Holy Trinity Orthodox Church

Hard to believe that we are already nearing the 2nd Wednesday evening Presanctified Liturgy of the Fast! Tonight at Presanctified we will hear these words, as we are once again reminded that the Fast is not only about food:

Let us keep a spiritual fast, O brothers! Let us speak no lies or deceit with our tongue! Let us not give each other cause for stumbling, but by repentance let the lamp of our soul shine brightly! Forgive us our sins in Your love for mankind!

The following note was written by one of our parishioners after the Sunday of Orthodoxy Vespers on Sunday....out of the mouths of babes!

"Last night after Vespers, where each of the children holding their favorite icon joined a procession in honor of the Sunday of Orthodoxy, we gathered in the fellowship hall for a delicious Lenten meal with folks from other Orthodox parishes. As we sat and conversed Jubilee piped in with a question obviously stirred in her mind by the sight of several St. Mary of Egypt icons. She knows of St. Mary because she's my patron but not much beyond being able to recognize her icon. In her very most big girl way she asked "Why did your saint go into the dessert?" I replied "So she could be alone to pray." She thought briefly then asked "But Mommy, didn't she know the way to Church?". "

My favorite line from the Akathist to the Theotokos:

"The sons of the Chaldeans saw in the hands of the Virgin Him Who with His hand made man."

What an awesome thing to consider that the hands of the infant Jesus are the hands that created everything, including each of us. It's definitely something to ponder each time we see the icon of the Theotokos with the infant Jesus.

What a joy to hear the hymns from the Lenten Triodion last night at the Presanctified Liturgy!

While fasting in body, O brothers, let us also fast in spirit. Let us loose the bonds of iniquity. Let us undo the chains of injustice.  Let us break the yoke of oppression. Let us give food to the hungry. Let us shelter the poor and homeless, so that we may receive great mercy from Christ our God.

Glorified by fasting, Elijah rode in the divine chariot of virtues and was carried up to the height of heaven. Eagerly follow his example, O my humble soul. Fast from every evil and jealousy, from strife and fleeting pleasures. Then you will escape the everlasting torment of Gehenna, crying out to Christ: Glory to You, O Lord!

Today we will celebrate the first Presanctified Liturgy of the year. I'm always amazed that, after going a day without eating, how fulfilled my appetite is after receiving Holy Communion at the Presanctified.

My legs are still "jelly-like" from Forgiveness Vespers, but what a wonderful tangible reminder of what took place! It was incredibly uplifting to have so many children at the service. It's a wonderful reminder that we ask forgiveness of everyone no matter what their age.

We have the joy of hosting this year's Sunday of Orthodoxy Vespers in Kansas City at our parish this year and I am eagerly anticipating a full altar of clergy from the area and a full church of faithful from all of our parishes in the area. I hope we will line the whole perimeter of the church with children holding icons!