Great Vespers with Litiya for the Feast of the Meeting of Christ Into the Temple. Simeon met the Child, took Him in his arms and glorifying God said, “Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, O Lord, according to Thy word, for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples, a light of revelation for the gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel.”

On this feast, we bless candles. The candles are kept by us as a reminder that we must always be open to the Light that is Christ. According to the law of Moses, all Hebrew parents must bring their first born son on the fortieth day after birth to the Temple to be consecrated to God. It was the custom to bring a sacrifice in thanksgiving to God. Mary and Joseph presented two turtle doves, the gift of the poor. At this time in Jerusalem, there lived an old man by the name of Simeon. He was a righteous, pious man and he awaited the coming of the Messiah. It was foretold to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die until he had seen Christ the Lord. Simeon waited for the fulfillment of the promise of God for a long time. Then, one day he went to the Temple. When Mary with Joseph brought the infant Jesus, Simeon met the Child, took Him in his arms and glorifying God said, “Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, O Lord, according to Thy word, for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples, a light of revelation for the gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel.” There was in the Temple the pious widow Anna, a prophetess, eighty-four years a widow, who served God with fasting and prayers night and day. She recognized the Savior and coming in that instant, glorified the Lord and spoke of Him to all those in Jerusalem who awaited the coming to earth of Christ the Savior. When they had performed all things according to the Law of the Lord, the Mother of God with the Child and Joseph returned home.

Great Vespers for Sunday Divine Liturgy. Tomorrow commemorates the Righteous God bearer Simeon and Anna the Prophetess.

Today commemorates the Righteous God bearer Simeon and Anna the Prophetess. Simeon waited for the fulfillment of the promise of God for a long time. Then, one day he went to the Temple. When Mary with Joseph brought the infant Jesus, Simeon met the Child, took Him in his arms and glorifying God said, “Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, O Lord, according to Thy word, for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples, a light of revelation for the gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel.” There was in the Temple the pious widow Anna, a prophetess, eighty-four years a widow, who served God with fasting and prayers night and day. She recognized the Savior and coming in that instant, glorified the Lord and spoke of Him to all those in Jerusalem who awaited the coming to earth of Christ the Savior.

Great Vespers for Sunday Divine Liturgy followed by General Confession. Tomorrow is Zacchaeus Sunday. To most of us it is the signal that the pre-fast Sundays will begin next Sunday. This wonderful account of an actual event is told only in Luke. Zacchaeus means “the pure and innocent one.” His name was not evident in the choice he made for an occupation. However, he offers to do something voluntarily. Exactly what happened in the house of Zacchaeus is unknown but the joy rings out in Christ’s parting words which are: "Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man came to seek and to save the lost." (Luke 19:9-10)

This wonderful story which is remembered the Sunday before the series of pre-Lenten Sundays is a reminder of how we should approach the Lenten period before The Resurrection of our Lord and Savior. Zacchaeus was a little man, a tax collector, who wanted desperately to see Jesus. One day Jesus came to his town and in eager anticipation, Zacchaeus climbed a tree in order to see Him because Jesus always had a crowd around Him. Jesus looked up and, seeing Zacchaeus in the tree, said He wished to have dinner with him. Zaccaheus was overcome with happiness and promised to repay all those he may have not dealt fairly with in the past. (Luke 19:1-10)

Great Vespers for Sunday Divine Liturgy - Tomorrow is the Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee. This is the first pre-Lenten Sunday and follows the Sunday of Zacchaeus. The story of the Publican and Pharisee is told by Jesus in the form of a parable or story, which is the way Jesus taught His teachings so that the people hearing would understand. The two men went in to pray and one of them, the Pharisee, says to God, “God I thank you that I’m not like other men-extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast 2 times a week and I give tithes of all that I possess.” The other man, a publican who was a despised tax collector, did not even look up to heaven but, bowing his head cried softly, “God be merciful a sinner.” Jesus asked. “which one was forgiven and who was condemned? I tell you, this man [publican] went down to his house justified rather than the other; for every one who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted." (Luke 18:14)

"Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them; and when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to him, saying, "Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it." (Luke 18:15-17) Infants are the standard of faith by which adults receive the kingdom of God, and not the other way around. “A little child is not arrogant, he does not despise anyone, he is innocent and guileless. He does not inflate himself in the presence of important people, nor withdraw from those in sorrows. Instead, he lives in complete simplicity.” (Footnote from Orthodox Study Bible – Luke 18:15-17)

Fast Free Week

Great Vespers for the Sunday of the Prodigal Son. This is also told as a parable and it describes the actions of two sons. One stayed with his father and the other asked for his inheritance, received it and left to live a wasteful life. When his inheritance was gone and he was in need, he was given a job feeding swine. When he remembered that his father’s servants were treated well and with respect, he decided to go home. When he was still far off, his father was told that he was coming home. The father was so happy, he arranged for a welcoming feast and ran off to greet the son. The other son was saddened by the festivities since he had always obeyed his father. But the father, gently and with great love, told him that he would always be with him but that now his brother who was dead is alive again.

The third Sunday before Great Lent is called the Sunday of the Prodigal Son. This is also told as a parable and it describes the actions of two sons. One stayed with his father and the other asked for his inheritance, received it and left to live a wasteful life. When his inheritance was gone and he was in need, he was given a job feeding swine. When he remembered that his father’s servants were treated well and with respect, he decided to go home. When he was still far off, his father was told that he was coming home. The father was so happy, he arranged for a welcoming feast and ran off to greet the son. The other son was saddened by the festivities since he had always obeyed his father. But the father, gently and with great love, told him that he would always be with him but that now his brother who was dead is alive again.

Please attend our Annual Parish Meeting following Divine Liturgy and coffee hour.  A light lunch will be available.