November 2023
Here we are on the doorstep of the Nativity Fast. We are at the beginning of our journey to the Holy Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ on Wednesday the 15th and it will last 40 days. We are given this opportunity to renew and deepen our life in Christ, to grow in our love for God and neighbor, and strengthen our commitment to living out the Gospel. Although this Fast is not as strict as the Great Fast, it is sometimes hard to follow because everyone wants to have Thanksgiving and Christmas parties, and all kinds of holiday foods and events. And this usually happens because we forget the true meaning of the Nativity of Christ. And that is that Christ was born into this world fully God and fully man to bring us out of the darkness of sin and show us the path to the heavenly kingdom. But not everyone wants to be on that path, some say they are too busy with their lives and are caught up in all the things the world has to offer, or as it says in the parable of the sower, they are choked by the cares of the world. Some say they are just fine in how they live and have no need to look at who they really are and to look at what God is offering them. And to be honest some think they are already there, but that is far from the true teaching of the church.
We sometimes hear the term for this fast as Advent fast, which is defined as the coming or arrival of something. This title refers to the coming of the Messiah foretold by the prophets and culminating in the miraculous virgin birth that we celebrate at the Nativity a few weeks from now. But it also refers to a second advent, or a coming—that of Christ God’s Second Coming when He will judge the living and the dead and gather all His faithful who know Him into His near presence. As it says in Matthew's Gospel, He will separate the sheep from the goats.
In the Orthodox Church, our Nativity Fast is just shy of six weeks long, it is 40 days. And while less strict in the observances than the great fast and basically a little more ‘joyous’ in tone, it still should be a time for reflection and preparation that helps us to more fully participate in what the Nativity of our Lord, God, and Savior, Jesus Christ, means for us. It's not about presents and decorative lights and jingle bells. It is about the birth of the Son of God Who comes into the world to show us the way to the Kingdom.
Fr. Mikel
Regular Services
Saturday: Vespers, 5:00 pm
Sunday: Divine Liturgy, 9:00 am
Address
1614 E. Monte Vista Rd.
Phoenix, Az 85006
Phone / Email
Fr. Mikel: 907-444-8545
Church: 602-253-9515
Directions To Saints Peter & Paul
November Schedule
Weds Nov 29th 6pm Vespers No Class
Thurs Nov 30th 840 Hours/Divine Liturgy
Sat Dec 2nd 5pm Vespers
Sun Dec 3rd 840 Hours/Divine Liturgy
Tues Dec 5th 6pm Vespers
Weds Dec 6th 840 Hours/Divine Liturgy 6pm Class
Sat Dec 9th 5pm Vespers
Sun Dec 10th 840 Hours/Divine Liturgy
Tues Dec 12th 5pm Vespers (Due to PC meeting at 6pm)
Weds Dec 13th 840 Hours/Divine Liturgy 6pm Class
Sat Dec 16th 5pm Vespers
Sun Dec 17th 840 Hours/Divine Liturgy
Weds Dec 20th 6pm Class
Fri Dec 22nd 8am Royal Hours
Sat Dec 23rd 5pm Vespers
Sun Dec 24th 840 Hours/Divine Liturgy 5pm Vespers/Holy Supper
Mon Dec 25th 840 Hours/Divine Liturgy
Tues Dec 26th 6pm Vespers
Weds Dec 27th 840 Hours/Divine Liturgy No Class, resume Jan 3rd
Sat Dec 30th 5pm Vespers
Sun Dec 31st 840 Hours/Divine Liturgy/New Year Molibien
Mon Jan 1st 840 Hours/Divine Liturgy
Weds Jan 3rd 6pm Class
Fri Jan 5th 8am Royal Hours/Liturgy/ Blessing of Water
Sat Jan 6th 840 Hours/Divine Liturgy 5pm Vespers
This Week...
November 26, 2023
Nativity Fast begins on Weds Nov 15th. The rubrics for the Nativity fast is that there is no meat, fish or dairy allowed. Meals should be lenten foods. Although fish is allowed on the following dates;
Nov 16th,18th,19th, 21st, 25th,26th,30th.
Dec 2nd, 3rd, 6th, 9th, 10th, 13th, 16th, 17th.
Please remember parents that the Sunday School program is only beneficial to the children when they are present. Also, for those who are in the hall when the teachers and children begin class, the class says a Post Communion prayer all together, please remain silent and show respect while they say the prayer.
Weds evening the 29th Vespers at 6pm and Thursday morning 30th at 840 Hours/Divine Liturgy. For St Andrew Here is the link;
The money that is collected for the Christmas Card program will go to the nuns at St. Macarius Monastery for their building fund.
On Wednesday the 29th there will be no class.
FOCA is taking orders for Rum balls.
On Dec 17th the Myrrh Bearers Altar Society will be having their Holiday Bake sale and Prize Raffle during coffee hour.
Please note that on Dec 24th, Eve of Nativity, 840 am Hours/Liturgy, then Vespers will be at 5pm and Holy Supper at 6pm. Monday the 25th 840 am Hours/Divine Liturgy of
St Basil the Great.
Theophany is Jan 6th, if you wish to have your house blessed please see Fr. Mikel.
Please remember to tithe, this is very important. The tithe goes into the operating budget to keep the church running, and in this way we are able to bring Christ to the community.
Whoever hates his sins will stop sinning; and whoever confesses them will receive remission. A man can not abandon the habit of sin if he does not first gain enmity toward sin, nor can he receive remission of sin without confession of sin. For the confession of sin is the cause of true humility. St. Isaac the Syrian.
