The Diocese of the West The Orthodox Church in America St. Orthodox Church 10825 Robinwood Lane* Sonora, CA 95370 U.S.A. 209-352-6791 March 2015 www.stsusanna.com

Pastor: Fr. Andrew Jacobs Rejoice, Thou through whom joy will shine forth:/ Rejoice, (209) 352-6791 Thou through whom the curse will cease!/ Rejoice, recall [email protected] of fallen Adam: /Rejoice, redemption of the tears of Eve! / Deacon Elias Union Rejoice, height inaccessible to human thoughts:/ Rejoice, (209) 532-7899 depth undiscernible even for the eyes of !/ Rejoice, for Thou art the throne of the King:/ Rejoice, for Thou Natalie Teshin (209) 536-1495 bearest Him Who beareth all!/ Rejoice, star that causest the Sun to appear:/ Rejoice, womb of the Divine Incarna- tion!/ Rejoice, Thou through whom creation is renewed:/ Rejoice, Thou through whom we worship the Creator!/ Rejoice, O Bride Unwedded! —From Ikos I of the Akathist to the Most-holy Mother of God

The Akathist to the Most- was written in the sixth century (and many holy Mother of God ascribe its authorship to Romanos the Melo- We will be singing and chanting the Akathist dist—though that is debated). to the Most-holy Mother of God on Friday, The Akathist to the Most-holy Mother of March 27 at 6:00 p.m. This Akathist (“stand- God is one of the most beloved hymns in ing hymn”) is considered by scholars to the Church because of its majesty, beauty be the original Akathist (hymns of a par- and love for the Most-holy Theotokos, the ticular arrangement dedicated to persons of mother of all Christians, and first among the Holy Trinity, saints, or holy events). It saints. Holy New Martyrs of Christ, pray for us!

*Corner of Jamestown Rd. & Robinwood Ln. (2 blocks north of  Racetrack Rd.) (continued on page 2) (continued from page 1) For the Annunciation: An MANY YEARS Invitation From a Good Friend of Birthdays: St. Susanna Mission Alyssa-Anna Jacobs March 14 Fr. Jon Marguleas, Pastor of The Annunciation of the Natalie Teshin March 17 Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church in Modesto has Namesdays: invited us to participate in celebrating the Eve of the  Dave Harmer March 1 Annunciation (which is their parish feast day), with Anniversary: Great Vespers at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 24, Dave & Jeanne Harmer March 3 followed by a fellowship dinner to which we are also invited. This service will take place at The Annunciation This is in no way a point of pride or an indicator of of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church, located relative “holiness,” steadfastness or any other quality at 313 Tokay Avenue, in Modesto. Directions to the whether one stays or not; it is simply in response to church will be given out after our Divine Liturgy on the desire of several of our parishioners who yearn the Sunday preceding this feast day. for the strong prayerful nature of a Matins service. Then, on Wednesday, March 25, at 6:00 p.m., we What composes a Matins service? To quote from will celebrate Vespers with Divine Liturgy for the our own OCA website: Annunciation at St. Susanna Orthodox Mission. “Matins opens with the reading of six and Fr. Jon and our own retired Metropolitan Jonah the intoning of the Great Litany. After this, verses  (when he was simply “Father Jonah”) planted the of Psalm 118 are sung: ‘God is the Lord and has seeds for our St. Susanna Orthodox Mission, and ten- revealed himself unto us. Blessed is he who comes in derly helped our mission to set down solid roots. the name of the Lord.’ The Troparion is then sung and various groups of readings from the Psalter are read New Liturgical Arrangement [these are called the Kathisma, or ‘sitting hymn’]. For a change of pace, and a better liturgical “fit” Then there are hymns on the theme of the particular after Divine Liturgy, we will rearrange the order of day … On major feasts and on Sundays, the is proceedings. Instead of following the Dismissal of also read.” Divine Liturgy with general announcements, we As can be seen, Matins is a complex service, but will follow the Dismissal with “Many Years,” then the depth and beauty of the subject matter make it a “Memory Eternal” then Church service announce- superb experience in prayer and spiritual edification. ments followed by general announcements. “After the Gospel there is a long intercessory prayer followed by a set of hymns and readings New Liturgical Offering called the Canon. These songs are based on the Old “Offering” is the operant word here. It is by way of Testamental canticles and [include] the song of Mary, expanding our liturgical service experience that we the ‘Magnificat’ (Luke 1:46–55). The Great Doxolo- will be offering a Matins service following Great gy is chanted followed by two litanies. The Troparion Vespers on some evenings—for those who wish to is also repeated once again before the congregation is stay for the Matins (no pressure for those who desire dismissed….” to leave after Great Vespers). Matins is also quite dramatic in that it begins in darkness—then, in the midst of the Six Psalms, the lights come up to symbolize the soul rising from Include Something in the Bulletin the grave, and the sun rising for a new, enlightened Submit any celebrations, memorials, spiritual day. announcements, or upcoming events “The Matins service of the Church unites the ele- that you would like to share with ments of psalmody and prayer with meditation on the our parishioners to the attention of Biblical canticles, the Gospel reading, and the partic- Leslie Hurst: [email protected] ular theme of the day in the given verses and hymns. (continued on page 3)

