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Pastoral Letters

Pastoral Letter January 8, 2017

“Israel treaded on the sea’s swelling billow, which had been rendered once again into dry land. Then the dark waters concealed all the Egyptian riders together, as a tomb laid in water, by the mighty strength of the right (hand) of the Master.” – Matins Hymn of Theophany

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
This morning, as I trotted ever so slowly and cautiously in to the church office, I received a phone call from my Koumbaro and one of my best friends, Fr. Andrew Scordalakis, the pastor of St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church in San Diego, California. He called to say “Happy Birthday to Alexia,” who unbelievably turned 18 today! Indeed, this is my gratuitous shout-out for our daughter’s significant mile stone. Please forgive.
He was telling me about his plans for their annual Epiphany Cross Dive, where the warm waters of San Diego’s Mission Bay are blessed, followed by a beautiful cross tossed into the water, to be retrieved by a fortunate youth who will have an abundance of blessings and bragging rights for a solid year. So think about that lovely scenario, as you just shoveled yourselves out of your driveways this morning.
Kids in swimsuits will dive into the ocean and compete to retrieve a cross that has been thrown into the warm water.
In January.
That’s the San Diego version of Blessing the Waters.
I just bought a new pair of snow boots for Blessing the Waters, Sugar-House-Style.
Now, before you think I am jealous of my friend’s sunny circumstance (because I actually did miss Utah winters while away), we must not covet Fr. Andrew’s January weather because he deserves it. He is from near Buffalo, New York. Where he grew up and spent most of his adult life, there are no outdoor Blessing of the Waters services, only “Blessing of the Ice” ceremonies. Brrrrr.
It’s all relative. It’s all beautiful. It’s all cathartic and holy. No matter the temperature, its Theophany!
The Holy Trinity, in the wisdom of the Father, is revealed to us over the Waters of the Jordan River. The Lord could have chosen a high mountain to witness His Triune glory. He could have exposed His great mystery in the desert or the wilderness. Perhaps in a lush garden. But no, the light of God, the Persons of God, the definition of God and the reality of God were given to us over the flowing rush of living water.
Water is the source of life. At least in a balance it is. In over-abundance, it is dangerous and even deadly, like what happened to the Egyptian riders as referenced in the above hymn. Equally so, in scarcity, we parish without safe, clean and adequate water supplies.
In water, we are cleansed. In water, we are Baptized. In Water, our Lord Jesus Christ illustrated, through His divine humility, that to be “born of water and the Spirit” is the way to salvation and ever-lasting life.
We celebrate, through the Baptism of Christ, the redemption of the world, the sanctification of created matter and the ever-powerful bond between the Creator and the created.
I look forward to the opportunity to take the blessed Waters from our fount, and bring them into your homes and businesses. Please do not hesitate in sending in your House Blessing Form. What this does is transform Theology and Tradition into relevance and practice in our practical and daily lives. The abundant grace which flows within the banks of the Jordan is not found in a distant place, but rather in our living rooms and kitchens!
Look outside. Appreciate the unsoiled, pristine nature of newly-fallen snow. It is pure, elegant and lovely. Others may look outside their windows to see the calm and inviting waves of the Pacific Ocean.
Either way, cross yourselves and jump in. For the Lord has hallowed the Waters…gas, liquid or solid. Blue or grey. Fresh or salty. Wash yourselves and become clean. It is Holy Theophany. God is revealed and we are immortalized.
With Love in Christ Who Condescended to be Baptized,
Fr. Anthony

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Pastoral Letters

Pastoral Letter January 1, 2017

“We glorify the Holy Spirit together with the Father and the Son, from the conviction that He is not separated from the Divine Nature; for that which is foreign by nature does not share in the same honors.”
– St. Basil the Great

