Suspended on the Cross by Fr. Alex Radulescu “Today, He who suspended the earth in the waters is suspended on a cross.” (Troparion from the Matins of Holy Friday) From Fr. Nick Kotsis - "Today is hung upon the Cross He Who suspended the earth upon the waters." Today we remember Jesus being nailed to the Cross. His sacrifice was done once and for all. But in some ways, His crucifixions continue. Faith and Medicine By Fr. Alex Radulescu - “My son, when you are sick do not be negligent, but pray to the Lord, and he will heal you… And give the physician his place, for the Lord created him; let him not leave you, for there is need of him.” (Sirach 38: 9,12) From Fr. Nick Kotsis - Glory to the Holy, Consubstantial, Life-Giving and Undivided Trinity, always now and forever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
From Fr. Alex Radulescu - Tonight’s service (which is actually the Orthros service of Tuesday) brings to mind the idea of preparedness. And this idea comes from the Scripture readings of the day (Tuesday) taken from Matthew 24:36-51; 25:1-46; 26:1-2.
From Fr. Nick Kotsis - We just participated in the first Bridegroom Service of Holy Week. The service tonight is really the Orthros for Holy Monday (remember, during Holy Week, the services are “switched” to show anticipation for the next day – the Orthros services are in the evening, and the Vespers services are in the morning).
From Fr. Alex Radulescu - Last night, we have officially concluded the Forty days of preparation before Pascha. We have now started the Holy Week commemoration of Christ's suffering, death and Resurrection. The first two events in this cycle are interconnected: Saturday of Lazarus and Palm Sunday. Let’s explore their meaning one by one:
From Fr. Nick Kotsis - My mother’s sister and her three children would come up to visit the family from San Antonio, Texas every summer. Each of our three cousins matched us in age. Since they would spend nearly the whole summer up here, we grew particularly close to them, and we still are. We couldn’t wait until school was over because we knew that our cousins were just days away from coming up.
From Fr. Alex Radulescu - The Book of Genesis 46:1-7 recounts the travel preparations Jacob (Israel) took to ensure the survival of his family. His son, Joseph, was in Egypt by now and became Pharaoh’s right hand. But remember how Joseph was sold by his own brothers (betrayal) and taken to Egypt as a slave. In spite of that, God helped Him become so famous there, that the ruler of that country had total confidence in him and gave him command over the food supply and other strategic assets.
From Fr. Nick Kotsis - May our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ guide us, protect us, and heal us. May He drive away all fear from our hearts and strengthen us with confidence in our faith in Him.
Part of today’s Old Testament reading comes from the Prophecy of Isaiah (9b-11): |
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Church Address
Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church
3109 Scio Church Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
Phone: (734) 332-8200
Fax: (734) 332-8201
NEW MAILING ADDRESS
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church
P.O. Box 1033
Ann Arbor, MI 48106
Church Address
Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church
3109 Scio Church Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
Phone: (734) 332-8200
Fax: (734) 332-8201
NEW MAILING ADDRESS
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church
P.O. Box 1033
Ann Arbor, MI 48106