Archived Prez to Prez (2011 - 2019)
JULY 2019
Quote for the Week:We are blessed in order to bless others.We are forgiven in order to forgive others.We are loved in order to love others.We are comforted in order to comfort others.We are saved in order to help others find salvation.Christ came to serve in order to teach us to serve others.We are His people. He is in us and we are in Him.May the Divine Liturgy continue after we leave the Church.We return into the world as other “Christs” and the Liturgy we experienced in Church continues
when we make His love real through our acts of mercy in this world.In the name of the Lord, go forth in peace into the world! Amen. - Fr. Anthony ConiarisScripture for the Week: Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.Hebrews 12:14Thought for the Week: As presvyteres, most of us navigate through life with a deep desire to be ambassadors of God’s love. Sometimes we succeed, and other times we fail. But, through the years, I’ve learned that when I follow a prompting from deep within to move away from my narrative in order to embrace and act out of compassion and love, I have the overwhelming peace of Christ. I do not need to understand, I simply need to respond. This is agape love in action - a way of life which often does not make sense but does require a response.We have these holy moments of opportunity. To go out of our way to visit someone who is suffering. To dare to encourage and simply listen to a parent struggling with their child. To acknowledge the humanity of those who are homeless. To say a kind word to a parishioner who isn’t always so kind in return. Sometimes when we spend too much time analyzing and qualifying a brief moment of opportunity, the moment is lost. If I ignore God's prompting and proceed on my way with my own agenda, God will raise up another to perform His will - and agape slips through my fingers.These acts of service bring us close to the heart of Christ - allowing the Holy Spirit to be fully alive within each of us. As surely as breezes from the water flow around us, so does the Spirit of God.This summer, let’s practice embracing holy moments - to be the person God created us to be, and doing what we hear God calling us to do in each moment.Questions for the Week: Has God called me into a holy moment of opportunity this week? If so, how did it feel? If not, how can I open my heart to hear and accept God's invitation into a holy moment this week? (Holy moments can be transformative to your spiritual well-being...feel free to experience more than one!).
JUNE 2019
Quote for Today: And I, a sinner, have been trying to love God for more than forty years, and cannot say that I perfectly love Him. If we love someone we always remember him and try to please him; day and night our heart is occupied with that object. Is that how you love God? Do you often turn to Him, do you always remember Him, do you always pray to Him and fulfill His holy commandments? ‘For our good, for our happiness at least let us make a vow that from this day, from this hour, from this minute we shall strive to love God above all else and to fulfill His holy will.' St Herman of Alaska
Scripture for Today: “Know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:19
Prayer for Today: Grant to me, O Lord, that with peace of mind I may face all that this new day is to bring. Grant to me to dedic myself completely to Your Holy Will. For every hour of this day, instruct and support me in all things. Whatsoever tidings I may receive during the day, teach me to accept with tranquility of heart, in the firm conviction that all will fulfill Your Holy Will. Govern my thoughts and feelings in all I do and say. When things unforeseen occur, do not let me forget that all comes from You. Teach me to behave sincerely and peacefully toward all people, that I may bring confusion and sorrow to none. Bestow upon me, my Lord, strength to endure the fatigue of the day, and to bear my part in all its passing events. Guide my will and teach me to pray, to believe, to hope, to suffer, to forgive, and to love. Amen.
Thought for Today: Give Thanks and Write It Down
Remember those days when you kept a diary or journal for your most private, or at least your most uninhibited, thoughts and ideas? Or even for the more mundane, like a shopping list or exercise log? Eventually that was likely replaced by a blog, your Facebook account, or your fitbit, right? It’s easier, faster, and more accessible these days to type everything into the Cloud.
Except that studies show it’s actually more therapeutic—and more mindful—to write things down. The physical act of putting pen to paper forces you into a focused position with few distractions. You can’t simply tab over when your email or social media dings. Writing requires you to slow down, to be more thoughtful—after all, it’s harder to delete, and the paper doesn’t correct your misspellings for you. It’s also much more satisfying to check things off a tangible checklist; indeed, scribbling through an accomplished task with a force you control somehow makes it more pleasurable and final. It’s a technique prescribed by therapists everywhere—keep track of what you eat, whom you see, what you feel, what you do and when.
Imagine if we could reconnect with our Lord, through writing down Scripture, thoughts, prayers, petitions and focus especially on gratitude? This month your Prez to Prez team sets forth a challenge to all our sister presvyteres - to begin the summer engaging in the practice of keeping a gratitude journal. Each day, write down anything that is heavy on your heart. And, then, write down two things you are grateful for. And while you do, ignore your phone and give your eyes a break from all electronics. Even better if you can take your paper and pen and sit outside briefly, to soak up the summer sunshine. The effect should be centering, calming, and should allow you the kind of regrouping you’re always striving for when practicing mindfulness with gratitude.
No doubt, we all struggle. Life is messy, complicated and can throw us many curve balls. Hopefully, keeping a gratitude journal will help us to see our world through a fresh lens and begin to mold and shift our focus to thanksgiving and gratitude instead of stress or worry or anxiety. Let us slow down more instead of always rushing so much, and in doing so, find more moments to be thankful for.
Question for Today: When was the last time I took up a pen and committed my thoughts to paper? How did it feel? How do I think a gratitude journal might impact me? How do I think it might impact my relationship with God and my relationships with my family and others?
**Lovingly compiled by your Prez to Prez Team Joy Corona, Donna Pappas, Pat Tsagalakis and Michelle Triant**
APRIL 2019
Quote for the Day: If you indeed call God your Father, then trust in Him as in the one Father, the most merciful, all powerful, most wise, ever loving and ever perfect One. Trust in Him in respect to the blessings of this temporal life, but above all, in respect to the future blessings that shall be granted you in Christ Jesus. This saying is full of trust and power: “The Lord is everything to me.” This is the priceless treasure, which if we possess it, we can be calm in every circumstance, whether in poverty or wealth. The Lord is everything to you, and you must be everything to the Lord. As all your treasure is in your heart and your will, God asks of you to give your heart, saying, “My child, give me your heart.” Therefore, in order to fulfill God’s perfect will, renounce your own egocentric, wayward will, and seek only God’s will. “Not my will, but Your will be done.” St. John of Kronstadt
Scripture for the Day: "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:21
Thought for the Day: Shake it up a bit!
We’re always following rules and routines —social, lawful, business, familial, religious, personal. That’s just what mature faithful presvyteres do. We stick to the guidelines necessary to maintain harmony, to avoid getting in trouble, dutifully attend services and to keep the organized, consistent patterns we as human beings crave. We love our routines, and generally shy away from change or spontaneity.
But sometimes we can get too accustomed to our everyday. Do you remember brushing your teeth this morning? Do you remember last Sunday’s sermon? We become so ingrained in our habits that we find ourselves operating on autopilot, which is the death of mindfulness. If you’re like me, you keep roughly the same daily schedule, traveling, praying, eating, working, relaxing at around the same times, and performing the same tasks over and over again in about the same ways, so that before you know it, another week has gone by, then another month, and so on. Of course there are occasions here and there to break the monotony, but if we’re lucky, this is the kind of contented, predictable way we go about things. This is our normal. There’s nothing wrong with that—but what if we could appreciate it more, and take less for granted? What if we could inject more Christlike mindfulness into our rote actions? Imagine, during Great Lent, if we can challenge ourselves to expand out of our “comfort zone” a bit and try new things, being more open to others’ needs and opinions.
We want to suggest stretching routines/introducing some flexibility or "breathing room" to allow the Holy Spirit to work in new ways. Let’s challenge ourselves this week to shake it up a bit - so that we can come to recognize with more awareness our loving God in our day to day. More awareness for Christ. More awareness for YOU, His beloved daughter. Great Lent offers us countless opportunities for prayerful reflection. But, are we truly taking time to mindfully engage?
If you normally take the bus/train or drive to work or on your way back from dropping your kids off from school, try getting off at a different stop or parking on a different street and walking that route to your destination. Take in the beauty of spring in the air. Take time to appreciate the storefronts, greenery, people, etc. that you don’t even see anymore. Take time to make a coffee date with someone outside your parish, and reach out to a new friend. Go to bed an hour earlier and give yourself a few more minutes time to read Scriptures and pray in the morning. What activities will you fit in during that extra time? Forget your lunchtime regimen—eat popcorn in the park while reading Lenten Reflections until you have to go back. Don’t –gasp!—set your alarm. Stretch a few of your rules. Doing so will allow you to look at your world with a renewed sense of consciousness, and it could even inspire you to make some changes in your spiritual routine. The ultimate goal is to increase your connection with God and be mindful even through the most mundane moments, so that you can be fully present to living a life in Christ.
