Month: November 2019

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As we begin preparations for the Thanksgiving Holiday, I want to express my gratitude to the Lord and to you, for the blessing and humbling honor to serve as your priest. Our community was founded expressly so people could worship in peace, in a language understood by all, in an atmosphere of joy, with a burning love for the Savior and the Traditions of our holy Orthodox Christian Faith. We started out humble in every way: small numbers, retrofitted space, creating and doing as we went along. In many ways, thankfully, our present reality is not that much different.

No doubt, we have grown and we continue to reach out in an effort to share our Faith and parish. We are entering into our own space. Some might say that our building is not an “authentic” Orthodox church because it will be a remolded, existing building. Please, never allow yourselves to be brought down by such comments, or fall into them yourselves. When we move in, it will be every bit an authentic Orthodox church because Orthodox Christians worship there. We have worked very hard and sacrificed much to accomplish what’s been done in five, short years. The blessings that have been bestowed upon us are nothing short of miraculous.

So, by God’s grace, how did we get here? How do we find ourselves in the position of entering into our own worship space, fellowship space and outdoor space in the heart of a beautiful city?

Perhaps there is no blue print, formula, or road map that will tell us the exact reasons, but I believe it all begins as people walk up the long stairway to the church. Though we are in rented space, the kind folks at St. Thomas More allow us to put signs on the doors that lead up to the church. We have an identity and once entering that door, we climb. We ascend. We trek up those stairs with a goal in mind: to encounter God. We find Him in the smiling faces of fellow parishioners. We find Him through the bloodless sacrifice that is the Eucharist. We find Him in the prayers, hymns, and postures of worship.

Once we climb those stairs and enter into the sanctuary, our experience is collective in every way.

As stated before, on Sundays, we worship completely in English. There are people from a myriad of cultural backgrounds within the walls of our church, but a common language unifies us. No particular group is exalted and none are put down. We are all children in the eyes of God and I am thankful for all of us who enter our doors.

As we worship, we stand. It sort of just worked out that way, even though those, comfortable, padded chairs are always readily available to sit and relax. But worshipping is not relaxing. We stand because we sing. We sing because our parish was established by kind people who wanted to make sure we are all engaged and participating. No doubt, the choir, week, by week, is adding layers and depth to their glorious gift of liturgical song.

But I encourage you all to continue the practice of opening your hymnal and joining their chorus of prayerful voices. However, remember the chairs are there and can be used at appropriate times as we are accustomed. If you are singing with the choir, its hard to chant in a chair.

I’m sure you have also noticed (especially while standing) that I’ve been adding in the inaudible prayers of the Divine Liturgy during Sunday worship. If we are to be an educated, complete and mature community of faith, we need to participate at the deepest levels the entirety of the Liturgy. Gone are the days when those prayers are read silently and mystically. Most parts of the Liturgy that we hear are actually the final expressions of those silent prayers. When we hear the service in full, we become more actively engaged and one with the sacred experience.

Please also be reminded that our practice is to never pass trays during or after worship. We prayerfully count on an active life of Stewardship to sustain our needs. This Sunday, we will bless our collective Stewardship offering. We won’t be blessing dollars or checks, but rather the sacrificial dedication of the People of God. In as much, please bring your pledge card this Sunday, or fill one out on our website so that your offering can be included in our prayer of offering.

So you see, I believe the efforts, blessings, direction and vision of our parish begins and ends with our God who acknowledges faithful people who climb a bunch of stairs and put forth an effort to glorify Him. Soon enough, those stairs will disappear from our pattern of worship.

But don’t worry. There is plenty of work waiting for us around the corner.

With Much Love in Christ, 

Fr. Anthony

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Yesterday, once again, a fatal shooting rang out in an American high school.

I know the area around Saugus High School very well. My son played football against its rival schools. I am seeing in my mind’s eye the myriad of Santa Clarita residents who have been a significant part of my family’s life and represent much joy to my heart, for I was with them for a decade.

And still, once again, I directly know a family who’s child was affected. Yesterday morning, good friend, former parishioner and fellow youth worker received a text from her son, telling his mother that he loves her and does not know what to expect since they were in an active shooter situation, and he heard the gunshots.

Could you imagine receiving such a text from your child?

She was blessed, as her son came home without physical harm. Seven children, however, did not come home. And as my friend said, of the seven children who did not come home, “two are with Jesus.”

I am saddened, sickened and heartbroken about the state of the world in which our children live, as they go to school. In my short ministry, no less than two of my former GOYANs and students have been in a firing line just by being at the wrong place at the wrong time. But really, school should always be the right place at any time. Without question.

