Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Greetings in the New Year!
Once again, the Lord has blessed us to begin a new year as we enter into the first month of 2020. It is generally held that January, the first month of the civil year, is named after the Roman deity Janus. In ancient Roman religion, legend, and myth, Janus is the patron and protector of beginnings, the guardian of gates, transitions, time, duality, doorways, passages, and endings. He is usually depicted as having two faces on one head, since he looks to the future and to the past. There is a logic, therefore that ancient Romans would name this year after Janus, for as we enter into the New Year, we look back to the months past just as we also look ahead to the year that lies before us. For some, looking back may bring with it a sense of sadness or loss. For others still, looking ahead may be difficult as well as the New Year can also bring with it a sense of the unknown over which we ultimately have no control. Nonetheless, we place the year in the hands of the Lord, trusting always in His love and mercy.
The New Year provides us with the opportunity to reflect upon the year that has just passed and to look with faith and hope, optimism, and eagerness to the year that has just begun. The New Year also gives us pause so that we can acknowledge that, whatever happened in the past year and whatever shall come in the New Year, “every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights” (James 1:17.) Acknowledging that God, the Father of Lights, is the source of all we have and all we are, we ask His continued blessings upon our families and loved ones. We pray for health and happiness for ourselves and all those we know. And we fervently pray that one of the blessings of the year ahead will be the blessing of peace throughout the world. And we also look forward to another year at Saints Peter and Paul Church that promises to be filled with heavenly blessings. As we enter 2020 AD (Anno Domini- the Year of the Lord), may the Lord God bless you all with peace, prosperity, good health, and all that is necessary for salvation!
As we begin this New Year, I invite you all to enter into a deeper spirit of prayer. Let us pray for one another as each one of us strives to make 2020 another year in which live the salvific Gospel of Jesus Christ. Let us also pray for our parish community, that together, as one family in Christ, we may continue our mission of reaching out to the world in the Name of Christ.
With love in the Lord Who has revealed Himself,
+Bishop Daniel
Love to Sing?
Meet new friends from the Arizona Orthodox Churches?
Register for the next "One Day" music event!
Saturday, March 14, 2020; 10am —3pm
St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, Phoenix
On Sunday, August 4, 2019, His Grace Bishop Daniel of Santa Rosa presided at the Divine Liturgy at the Church of the Icon of the Mother of God “Joy of All Who Sorrow” in Moscow... Click here to view
JANUARY ANNOUNCEMENTS
ANNUAL HOUSE BLESSINGS: To arrange to have your home blessed, please contact Bishop Daniel, Father David, Father Thomas, or Father Mihai.
ANNUAL PARISH MEETING: The annual parish meeting will be held on Sunday, January 19, following the Divine Liturgy.
THANK YOU to all of you for your love, support, cards, gifts, and kind words during the Holiday Season. Your words and sentiments and your many expressions of love and support are deeply appreciated. God bless you for your thoughtful kindness! +Bishop Daniel and the Fathers
THANK YOU to everyone who made our 2019 celebration of the Nativity of Christ another joy-filled, beautiful, inspiring, and spiritually-rewarding celebration. We are truly blessed! The Divine Services, Holy Supper, music, flowers, decorations, food, etc., etc., were all wonderfully arranged and yet another sign of our parish community’s love of God and of neighbor. Blessings to everyone!
FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF EPISCOPAL CONSECRATION: Bishop Daniel will celebrate the 5th Anniversary of his Episcopal Consecration on the Feast of Blessed Xenia of Saint Petersburg, January 24. May the Lord grant him many years!
FEAST OF THE THEOPHANY: Vespers, Sunday, January 5, 5:00 p.m. Divine Liturgy and GREAT BLESSING OF WATER, Monday, January 6, 9:00 a.m. Blessing of Tempe Town Lake, 12:00 noon.
BLESSING OF TEMPE TOWN LAKE: His Grace Bishop Daniel will preside at the Great Blessing of the Waters at Tempe Town Lake on the Great Feast of the Theophany, January 6, at 12:00 noon. Local clergy and faithful will gather to bless the waters and to give witness to the Orthodox Faith. 272 Rio Salado Parkway, parking in Tempe Beach Park Parking lot, then walk north to the edge of the lake.)
MEMORY ETERNAL to the newly-departed servant of God, ANN GARZA. Ann, a longtime member of our parish community and member of the Myrrhbearers Altar Society, reposed in the Lord on December 31, at the age of 101. Services are to be announced.
2020 CHURCH CALENDARS: We are grateful to John Blischak and Nick Enoch for their generosity in continuing to provide our parish with the beautiful church calendars! Thank you!