Question for the Day: What is one way I can "shake it up" this week? If more than one possibility comes to mind, why not live "dangerously" and sprinkle them out over the next few weeks? Who knows, it may inspire us to find additional ways of shaking it up!
We are thrilled to welcome Presvytera Michelle Triant as a new member of our Prez to Prez Team!
If you are interested in submitting a “Thought” for the day - please email us at p.tsagalakis@comcast.net. We welcome your input and feedback.
MARCH 2019
A blessed Lent to you and your families, our dear sisters in Christ!
Quote for the Day:
“A strange illness has appeared in our days – the passion for distractions. Never before was there such a desire for distractions; people have forgotten how to lead a serious life for the good of others; they have no spiritual life and are bored. They exchange the profound content of a spiritual life for distractions! What madness! We must re-introduce into life its lost meaning and give back to the people the knowledge of the true purpose of life.” St. John Kronstadt
Scripture for the Day:
"I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in Me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.” John 15:5
Thought for the Day:
Isn’t it amazing that St. John Kronstadt wrote about the “passion for distraction” over 100 years ago? Imagine what St. John would say today if he thought people were getting distracted 100 years ago! How much more are his words a serious warning and challenge for us today about distractions.
As we prepare to fast during the beautiful journey of Great Lent, let’s do our best to UNPLUG and lessen our attention to our cell phones. Often, if we forget to bring our phones on a quick trip to the grocery store, or leave it behind before heading off to work, we feel a sense of panic. “What if I miss a call? What if I don’t check my texts for the next 4 hours?” It’s amazing how tied we are to our devices!
During the start of Great Lent, let’s UNPLUG and wean ourselves from our normal sites on Social Media and the distraction of our phones and computers. Instead, let’s focus on connecting more intimately with our Lord and Savior. May we begin to slow down, unplug, and plug in time with our Lord instead of time checking facebook posts and our newsfeed. Making an effort to prioritize prayer and reading of scripture will bring us closer and closer to Christ. If you are on line, choose opportunities to grow in your faith, along with your family!
Questions for the Day:
What distractions have the greatest foothold in my life? (Try asking your loved ones for their input as well...sometimes they see our distractions far more clearly than we do!) Am I willing to hand these distractions over to God? How would God have me use the time I will regain?
If you are a momma with young children, and interested in many great activities to help your children focus on Lent - check out the San Francisco Metropolis’ Family Wellness Ministry website. http://www.familywellnessministry.org/lent/
If you are a mamma with kids in the home, we encourage you to also join the Love@Lent Project hosted by Presvytera Michelle Triant https://www.facebook.com/LoveatLent
Let us work this Lent to grow in stillness! “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)
JANUARY 2019
Happy New Year!!
Quote for the Week: You cannot be too gentle or too kind with others. Never allow yourself to appear harsh in your treatment of each other. Joy, radiant joy, streams from the face of the One who gives and kindles joy in the heart of him who receives. Share this joy with others. St Seraphim of Sarov
Scripture for the Week: “Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32
Thought for the Week: by Pres. Lisa Goussetis
This past year, a theme for me has been relationships. In particular, it has been a season in which there have been some very difficult and complex relationships in my life. In speaking with some sister presvyteras, I discovered that we clergy wives may be drawn into difficult and complex peoples’ orbits simply because of our leadership status. So: how do we approach the suffering that is caused by “relationships”?
While many of life’s struggles and/or losses are common to all, “relationship” pain can seem intentional, or at least, personal. It may include unkindness, rancor, or even competitiveness or deceit from someone we are in close contact with, from colleagues to family members to friends. Popular self-help literature isn’t much help here: most of the “expert” advice in this genre tells us to steer far away from the energy-draining person and simply turn our attention to positive influences.
There’s a problem with that. Christ didn’t model it.
I will admit to you that, this past year when reading the 9th hour, I sometimes felt a pang in my heart if it fell to me to read,…”but it was you, my equal, my familiar friend….”
In our lives as priest’s wives, we do, I believe, become more comfortable over the years with the practice of walking with others in their suffering. We learn to trust God for His presence and comfort, within the experience of suffering.
We may even have witnessed some unexpected blessings and incredible beauty that arises out of struggle. This beautiful effort on our parts does, however, require our own willingness to be vulnerable, on behalf of another. And that very vulnerability which is a strength in many situations, can leave us feeling unprotected with interactions with difficult people.
I have discovered that I must consider how to place some healthy boundaries. An ongoing struggle can become depleting for us, for example. And our willingness to be vulnerable does not mean that we allow a progression of ugly behaviors to overtake us. To be clear, I’m referring to wounded people who may lash out, and not to truly abusive situations.
So, here’s what I’ve discovered through reading, confession, and prayer time, that’s been so helpful to me that I humbly offer it to you:
Of course, we pray for our “difficult person”. They are unhappy and wounded and not at their best. We can and should step back, and take care of ourselves physically, getting enough sleep, exercise, and nourishing food. We can also take time for our own positive relationships, those that glorify God. We can seek after Stillness. Isaiah 30:15 says,” in returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and confidence shall be your strength.” Stillness, I have become totally convinced, is the key to Christian identity. We regain our hope via His daily love for us! We find ourselves much more stable if we re-prioritize our daily time with Christ, and defend this priority fiercely! We can practice Gentleness. Yes, Gentleness! This was such a revelation to me. St. Seraphim of Sarov says:“You cannot be too gentle, too kind. Avoid even appearing harsh in your treatment of each other. Joy, radiant joy, streams from the face of him who gives and kindles joy in the heart of him who receives…..Instead of condemning others, strive to reach inner peace. Keep silent, refrain from judgement. This will raise you above the deadly arrows of slander, insult and outrage and will shield your glowing hearts against all evil.” Wow.
These two treasures, stillness and gentleness, are so countercultural and yet so very powerful. And I have found, they truly can work wonders, in these difficult relationships. So, unless the Lord places me in a broken elevator with my difficult person, I have learned to wait for the tempest to subside, or to refer the person to the true authority, the priest. While Christ offered many examples of firm correction, He also knew people’s hearts and thoughts; we do not.
May the Lord shine his light upon our lives! May this year be one in which we offer ourselves to God with joy, knowing that we have such a beautiful privilege before us as the wives of Orthodox priests!
Question for the Week: How am I seeking stillness and practicing gentleness in my daily life? What are some steps I can take to cultivate these actions and make them part of my daily walk?
APRIL 2018
Quote to ponder: “The heart itself is but a small vessel, yet dragons are there, and there are also lions; there are poisonous beasts and all the treasures of evil. But there too is God, the angels, the life and the kingdom, the light and the apostles, the heavenly cities and the treasuries of grace—all things are there” St. Makarios
Scripture to ponder: “Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain.” Psalm 119:36
Thought for the Month (submitted by a sister presvytera)
Life is full of unexpected discoveries. Sometimes I wake up in the morning and feel virtuous. That is, I feel good and kind and charitable. All is calm and I am at peace. Oh how bitter it is to be suddenly splashed with the cold water of reality. A child defies my instructions. Another ignores me. Suddenly the thin veneer of patience is stripped away and the ugliness inside rears its menacing head. Indignation, anger, then rage! Sin. I frantically tread water in the onslaught of despairing thoughts. It’s not me! It’s them! Why do I have to bear this! I don’t deserve to be treated this way! But with each passing idea, I am drifting farther away from the safe shores of humility. Now I am in the sea of misery.
Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me. Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me. Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me. There is no other way back. The hardest part is accepting this ugly root of pride in me. I don’t want to face it as my own. But everything I do to reject the presence of the sin only pushes me away from my healing. I flail miserably in a swirling ocean, refusing let go of my self. Miserable, yet trapped—it seems there is no help for me.
Suddenly, something nudges me--is it a prayer of a treasured saint? Is it the intercessions of a loved one? Something sheds a ray of light on my heart and I cry out, “Help me, Lord! I’m drowning!” And like Peter, I feel a hand, pulling me out of peril. And I am saved.
“The heart itself is but a small vessel, yet dragons are there, and there are also lions; there are poisonous beasts and all the treasures of evil. But there too is God, the angels, the life and the kingdom, the light and the apostles, the heavenly cities and the treasuries of grace—all things are there” St. Makarios
Question for the Month: As I come forward to receive the "Light" on Pascha, what is it that I need most for Christ to illumine? Is there a darkness to be conquered by His perfect unending light? Let us all run with full hearts toward the Resurrection to receive Our Risen Lord and allow His light to illumine our hearts: “The Light of Christ Illumines All!”
