Camp Coffee Fundraiser

Camp fundraising has gotten underway in earnest again at St. Herman's! The revived coffee fundraiser raised $193 last week to help send campers to camp. Thank you all for your patronage and your patience. (We hope to have two machines on hand next Sunday, which should speed things up a bit.) Click on any of the images above to view a whole gallery of photos of the event.

Slight Service Change for Eve of Pentecost

Father Lawrence has decided to serve a Vigil for the eve of Pentecost this Saturday June 18th 7 pm, instead of the Vespers and Memorial listed on the calendar.

Vigil is about twice as long as vespers, and includes much of the special teaching hymnody for the feast that we would otherwise not experience. There will be no change in the service starting time.

Latest Updates

Updated the online church calendar: June 2005 should now be correct!

Also, Psalm 8, which Fr. Lawrence added a while ago, has been moved to its proper place and added to the Mystical Psalter Index.

Newsletter: June 2005

Concerning Deacons

This month we continue our series on Holy Orders and other ministries in the Church with the office of Deacon

The deacon is ordained at the place in the Liturgy which stresses his specific liturgical function, after the Anaphora (the prayer which consecrates the Lord’s Body and Blood), but prior to the distribution of Holy Communion.

The subdeacon who is to be ordained deacon is taken by two of his fellow subdeacons. He makes a prostration in the middle of the Church, and the word “Command!” is uttered. In the early days, this was the invitation for the laity gathered there to give their assent to the ordination. The candidate then is brought by the subdeacons a little further forward, where he makes a second prostration, and a second “Command!” is uttered, inviting the assent of the clergy also.

Finally the candidate is brought to the Royal Doors, where a deacon brings him through into the altar. A third prostration is made to the bishop and a third cry is given, “Command, right reverend Master!”, asking for the assent of the bishop, who is seated in a chair next to the altar table.

While ordination hymns are sung, the candidate is taken by a deacon three times around the altar table, at each of its four corners venerating the altar which he will serve as deacon.. The candidate then kneels upon one knee, placing his hands and head upon the altar table. The bishop then, having come to the candidate, places his stole upon his head and lays his hands upon him and declares in a loud voice, “The grace divine, which always heals that which is infirm and completes that which is lacking, elevates through the laying on of hands N (the candidate’s name), the most devout subdeacon, to be a deacon. Therefore let us pray for him, that the grace of the all-holy Spirit may come upon him.” A litany and ordination prayers follow, asking God to send down the fullness of the Holy Spirit to administer His immaculate sacraments, and that He would grant him the same grace that He gave to Stephen the Proto-martyr and deacon.

The newly-ordained deacon then rises, and, as the people cry “Axios!” (Worthy!), he is clothed with the vestments of a deacon. His stole is fastened upon his shoulder and he is given cuffs. For his first diaconal act, he is given a sacramental fan to fan the newly-consecrated gifts during the prayers that follow. He also helps administer the Holy Communion, and offers the Litany of Thanksgiving.

The deacon's function is to offer all the litanies, to do the usual censings, and to announce what the people are to do (e.g. “Stand upright!”, “Attend!”, “Bow your heads unto the Lord!” “In the fear of God, and with faith and love, draw near!”) If there is no deacon, the priest must of necessity take over the diaconal parts. But deacons are normative for serving the Liturgy. In the early church, therefore, during the persecutions, when the church wanted to serve the Liturgy for those in prison, they would sneak in not only a priest, but a priest and a deacon.

The canons require a diaconal candidate to be blameless (e.g. no criminal record), and he must be either single or once-married. (If divorced or twice-married, he must resign his orders.) The minimum age for ordination is 25 years.

Originally, deacons fulfilled a pastoral ministry of serving the sick and administering the church’s charities. They ministered among the laity, and for that reason offered the litanies during the Liturgy on Sunday, praying for the needs which they knew only too well from their ministries during the week. Many hope to see this pastoral aspect of their ministry revived.

Finally, the Diaconate is not just a stepping-stone to the Priesthood. It is a full and complete order, with its own dignity and purpose. There is no reason why one who is called to the holy Diaconate may not serve as Deacon throughout his entire life.

—Fr. Lawrence

Community Announcements

1. Fri. June 10 8 pm: our choir takes part in the Orthodox Choral concert at St. Michael's Serbian church.

2. Apostle's Fast, brief though it is this year, is a time for penitence and confession—be sure to plan yours soon. Before or after vespers or by appointment with either of our priests.

Fasting Rules for June 2005

With the encouragement of H.G. Bp. SERAPHIM, it is our local custom to keep the ancient practice of dispensing with all fasting between Pascha and Ascension Day (June 9 this year.) Therefore please note:

• Wed. June 8: complete pre-eucharistic fast from noon for Vesperal liturgy; festal food at the post-liturgy meal
• Fri. July 10^th: return to normal Wed/Fri fasting
• Sun June 19^th-Sun June 26th: Pentecost fast free week
• Mon-Tues June 27, 28: Apostles' Fast (no meat, fish, dairy)
• Wed. June 29^th: Complete pre-eucharistic fast from noon for vesperal liturgy; festal food for post-liturgy meal.

Worship Notes

Friday June 10^th 8 pm (changed from previously announced date of June 3^rd) Orthodox Choir Concert at the new Serbian Church of St. Michael in New Westminster. Our choir has again been invited to participate in this pan-Orthodox event. Please come for an evening of wonderful music. Tickets $10, on sale at the door at 7:30 pm.

Many THANKS!

….to all of St. Herman's for making the celebration of Rhiannon & Gregory's wedding so glorious.

Special thanks to:

• Andrea Folster & the choir;
• Sandy Folster, dress;
• Sandy & Andrea, cake;
• Kumbara Maria Dafnis (and Jordy for turning water into juice!);
• Kimberley Francis, crowns;
• Susan Stavrakis, coffee time;
• Maria Campbell, shower host;
• everyone who took part in the entertainment;
• and all of you for your prayers, good wishes and pitching in to help.

If we have missed anyone who should be specially noted, please forgive us; our heads are still spinning a little!

—The Farleys and the Gascoignes