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We are pleased
to now be able to provide videorecordings of Father Alexei's homilies. Please see the page entitled Father
Alexei's Homiles.
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Sun
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24 Mar
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Veneration of the Cross
Divine Liturgy, 19:00 AM followed by Vespers for the Feast of
the Annunciation
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Mon
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25 Mar
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There
are no events scheduled for today.
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Tue
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26 Mar
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Holy
Silence Contemplative Prayer Group meets this evening. See details below.
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Wed
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27 Mar
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Mid-Lent
and the Feast of the Martyr Matrona
Lenten Matins, 8:00 AM Liturgy of the
Presanctified Gifts, 7:30 PM
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Thur
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28 Mar
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There
are no events scheduled for today.
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Fri
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29 Mar
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Feast of the Hieromartyr Mark, Bishop of
Arethusa
Lenten Matins, 8:00 AM
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Sat
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30 Mar
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Fourth Soul Saturday and First Session of our annual Parish Lenten Clean-up
Panikhida
(for Soul Saturday) and Vespers, 6:30 PM
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Sun
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31 Mar
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Sunday of Saint
John Climacus
Divine Liturgy, 10:00 AM
Following the Liturgy, we will have our Monthly Charity Luncheon.
This month's beneficiary is the Lenten Shepherd's Care Program of the Melkite Greek Catholic Eparchy of Newton.
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Restorative Tai Chi Classes
Classes in Restorative Tai Chi are offered Sundays
at 2:30 PM and Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at 6:30 PM. Newcomers are welcome! Cost: $15.00 and a food donation
for C.A.S.E. Packages available at reduced rates.
Upcoming
Annual Parish Lenten Reflection: Sunday, April 7th,
following Liturgy.
Holy Silence Contemplative Prayer Group
Holy Silence will meet in our church from 7:30 - 9:00
PM: - March 26: The Hunger for Depth and Meaning
- John Main Ch 8-3, 4,5
Spread the Word!
Following the theft of the proceeds of our 2017 Yard Sale, which were designated to help
fund the repairs to our blue cupola on the side of our church, we have established a GoFundMe account to not only recoup the
stolen proceeds from the Sale but also to assist in funding the repairs.
Saint Xenia
Charitable Fund
In an effort to assist those members of our parish who
are struggling financially due to the faltering economy, loss of employment or decreased retirement benefits, the parish established
the Saint Xenia Charitable Fund. Father Alexei alone administers this fund, and all disbursements and contributions are
kept strictly confidential. Since its establishment, the Saint Xenia Fund has been able to assist several of our parishioners
with partial rent payments, money for food, purchase of job-related necessities, payment of utility bills and medications.
Should you wish to assist us in helping our own, please place your cash donation (Father will provide you with a receipt
for tax purposes should you desire it) in an envelope marked "Saint Xenia Fund" and give it directly to Father.
Disbursements are made in cash to protect anonymity.
And who is Saint Xenia? Well, here is her story......
 Saint Xenia lived during the eighteenth century,
but little is known of her life or of her family. She passed most of her life in Petersburg during the reigns of the empresses
Elizabeth and Catherine II. Xenia Grigorievna
Petrova was the wife of an army officer, Major Andrew Petrov. After the wedding, the couple lived in St Petersburg. St Xenia
became a widow at the age of twenty-six when her husband suddenly died at a party. She grieved for the loss of her husband,
and especially because he died without Confession or Holy Communion. Once her earthly happiness ended, she did not look for it again. From that time forward, Xenia lost
interest in the things of this world, and followed the difficult path of foolishness for the sake of Christ. The basis for
this strange way of life is to be found in the first Epistle to the Corinthians (1 Cor. 1:18-24, 1 Cor. 2:14, 1 Cor. 3:18-19).
The Lord strengthened her and helped her to bear sorrow and misfortune patiently for the next forty-five years. She started wearing her husband's clothing, and insisted that she
be addressed as "Andrew Feodorovich." She told people that it was she, and not her husband, who had died. In a certain
sense, this was perfectly true. She abandoned her former way of life and experienced a spiritual rebirth. When she gave away
her house and possessions to the poor, her relatives complained to the authorities. After speaking to Xenia, the officials
were conviced that she was in her right mind and was entitled to dispose of her property as she saw fit. Soon she had nothing
left for herself, so she wandered through the poor section of Petersburg with no place to lay her head. She refused all assistance
from her relatives, happy to be free of worldly attachments. When her late husband's red and green uniform wore out, she clothed herself in rags of those colors. After
a while, Xenia left Petersburg for eight years. It is believed that she visited holy Elders and ascetics throughout Russia
seeking instruction in the spiritual life. She may have visited St Theodore of Sanaxar (February 19), who had been a military
man himself. His life changed dramatically when a young officer died at a drinking party. Perhaps this officer was St Xenia's
husband. In any case, she knew St Theodore and profited from his instructions. St Xenia eventually returned to the poor section of Petersburg, where she was mocked and insulted
because of her strange behavior. When she did accept money from people it was only small amounts, which she used to help the
poor. She spent her nights praying without sleep in a field outside the city. Prayer strengthened her, and in her heart's
conversation with the Lord she found the support she needed on her difficult path. When a new church was being built in the Smolensk cemetery, St Xenia brought bricks to the site.
She did this in secret, during the night, so that no one would know. Soon her great virtue and spiritual gifts began to be noticed. She prophesied future events affecting
the citizens of Petersburg, and even the royal family. Against her will, she became known as someone pleasing to God, and
nearly everyone loved her.They said, "Xenia does not belong to this world, she belongs to God." People regarded
her visits to their homes or shops as a great blessing. St Xenia loved children, and mothers rejoiced when the childless widow
would stand and pray over a baby's crib, or kiss a child. They believed that the blessed one's kiss would bring that child
good fortune. St Xenia lived about forty-five
years after the death of her husband, and departed to the Lord at the age of seventy-one. The exact date and circumstances
of her death are not known, but it probably took place at the end of the eighteenth century. She was buried in the Smolensk
cemetery. By the 1820s, people flocked to her
grave to pray for her soul, and to ask her to intercede with God for them. So many visitors took earth from her grave that
it had to be replaced every year. Later, a chapel was built over her grave. Those who turn to St Xenia in prayer receive healing from illness, and deliverance from their
afflictions. She is also known for helping people who seek jobs.
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