Would you like to write an entry “thought” to share with our Prez to Prez sisters? If so, please contact us: at p.tsagalakis@comcast.net Wishing you a blessed Holy Week and Joyous Pascha!MARCH 2019
A blessed Lent to you and your families, our dear sisters in Christ!
Quote for the Day: “A strange illness has appeared in our days – the passion for distractions. Never before was there such a desire for distractions; people have forgotten how to lead a serious life for the good of others; they have no spiritual life and are bored. They exchange the profound content of a spiritual life for distractions! What madness! We must re-introduce into life its lost meaning and give back to the people the knowledge of the true purpose of life.” St. John Kronstadt
Scripture for the Day: "I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in Me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.” John 15:5
Thought for the Day: Isn’t it amazing that St. John Kronstadt wrote about the “passion for distraction” over 100 years ago? Imagine what St. John would say today if he thought people were getting distracted 100 years ago! How much more are his words a serious warning and challenge for us today about distractions.
As we prepare to fast during the beautiful journey of Great Lent, let’s do our best to UNPLUG and lessen our attention to our cell phones. Often, if we forget to bring our phones on a quick trip to the grocery store, or leave it behind before heading off to work, we feel a sense of panic. “What if I miss a call? What if I don’t check my texts for the next 4 hours?” It’s amazing how tied we are to our devices!
During the start of Great Lent, let’s UNPLUG and wean ourselves from our normal sites on Social Media and the distraction of our phones and computers. Instead, let’s focus on connecting more intimately with our Lord and Savior. May we begin to slow down, unplug, and plug in time with our Lord instead of time checking facebook posts and our newsfeed. Making an effort to prioritize prayer and reading of scripture will bring us closer and closer to Christ. If you are on line, choose opportunities to grow in your faith, along with your family!
Question for the Day: What distractions have the greatest foothold in my life? (Try asking your loved ones for their input as well...sometimes they see our distractions far more clearly than we do!) Am I willing to hand these distractions over to God? How would God have me use the time I will regain?
If you are a momma with young children, and interested in many great activities to help your children focus on Lent - check out the San Francisco Metropolis’ Family Wellness Ministry website. http://www.familywellnessministry.org/lent/
If you are a mamma with kids in the home, we encourage you to also join the Love@Lent Project hosted by Presvytera Michelle Triant https://www.facebook.com/LoveatLent
Let us work this Lent to grow in stillness! “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)
JANUARY 2018 Quote for the Week: You cannot be too gentle or too kind with others. Never allow yourself to appear harsh in your treatment of each other. Joy, radiant joy, streams from the face of the One who gives and kindles joy in the heart of him who receives. Share this joy with others. St Seraphim of Sarov Scripture for the Week: “Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32 Thought for the Week: by Pres. Lisa Goussetis This past year, a theme for me has been relationships. In particular, it has been a season in which there have been some very difficult and complex relationships in my life. In speaking with some sister presvyteras, I discovered that we clergy wives may be drawn into difficult and complex peoples’ orbits simply because of our leadership status. So: how do we approach the suffering that is caused by “relationships”? While many of life’s struggles and/or losses are common to all, “relationship” pain can seem intentional, or at least, personal. It may include unkindness, rancor, or even competitiveness or deceit from someone we are in close contact with, from colleagues to family members to friends. Popular self-help literature isn’t much help here: most of the “expert” advice in this genre tells us to steer far away from the energy-draining person and simply turn our attention to positive influences. There’s a problem with that. Christ didn’t model it. I will admit to you that, this past year when reading the 9th hour, I sometimes felt a pang in my heart if it fell to me to read,…”but it was you, my equal, my familiar friend….” In our lives as priest’s wives, we do, I believe, become more comfortable over the years with the practice of walking with others in their suffering. We learn to trust God for His presence and comfort, within the experience of suffering. We may even have witnessed some unexpected blessings and incredible beauty that arises out of struggle. This beautiful effort on our parts does, however, require our own willingness to be vulnerable, on behalf of another. And that very vulnerability which is a strength in many situations, can leave us feeling unprotected with interactions with difficult people. I have discovered that I must consider how to place some healthy boundaries. An ongoing struggle can become depleting for us, for example. And our willingness to be vulnerable does not mean that we allow a progression of ugly behaviors to overtake us. To be clear, I’m referring to wounded people who may lash out, and not to truly abusive situations. So, here’s what I’ve discovered through reading, confession, and prayer time, that’s been so helpful to me that I humbly offer it to you: Of course, we pray for our “difficult person”. They are unhappy and wounded and not at their best. We can and should step back, and take care of ourselves physically, getting enough sleep, exercise, and nourishing food. We can also take time for our own positive relationships, those that glorify God. We can seek after Stillness. Isaiah 30:15 says,” in returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and confidence shall be your strength.” Stillness, I have become totally convinced, is the key to Christian identity. We regain our hope via His daily love for us! We find ourselves much more stable if we re-prioritize our daily time with Christ, and defend this priority fiercely! We can practice Gentleness. Yes, Gentleness! This was such a revelation to me. St. Seraphim of Sarov says: “You cannot be too gentle, too kind. Avoid even appearing harsh in your treatment of each other. Joy, radiant joy, streams from the face of him who gives and kindles joy in the heart of him who receives…..Instead of condemning others, strive to reach inner peace. Keep silent, refrain from judgement. This will raise you above the deadly arrows of slander, insult and outrage and will shield your glowing hearts against all evil.” Wow. These two treasures, stillness and gentleness, are so countercultural and yet so very powerful. And I have found, they truly can work wonders, in these difficult relationships. So, unless the Lord places me in a broken elevator with my difficult person, I have learned to wait for the tempest to subside, or to refer the person to the true authority, the priest. While Christ offered many examples of firm correction, He also knew people’s hearts and thoughts; we do not. May the Lord shine his light upon our lives! May this year be one in which we offer ourselves to God with joy, knowing that we have such a beautiful privilege before us as the wives of Orthodox priests! Question for the Week: How am I seeking stillness and practicing gentleness in my daily life? What are some steps I can take to cultivate these actions and make them part of my daily walk? DECEMBER 2017Merry Christmas to all!
Quote for the Week: What shall we offer you, O Christ, because you have appeared on earth as a man for our sake? For each of the creatures made by you offers You its thanks; the Angels, their hymns; the heavens, the Star; the Shepherds, their wonder; the Magi, their gifts; the earth the Cave; the desert, the Manger; and we, a Virgin Mother. God before the ages, have mercy on us. – Christmas Eve Vespers
Scripture for the Week: The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14
Thought for the Week: by Fr. John P. Angelis
CHRISTMAS! GOD'S PEACE!
Christmas! We glorify the Merciful God!
God the Father sent to us His Beloved Son.
Christ was born as God-Man from Virgin Mary,
And He fulfilled all the promises of His Father.
Angels brought the good news to the shepherds.
God’s Light and their songs enlightened their minds.
A wondrous star led the Magi from the East to the Child.
In a dream, God told them to ignore Herod the King.
We hymn and honor the Birth of the Son of God.
We joyously glorify God the Father for His great love.
Although we were stumbling in darkness, as sinners,
He saved us through His Son, with His compassionate love.
Our words are inadequate to express our thanksgiving.
Great respect , glory and adoration are due to our God,
For His many blessings to us and indescribable compassion.
Let us welcome and worship Him as the innocent children.
With our Choir let us triumphantly, joyously sing,
“Christ is born, glorify Him…! Alleluia! Glory to Thee!
Let us proclaim the angelic message, Peace and Joy!
Our earth needs His peace--His healing and Blessing.
Christ is born! Be compassionate and joyous, Brethren!
God’s Word is Incarnate on earth. Believe and glorify Him!
May our humble prayer with thanksgiving reach God.
May He bless us as He blessed the innocent children.
BLESSED CHRISTMAS TO ALL!
Question for the Week: As we celebrate the Nativity of our Lord, how can I be more compassionate and joyous this week?