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Christ is Born!
Glorify Him!
I pray that everyone enjoyed a blessed Christmas and is looking forward to a Happy New Year! This coming Sunday is not only the First Day of 2017, it is also the Feast of St. Basil of Caesarea, also called Saint Basil the Great. St. Basil was the Greek bishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia and was a contemporary of St. Nicholas of Myra, though St. Nicholas was only a deacon by the time St. Basil was already a bishop.
Of course, anyone from Greece can tell you that it is not St. Nicholas who brings gifts and toys to good boys and girls on Christmas Day, but rather St. Basil on January 1st. This tradition developed as he would place coins and valuables inside of breads and then distribute them to the poor. Like St. Nicholas, he is well-regarded for his generosity and creativity in philanthropic work. Of course, St. Basil, as one of the “Doctors of the Church,” is regarded more for his theology than his kind endeavors.
I look forward to seeing you all this Sunday as we commemorate this well-loved and prolific hierarch of the Church.
The following Sunday, directly following our Teaching Divine Liturgy (please refer to last week’s Pastoral Message for details), we will gather in the Fellowship Hall for our annual Vasilopita Celebration where pieces of “St. Basil’s Bread” will be given in honor of all the ministries and organizations of our parish, and where an auction for individual breads will take place. This is one of the most enjoyable traditions in our Greek Orthodox Church.
In remembrance of St. Basil’s placing of coins in his breads, a single coin is baked into each Vasilopita, with the recipient of the coin enjoying special blessings throughout the New Year.
Remember, we don’t say “good luck” in the church – we say “blessings!”
Please enjoy a blessed remainder of 2016. Our New Year’s Eve-Eve Party is shaping up to be a wonderful gathering (thank you Barbara Hillas), and next week I look forward to sharing some thoughts about the coming celebration of Theophany and our practice of House and Business Blessings.
Happy New Year and God Bless,
Fr. Anthony

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Pastoral Letters

Pastoral Letter December 25, 2016

“For a man’s complete sanctification, the body of the servant of the Lord must be united with the Body of Christ, and this is accomplished in the Mystery of Holy Communion. The true Body and the true Blood of Christ which we receive become part of the great Body of Christ.” – St. John the Wonderworker

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Christ is Born!
Glorify Him!
Very recently, I attended our youngest son’s Christmas Program at school: the ritual where children are rapidly paraded on and off the stage while familiar songs about toys, reindeer and snow are enthusiastically presented in between the shuffle of one grade to another.
Like every other parent in attendance, I was there, primarily to see my own child sing; not the other 629 kids who were performing the same songs I sang as an elementary student. This was evident, witnessing the auditorium thin out as the program progressed, and the only spots in the house that continued to be popular were the front rows and side aisles where parents recorded their children’s two songs.
I also had iPhone in hand, ready to capture these brief moments of holiday cheer. The only problem was that, once again, Dimitri was in the back row on the far-right side, nearly blocked completely from my view. And further still, the little girl in front of him, wore a Santa hat that bounced up and down, making it even harder to get a proper visual.
I share this experience because I realize that a visual connection and proper perspective is imperative to connection and complete understanding. In a way, the same can be said in understanding worship.
In the wisdom of the Church, the bishop or priest celebrating the Divine Liturgy does so with his back facing the congregation of the faithful. This practice was not established to set the celebrant apart from the assembly of worshippers; quite the opposite. The bishop or priest has his back to the parish because he is facing the same direction as the parish. He leads in worship. He celebrates the Divine Liturgy with you, not at you.
But admittedly, there are great numbers of the faithful whose understanding of the Divine Liturgy might eventually stall since there is a lack of…visual and perspective.
So…with every church service, I’m like the kid in the Santa hat blocking your view of what you “came to see.” That is, the celebration of the Divine Liturgy.
So to offer an opportunity to grant that perspective and unveil the mystery of what takes place in the altar, before and during the celebration of the Divine Liturgy, we have designated Sunday, January 8th as our first Teaching Divine Liturgy.
There are many things that will be different about the divine services on that day. These (extremely temporary) alterations to our traditional practices include:

  • The Orthros will begin at 8:15 am and will be celebrated in a normal fashion.
  • At 9:15 am, when Orthros usually begins, I will pray, out loud, the Kairos (preparatory) Prayers and the Vesting Prayers. While Vesting, I will explain the different parts of the priest’s vestments regarding their symbolism and purpose.
  • We will then do the preparation of the Gifts or Proskomede Service. This will be conducted outside of the altar and in full view of all who are in attendance. This is the service where we take the bread and wine offering and place them, in a detailed and beautiful manner, in the chalice and on the paten. This is one of the most beautiful and meaningful services of the church.
  • Before the Divine Liturgy begins at 10:15, I will offer a brief commentary on the service itself. This will be a day of education and worship.
  • Sunday School classes, beginning with 4th Grade will remain in church for this unique learning experience.
  • The Divine Liturgy will be celebrated outside of the altar, and I will be facing you the entire time so that you can see everything that is done, and how it is done.
  • Every inaudible prayer will be recited out loud so that you can experience the flow of the Divine Liturgy in a comprehensive way.
  • Following the Teaching Divine Liturgy, I will offer some closing statements and in lieu of a sermon, I will take questions about anything that was seen or experienced during the service.

Please do not be confused by the intentions of this service. I am not advocating for liturgical reform, and that the celebrant should always face the congregation, and that every Divine Liturgy must be transformed into a teaching lab. My didactic purpose is to grant an experience of learning through, as I’ve stated, a different perspective and an opportunity to be visually involved throughout the entirety of the service.
I would highly recommend that you attend the services beginning with the Kairos and Vesting. Once you have seen the spiritual process from beginning to end, your experience of the Divine Liturgy will never be the same.
This is a completely transformative experience!
As the above quote from St. John the Wonderworker states, the purpose of the Eucharist is for the sanctification of humankind. And in the Orthodox Church, The Divine Liturgy is the setting in which the Eucharist is celebrated, prepared and offered. Please take this opportunity to see, perhaps for the first time in your life, the fullness of sanctity through the gift of the Eucharistic Banquet!
With Much Love in Christ Who is to be Born in a Cave and Lain in a Manger,
Fr. Anthony

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Pastoral Letters

Pastoral Letter December 18, 2016

“Prepare, O Bethlehem. Let the manger make ready and the grotto anticipate. The truth has come and the shadow has passed away. Born of a Virgin, God has appeared to men, taking our form and deifying that which He assumed. Therefore Adam and Eve are renewed, and they cry out, “The good pleasure of God has appeared on earth for the salvation of the human race.” – Hymn of the First Royal Hour”

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Christ is Born!
Glorify Him!

I pray that as we come ever so close to the divine mystery of Christ’s holy Nativity – His birth, we are beginning to feel the spirit of the holiday. Not the spirit of the Holidays, that is parties, shopping, decorations, lights, and such. Not that these festive elements are negative in any way, but we are on the precipice of the greatest gift ever to have been received from the hand of God.

This gift is greater than life itself. His precious birth sets in motion all that is fantastic and wondrous, as God dwells among us. He who created us, is now “Us.” We are now Him. The heavenly and the earthly are indiscernible and connected from this day. Glory be to God!

Integral to our full connection in the wonder of Christmas is our participation in the divine services of the Church. Most often, especially in our American culture, that means we come to church on Christmas Eve, participate in the Divine Liturgy, receive Holy Communion, and enjoy the next morning under the tree, ripping through wrapping paper.

But every so often…every few years, these plans change. Or, at least they should.

This year, the Feast of the Incarnation of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ According to the Flesh (fancy theological term for Christmas) falls on a Sunday. What does this mean to us from a practical and liturgical perspective?

A great deal.

With Christmas falling on a Sunday, that means that the doctrinal precedence of the day is still reserved for the Day of the Lord – His Resurrection. Please remember that every Sunday Liturgy is a commemoration of Pascha! Every Sunday is Easter Sunday, according to the Church.

