This Sunday, the Third Sunday of Great Lent, we commemorate the saving Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ. On this day we celebrate the Veneration of the precious and life-giving Cross, the Cross which is placed before us in the center of the Church for refreshment and inspiration, but most of all encouragement to continue the long and difficult path of Great Lent.
On Saturday March 19, 2022 His Eminence, Archbishop Mark began His Archpastoral visit to St. Herman of Alaska Church Glen Mills, PA, with the Great Vespers service followed by a Lenten Dinner in the Church Memorial Hall. On Sunday, March 20, 2022 His Eminence celebrated the Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great assisted by the Pastor, Archpriest John Perich, attached clergy and deacons as well numerous Sub-deacons and altar servers.
Today is the second Sunday of Great Lent dedicated to the memory of the 14th century Theologian, St. Gregory Palamas, who eventually became the Archbishop of Thessalonica.
Our parishes efforts for Refugee Relief with the ongoing war in Ukraine have accelerated this past week. We cannot thank all of you enough for your love and concern in this dire time of need in this tragic war. Millions of refugees are fleeing the ravaged cities and villages seeking safety in Poland, Slovakia, Romania. Hungary, Moldova and other surrounding countries.
Today is the first Sunday of Great Lent, referred to as the Sunday of Orthodoxy. The Gospel for this Sunday is from St. John chapter 1 verses 43-51 in which Nathaniel upon recognizing who Jesus was answered, “You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel” (John 1:49).
The Canon of St. Andrew of Crete is the longest Canon of the Orthodox Church, prescribed during the first week of Great Lent. It is a dialog between St. Andrew and his soul, written for his own personal meditation.
On Sunday, March 6, 2022 the parishioners of St. Herman of Alaska Orthodox Church and volunteers worked energetically to pack boxes of badly needed medical equipment, children’s medicines diapers, analgesics, personal hygiene kits, hospice care supplies and many other items for shipment to the thousand of refugees who are pouring into Poland from the ferocious fighting in Ukraine.
This Sunday we commemorate Forgiveness Sunday sometimes referred to as Cheesefare Sunday. This is the last of the preparatory Sundays before the beginning of Great Lent, which begins on Monday March 7, 2022.
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