2 (continued from page 2) The themes of God’s revelation and light are also St. Susanna Cleaning Team always central to the [Matins] service of the Church.” Schedule Blessed are those who love the beauty Enhance Your Prayer Life with of God’s house Psalms of Praise The Psalms of Praise are meant to be read (or chanted) Team 1—March 1, after coffee hour to the glorification of God and our souls’ own edifica- tion. Including one or even a few of these Psalms in Team 2—March 15, after coffee hour your prayer life tends to lift your spirit, and helps you to strengthen your relationship with God—by praising Him, and showing your humble understanding of His peoples. Let them confess Thy great name, for it is greatness. terrible and holy; and the king’s honor loveth judg- A short list of the Psalms of praise includes Psalms ment. Thou hast prepared uprightness; judgment and 32, 65, 66, 97–99, 102, 110, 112, 113, 116, 117, 134, righteousness in Jacob hast Thou wrought. Exalt ye 135, 144–147, and 148–150. Here are quotes from the Lord our God, and worship the footstool of His three of the shorter Psalms of Praise (from the Psalter feet … for holy is the Lord our God.” According to the Seventy): And—some are powerfully pious: “Psalm 66—God be gracious unto us and bless us, “Psalm 110—I will confess Thee, O Lord, with my and cause His face to shine upon us and have mercy whole heart, in the council of the upright and in the on us, that we may know upon the earth Thy way, congregation. Great are the works of the Lord, sought among all the nations Thy salvation. Let the peoples out in all the things that He hath willed. Confession give Thee praise, O God, let all the peoples praise and majesty are His work, and His righteousness Thee. Let the nations be glad and rejoice, for Thou abideth unto ages of ages. He made a remembrance shalt judge peoples with uprightness; and nations of His wondrous deeds; merciful and compassion- shalt Thou guide upon the earth ….” ate is the Lord; He hath given food to them that fear See how beautiful and delightful that is! Even Him. He will be mindful forever of His covenant; the though some of these Psalms are quite stern, they power of His works hath He declared unto His people, all proclaim that lofty appreciation and the utterly that He may give them the inheritance of the nations; grounded reality of the One Who created us, and  the works of His hands are truth and judgment. Faith- under Whose protection we live: ful are all His commandments ….” “Psalm 98—The Lord is king, let the peoples rage; He sitteth on the cherubim, let the earth be shaken. Let Us Pray and Let Us Praise The Lord is great in Zion, and He is high above all So, brothers and sisters, let us pray for one another as we engage the Lenten contest, and struggle with our shortcomings and the temptations of the fallen world Hours Readings with peace and great joy—and put into action the words that the Psalmist gave us in Psalm 150: “Praise March 1 Layne Williams ye God in His saints, praise Him in the firmament of March 8 Rdr Tikhon Everly His power. Praise Him for His mighty acts, praise March 15 Layne Williams Him according to the multitude of His greatness … Let every breath praise the Lord!” March 22 Rdr Tikhon Everly In Christ, March 29 Rdr Tikhon Everly Father Andrew Anyone who would like to read the Hours before liturgy, please contact Subdeacon Nicolas Teshin at 209-536-1625 to be added to the list or for more information.

