Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America Metropolis of Atlanta
Father Andrew Maginas, Protopresbyter FrAndrewMaginas@mail.goarch.org
__________________________________________
Click above for The Rudder, OCN's 24 hour Internet Radio Station of Traditional Orthodox Music.
Go to the "Orthodox Christian Network" tab at the top of the page
to access "The Anchor," OCN's New Internet Radio Station: 24/7 Orthodox
Online Talk Radio. Click below for The Ark, OCN's 24 hour Internet Radio Station of Contemporary Orthodox Music.
__________________________________________
Online Chapel Read today's prescribed Epistle and Gospel passages and learn about the saints commemorated by the Church on this day
Orthodox Calendar Our online calendar listing the major saints, feasts, and fasting periods in the Orthodox Church for this month
Featured Video Enjoy a weekly video feature by GOTelecom on our Church's faith and life.
Iconograms Send electronic icon greeting cards to your family, friends or loved ones on their name day or any special occasion.
Water Damage to St Catherine's Sanctuary
We have water damage at several locations inside the church. This has ruined decorative plaster work and two of the large icons have various amounts of damage. There are also cracks visible on the Solea and at the base of the dome.
Detail of column North side of Nave just before Solea. Photos are best viewed for detail by downloading, then you can zoom in. More photos will be posted.
Detail, North side of Solea
We are now on Facebook! Our page is:
Saint Catherine Greek Orthodox Church
Divine Liturgy - watch live -Check the calendar for the schedule. -Click above to begin. -We are only streaming during services.
Christ Pantocrator
Saint Catherine Greek Orthodox Church, West Palm Beach
Father Andrew's February Lamplighter message
Forgiveness . . . can we Forgive?
During the Great Lent and Holy Week we tend to focus on the aspects of
preparation which have served us well and will continue to serve us.
These are methods which concentrate our thoughts on our Lord’s
sacrifice on the Cross and the promise of eternal life through His
Resurrection at Pascha.
I
am speaking of course first about our Lenten Fast and the Liturgical
Services of this most holy time in our worship and prayer life. It is
easy to concentrate on the mechanics of the fast and the beauty of the
services. It is more difficult to grasp the deeper meaning and goal of
our preparations. It is even more elusive to take this knowledge once
we become aware of it and make it a part of our Christian life.
Forgiveness
is a key concept which we find difficult to master. We just read the
parable of the Prodigal Son. We understand the story but only on its
surface. We see the son’s repentance and return to his father. As
parents we understand how the father rejoices and celebrates his son’s
return. We fail to recognize our own distance from God and our need for
forgiveness.
The Sunday of Forgiveness is the last day before
the Great Lent begins. “On the evening of the Sunday of Forgiveness the
Church conducts the first service of Great Lent, the Vespers of
Forgiveness, a service that directs us further on the path of
repentance and helps us to acknowledge our need for forgiveness from
God and to seek forgiveness from our brothers and sisters in Christ.
This is the first time that the Lenten prayer of St. Ephrem accompanied
by prostrations is read. At the end of the service all the faithful
approach the priest and one another asking for mutual forgiveness.
“The
first day of Lent, Clean Monday, signifies the beginning of a period of
cleansing and purification of sins through repentance.” [Sunday of Forgiveness, www.lent.goarch.org]
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _________________ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Great
Lent begins on Clean Monday, February 15th. During Great Lent we begin
a period of greater awareness of our obligations as Orthodox
Christians. Our personal preparation includes confession, fasting, and
increased prayer, both personal and as a Church family. On Clean Monday
the Great Compline service at 6:00 pm helps us set the mood and the
spirit of Lent. Stop by after work and join us in prayer.
Friday,
Feb 19th, I will begin an Orthodoxy Awareness class in the Small Hall.
What does it mean to be an Orthodox Christian? How do we live as
Orthodox Christians? This class will meet for four Fridays during Great
Lent after the Salutations service. A light lenten meal is served.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _________________ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
The Lenten Prayer of St. Ephrem
Lord and Master of my life! Cast away from me the spirit of laziness, idle curiosity, love of power and talk.
But grant me, Your Servant, the spirit of chastity, humility, patience and love.
Yes, Lord and King! Grant me to see my own faults and not to judge my brother.
Online Chapel
Orthodox Calendar
Featured Video