This is why we will not celebrate the Divine Liturgy on Christmas Eve, but rather chant Great Vespers for Saturday Evening, which will include hymns, prayers and readings for Christmas. So we are clear:

There is no Communion offered on Christmas Eve this year.

This brings me to the explanation of the other service that we will celebrate this year, differently than most years. On Friday, December 23rd at 9:30 am, we will read and chant the Royal Hours for the Nativity. Services of the Hours are part of the daily cycle of worship in the Orthodox Church. They can precede most any service. The Services of Royal Hours are specifically reserved for only three times each year; Before the Nativity (December 25th), Before Theophany (January 6th) and on Great and Holy Friday.

The designation of these being “Royal Hours” stems from the tradition that in the great cathedral of Hagia Sophia in Constantinople, the Byzantine Emperor was present each year at the service beginning the celebration of the Nativity of Christ. Therefore, the Hours before Christmas Eve are given the name “Royal Hours.”

I paternally advise you to attend this service. It is so beautiful.

The Royal Hours before Christmas give us an intimate perspective concerning the birth of Our Lord: the venality of Herod who fears being supplanted; Joseph’s fear of disgrace; Mary’s faith, which leads her to inspire Joseph—and us—with words like “mystery” and “wonder” to describe the event she does not fully understand but has fully accepted.

This is a service primarily comprised of Scriptural readings from both the Old and New Testament.
There is no Communion offered during the Royal Hours before Christmas.
That said (and I’ve said a lot), if you desire to receive the Eucharist on the Feast of the Nativity, and I earnestly pray that you do, then the time to come is on the morning of Sunday, December 25th. You know, just like every other Sunday!
Please refer to the attached Holiday Schedule and attend whenever possible.
As the old lapel pin says, “Jesus is the Reason for the Season.”
I hope to see you in church on Christmas Morning. With great anticipation in the coming of our Lord, and with love in Christ, I remain,

In His Service,
Fr. Anthony

Categories
Pastoral Letters

Pastoral Letter December 11, 2016

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Tonight, the faithful community of St. Anna’s enjoyed a most blessed evening. We came together, under the prayerful guidance of His Eminence Metropolitan Isaiah of Denver to celebrate Great Vespers for the Conception of the Theotokos by her Mother, St. Anna. Beyond His Eminence, Fr. Elias Koucos and Fr. John Mahfouz for celebrating with us, I would like to thank the following for making the night so special. All of these people worked so hard to offer kind hospitality to our guests and to ourselves. For this evening’s reception, God bless:

Myra Shenk
Paulette Stagg
Beth Johnson
Penny Mills
Mary Feotis
Connie Cayias
Georgette Lowe
Ann Sasich
Tina Sergakis
Julie Steele
Liberty Mudrock (not just tonight, but every time we enjoy a cup of coffee).

Also…
Mary Yannias for Baking the Breads for the Artoclasia.

Yet, Also…
Sandra Zoolakis for decorating the hallways and the church.

And Finally…
Mary Simos and Connie Pantke worked hard to offer some hospitality tomorrow, following the Divine Liturgy, but both came down with illnesses this past week. They are in our prayers for comfort and improved health.

Our Parish Council had everything lovingly-organized in the Narthex and Leo, with his readers, chanted and a lovely service.

I have included everyone in this note from correspondence concerning the events of the evening. I ask your forgiveness if anyone was not recognized who may have helped. Please contact me if you know of anyone left off, I would like to acknowledge them.

Tomorrow, we will come together for the Divine Liturgy at the normal time to continue this commemoration. If you missed out this evening, please don’t deny yourself this spiritual blessing, to be touched by the Theotokos and her Mother, if you are able to participate.