My dearly beloved, please, please, pray. Pray for the end of violence. Pray for the calming of anger. Pray for the dawning of peace. Pray for the comfort of souls. Pray for the health of the mind. Pray that guns, or any other weapon, are found in the hands of children who are determined to inflict death upon themselves or others. Pray. Pray. Pray.

As I said the last time this happened to someone I know, this is not a soapbox or a political statement. Please do not loose sight of my message because you may be offended that I am railing against gun violence. But prayers and thoughts must turn into plans and actions. Our children deserve the opportunity to walk through the hallways and courtyards of their schools free of gunfire and bloodshed. Our children deserve so much more.

When will we respond to their plea?

I told my friend that we will pray for her son and his friends at our GOYA Lock-In tomorrow evening. We will chant the Paraklesis to the Theotokos by candlelight. We will secured by the presence of God and be under the protection of the Theotokos. May our children…may everyone’s child, ever find themselves under the canvas of her protection. Always. And everywhere.

Lord Have Mercy. Lord Have Mercy. Lord Have Mercy.

O Commanders of the Heavenly Host, we the unworthy beseech you, that through your entreaties you will fortify us, guarding us in the shelter of the wings of your ethereal glory, even as we fervently bow before you crying: “Deliver us from all danger, as Commanders of the Powers on high!”                                                                                                      –

Hymn of the Angels

All the Angels, according to the Apostle Paul, are ministering spirits, – sent forth to minister to them who shall be heirs of salvation – (Heb. 1:14). God set them as overseers of every nation and people, and guides to that which is profitable (Deut. 32:8); and while one Angel is appointed to oversee each nation as a whole, one is also appointed to protect each Christian individually. He commands them to guard them that hope on Him, that nothing should harm them, neither should any evil draw nigh to their dwelling (Ps. 90:10-12).

In the Heavens they always behold the face of God, sending up to Him the thrice-holy hymn and interceding with Him in our behalf, seeing they rejoice over one sinner that repents (Esaias 6:2-3; Matt. 18:10; Luke 15:7). In a word, they have served God in so many ways for our benefit, that the pages of Holy Scripture are filled with the histories thereof. It is for these reasons that the Orthodox Catholic Church, wisely honoring these divine ministers, our protectors and guardians, celebrates today the present Synaxis that is, our coming together in assembly for their common feast to chant their praises, especially for the Archangels Michael and Gabriel, who are mentioned in the Scriptures by name.

The name Michael means “Who is like God?” and Gabriel means “God is mighty.” The number of Angels is not defined in the divine Scriptures, where Daniel says that thousands of thousands ministered before Him, and ten thousands of ten thousands attended upon Him -(Dan. 7:10). But all of them are divided into nine orders which are called Thrones, Cherubim, Seraphim, Dominions, Powers, Authorities, Principalities, Archangels, and Angels.

All the Angels, according to the Apostle Paul, are ministering spirits, – sent forth to minister to them who shall be heirs of salvation – (Heb. 1:14). God set them as overseers of every nation and people, and guides to that which is profitable (Deut. 32:8); and while one Angel is appointed to oversee each nation as a whole, one is also appointed to protect each Christian individually. He commands them to guard them that hope on Him, that nothing should harm them, neither should any evil draw nigh to their dwelling (Ps. 90:10-12).

In the Heavens they always behold the face of God, sending up to Him the thrice-holy hymn and interceding with Him in our behalf, seeing they rejoice over one sinner that repents (Esaias 6:2-3; Matt. 18:10; Luke 15:7). In a word, they have served God in so many ways for our benefit, that the pages of Holy Scripture are filled with the histories thereof. It is for these reasons that the Orthodox Catholic Church, wisely honoring these divine ministers, our protectors and guardians, celebrates today the present Synaxis that is, our coming together in assembly for their common feast to chant their praises, especially for the Archangels Michael and Gabriel, who are mentioned in the Scriptures by name.

The name Michael means “Who is like God?” and Gabriel means “God is mighty.” The number of Angels is not defined in the divine Scriptures, where Daniel says that thousands of thousands ministered before Him, and ten thousands of ten thousands attended upon Him -(Dan. 7:10). But all of them are divided into nine orders which are called Thrones, Cherubim, Seraphim, Dominions, Powers, Authorities, Principalities, Archangels, and Angels. – From the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America

Today, November 8, we celebrate the Feast of the Synaxis of the Heavenly Bodiless Powers – all of the Holy Angels: Orthros 8:00 am and Divine Liturgy 9:00 am.

Tomorrow, November 9,  we celebrate the Feast of St. Nektarios of Aigina: Orthros 7:00 am and Divine Liturgy 8:00 am (early to accomodate the WMT Holiday Boutique). 