AUGUST 2017 SCRIPTURE FOR THE WEEK: Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5 - 6 QUOTE FOR THE WEEK: “Without the health of body, material things are of no benefit to you. Without streams of prayer, what you have sown will not be watered. Without the help of prayer you shall not reap what you sow. Without the mercy of the Creator, there can be no good, no blessing. Be earnest then in prayer, and your barns will overflow. Winter and summer be earnest in prayer; for winter and summer prayer is necessary for us.” (St. Ephraim the Syrian) THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: by Pres. Alexandra Chakos Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5 - 6 When in the throes of a crisis or perplexing problem, it is sometimes difficult to remember the above proverbial dictum. I can say with confidence, as I look back on my life, that it is absolutely true. In my 7th decade of life, 5th decade of marriage, and 4th decade of service as a Presvytera, hindsight is a commodity that I have in abundance. I could fill volumes with my life’s stories to prove my faith in this proverb. At this time, I will share one. Not long after the birth of my third child in 1976, I began to experience severe dizzy spells. Undergoing many medical tests failed to provide me with any explanation. Eventually, the dizziness went away and I was able to immerse myself in the duties of parenthood and parish life. Through the next many years, mysterious physical pains and maladies came and went without explanation. My children were convinced that it was all in my head, that I was a hypochondriac. I knew otherwise. The course of our lives and ministry eventually took us to Guatemala in 1999 to celebrate the marriage of our son at the Hogar Rafael Ayau orphanage in Guatemala City. (That is another long story.) It was there that we met Jenny, an 11-year-old orphan who stole our hearts. Although we were already grandparents, and in fact, old enough to be Jenny’s grandparents, we adopted her the following year. A few months after bringing Jenny to the U.S., I began to have more strange symptoms. My doctor thought I was having mini stokes and hospitalized me for testing. After many tests, including MRI and a spinal tap, the verdict came back that I had multiple sclerosis. The doctors felt that the onset had been 25 years earlier, explaining all my previously unexplained symptoms. How would this affect my newly adopted motherhood of Jenny? I decided to trust in the Lord and to not lean on my earthly understanding of medical matters. There was a reason that God had kept this information from me. If I had this diagnosis earlier, I would not have had the courage to adopt and raise a young, emotionally needy child. God would make this path straight for me. It was, after all, a path that He had chosen for my life. And now, Jenny has grown into a beautiful, successful womanhood, is married to a wonderful young man, and recently blessed us with her first child — our 13th grandchild. God continues to bless me and make straight my paths. At my last visit to my neurologist, he studied the most recent MRI of my brain and said, “You’re fascinating!” Of course, what is fascinating to a doctor is not necessarily a good circumstance for the patient. He continued, “There’s so much wrong with you, but you’re functioning so well.” To this I responded, “With God’s help.” Five years ago, my husband retired from parish ministry and we are currently devoted to mission work in Guatemala with the Mayan people. It is a great blessing to be a part of this historical development, where Orthodoxy is growing by the thousands of faithful. The paths that God places in our lives might not always be easy, but He WILL make them straight for us. May God bless you, my Sister Presvyteras, and make straight your paths, and may my story give you hope. QUESTION FOR THE WEEK: When in my life have I had to trust in the Lord to make my paths straight? As I reflect back on that time now, how does it make me feel? Have I shared this story with someone else? Is there someone in my life who is struggling and would benefit from hearing the message of God's faithfulness? APRIL 2017Thought for the Week: The Journey (by Presvytera Harriet Pepps Wilson)
Christ is Risen!! We have just passed the finish line of our 2017 Lenten Journey…the journey that brought us to Pascha…the most important time of the year! St. John Chrysostom says of in his Catechetical Homily read at the Liturgy of the Resurrection: “Let all of you enter into the joy of our Lord…. The table is richly laden. All of you, fare sumptuously on it,” let’s take a moment to reflect on the journey that has gotten us here. As Orthodox Christians, we travel this road annually but each time it is different. It is like the annual vacation trip. Each year we see there are new things to discover on the road and because it has been a year, even the old things are new again. It is supposed to be that way. Our journey through Great Lent should be fresh and new each year. Like Lamentations 3:22-23 says: “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end: they are new every morning: great is Your faithfulness.” God does not change but we do.
Depending at what season we find ourselves in will determine a lot of how our journey goes. As a single woman, I often enjoyed a more focused and disciplined Lenten journey and had time to participate in services and read spiritual books and meditate on spiritual things. Later when I married and was blessed with children the Lenten season changed. I couldn’t be as focused on services and had no time to read books, yet the journey was still there for me. My focus was more on my young children. I found that for the “mommy” season of my life, my job was to help my girls experience their personal Lenten Journey along with me. You and I also have another job, one that does not end and one that impacts our journey. That is the role of Presvytera. Though each of us may treat this role differently it still is part of us and still makes a mark on our journey. In thinking back over my many journeys to Pascha, I now realize those “mommy” years were just as important in my spiritual growth as the ones when I was single. Of course, many years and even now, I felt and feel like a failure. I struggle maintaining my fast and disciplines and to tell you the truth, I was and still am a failure… but the journey wasn’t and isn’t a failure. Each year is new and different and fresh and regardless of my poor attempts of maintaining a spiritual discipline, God still reveals Himself to us!
We are constantly learning about ourselves and God’s mercy, maybe more so in the failure years. It is at the end of these difficult journeys that we cherish even more the words of St. John Chrysostom: “You who fasted, and you who did not, rejoice today. The Table is richly laden. All of you, fare sumptuously on it. The calf is a fatted one; let no one go away hungry. All of you enjoy the banquet of faith. All of you enjoy the riches of His goodness.” I am now, again, at a new and different season of my life. My girls are grown and gone. My journey now is more of what I had when I was single. I have more time. However, I am a different person today than I was then. We grow through all the nuances that the seasons of our lives bring.
Yes, each of us experience a personal journey depending what season of life we are in. Yet, we also share this journey. We share it as women and as Presvyteres. Let us walk beside each other. Let us be there for one another. Let us support and help each other. Remember the journey is not for our awesome God … He doesn’t need it, but WE do and often we need each other’s help to find our way to the destination.
Rejoicing with you, as a fellow traveler on this journey to Pascha where we eat together from the richly laden Table of Life! Christ is Risen!!!
Scripture for the Week: “May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory.” Romans 15:5-7 Quote for the Week: “If at some time you show mercy to someone, mercy will be shown to you. If you show compassion to one who is suffering (and of course, this is not a great deed) you will be numbered among the martyrs. If you forgive one who has insulted you, then not only will all your sins be forgiven, but you will be a child of the Heavenly Father. If you pray from all your heart for salvation – even a little – you will be saved. If you rebuke yourself, accuse yourself, and judge yourself before God for your sins, with a sensitive conscience, even for this you will be justified. If you are sorrowful for your sins, or you weep, or sigh, your sigh will not be hidden from Him and, as St. John Chrysostom says, ‘If you only lament for your sins, then He will receive this for your salvation.'” + St. Moses of Optina Thought for the Week: Compassion (by Presvytera Roxanne Louh) We are all equipped with the innate ability to feel compassion and altruism toward others, right? If that is the case, why is it so hard to feel this supposed natural emotion when someone hurts us, or someone that we love? It’s as if compassion can be turned off in our hearts just like a switch, the moment we get offended. Although, this is has been a controversial issue, it is generally accepted by scientists that we are born with benevolence. But as we age, and gain an increased awareness about people and their motivations, we make assumptions that we don’t even realize we have made. We learn that everyone doesn’t always have our best interest in mind and, with this realization, it becomes increasingly more difficult to express these types of positive feelings. It almost feels threatening! Try attempting to feel compassion towards someone this week when you don’t feel that compassion and benevolence is being reciprocated towards you. It’s hard, right?
When someone is hurtful toward us, our minds seem to naturally get stuck on negative thought patterns that leave us reasoning that the person who hurt us simply doesn’t deserve our compassion. What is the result? We fight (or hurt) back or we distance ourselves emotionally as a means of protecting ourselves from those who hurt us. But is this defensiveness really protecting us? Does fighting back to teach someone their wrongs really help? Do we actually feel better? Do others who have wronged us really see that their ways are flawed?
Researchers and spiritual leaders assert that violent, aggressive or otherwise offensive people are really just people whose compassion and benevolence was never developed. Compassion, they say, is really no different than language acquisition. We are all born with the propensity to learn and develop this skill, if placed within an environment that nurtures its development. It would seem then, that people who offend us and/or act with aggression and hostility are people whose sense of compassion was never nurtured and therefore lays dormant, just waiting to be activated.
Ghandi said it best when he said, “Be the change you wish to see in this world.” Offer compassion even when it is not being received. Set your mind on good things when it’s going down a dark path. Practice compassion with the same kind of discipline that you use to accomplish other challenging goals in this life.
To cultivate compassion when you are having trouble feeling it, set your mind on positive thoughts. “Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing” (1 Peter 3:9). Let your attention be drawn toward other positive aspects of your day, other positive relationships in your life, other positive aspects of that person and/or other positive moments that exist in your life. Unstick your mind from the righteousness you feel that really only serves to keep you feeling bitter. It is not your job to make others see their wrongs and change their ways. Sometimes, practicing compassion can have more of an impact in this world than any other response you might give in the hopes of seeing change. Most people change when they gain self-awareness. Self-awareness occurs for most, when other people don’t add to the mix. In this way, others may see themselves and we may maintain the peace that has been granted to us by the almighty Lord and savior Jesus Christ.
