, support, and a sense of belonging. Even something as simple as a Halloween party can be a way of helping people feel that they have friends in their corner. This is a great way our parish can get involved in making a difference for homeless families. Please see Paul Schroeder or Dn. Kevin.
Friday & Saturday November 18 & 19 — Journey To Light Icon and Chant Festival here at St. Nicholas and at St. Clare. You’ll receive special information this week.
Please remember that every parishioner is encouraged to attend Saturday Vespers on a regular and frequent basis…i.e., if possible more Saturdays than not. (Note last Sunday’s bulletin.) Additionally, we should all participate in Confession during Advent, Great Lent and during one of the Lenten seasons during the summer months. This presupposes an ongoing life of liturgical participation (weekends and feasts), Holy Communion, prayer, fasting, abstinence, almsgiving, works of mercy, biblical lectio, (reading) quietude, meditation, etc. Many people try to make Orthodox Christianity fit in with the surrounding culture. But ours is a very “counter-culture” faith, unlike many other spiritual groups. Those to whom much is given, much is also asked. This may mean (re)prioritizing calendars. But know that this is not only our gift to God. It is also a blessing received from Him.
From the Prolog of Ochrid: St. Longinus stood beneath the Cross
When, on the Cross, Christ breathed His last.
Longinus beheld the wrath of the mild sky,
Witnessed the earth as it shook,
And the bright sun as it lost its rays
And clothed the whole world in darkness.
The tombs of many were opened,
And many of the dead appeared alive.
Brave Longinus was filled with fear,
And exclaimed with a remorseful sigh:
“This Man was the Son of God!
Sinful men have crucified the Innocent One!”
Next to him, two other soldiers
Echoed the exclamation of their centurion.
Longinus was a witness of the Resurrection,
And he could attest to His humiliation as well.
An eyewitness, a true witness,
Longinus desired to not conceal the truth,
But proclaimed it everywhere he went,
And glorified the resurrected Christ God!
To his death he remained Christ’s soldier;
And for Christ, Longinus gave his head.