With great joy and thanksgiving, I remain,

With Love in Christ,

Fr. Anthony

Categories
Pastoral Letters

Pastoral Letter December 4, 2016

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Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Very soon, we will be celebrating the Nativity of Christ – the special time when God’s plan of salvation takes on flesh, enters our existence, walks amongst us, and pulls us from the jaws of certain death. We must always remember, of course, that without the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary, there would not be a Nativity of Christ to celebrate. And by obvious extension, without St. Anna, there is no Theotokos. Therefore, let us most enthusiastically share in a joyous celebration; that of the conception of the Theotokos, commemorated December 9th. The blessing that was given to Ss. Joachim and Anna is a sacred gift to the world. It is written of this most solemn feast:

“Saint Anna, the mother of the Virgin Mary, was the youngest daughter of the priest Nathan from Bethlehem, descended from the tribe of Levi. She married Saint Joachim (September 9), who was a native of Galilee.

For a long time Saint Anna was childless, but after twenty years, through the fervent prayer of both spouses, an angel of the Lord announced to them that they would be the parents of a daughter, Who would bring blessings to the whole human race.

The Orthodox Church does not accept the teaching that the Mother of God was exempted from the consequences of ancestral sin (death, corruption, sin, etc.) at the moment of her conception by virtue of the future merits of Her Son. Only Christ was born perfectly holy and sinless, as Saint Ambrose of Milan teaches in Chapter Two of his Commentary on Luke. The Holy Virgin was like everyone else in Her mortality, and in being subject to temptation, although She committed no personal sins. She was not a deified creature removed from the rest of humanity. If this were the case, she would not have been truly human, and the nature that Christ took from Her would not have been truly human either. If Christ does not truly share our human nature, then the possibility of our salvation is in doubt.”

In the icon, Saints Joachim and Anna are depicted with their eyes directed downwardly in humility, as they contemplate the Mother of God. Young Mary stands in the air with outstretched hands; under Her feet is the tree of the Garden of Eden from which Adam and Eve partook, and a man who personifies the devil which strives to conquer all the universe by his power. Through the conception of the Mother of God, the curse of the tree, and the power of Satan are crushed under the dainty step of a young maiden girl.

As I have often stated, this commemoration is one of the Feasts of our parish, as St. Anna is (most intimately) involved. Therefore, His Eminence will be with us for this occasion and remain to celebrate the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, December 11th.

May the Conception of the Mother of God continue to bless and inspire all of us to holiness, patience, trust, faith and humility.

With Love in Christ,

Fr. Anthony

Categories
Pastoral Letters

Pastoral Letter November 27, 2016

“In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
– I Thess.5:18

On the eve of a most reflective and glorious day, I can say nothing more than the president who granted this Thanksgiving Day. Enjoy:

Washington, D.C.
October 3, 1863

By the President of the United States of America.

A Proclamation.

The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever-watchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequalled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union.

Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defense, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom. No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things.

They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.

And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility and Union.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the City of Washington, this Third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the United States the Eighty-eighth.

By the President: Abraham Lincoln

William H. Seward,
Secretary of State

As His Eminence Metropolitan Isaiah of Denver reminded us this past Sunday during his homily, Thanksgiving Day is the only National Holiday that is centered on God. We will do well to be grateful. Un unappreciative heart is a dark, cold place.

St. Gregory the Wonderworker says that “Ingratitude is despicable…the most despicable thing of all. For someone who has experienced something good not to try to return the favor, even if he can manage no more than verbal thanks, he must plainly be obtuse and insensitive to his benefits, or thoughtless.”

We have much for which to be grateful. I pray you enjoy the day most splendidly.