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” Ephesians 4:2-6 Question for the week: To whom in my life do I have difficulty showing compassion? Am I willing to cultivate compassion towards them as part of my Lenten journey this year? How do I think it will impact my life and the lives of those around me?
OCTOBER 2016
Scripture for the Week: “May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory.” Romans 15:5-7
Quote for the Week: It seems that we do not understand one thing: it is not good when we return the love of those who love us, yet hate those who hate us. We are not on the right path if we do this. We are the sons and daughters of light and love, the sons and daughters of God, his children. As such we must have His qualities and His attributes of love, peace, and kindness towards all. Elder Thaddeus Thought for the Week: Compassion by Presvytera Roxanne Louh We are all equipped with the innate ability to feel compassion and altruism toward others, right? If that is the case, why is it so hard to feel this supposed natural emotion when someone hurts us, or someone we love? It’s as if compassion can be turned off in our hearts just like a switch, the moment we get offended. Although, this has been a controversial issue, it is generally accepted by scientists that we are born with benevolence. But as we age, and gain an increased awareness about people and their motivations, we make assumptions that we don’t even realize we have made, we learn that everyone doesn’t always have our best interest in mind and with this realization, it becomes increasingly more difficult to express these types of positive feelings. It almost feels threatening! Try attempting to feel compassion towards someone this week when you don’t feel that compassion and benevolence is being reciprocated towards you. It’s hard, right? When someone is hurtful toward us, our minds seem to naturally get stuck on negative thought patterns that leave us reasoning that the person who hurt us simply doesn’t deserve our compassion. What is the result? We fight (or hurt) back or we distance ourselves emotionally as a means of protecting ourselves from those who hurt us. But is this defensiveness really protecting us? Does fighting back to teach someone their wrongs really help? Do we actually feel better? Do others’ who have wronged us really see that their ways are flawed? Researchers and spiritual leaders assert that violent, aggressive or otherwise offensive people are really just people whose compassion and benevolence was never developed. Compassion, they say, is really no different than language acquisition. We are all born with the propensity to learn and develop this skill, if placed within an environment that nurtures its development. It would seem then, that people who offend us and/or act with aggression and hostility are people whose sense of compassion was never nurtured and therefore lays dormant, just waiting to be activated. I think Ghandi said it best when he said, “Be the change you wish to see in this world.” Offer compassion even when it is not being received. Set your mind on good things when it’s going down a dark path. Practice compassion with the same kind of discipline that you use to accomplish other challenging goals in this life. To cultivate compassion when you are having trouble feeling it, set your mind on positive thoughts. “Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing” (1 Peter 3:9). Let your attention be drawn toward other positive aspects of your day, other positive relationships in your life, other positive aspects of that person and/or other positive moments that exist in your life. Unstick your mind from the righteousness you feel that only serves to keep you feeling bitter. It is not your job to make others see their wrongs and change their ways. Sometimes, practicing compassion can have more of an impact in this world than any other response you might give in the hopes of seeing change. Most people change when they gain self-awareness. Self-awareness occurs for most, when other people don’t add to the mix. In this way, others may see themselves and we may maintain the peace that has been granted to us by the almighty Lord and savior Jesus Christ. “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” Ephesians 4:2-6 Questions for the Week: Who is one person in my life with whom I struggle to show compassion? What does it "cost" me to withhold compassion from this individual? How could extending compassion to this individual affect me? Am I willing to be a tool of God's compassion for this person? + + + + + + + + + +September 7, 2016
Quote for the week: O my Christ, rekindle my little lamp, and shine on me once more. - St Gregory the Theologian
Scripture for the week: Arise, shine; for your light has come, And the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. Isaiah 60:1
Thought for the week: This summer, we had the opportunity to travel to Greece. As a priest and presvytera, it is always a joy to visit churches and attend services in new parishes especially in an Orthodox Christian country.
While on the island of Naxos one evening, we drove by a beautiful church and stopped when we saw crowds of people gathered around the entrance. We found out that they were celebrating the feast day of St. Nicodemus (July 14) who is from the island of Naxos and canonized in 1955.
When I walked into the glorious church covered with spectacular iconography and many people praying together, I was overtaken by the smell of beeswax and the hundreds of candles lit by the faithful who had entered the vespers service before me. I began to reflect on all the candles I had lit in my years as a presvytera. Countless prayers have been lifted up, inviting Christ to fill me and those in my church family, with His peace and light.
My husband is always the first to enter the church and light the first candle. Often times, when I walk in through the doors of Holy Apostles Church on Sunday morning to sing Orthros, there is just one lone candle ablaze. I stand grateful that my husband faithfully leads me and others along this journey of faith. I know it is sometimes a thankless and difficult job to be priest. I am able to "receive the light" because he first, has ignited the initial flame.
Being a clergy couple, we are often called upon to diligently keep the flame of faith lit and to encourage others to follow and seek the light of Christ. At times, we can feel alone and unsure. Yet, as the faithful enter one by one, to light their candles the blaze grows bigger and bigger. We are a community - who together, walk this sacred path towards salvation. We are not alone. Each candle lit, reflects our common need for Christ and our willingness to show up and seek Jesus together.
Next time you enter the church, say a prayer and light an extra candle for your priest "who offers the light of Christ to all. May you - a beloved diakonessa or presvytera, be encouraged to stay faithful, bright and strong, together we can all strive to be "radiant as the stars in heaven" ablaze with joy so to become shining examples of love and peace in this broken world.
Question for the Week: If I had a candle that represented the fervor of my faith right now, how would I describe the strength of the flame? Is it fully ablaze? Is it struggling as the winds of life buffet it or the shadows threaten to overtake it? Has it been snuffed out? If so, how can I allow the Lord to re-ignite me with His perfect fos?
March 23, 2016
Scripture for the Week:
"And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men...." (Col. 3:23)
Thought for the Week: A Holy Space
Recently, we had some clergy couples over for dinner. It was wet and cold outside, so I had them put their bulky coats and purses on my bed.
My bedroom is, to me, a lovely, cheerful space. I have oak furniture that my Yiayia and Papou bought us for a wedding gift. My comforter is older, but still looks fresh and bright. My sweet sister, from the fabric of some lovely old curtains that my Thea bequeathed me, sewed the bed pillows. My other Yiayia crocheted the blanket we use in the winter. The walls are a warm, golden, yellow. The two bed-lamps are large, but fit the space nicely, given to me by a dear friend who no longer needed them. On one wall, is my wedding picture with my amazing husband: we look like two teenagers. I kiddingly tell guests that that is my first husband. They always take a second look before laughing. Thirty years changes a person! An icon of Christ and Panagia hang opposite the bed to greet me each morning. I enjoy this precious space and try to keep it tidy and clean.
At some point in our evening together, each of my female guests mentioned that they were surprised that I had let them see my bedroom. They said they would be too embarrassed to ever let anyone see theirs. I thought about this for a few days. Within our homes there are many spaces: Our kitchen, where our bodily nourishment is prepared, our dining room, where we break bread with our families, our living rooms, where we share many special conversations and play games, our iconostasis where we pray to our dear Lord…and our master bedroom, where our precious children were conceived…where we actually co-created with God in giving life to someone within our own bodies. Such a mystery!
Imagine for a moment the Holy Altar. It is in this sacred space that the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of our Lord. Not an everyday event! It stands to reason that the vessels are gold, that the altar cloth is ornate, and that the tabernacle light does not go unlit. Everything in the altar is created for beauty and function. So it is in our bedrooms. It is in this holy space that we express our deepest feelings for our husbands. It is here that our marriage is consummated and here that we bring a new life into the world. It is also a Holy Space, and as such it deserves respect and dignity.
Take a look around your bedroom. Do you like what you see? Does there exist both function and beauty? How is the bed covering? Lovely and attractive or has it seen better days? How are the surfaces…tastefully appointed or a little disappointing? How is the lighting? Is there enough of it? How about the paint color? Is it to your liking? The appearance of a space speaks a lot of its inhabitants! We are the children of God, the crown of creation, the object of God’s love and salvation. We must have self-respect and dignity, which is also manifested in the space in which we dwell. Beauty need not be costly, but we ought to offer our best to our spouse, to our family, and to those for whom we offer philoxania (hospitality, love to strangers).
Some of the ancient philosophers emphasized the material world, others the spiritual. As Orthodox Christians, we emphasize both and negate neither. We use God’s creation as a means of growing closer to Him, of glorifying Him and of expressing ourselves as His unique children. We are creative just as He is creative. May we all continue to use this gift, coupled with the knowledge that we are worthy of respect and dignity, to create a master bedroom that is Godly, well appointed, and a sanctuary for us and our precious husband.