Sunday Service Times are Normal.

A blessed Veterans Day to all who serve or served our Nation, Her people, and the principles of freedom & honor. God bless you and your service!

O glorious, wonder working physicians, having received the grace of healing, you reach out and restore health to those in need. But also, by your visitation you cast down the arrogance of the enemy, healing the world through miracles.

Kontakion Hymn of The mercenary Saints Cosmas and Damian

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Today, November 1st is the Feast of Sts. Cosmas and Damian. Please enjoy this borrowed account of their sacred lives:

Sts. Cosmas, Damian and their mother St Theodota were natives of Asia Minor (some sources say Mesopotamia). Their pagan father died while they were still quite small children. Their mother raised them in Christian piety. Through her own example, and by reading holy books to them, St Theodota preserved her children in purity of life according to the command of the Lord, and Cosmas and Damian grew up into righteous and virtuous men.

Trained and skilled as physicians, they received from the Holy Spirit the gift of healing people’s illnesses of body and soul by the power of prayer. They even treated animals. With fervent love for both God and neighbor, they never took payment for their services. They strictly observed the command of our Lord Jesus Christ, “Freely have you received, freely give.” (Mt. 10:8). The fame of Sts Cosmas and Damian spread throughout all the surrounding region, and people called them unmercenary physicians.

Once, the saints were summoned to a grievously ill woman named Palladia, whom all the doctors had refused to treat because of her seemingly hopeless condition. Through faith and through the fervent prayer of the holy brothers, the Lord healed the deadly disease and Palladia got up from her bed perfectly healthy and giving praise to God. In gratitude for being healed and wishing to give them a small gift, Palladia went quietly to Damian. She presented him with three eggs and said, “Take this small gift in the Name of the Holy Life-Creating Trinity, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.” Hearing the Name of the Holy Trinity, the unmercenary one did not dare to refuse.

When St. Cosmas learned what had happened, became very sad, for he thought that his brother had broken their strict vow. On his deathbed he gave instructions that his brother should not be buried beside him. St. Damian also died shortly afterward, and everyone wondered where St Damian’s grave should be. But through the will of God a miracle occurred. A camel, which the saints had treated for its wildness, spoke with a human voice saying that they should have no doubts about whether to place Damian beside Cosmas, because Damian did not accept the eggs from the woman as payment, but out of respect for the Name of God. The venerable relics of the holy brothers were buried together at Thereman (Mesopotamia).

Many miracles were worked after the death of the Holy Unmercenaries. There lived at Thereman, near the church of Cosmas and Damian, a certain man by the name of Malchus. One day he went on a journey, leaving his wife all alone for what would be a long time. He prayerfully entrusted her to the heavenly protection of the holy brothers. But the Enemy of the race of mankind took on the appearance of one of Malchus’ friends, and planned to kill the woman. A certain time went by, and this man went to her at home and said that Malchus had sent him to bring her to him. The woman believed him and went along. He led her to a solitary place intending to kill her. The woman, seeing that disaster threatened her, called upon God with deep faith.

Two fearsome men then appeared, and the devil let go of the woman and fled, falling off a cliff. The two men led the woman home. At her own home, bowing to them deeply she asked, ” My rescuers, to whom I shall be grateful to the end of my days, what are your names?”

They replied, “We are the servants of Christ, Cosmas and Damian,” and became invisible. The woman with trembling and with joy told everyone about what had happened to her. Glorifying God, she went up to the icon of the holy brothers and tearfully offered prayers of thanksgiving for her deliverance. And from that time the holy brothers were venerated as protectors of the holiness and inviolability of Christian marriage, and as givers of harmony to conjugal life. From ancient times, their veneration spread also to Russia.

The Unmercenary Saints Cosmas and Damian of Asia Minor should not be confused with the Unmercenary Saints Cosmas and Damian of Rome (July 1), or the Unmercenary Saints Cosmas and Damian of Arabia (October 17).

Orthros will be celebrated today at 8:00 am followed by the Divine Liturgy in honor of Sts. Cosmas and Damian.

Once again, congratulations to all who contributed through prayer, time, resources and finances for the purchase of our new church home. Please participate in our Fall Parish Assembly, this Sunday, to learn all of the details of the purchase and intended plans for its future use. – Fr. Anthony

Purchase Tickets through Megaplex Theaters for our showing of the movie, Parallel Love on Sunday, November 17th at 4:00 pm.

R.S.V.P. to Fr. Anthony for our GOYA Neon Lock-In From Friday, November 15th at 7:00 pm to Saturday, November 16th at 7:00 pm.