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October 18, 2020

This is the 19th Sunday after Pentecost, Tone 2, Hierarchs of Moscow

It is MASKS & 2 m DISTANCING: the Law!

Readings
Epistle: 2 Corinthians 11:31-12:9
Gospel: St. Luke 6:31-36

Saturday, October 17 at 6pm - Vespers
Sunday, October 18 at 10am - Liturgy
Monday, October 19 - Apostle Thomas
Thursday, October 22 - Holy Apostle James, Son of Alphaeus

Monday evening I shall commemorate the feast of Saint Thomas the Apostle in the church at 6, by reciting the Jesus Prayer for about an hour, this in place of Vespers. Wednesday evening I shall do the same to commemorate the Apostle James the son of Alphaeus.

Please make sure you are distancing and wearing masks. There is nothing wrong with gently reminding those of us that forget to put on a mask. I certainly do not mind if you remind me. I get so involved in what I am doing that I forget to put my mask on when I am hearing confessions or distributing Communion; please do not hesitate to remind me.

Sunday was an experiment to see how moving back inside would look. It went well except that people tended to cram into the back of the church. The space from the Ambo to the back of the church is available for distancing. Please do not be afraid. You will notice that I have had the 'pulpit' moved to the back of the church where the toys and children's books are stored thus making more space in the body of the church. The two rooms off the Altar are also to be used. These two rooms are accessible from the outside and can be curtained off at the appropriate times during the service. One of the rooms was used last Sunday to good effect. Both are usable but probably not suitable for young children who might wander into the Altar. Please come forward into the church. I think I'll ask David to open the back doors so the narthex can be used. That will be fine until it gets really cold.

This Sunday, I shall make a decision about Saturday Liturgies. I've been thinking that a regular Saturday Liturgy for families with children might help. The problem is finding choir for two Liturgies and Altar servers for both, God will provide, I'm sure.

Let me remind you that there are forms on the candle stand, at the back of the church, for the including of the names of Orthodox Living and Departed in the Proskomedia. Non-Orthodox should be remembered with candles placed in the candle stands. If you write your family name at the top of the form, it will be placed on the candle stand at the end of the service. That way you can add names as necessary, and resubmit the same list the following week. In some parishes they offer small Prosphora to buy for remembering the living and the dead. We have not ever done that as far as I am aware and not likely to start due to the burden that would place on those who make the Prosphora.

It is difficult for us to have regular midweek services as we found out this past Tuesday evening. What I propose to do from now on is to hold a Service on Thursday evenings at 6pm using the Jesus Prayer (that is if there is no other midweek service). This does not require a choir, it just requires as many who wish to attend for the recitation of the Prayer, in English, French, Russian or Greek. We could even recite it in Aramaic, or Hebrew, or Arabic if someone will do that. The service will take about an hour and is very simple; about the same as Vespers.

If you notice the lack of pictures this week, it is because the usual picture taker, when Alina is not there, was serving the Liturgy and doesn't take photos while he is doing that. Never mind, perhaps it will correct itself, that is if you like pictures in the Bulletin.

Jeff our Catechumen in Antigonish has just moved into a new apartment in Antigonish and needs stuff to fill it with. He is thinking he might be able to drive his truck here one Sunday soon. I have some things to give him from the items I was given, I have a microwave, and toaster oven and crock pot, an armchair and couch. I'm sure there will be more. I'll let you know when he plans to come.

Krystal and Jeff or perhaps I should say Krystal or Jeff made cookies that we ate outside.

Delicious by the way! I made Rice Krispy squares that were also quite nice. I've never made them before so it was an adventure. One thing to note is that these treats must not be consumed in the church itself, it would require special Archiepiscopal permission for that to happen. So we either go outside or downstairs for treats.

I've just received word that Archbishop Lazar and Father Moses are in the ICU and Father Mircea is very ill. Please pray for them.

With the possible upsurge in the Corona Virus, it is time to pray fervently again for the victims and the people caring for them:

O God Almighty, Lord of heaven and earth, and of all creation visible and invisible, in thine ineffable goodness, look down upon thy people gathered in thy name. Be our helper and defender in this day of affliction. Thou knowest our weakness. Thou hearest our cry in repentance and contrition of heart. O Lord who lovest mankind deliver us from the impending threat of the Corona Virus. Send thine angel to watch over us and protect us. Grant health and recovery to those suffering from this virus. Guide the hands of physicians, and preserve those who are healthy that we may continue to serve thee in peace and glorify thy most honourable and majestic name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Боже Вседержителю, Господи небесе и земли, всея твари, видимыя же и невидимыя, по неизреченной благости Твоея призри на люди Твоя, к Тебе притекающия. Буди нам Помощник и Защититель в сей день скорби. Веси бо немощи наша, слышиши глас покаяния и умиления сердечнаго. Господи Человеколюбче, избави нас от напасти коронавируса на ны движимыя. Ниспосли ангела Твоего призирати на ны и избавити ны. Страждущим от болезни здравие и исцеление подаждь. Руки врачующих направи. Здравых в здравии сохрани, да в мире поработают Ти и да прославят пресвятое и великополепое имя Твое, Отца и Сына и Святаго Духа, ныне и присно, и во веки веков, аминь.

May God bless you all

Love in Christ,

-- Father David