Question of the Week:
If there was one thing I could change about my bedroom, what would it be and why? How do I imagine it will impact my marriage if I make this change?
"Prez to Prez" was created to encourage and support Presvyteres of the Holy Orthodox Church in faith, in love, and in relationship
with their husbands and families.
Quote for the week: “Do not think that love in order to be genuine has to be extraordinary. What we need is to love without getting tired. Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.” Mother Teresa
Scripture for the week: Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. – 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Thought for the week: As a presvytera - there are patches of time when I see my husband tired – mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually tired. Recently, I witnessed my husband walk in the door after a long Parish Council meeting, and without saying a thing, I knew his day was difficult. My wounded warrior was weary.
When warriors are weary, they need to be encouraged. Sometimes this is difficult because we can also feel overwhelmed at the exact same time. It’s during these moments, I pray that the Holy Spirit fill me with patience and grace. I don't remember what I said or did, but I do remember that later that night my husband thanked me for encouraging him.
The way we respond to weariness can make a big difference. In the past, I have might rolled my eyes and ask about the daily drama that was created, followed by my opinion about how he might have handled the situation with one of our parishioners differently. Often times, I am quick to respond with my own ideas, frustrations, worries and concerns without recognizing that simple encouragement and a listening ear is what is needed most. I’ve also noticed, giving him my full attention (not looking down at my phone to see what my kids are up to, or multi-tasking during the conversation) is so important.
Finally, silently wrapping my arms around him for a warm embrace reminds him that I will always be by his side to love and support him through it all.
Mother Teresa felt that each person she met was Jesus “in disguise.” Just try to imagine how much differently we would treat people if we really looked at them the way she did – especially our beloved weary warriors.
Thought for the Week: Paper work will be my demise. I despise it, yet it is a necessary component of life. After taking a weeklong trip for my 30th anniversary with my sweet hubby, I finally sat down to catch up, determined to reduce the stacks awaiting me. At first I felt stress, anxiety. Every piece of paper seemed to be screaming at me to take some action…too many actions, too many voices. I started with the most important part first…paying my bills and balancing my checkbook. After that, I went through my bank and receipt files, pulled out as much as I could, and sent it through the shredder. I seemed to be able to breath more easily. Surely, there is a lot more to recycle here! I want to get down to the essentials, to the basics of life and nothing more.
Then I realized what I want. I want white space. Not just any white space. I want a white space that speaks to me, inspires me, invites me to come and make myself cozy and create a nice writing piece or a thoughtful card. I want to feel I am in charge and not the piles and stacks of…IT. Hmmm…can I re-think this desk? Can I make a change? Yes! Intentionally creating white space in my office, my kitchen, my closet, my schedule… infuses my life with peace, with a desire for more beauty and with a renewed desire to serve those around me.
But, as wonderful as it feels to clear the clutter, we need to recognize that some of life is lived amidst the mess. Christ’s Incarnation teaches us that He didn’t wait until we “had it all together†to come down and show us how to live in and with Him; He came in the fullness of time, as soon as the moment was prepared. We are not defined by our clean house, or if everything is filed properly and tidily. We are loved fully, where we are today.
Psalm 50 so beautifully proclaims: “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me….Wash me and I will be whiter than snow." No doubt, it feels great to clear the clutter of my desk and make "white space" around my walls. But today, before tackling the next big closet organizing project, I'll stand in front of my prayer corner for a few minutes to shred my worries, ask God to wash me, and invite our loving and compassionate Lord to fill me to the brim full with His abundant mercy. He meets me where I am, and he intends for me to grow toward Him.
Quote for the Week: “There is an essential aspect to the giftedness of our lives, an essential spiritual attitude - and that is thanksgiving. We cannot and do not give thanks for what has not been given to us. And yet we are commanded to give thanks always for all things. The corollary is this: Everything is a gift. We were created to be Eucharistic Beings. We are the priests of the world who unite our voice with the groanings of all creation in praise to the author of our being and our God.” Fr. Stephen Freeman
Scripture for the Week: “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
Thought for the Week: St. Paul reminds us “in all things to give thanks.” During the rush of getting our Thanksgiving dinners prepared, let us take time to reflect and be thankful for our many blessings we might take for granted. Here are a few to ponder:
"Our dedicated spouse" ~ Lifelong union with someone loyal and faithful is truly a gift.
"Harmony and peace in the home" ~ Don’t take for granted the joy of heaven on earth found in a peaceful home.
"The ability to begin again" ~ Our Lord, is a God of infinite second-chances. Through His grace, mercy, and love, He gives all the opportunity to start anew.
"Service and ministry" ~ As clergy families, we are humble servants in the Lord’s vineyard. It is a blessing to be part of a bigger purpose encouraging and supporting our husbands in ministry.
“Children” ~ as mothers, yiayias (grandmothers), presvtyeres, theas (aunts) or God-mothers we are blessed beyond measure to be surrounded by children.
"Lasting friendships" ~ Let us give thanks when we have true friends that stand the test of time.
Questions of the Week:
Who and what do I take for granted? How can I intentionally reach out and thank them in a special way?
Quote for the Week: “Although it may appear outwardly that we make our way toward God, the joyful and wonderful truth is that it is God who comes to us.” Matthew the Poor
Scripture for the Week: “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us,.. full of grace and Truth” (Jn. 1:14)
Thought for the Week: Aren’t we all familiar with the saying, “Actions speak louder than words?” Or how about, “Walk the Walk, don’t just talk the talk?”
We all find ourselves in this most wonderful Orthodox Christian Faith which truly “Walks the Walk!” And the greatest Model of this is our Good Lord, Christ Jesus Himself. We all know the familiar scripture reading in Philippians 2:5-11 in which we are urged to contemplate Christ Who "did not consider equality with God a thing to be grasped… but humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross..."
Now, you may be thinking, “Wait! We are in the season anticipating the Nativity of Christ, not His Passion!” Yet, that is exactly the point. In this season of the Advent Fast, we are given an opportunity to meditate on what it means that the Creator of all took on human flesh and fully entered into our life circumstance. And this He did not only for a little while, but for forever! We contemplate the great love of our Lord who didn’t simply remain at a distance waiting until we “got it,” until we had our “Aha!” moment and finally understood what it means to be a Christian. No, Christ our Savior is a Good teacher, indeed, THE Good Teacher. He knew that, if we were going to “get it”, it would require Him being “hands on”.
As mothers and presvyteres, don’t we resonate with this in our own way? We are models to our children and godchildren, to our parishioners and friends. We are definitely “hands on.” We are teachers and tutors, by our actions and God’s grace seeking to point others to the Good Teacher, our Savior Jesus Christ.
Now, sometimes, perhaps we wish we could just sit things out, observe from afar, and not get our hands messy. We’d like to bypass our “incarnation”. Yet, as our Lord was not “above” the messiness and chaos of this human world, so, too, we are encouraged to not avoid what the Lord brings our way. Whatever it is, we can take great comfort in knowing that “God is With Us” – the literal meaning of Jesus’ “Christmas” name = Emmanuel!
Indeed, one could say that our entire life as Christians IS about Incarnation; it’s about putting “feet” to our “words!” So the next time things are messy or crazy, or complicated or difficult, remember that Our Lord in His great love, and via His Incarnation which this entire season is about, KNOWS what we are confronting. And furthermore, He chose it even for Himself and he knows how to navigate all of our difficult circumstances.
Our prayer for you during this Advent Fast is that the joy of the reality of our Lord’s Incarnation fills your entire being and radiates out to all of those who your life touches. May the wonder of our Savior’s determination to take on our very human nature in His desire to truly Be With Us accompany all of us toward that blessed manger in Bethlehem!
“Why the Incarnation?
Because in order for us to share in His life,
He had to assume all the conditions of both our life and our death. He had to become what we are, in order to enable us to become what He is in the fullness of His eternal life and glory.” (from God With Us, by Fr. John Breck)
Question for the Week?
In what part of my Christian walk do I struggle the most? (What are those areas in my life where I would prefer no one would see my missteps?) Am I willing to allow God to change those areas? What would be the result in my life if God healed this area?
Quote for the Week
“Love your neighbor according to the dictates of the Gospel, not at all according to the dictates and impulses of your heart.” St. Ignatius Brianchaninov
Scripture for the Week
“My heart overflowed with a good word; I tell my works to the King. My tongue is the pen of a swift-writing scribe. You are more beautiful than the sons of men. Grace was poured out on Your lips. Therefore God blessed you forever.” (Psalm 44:1-3, LXX, Orthodox Study Bible)
Recall a time when someone said something to you that was complimentary and edifying. Now, recall a time when someone said something that was critical or hurtful. Which recollection is stronger and how do you feel about your answer?