3 Prayer List PLEASE JOIN US IN GIVING THANKS TO GOD: • For the skill and devotion of those beau- tifying our temple and gardens. • For the beauty of the Mother Lode, and for the privilege we have been given to live here. • That the Holy Mother of Jesus contin- ues to care for the unborn. • That many of our petitions are being answered.

Here are reminders of things to cover in Confession PLEASE JOIN US IN PRAYING shared with us by Fr. Michael Anderson of St. FOR GOD’S HELP: Christina of Tyre Church in Fremont, CA. • For seasonal rain. A Brief Confession Before Father Confessors • “St. John, please intercede for us before God for the From the Full Confession of St. Demetrius of Rostov membership growth of St. Susanna.” • For repose of the souls of our service men and women I confess to the Lord my God and before thee, venerable who have given their lives for people of foreign lands. father, all my countless sins, committed by me unto this • To safeguard all the troops who remain in heathen lands. very day and hour, in deed, word and thought. I sin daily • To help us forgive heathen fanatics. and hourly by mine ingratitude toward God for His great • That many may come to Orthodoxy through our and countless blessings and benevolent providence over me, a sinner. witness and example. • To bless our monasteries and the men and women I have sinned through: idle talking, judging others, stub- who dwell in them. bornness, pride, hard-heartedness, envy, anger, slander, • For the building of a monastery in Sonora. inattention, negligence concerning my salvation, care- • For the health of Fr. Ignatius. lessness, indifference, impertinence, irritability, despon- • For health and strength for Anna. dency, rendering evil for evil, bitterness, disobedience, • For health and spiritual strength for Alex. complaining, self-justification, contradicting others, self- • For Ellen, that she be cured of cancer and have strength will, being reproachful, gossiping, lying, light-mindedness, tempting others, self-love, ambition, gourmandizing, during her treatments. eating and drinking to excess, vanity, laziness, entertain- • For health and strength for Anastasia. ing unclean thoughts, acquisitiveness, impure glances, • For healing of Presbytera Chrisy. absence from divine services because of laziness and • For health and healing for Rob. carelessness, absent-mindedness at prayer both in • For health and healing for Keri. church and at home; I have sinned in deed, word, • For Peter’s safety while he is overseas. thought; in sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch and the rest • For healing and strength for Rachal as she battles cancer. of my mental and physical senses; of all my sins I repent • For Ramey for healing from an undiagnosed disease. and beg forgiveness.

(Here one should mention specifically any other (To ask us to pray for you, your family, or friends, sins which may be burdening the soul.) please email Alex Teshin at [email protected] or call 209-536-9999.) I also repent and ask forgiveness for all those sins that I have not confessed because of their multitude and my forgetfulness.

Forgive and absolve me, venerable father, and bless me to commune of the holy and life-creating Mysteries of Christ unto the remission of sins and life everlasting.

4 Liturgical Schedule for March, 2015 Note: Sunday School for younger children takes place on the first Sunday of each month.

March Saturday, Feb. 28 6:00 p.m.—Great Vespers for The Sunday of Orthodoxy

Sunday, Mar. 1 9:00 a.m.—Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great for The Sunday of Orthodoxy Scripture Readings: 11:24–26, 32–12:2 and John 1:43–51 Note: A Lenten potluck luncheon will take place after Divine Liturgy. Note: The Parish Council Meeting will take place after the potluck luncheon. Note: At 6:00 p.m., we will celebrate the Triumph of Orthodoxy.

Wed., Mar. 4 6:00 p.m.—Presanctified Liturgy followed by a Lenten soup dinner.

Friday, Mar. 6 6:00 p.m.—Panikhida for Memorial Saturday

Saturday, Mar. 7 9:00 a.m.—Divine Liturgy for Memorial Saturday Scripture Readings: Hebrews 3:12–16 and Mark 1:35–44

Saturday, Mar. 7 6:00 p.m.—Great Vespers for Gregory Palamas Sunday

Sunday, Mar. 8 9:00 a.m.—Divine Liturgy for Gregory Palamas Sunday Scripture Readings: Hebrews 1:10–2:3 and Mark 2:1–12

Wed., Mar. 11 6:00 p.m.—Presanctified Liturgy followed by a Lenten soup dinner.