With Love and Gratitude in Christ,

Fr. Anthony Savas

ALSO PLEASE REMEMBER:

His Eminence Metropolitan Isaiah and Dn. Paul Zaharas will be here for the Feast of the Conception of the Theotokos. This is one of the feasts of St. Anna, so it is a Feast Day of our parish. Please come and participate! These services remind us what a blessing it is to have THE mother of the Theotokos as our matron saint and intercessor before Christ.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8TH, 7:00 PM, GREAT VESPERS WITH ARTOCLASIA (BLESSING OF SWEET BREADS)
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9TH, 9:30 AM ORTHROS, 10:30 AM DIVINE LITURGY
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11TH, 9:15 AM ORTHROS, 10:15 HIERARCHICAL DIVINE LITURGY

2016 STEWARDSHIP: PLEASE COMPLETE YOUR PLEDGE FOR THIS YEAR.

2017 STEWARDSHIP: PLEASE PICK UP, PRAY ABOUT, FILL IN, AND SEND BACK YOUR PLEDGE CARDS. WE WILL BLESS OUR STEWARDSHIP OFFERING UPON THE ALTAR ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4TH DURING THE DIVINE LITURGY.

I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS FESTIVE DISPLAY OF FALL COLORS.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

Categories
Pastoral Letters

Pastoral Letter November 20, 2016

“Today, the most pure temple of the Savior, the precious bridal chamber and Virgin, the sacred treasure of God, enters the house of the Lord, bringing the grace of the Divine Spirit. The Angels of God praise her. She is the heavenly tabernacle.”
– Kontakion Hymn for the Entrance of the Theotokos (Into the Temple)

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
A week from today, we as a Nation, and throughout individual households, will sit down, together with family, friends and loved ones to share a meal together. Though this happens every day and with little notice or attention, next Thursday’s dinner is not about the meal itself, or even the people, themselves, gathered around the table.
It won’t be an anniversary or a birthday that will bind the people through tradition. It’s not a feast day of the church or a religious holiday. Thanksgiving Day is grounded in the gratitude of the people for the foundation and preservation of our fine country. It’s a National Holiday; secular in design, though spiritual in foundation.
But early next week, while your neighbors are jotting down lists, exchanging recipes and borrowing extra folding chairs, we as Orthodox Christians have another commemoration of thanksgiving that will be celebrated. Children won’t act out this expression of thanksgiving in school plays, and there are no decorations to be found in stores which reflect this historical event.
Monday, November 21st, we celebrate the Feast of the Theotokos’ Entrance into the Temple. Through the Gospel (Protoevangelium) of St. James, authored by the brother of Jesus Christ, we are blessed with the details of the Theotokos’ birth and early life.
On this day, the Theotokos was brought to the Temple at three years of age, where she was consecrated to God and spent her days there until she was fourteen or fifteen years old.
When the Panaghia turned two years old, St. Ioakim, the father of the Theotokos, told St. Anna, “Let us take her up to the Temple of the Lord, so that we may pay the vow which we have vowed.” (Prot. James 7:2). In other words, “Since we are so thankful to God for giving us a child, we will dedicate her wholly and completely to His service.”
By Ss. Ioakim and Anna’s sincere gratitude towards God, the Theotokos lived an undistracted life of virtue, chastity, prayer and righteousness. She dwelt in His holy dwelling place until she was of age to be betrothed to the noble Joseph. Ultimately petitioned by God to bear His Son, she brought to fruition, His plan of salvation for the entire human race.
It all began with thanksgiving.
The turn of events in our fallen world began with gratitude.
The scales of divine justice were tipped in our favor through appreciation.
God reintroduced goodness into the world, and we were thankful.
It is my fervent prayer that before we consider the historical events of Thanksgiving Day, and our contemporary traditions which orbit around it, we take the time to meditate upon the gratitude of Ss. Ioakim and Anna. They made a promise to God out of their appreciation of what He did for them.
And what He did for them, was a gift to us all – eternal life.
Be thankful. Happy Thanksgiving!
With Love in XC,
Fr. Anthony