Thought for the Week: “A Good Word”
The scripture this week is a prophetic description of the Word Incarnate, taken from Psalm 44, traditionally chanted in Orthros for the Feasts of the Mother of God. Read the whole Psalm, if you are able, as it is quite beautiful and inspiring.
As Christian women, we are called to love our Bridegroom, Christ, and to serve and love our neighbor in a way that leads us into closer communion with Him. There is no closer neighbor to us than our husbands, and ours are a sharer in the Priesthood of Christ. Therefore, we must love our husbands in a way that brings us into closer union with our Lord…no small task! So, here is a little thought about husband care.
The Gospel writer, Luke, introduces the righteous Zacharias and Elizabeth in his first chapter: “So it was, that while (Zacharias) was serving as priest before God in the order of his division, according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense.”
As Presvyteres, we relate to this passage as our husbands have the unique calling of being ordained into Christ’s holy Priesthood and serving Him at the holy altar. We witness our husbands leading the parish in worship, in the sacraments, and as Fathers to their spiritual children. But, what of our husbands? What are their needs? “My heart overflowing with a good word.” Our husbands need to be loved, cared for, cherished, and built up with our words as Elizabeth undoubtedly did to Zacharias, being as they were, “Righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.”
The quote for this week could easily have said, “Love your husband according to the dictates of the Gospel, not at all according to the dictates and impulses of your heart.” This is easier said than done! This, however, is our calling as Christian women and Presvyteres in the service of our Lord. In addition to preparing and maintaining a Christian home, nutritious meals, and clean laundry, we must also have A Good Word for our husbands. Yes, they need it! Sometimes our husbands can be so strong we forget that they need encouragement, to be built up, and to be edified by, “My tongue (which) is the pen of a swift-writing scribe.” Share with your husband that you enjoyed or were moved by his sermon or teaching. Let him know that you appreciate how he cares and provides for your family. Thank him for his patience and love towards the children. Luke 6:45 says, “Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.” May our heart be filled with prayer, the love of God, and faith, and may Grace pour forth from our lips towards our sweet husbands.
December 13, 2011
Scripture for the Week
And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Quote for the Week
"Pray not to this end--that your own desires be fulfilled. You can be sure they do not fully accord with the will of God. Once you have learned to accept this point, pray instead that “Thy will be done” in me. In every matter ask Him in this way for what is good and for what confers profit on your soul, for you yourself do not seek this so completely as He does. Many times while I was at prayer, I would keep asking for what seemed good to me. I kept insisting on my own request, unreasonably putting pressure on the will of God. I simply would not leave it up to His providence to arrange what He knew would turn out for my profit. Finally, when I obtained my request I became greatly chagrined at having been so stubborn about getting my own way, for in the end the matter did not turn out to be what I had fancied it would" (Evagrius of Pontus).
Thought for the Week
“She was bent over and could in no way raise herself up”
Is St. Luke talking about me? Is he talking about you In that passage we read in church December 4? (How can Christmas be coming so fast?)
In the first half of the 19th century, Metropolitan Philaret of Moscow wrote the prayer many read or recite every morning, “Lord, grant me to greet the coming day in peace.” It works so well for the times we must hit the deck running in the early a.m. with a quick “In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,” times like the Nativity Fast and Great Lent. We know these are meant to be times of increased prayer, yet there are so many extra errands of love to be done even though the dishwasher still needs to be emptied every day not to mention the laundry folded.
The twelve lines of the prayer are like a most wonderful sandwich where the first three and the last three connect us to Christ, while the middle six allow us to run our errands and do our multi-tasking with the assurance that He is with us. If we don’t have time in the morning for our regular prayers we can pray this one while in the car, at the supermarket checkout line, or on the exercise bike. The prayer’s structure is a reminder that to the extent we connect with Christ at the beginning and end of our day we have the assurance He is “running with us” in between, during those unexpected fender benders and toothaches of life.
The woman in Luke’s gospel passage could in no way raise herself up. But Jesus could raise her. He did and He still does.
O Lord, grant me to greet the coming day in peace.
Help me in all things to rely upon Your holy will.
In every hour of the day reveal Your will to me.
Bless my dealings with all who surround me.
Teach me to treat all that comes to me throughout the day with peace of soul and with firm conviction that Your will governs all.
In all my deeds and words, guide my thoughts and feelings.
In unforeseen events, let me not forget that all are under Your care.
Teach me to act firmly and wisely, without embittering and embarrassing others.
Give me strength to bear the fatigue of the coming day with all that it shall bring.
Direct my will,
Teach me to pray,
Pray, thyself, in me. Amen.
Question for the Week
Am I allowing God to extend His hand into those busiest moments of my day? Do I hear His voice at my work, during my errands, and as I plow through my household responsibilities? Am I allowing Him to sustain me, or am I attempting to do this by my own strength? How do I feel as I reflect on my answers, and is there action I should take as a result?
October 15, 2011
Quote for the Week
Happiness in married life is granted only to those who fulfill the Divine Commandments and treat marriage as a Mystery of the Christian Church (St. Nektary)
Scripture for the Week
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven (Ecclesiastes 3:1).
Thought for the Week
Have you, or do you know another presvytera who has earned a college or advanced degree since becoming a presvytera? Have you, or do you know another presvytera who has run a marathon or a 10K? If so, you know that the hardest part of any success is simply showing up. Keep on keeping on. Rest when you must, but don’t quit.
We signed that paper for the Archdiocese, agreeing that we would stand by our husband in his calling to serve Christ as an Orthodox clergyman. There was no way, of course, we could have understood everything that standing by our man would mean.
In most marriages (once a year or so) it is normal to think to ourselves, “Who needs this!” Thank God, most of us get past those times and come to the other side of them where all is well again. For marriage is work. Love, we learn as we go on, is more often a verb than a noun.
We need to make sure all is well with us intellectually, physically, emotionally, socially, and of course, spiritually. We need to check out a book that can help us grow, and we need to check in with our doctor. We need to reach out to a good friend, to our spiritual father, to a licensed family counselor when necessary or simply pick up a bouquet of fresh flowers along with our groceries at the supermarket. And on your birthday, on Mother's Day, on another day of your choosing, lie in that hammock, go for a facial or sit in your favorite chair, so that you, who minister to so many, can also be ministered to. One of the best toasts I ever heard at a wedding came from my then 12 year old cousin who addressed the groom, lifted his glass of soda, and said, “Happy wife, happy life!”
A friend who worked as a receptionist in the financial aid office of a top-ranking college told me this sad story: “Often calls or visits would come from individuals who said they needed more financial aid and then would go on to say terrible things about their estranged spouse. I wanted to cry out, ‘The first 25 years of marriage are the hardest, especially at empty nest time. I beg you to hang in there a little longer so that you can get over this bump and cross to the other side.’”
The down times in a marriage remind me that the aging wine we are saving for last is a fine one, indeed.
Question for the Week
Am I able to endure the difficult times of my marriage and life with forbearance and grace? Do I live life knowing that difficulties will come, and that our responses to them are an opportunity for spiritual growth?
Have faith that is as unshakeable as a rock, so that nothing frightens you...The person who has deep faith within himself, and fixes his attention on the good path, and seeks to improve the condition of his soul and to adapt his thought to the good is happy... The happiness of man consists in faith in God and in good acts which are done with love. (St. Raphael of Lesvos)
"Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide I Me. I am the true vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit" (John 15.4-5).
Holy Thursday evening, (just a month ago) and a third of the way into the first gospel, we heard those words again:
"When in your life have you felt closest to God?"
Quote for the Week
"It is the day of Resurrection. Let us be radiant O people. Pascha, Pascha of the Lord from death to life and from earth to Heaven. Christ our God hath passed us who sing the hymn of victory. Christ is risen from the dead!" - Paschal Matins, Canticle One
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life - the life was made manifest, and we saw it, and testify to it, and proclaim to you the eternal life which was with the Father and was made manifest to us - that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you may have fellowship with us; and our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. And we are writing this that our joy may be complete. 1 John 1:1-7
Great Lent and Holy Week are special times of grace, prayer, worship and Christ-centeredness. They help ground our Christian faith from year to year, aiding us in renewal, repentance and re-commitment to our Orthodox Christian Faith. It is for these reasons that the Holy Fathers set this time as a yearly cycle around which our church calendar revolves, helping us to put 'first things first' and to remember 'that which is needful' in our lives. Certainly, the more services in Great Lent and Holy Week we attend, the greater our gains, spiritually speaking, if we are attentive, prayerful and striving for dispassion in our life. But what happens after Pascha? There is certainly a 'lightening' that takes place, in some cases a much needed lightening, which is demonstrated in the fast (during Bright Week), the prayers (the Paschal Hours), and the number of services called for. Liturgically speaking, we remain in the feast for weeks, which is a tremendous blessing in terms of us continuing to reap the fruit and grace that Pascha brings all of us.
