The Prophet Habakkuk had a vision of God coming from Teman to save his people.   (Hab 3:3-4)

Great Vespers for Sunday Divine Liturgy - Today we are reminded of Prophet Zaphaniah who spoke of the coming of the Lord, the King of Israel.  (Zeph. 3:14-20) 

Divine Liturgy - Greatmartyr Barbara - On the Path to the Nativity of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ - The birth of the Son of God brought man and his world back to God the Father and allowed for a new beginning of life free from the power of sin, the evil and death.  As the Saviour-Messiah, Christ fulfilled all of the prophecies and expectations of the Old Testament, fulfilling and crowning, in final and absolute perfection, all that was begin in Israel for human and cosmic salvation.  Thus, Christ is the fulfillment of the promise to Abraham, the completion of the Law of Moses, the fulfillment of the prophets and Himself the Final Prophet, the King and the Teacher, the one Great High Priest of Salvation and the Perfect Sacrificial Victim, the New Passover and the Bestower of the Holy Spirit upon all creation.

St. Nicholas - Divine Liturgy - "O Who Loves, Nicholas the Saintly / O Who Serves, Nicholas the Saintly / Him Will Nicholas Receive / And Give Help in Time of Need / Holy Father Nicholas.

Great Vespers for Sunday Divine Liturgy - On the Path to the Nativity of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ - A covenant between God and the Jews was established and God promised that the Redeemer (Messiah) would arise out of the Jews.  God directly intervened in the history of the Jews whom He chose as His select people.  He directed the course of events in the direction of preparing them for the coming of the Messiah.  He raised among them Judges, Kings, and finally Prophets who received special endowments of the Holy Spirit, as leaders and heralds of God’s will, and prophesied the coming of the Messiah.

Holy Forefathers - Divine Liturgy - On the Path to the Nativity of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ - A covenant between God and the Jews was established and God promised that the Redeemer (Messiah) would arise out of the Jews.  God directly intervened in the history of the Jews whom He chose as His select people.  He directed the course of events in the direction of preparing them for the coming of the Messiah.  He raised among them Judges, Kings, and finally Prophets who received special endowments of the Holy Spirit, as leaders and heralds of God’s will, and prophesied the coming of the Messiah.

Enlightener Deadline - Please give all articles to Barbara for the next Enlightener before today.

St. Herman - Divine Liturgy - On the Path to the Nativity of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ - The Divine Son of God was born in human flesh for the salvation of the world.  Thus, the feast of Christmas is the celebration of the world’s salvation through the Son of God who became man for our sake that, through Him, we might ourselves become divine, sons of God the Father by the indwelling of His Holy Spirit in us.

An Akathist (Healing Service) will be held on Saturday, December 17, to the Mother of God in  front of her icon "Queen of All."  The service will start at 1:00 p.m. and is open for everyone for the healing from any disease.  This icon of the Mother of God is especially known for the healings that occurred to those who suffer with cancer.

Parish confessions will follow the healing service.

Great Vespers for Sunday Divine Liturgy - Sunday Before the Nativity - On the Path to the Nativity of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ – In the Creed, we proclaim that Jesus Christ “was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became man.”  Thus, the eternal Word of God took on our human nature and fulfilled the Old Testament prophecy of Isaiah;  “Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel”  (Isaiah 7:14).

Sunday Before Nativity - Divine Liturgy - On the Path to the Nativity of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ – And the Word became flesh in order to make us earthly beings into heavenly ones, in order to make sinners into saints; in order to raise us up from corruption into incorruption, from earth to heaven; from enslavement to sin into the glorious freedom of children of God; from death into immortality, in order to make us sons of God and to seat us together with him upon the Throne as His royal children.

Eve of the Nativity of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ - Vigil - 18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. 20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” 22 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” 24 Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, 25 and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son.  And he called His name Jesus.     (Matthew 1:18-25)

Nativity of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ - Diivne Liturgy - Christ is Born!  Glorify Him!   

Synaxis of the Virgin Mary Theotokos - Divine Liturgy - Today the Virgin gives birth to the Tanscendent One, and the earth offers a cave to the Unapproachable one!  Angels, with shepoherds, glorify Him!  The wise men journey with the star!  Since for our sake the eternal God was born as a little child!  Kontakion of the Feast.

St. Stephen, Protomartyr - Divine Liturgy - Thy Nativity, O Christ our God, Has shone to the world the light of wisdom!  For by it, those who worshipped the stars, were taught by a star to adore Thee, the Sun of Righteousness, and to know Thee, the Orient from on high.  O Lord, Glory to Thee!  Dismissal Hymn of the Feast. 

Great Vespers for Sunday Divine LIturgy for New Year, St. Basil and Christ's Circumcision - The Lord of all accepts to be circumcised, thus, as He is good, excises the sins of mortal men.  Today He grants the world salvation, while light-bearing Basil, high priest of our Creator, rejoices in heaven as a divine initiate of Christ.  (Kontakion - Tone 3)