Categories
Pastoral Letters

Pastoral Letter November 13, 2016

“O Holy Master, Almighty Father and Pre-Eternal God, Who alone made and directed all things; Who rises up quickly against the evil of the impious ones; Who, by Providence, teaches Your people preservation of Justice and the obliteration of the sword on earth; Who condescend to raise up military columns to help the people: O God, Who commanded the Forerunner John to say to the soldiers coming to him in the desert, “Do not intimidate anyone … and be content with your wages:” We entreat You with compunction, that You gave Your child David the power to defeat Goliath, and as You condescended, through Judas Maccabeus, to seize victory from the arrogant pagans who would not call on Your Name; so too, grant protection in righteousness and truth to these Your servants against the enemies rising against them, and by Your heavenly loving-kindness, strength and might for the preservation of faith and truth. Condescend, out of Your mercy, O Master, to grant them the fear of You, together with humility, obedience and good endurance; that they kill no one unrighteously, but rather preserve all righteousness and truth; that they may fear You and honor Justice; that they run in friendship to those who are scattered, extending Your love to those near them, serving the elderly with justice; and that their ranks fulfill all things righteously; For You are our God, and to You do we ascribe glory; to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.”
– Orthodox Prayer for a Soldier in Time of War

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Several years ago, once when Veterans Day fell on a Sunday, my parish sponsored a program where our Vets displayed memorabilia from their time in the military, wore their uniforms, and introduced us, and most profoundly our children, to the realities of their time in various combat arenas. It was a beautiful sight; the men who took pride in their service to Country, and the grateful citizens who offered sentiments of profound thanksgiving.
One man particularly, a gentle, elderly man by the name of Athanasios (Tom) captivated our son’s attention. Damian was only a small boy at the time, and he couldn’t remove himself from looking at the pictures displayed, which featured the plane Tom flew in World War II. He was utterly captivated. Those aerial shots of his massive bomber were impressive to say the least. But it was more than pictures of old airplanes that drew him to Tom’s table. This veteran took the time to offer details about life as a WWII pilot. He was inviting and engaging. He drew in a little boy without romanticizing the violence of war, but making us all feel proud of his accomplishments and those of his fellow service men and women.
Our son walked away that day, having met a real hero, and carrying with him, his own pictures of Tom’s plane, together with the gift of his Captain’s Bars. What a treasure for a little boy!
This circumstance involved one child and one veteran. There are countless opportunities for such instances to occur because of the great number of people who have given their time and their very lives to the high purpose of defending our country. Veterans Day, occurring tomorrow, November 11th, is that special time when we can pray for and reach out to the sacrificial souls who commit themselves to our freedoms. I found what is the most concise and clear explanation about Veteran’s Day, of which I will share with you. It reads:
“On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, was declared between the Allied nations and Germany in the First World War, then known as “the Great War.” Commemorated as Armistice Day beginning the following year, November 11th became a legal federal holiday in the United States in 1938. In the aftermath of World War II and the Korean War, Armistice Day became Veterans Day, a holiday dedicated to American veterans of all wars.”
It introduced a brief video on the history of this special day and why we need to be ever mindful.

War is not to be celebrated, only lamented. But the people who fight the war: those who pay the costs, suffer the losses, make the critical decisions and face the dangers are to be thanked and blessed. For all of you who have served in the American Armed Forces, I, on behalf of our loving community, extend our prayerful sentiments, sincere gratitude and profound appreciation. If you have served in times of war, thank you for placing yourselves in the face of grave danger, so that we may live in freedom. And to the men and women who were blessed to serve in times of peace, I am profoundly grateful that your skills, preparation and training proved to be weapons of deterrent, not catastrophe.
God bless our veterans. God bless our country. God bless our freedom. God bless you.
With Gratitude and Love in XC,
Fr. Anthony

Categories
Pastoral Letters

Pastoral Letter November 6, 2016

“Even if we have thousands of acts of great virtue to our credit, our confidence in being heard must be based on God’s mercy and love for men. Even if we stand at the very summit of virtue, it is by mercy that we shall he saved.” – St. John Chrysostom