Saturday, Mar. 14 6:00 p.m.—Great Vespers w/Litya for the Veneration of the Precious Cross

Sunday, Mar. 15 9:00 a.m.—Divine Liturgy for the Veneration of the Precious Cross Scripture Readings: Hebrews 4:14–5:6 and Mark 8:34–9:1

Wed., Mar. 18 6:00 p.m.—Presanctified Liturgy followed by a Lenten soup dinner.

Saturday, Mar. 21 6:00 p.m.—Great Vespers for the Sunday of the Ladder (John Climacus Sunday)

Sunday, Mar. 22 9:00 a.m.—Divine Liturgy for the Sunday of the Ladder (John Climacus Sunday) Scripture Readings: Hebrews 6:13–20 and Mark 9:17–31

Monday, Mar. 23 6:00 p.m.—The Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete with the Reading of the Life of St. Mary of Egypt

Tuesday, Mar. 24 7:00 p.m.—Vespers (Forefeast) for The Annunciation of the Most-holy Theotokos at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Modesto (see Fr. Andrew’s article for more information)

Wed., Mar. 25 6:00 p.m.—Vespers with Divine Liturgy for The Annunciation of the Most-holy Theotokos Scripture Readings: Hebrews 2:11–18 and Luke 1:24–38

Friday, Mar. 27 6:00 p.m.—The Akathist to the Most-holy Mother of God

Saturday, Mar. 28 6:00 p.m.—Great Vespers for St. Mary of Egypt Sunday

Sunday, Mar. 29 9:00 a.m.—Divine Liturgy for St. Mary of Egypt Sunday Scripture Readings: Hebrews 9:11–14 and Mark 10:32–45

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5 (continued from page 5) April Wed., April 1 6:00 p.m.—Presanctified Liturgy followed by a Lenten soup dinner

Friday, April 3 6:00 p.m.—Great Vespers for Lazarus Saturday

Saturday, April 4 9:00 a.m.—Divine Liturgy for Lazarus Saturday Scripture Readings: Hebrews 12:28–13:8 and John 11:1–45 Note: A Pascha preparation work party will take place after Divine Liturgy.

Holy Week Saturday, April 4 Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday, 9:00 a.m.—Divine Liturgy for Palm Sunday April 5 Scripture Readings: Philippians 4:4–9 and John 12:1–18 Note: A Lenten potluck luncheon will take place after Divine Liturgy. Note: The Parish Council Meeting will take place after the potluck luncheon.

Holy Monday, 6:00 p.m.—Bridegroom Matins April 6

Holy Wednesday, 6:00 p.m.—Presanctified Liturgy followed by a Lenten soup dinner April 8

Holy Thursday, 6:00 p.m.—Matins w/Passion April 9

Holy Friday, 3:00 p.m.—Vespers w/ Plaschanitsa procession April 10 6:00 p.m.—Matins with Lamentations

Holy Saturday, 9:00 a.m.—Vespers w/ Readings and the Liturgy of St. Basil the Great April 11 11:30 p.m.—Nocturnes Scripture Readings: Romans 6:3–11 and Matthew 28:1–20 And immediately after Nocturnes, we joyously celebrate: Pascha Sunday, Midnight—THE FEAST OF FEASTS: HOLY PASCHA! April 12 Matins and the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, followed by the Paschal Feast in the Parish hall. Scripture Readings: Acts 1:1–8 and John 1:1–17

12:00 noon—Paschal Vespers, followed by a festal Luncheon in the Parish hall.

Bright Week and Following Bright Wednesday, 6:00 p.m.—Great Vespers for Bright Wednesday April 15

Bright Saturday, 6:00 p.m.—Great Vespers for St. Thomas Sunday April 18

Antipascha Sunday, 9:00 a.m.—Divine Liturgy for St. Thomas Sunday April 19 Scripture Readings: Acts 5:12–20 and John 20:19–31

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