Parish News

This Sunday has two names: the first is the Sunday of the Last Judgement and the second, Meatfare Sunday. The Gospel reading for this Sunday from Matthew 25:31-46, vividly describes the scene of Christ the King, the Son of God, seated on His throne separating the people like a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.

We have already begun the Lenten Triodion last Sunday with the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee. Today we hear the Gospel of Saint Luke chapter 15 verses 11 thru 32, the story of the Prodigal Son.

This Sunday marks the beginning of the Lenten Triodion in which we hear the lesson from the Gospel of St. Luke Chapter 18 verses 10-14, the story of the Publican and the Pharisee.

We have already arrived at the Sunday of Zacchaeus and hear the Gospel from the Evangelist Luke 19:1-10 which tells the story of Zacchaeus, a Jew who served as a tax collector for the hated Roman government.

Today we are blessed to hear two very meaningful Gospels from St. Matthew the Evangelist. The first is the story of the Canaanite Women of great faith found in Matthew 15:21-28, about a Canaanite woman, not a Jew, who approached the Lord begging him to heal her daughter who was possessed.

Today we hear the Gospel Lesson from the Evangelist Luke Chapter 18 Verses 35-43. It is the story of the blind beggar Bartimaeus, whom Jesus met as He was approaching Jericho.

We have already traveled through the Feasts of the Nativity, Circumcision and Theophany of Our Lord and are awaiting the culmination of this Festal Season with the Feast of the Presentation of Christ into the Temple in February. Today’s gospel comes to us from the Evangelist Luke chapter 18:18-27, which tells about the rich man who asked Jesus, “What can I do to receive eternal life?” This same story is read in early September from the Gospel of St. Matthew.

As we are still within the Festal season of the Nativity of Christ, the lesson for the Sunday Before the Feast of Theophany is from the Gospel of St. Mark Chapter 1:1-8. With sincere prayers for a joyous and healthy New Year to you and your loved ones. May Almighty God bestow infinite blessings and peace on all of you!

As we are still within the Festal season of the Nativity of Christ, the lesson for the Sunday Before the Feast of Theophany is from the Gospel of St. Mark Chapter 1:1-8. With sincere prayers for a joyous and healthy New Year to you and your loved ones. May Almighty God bestow infinite blessings and peace on all of you!