From the February 2007 Newsletter

Great Lent and

the Presanctified Liturgy

Great Lent is characterized not only by fasting but also by the celebration of the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts on Wednesdays and Fridays. This service consists of Lenten Daily Vespers (for which reason it is properly served in the evening), to which is added a partaking of the Eucharistic Gifts which were sanctified and consecrated on the previous Sunday (hence the title “Presanctified Liturgy”). At this time of increased spiritual warfare and ascetic exploits, we need the added strength that comes from partaking of the Lord’s Eucharistic Body and Blood more frequently. The Byzantine Church considers that the Eucharist is a time of high and exuberant festival, and that the weekdays of Great Lent, being days of sorrowing for our sins, are not well suited to such exuberance. For this reason, the Church does not pray the Eucharistic Anaphora to sanctify the Gifts of Bread and Wine during these days. Since we nevertheless need the strength the Eucharist provides, we partake of these Gifts reserved from the previous Sunday, so that we can feed on the Lord without praying the Anaphora during the week days of Great Lent.

I would encourage all the faithful to attend as many of these services as possible (fasting from noon)—not only to be strengthened by partaking of the Eucharist, but also to let the music and prayers of this special service fill your heart. We will be singing the Antiphons in the same melody as before, but in a minor key, and singing them as they were intended to be sung—namely, antiphonally, with choir and congregation alternating the verses. These services are times of candle-lit quiet, sober reflection and life-giving penitence, and they radiate the glorious “bright sadness” which characterizes Great Lent. As such, they form the indispensable preparation for Holy Week and Pascha. Lent is scarcely Lent without the Presanctified Liturgy. It comes to us each year as the Lord’s gift to His beloved people.

Yours in the Lord

Fr. Lawrence

Sunday of Orthodoxy Vespers

Sunday February 25

at 6:30 pm.

As per our custom, we will join with St. Innocent Church and Holy Nativity Church for this service, this year at St. Innocent’s, Everson WA

Alternatives for those unable to be at this service will be at All Saints Monastery in Dewdney and at a church in Vancouver –details not available as we go to press here.

February Events

Thurs. Feb. 1: 7.00 pm Vesperal Liturgy for Feast of Meeting; bring candles to be blessed at Liturgy (non-Lenten meal to follow)

Fri. Feb. 9-11: Women’s Retreat w. Frederica Mathews-Greene

Sun. Feb. 11: Meatfare Sunday. Last meat

Thurs. Feb. 15: 8:00 pm Camp fundraising concert Ft. Langley

Fri. Feb 16 : 8:00 pm Camp fundraising concert UBC

Sat. Feb. 17: Youth snowshoeing

Sun. Feb. 18: 1:00 pm after lunch Forgiveness Vespers

(Cheesefare Sunday last dairy)

Lenten Services begin this month:

Mon. Feb. 19: Great Lent begins: Great Canon at 7.00 pm

Tues. Feb. 20: Great Canon at 7.00 pm

All Wednesdays & Fridays this month: 7 pm Presanctified Liturgy with Lenten meal (please sign up to bring food)

Sun. Feb. 25: 6.30 pm Orthodoxy Vespers at St. Innocent’s Church, Everson, WA. (NB LOCATION & earlier time.)

St. Arseny Camp Fundraising Concerts

8 pm

Thurs. Feb 15

at St. Andrew’s United Church, Fort Langley

Fri. Feb. 16

at St. Mark’s Chapel, UBC Vancouver

Kenosis Male Chorus

Resonance Mixed Voice Chorus

Please get your tickets from Dan Steenburgh

$12.50 advance $15 at the door

FASTING RULES

FEB 07

Mon. Jan 29-Feb 4: Fast free

Mon. Feb 5-11: regular Wed/Fri fast

Sun. Feb 11: last Meat

Mon. Feb 12- Sun. Feb 18 ALL foods EXCEPT Meat allowed

Mon. Feb. 19 and remainder of February: Lenten fast like reg. Wed/Fri—NO meat, dairy, eggs, fish, alcohol, olive oil. Allowed: shellfish and all non-animal product foods

YOUTH SNOWSHOEING

at Hemlock! !!!

Saturday, February 17th. Please bring WARM clothing, a substantial lunch, and $15.

More details to come. Any questions call Magdalen or David.

EXPLORING TRADITIONS IN CHRISTIAN WORSHIP

– Sunday Feb. 11, 7 pm. Event open to the public sponsored by The Bridge Community Church, 5521 Brydon Crescent Langley (Brydon is a small street that intersects on the west with 200th Ave, just south of 56th Ave.) Fr Lawrence has been asked to take part as a panelist.