Dearly Beloved in the Lord,
My Thursday “work day” is almost over. Each week, I consider the writing of this message to be either the last thing I do today, or the first thing I’ll do tomorrow. Most weeks it is actually both! Thursdays are typically very busy days for me. Today was no exception.
Just to walk you through the course of my day, I want to share with you, the three main items that were on my mind, in my prayers, and on my list of things to do.
On Friday evening, I am participating in a very special occasion. Catholic Community Services of Salt Lake City is hosting their annual Humanitarian Awards Dinner. Having been asked to deliver the Invocation at this amazing event, I’ve been thinking and praying throughout the day, what it means to offer one’s services to God, through the least of His people. What motivates us to dedicate time and resources to the crestfallen and needy? How does God, not man, recognize such virtue?
For the many of us who offer some measure of assistance to those less fortunate, there are a precious few, who, like tomorrow’s Recipients, stand out through their dynamic and prolific works. We all want to lend a helping hand. But to some, their desire to change the world for the better, is taken to new heights and exalted realms.
I am deeply honored to pray for the blessing upon such an occasion; the celebration of humanitarian efforts. Earlier today I prayed, thought, jotted down some ideas, wrote and rewrote some phrases that I hope will bring glory to God.
Let’s see. What else did I do today/yesterday?
As I’m sure you’re aware, we have an election just around the corner. This election will define the course of our future, further establish our goals, and grant us the opportunity to lift up leaders from amongst the best of ourselves.
No, I’m not speaking of next Tuesday’s election. I’m writing about our parish election on December 4th, where we will elect a new Parish Council for the next year, and look to the coming months for further growth through God’s blessings, and through the proper fidelity and direction of St. Anna’s new and continuing leadership.
Now is the time of year, and today was the day, to prepare election packets, organize the forms, gather the Committee and pave the way for a smooth and well-executed Parish Council Election. But no matter how organized the committee, or how accurately prepared are the forms, there can be no election, without faithful and capable candidates.
I am continually impressed and humbled by the sacrificial service and continued levels of enthusiasm, demonstrated by our Parish Council. And to think of the new people who, perhaps for the first time, will respond to the Call, and enter a life of steadfast service to the church as future members of the Parish Council.
My I say parenthetically, that if you have any desire to run for the Parish Council, please contact me immediately. I would love to discuss your wish to serve the Lord through the people of our community.
Hmm.. Busy, busy…What else?
I starting jotting down notes about each of the Divine Liturgies that will be celebrated in the month of November. Ideas for little sermons. Besides Sunday mornings, there are still FIVE other Feasts to celebrate this month. They are as follows:
The Synaxis of the Archangels Michael and Gabriel, November 8th
St. Nektarios the Wonderworker, November 9th
The Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple, November 21st
St. Katherine the Great Martyr, November 25th
St. Andrew the First-Called Apostle, November 30th
Each of these saints, including the Heavenly, Bodiless Powers; the Archangels, are lifted up, so that we can prayerfully contemplate their service to God. Through their unique ministries and personal acts of devotion to Christ, we have luminaries in our midst, of whom we can emulate and follow. Their stories should blend into our own paths towards salvation as we incorporate their zeal for Christ into our daily living. Today, I began to organize the rest of this month around these great and holy days.
And so it is, that with these completed tasks, and a few others, this day comes to an end. It was a lovely day. And it was lovely because my “to-do list” revolved completely around one, simple concept; service to God who is merciful towards us.
Philanthropists and Humanitarian leaders who are recognized for their contributions; future Parish Council Members who will one day soon, be spending hours, resources and energies towards the administration of our parish, and the Saints -recognized and honored- for their crowns of glory, all embody, in various degrees and through differing expressions, what St. John Chrysostom had to share in the above-referenced quote.
We can receive awards. We can serve on councils and boards. We can even be glorified and sanctified as saints!
But what does any of it matter, if God is not merciful towards us? Salvation is not gained through the work of our hands, if not by the saving nature of our Saving Lord. It is good to serve Him in any capacity. At all times and in every way.
Well what do you know, in the time it took to share these pastoral thoughts, today became yesterday, and it’s already tomorrow. I’ll be sending this message to you shortly.
With Much Love in the Service of Christ,
Fr. Anthony