"It is possible to grieve for our own sins and yet to rejoice in Christ." St. John Chrysostom
"These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full" (John 15.11) "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control" (Galatians. 5.22).
St. Seraphim of Sarov addressed those he spoke with as "My joy." French writer Michel Montaigne echoed our Orthodox "joyful sorrow" when he wrote that "the most profound joy has more of gravity than of gaiety in it." At vespers on Sunday of Forgiveness we heard "Let us set out with joy upon the season of the Fast." Those who knew Bishop Gerasimos of Abydos remember him most for his joy. Those who have met Archbishop Anastasios of Albania or our own Archbishop Demetrios know them as men of joy. And those who have visited monasteries in this country and elsewhere often speak of the "joyful spirit" of a particular monastic. When Sophie Koulomzin, long-honored as a pioneer in Orthodox religious education in America, was speaking once to a group of women she talked about how important it is not to run out of joy. "You know as mothers, how awful it is when you run out of milk," she said. "Well it's just as awful to run out of joy!" So ladies, this Lent let's turn off the TV , perhaps the radio, and certainly the complaining. But let's be sure to allow God to "turn on the joy" in our hearts.
What is it that I think people will remember about me? Does it line up with what I hope people will remember about me? (Warning: If you decide to poll your children on this, just know you'll get radically different answers!)
Whatever has taken place in the history of salvation – whatever was done by Christ, the Father, and the Holy Spirit – must also take place within me. That’s what it means for me to participate in the life of God. For example, to the extent that I have emptied myself (cf. Phil. 2.7), I experience what the Mother of God felt when she said to the angel: Let it be done to me according to your word. I experience, in other words, her total self-surrender to that which was beyond her capacity to understand. How shall this be? she asked; How can I give birth, since I am a virgin and have not known a man? Was there anything she could understand? The angel replied: The Spirit will overshadow you and you will give birth (cf. Lk. 1.34-38). Did she understand anything? Nothing at all. That is what is meant by Let it be done to me according to your word, which means: ‘whatever you say, just as you said it. Even though I cannot understand it, let it happen just as you say.’ (Elder Aimilianos)
God is our refuge and strength,an ever-present help in trouble.Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way ,and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea. (Psalm 46:1-2)
We often go through struggles and wish they were behind us, and by God's mercies, we often DO get through them and they DO wind up behind us. As you look back, what struggles have you had to face? In retrospect, what do you believe God was able to achieve in your life through those struggles?
One of our sister presvyteres is reading "The Queen Mother" (A biography of Queen Elizabeth's mother) In light of the movie recently released entitled "The King's Speech" we felt her brief reflection was beautiful, and wanted to share it with you this week.
The goal of reading is the application, in our lives, of what we read. Not to learn it by heart, but to take it to heart. Not to practice using our tongues, but to be able to receive the tongues of fire and to live the mysteries of God. If one studies a great deal in order to acquire knowledge and to teach others without living the things he teaches, he does no more than fill his head with hot air. At most he will manage to ascend to the moon using machines. The goal of the Christian is to rise to God without machines (Elder Paisios the Athonite).
Be prepared, in season and out of season (2 Timothy 4:2).
What am I reading? Is it lifting me up and focusing me on the things God would want? If I don't like my answer, what do I plan to do about it?
We presvyteres move. Most of us know all about packing up, leaving the familiar, and heading off in faith to a new chapter. Do any of you who come from temperate climates find yourselves these days adjusting to or coping with deep freezes and long winters?
Snow is calm and beautiful as it falls, and once the sun comes out the bright and picture-perfect sparkle of it all takes your breath away. But some of us have passed our ice-skating, skiing, sledding, shoveling days, and the cold, wind, and ice keep us from getting fresh air and exercise. There are days when even the path to the car and the roads themselves are too icy to be safe. We can become grumpy, lonely, and find ourselves in survival mode.
In winter the ground, too, lies fallow, quiet, waiting. And just as sure as the Lord’s Resurrection followed His Crucifixion, so spring will come again, we’ll be back in our gardens, flowers will bloom and our moods lift. God has allowed these fallow periods, and a deep, quiet acceptance, even contentment, during these times can bear much fruit.
The best thing of all to do during the snowed-in days of winter, at least for this writer, is to read a chapter or two from the Bible every day, then to open and read a few pages from a spiritually edifying work. So many are available to us; it’s just a matter of going online, or of picking up a book or article. This quote is from an interview with Archbishop Anastasios of Albania: “The possibility of Christianity remains to create free people, free from their egomania, from the longing for pleasure and for power, giving them a sense of duty towards every human being.” The entire interview appeared last month on the website at http://Romfea.gr.
Shelter the sinner if it brings you no harm. Through this you will encourage him toward repentance and reform--and attract the Lord’s mercy to yourself. With a kind word and all possible means, fortify the infirm and the sorrowful and that Right Arm that controls everything, will also support you. With prayers and sorrow of your heart, share your lot with the aggrieved and the source of God’s mercy will open to your entreaties (Saint Isaac the Syrian).
Do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity. Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine (Proverbs 3:1).
How have I witnessed God’s hand in the lives of those around me this week? How have I witnessed His hand in my life? How do I feel when I reflect upon this?
God is good. As presvyteres, we are constantly brought into contact with the various events of people’s lives: births, baptisms, engagements, marriages, sicknesses, deaths, and memorials. On any given day, we can be celebrating an engagement one minute, and receiving an urgent call from the hospital the next. Sometimes, though, events collide and bitter and sweet can occur all within the same day or even mingle within the same event. For those of us who have been fortunate enough to stay in a parish for significant lengths of time, we know that parish families tend to become less “parish” and more “family”: they become yiayias, papous, theas, and theos to our own children and like brothers and sisters to us, and so we truly rejoice at their celebrations, and weep at their losses. Through each event, though, God’s tender mercies are evident. He has opened barren wombs, He has healed broken hearts, He has sustained people through unspeakable loss...and as presvyteres, we witness this firsthand in our daily lives. We are blessed to see God’s handiwork from this vantage point. Perhaps it was this intimate experience with God’s mercies in the extremes of life that allowed the Psalmist to write such profound words of both intercession and praise. May we, too, allow ourselves to see God’s hand moving in the events around us...that we are not tossed about upon the waves of life capriciously, but that the Lord Himself sails with us and holds the power to calm the seas and bring us safely to shore.
Do not wish for everything to be done according to your determination, but wish that it is how it should be, and in this way, you will attain peace with everyone. And believe that everything that happens to us, even the most insignificant, occurs through God’s Providence. Then you will be able to endure everything that comes upon you without any agitation ( Abba Dorotheos of Gaza).
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Phillipians 4:7).
In what area of my life do I most need peace right now? What concrete steps can I take today toward allowing God to establish peace in that area?
We presvyteres move. Most of us know all about packing up, leaving the familiar, and heading off in faith to a new chapter. Do any of you who come from temperate climates find yourselves these days adjusting to or coping with deep freezes and long winters?
Snow is calm and beautiful as it falls, and once the sun comes out the bright and picture-perfect sparkle of it all takes your breath away. But some of us have passed our ice-skating, skiing, sledding, shoveling days, and the cold, wind, and ice keep us from getting fresh air and exercise. There are days when even the path to the car and the roads themselves are too icy to be safe. We can become grumpy, lonely, and find ourselves in survival mode.
In winter the ground, too, lies fallow, quiet, waiting. And just as sure as the Lord’s Resurrection followed His Crucifixion, so spring will come again, we’ll be back in our gardens, flowers will bloom and our moods lift. God has allowed these fallow periods, and a deep, quiet acceptance, even contentment, during these times can bear much fruit.
The best thing of all to do during the snowed-in days of winter, at least for this writer, is to read a chapter or two from the Bible every day, then to open and read a few pages from a spiritually edifying work. So many are available to us; it’s just a matter of going on line, or of picking up a book or article. This quote is from an interview with Archbishop Anastasios of Albania. The entire interview appeared last month on the website “Romfea.gr “
“The possibility of Christianity remains to create free people, free from their egomania, from the longing for pleasure and for power, giving them a sense of duty towards every human being.”
Online Chapel
Friday of the 13th Week
Saints and Feasts Commemorated
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