Great Vespers for Sunday Divine Liturgy - Today is the start of the Church year. The entire yearly cycle of divine services is constructed around its relationship to Pascha. According to Holy Tradition, Christ entered the synagogue on September 1 to announce His mission to mankind (Luke 4:16-22).

Sunday Divine Liturgy - “But the Lord said to Samuel, “Have no regard for his outward appearance, nor for the maturity of his stature, because I have refused him. For man does not see as God sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord sees into the heart.” (I Kingdoms 16:7) God’s judgment will not be merely of outward appearances, but will penetrate much deeper into the heart of man: He sees the heart and mind of every person, and He will judge not only our deeds, but even our words and thoughts. (Orthodox Study Bible)

Great Vespers with Litiya for tomorrow's Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos. The Theotokos was of the royal lineage of David, through her father Joachim. Her mother, Anna, was of the priestly lineage of Aaron, brother of Moses. Her parents were childless into old age, as was also the case with other holy births like John the Baptist and Isaac, the son of Abraham and Sarah.

Your Nativity, O Virgin, has proclaimed joy to the whole universe! The Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God, has shone from you, O Theotokos! By annulling the curse, He bestowed a blessing. By destroying death, He has granted us eternal life.

Great Vespers for Sunday Divine LIturgy - 6:00 p.m.

General Confession - 6:30 p.m.

Sunday Divine Liturgy - "Blessed be God, who has not turned away my prayer.  Nor His mercy from me."   Psalm 65:20

Enlightener Deadline - Please give Barbara articles by this date. 

Great Vespers with Litiya for the feast of the Elevation of the Holy Cross.  - "O Lord, save Thy people, and bless Thine inheritance.  Grant victories to the Orthodox Christians over their adversaries; and by virtue of Thy Cross, preserve Thy habitation." 

Elevation of the Holy Cross - Outnumbered, Constantine prayed for victory over his demonic enemy Maxentius. The image of the cross appeared in the sky and shone more brightly than the sun. An inscription on it said, “By this sign conquer.” However, Constantine still doubted. Jesus then appeared to him in a vision instructing him to carry a cross in front of his army. Maxentius’ army was then defeated and he was drowned in a river. Convinced of the power of Christ, Constantine and his mother, Helen were baptized. Constantine then sent Helen to Jerusalem to find the Holy Cross. Finding three crosses, Helen was uncertain as to which one was the Cross of Jesus. A lady of Jerusalem who was already at the point of death from a disease, was brought to touch the crosses, and as soon as she came near to the Cross of our Lord, she was cured. Consequently, the precious Cross was lifted on high by Archbishop Macarius of Jerusalem as he stood on the ambo so everyone could see it.

No Vespers

Sunday Divine Liturgy - “What is man that You remember him, or the son of man that You visit him? You made him a little lower than the angels; You crowned him with glory and honor, You set him over the works of Your hands; You subjected all things under his feet, All sheep and oxen, and besides these, also the animals of the field, the birds of heaven and the fish of the sea, and the things passing through the paths of the seas. O Lord, our Lord, how wondrous is Your name in all the earth.” Psalm 8:5-10

“What is man that You remember him, or the son of man that You visit him? You made him a little lower than the angels; You crowned him with glory and honor, You set him over the works of Your hands; You subjected all things under his feet, All sheep and oxen, and besides these, also the animals of the field, the birds of heaven and the fish of the sea, and the things passing through the paths of the seas. O Lord, our Lord, how wondrous is Your name in all the earth.” Psalm 8:5-10

The Conception of the Venerable and Glorious Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptist John - “But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son and you shall call his name John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb.” (Luke 5:13-15)

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Have no regard for his outward appearance, nor for the maturity of his stature, because I have refused him. For man does not see as God sees; for man looks at the outward appearance but the Lord sees into the heart.” (1 Kingdoms 16:7)

“Shout aloud to the Lord, all the earth; serve the Lord with gladness; come before Him with great joy. Know this: The Lord, He is God;….” (Psalm 99:1-2)

Great Vespers for the feast of the Protection of the most holy Theotokos - Today the faithful celebrate the feast with joy illumined by your coming, O Mother of God. Beholding your pure image we fervently cry to you: “Encompass us beneath the precious veil of your protection; deliver us from every form of evil by entreating Christ, your Son and our God that He may save our souls.” Troparion Tone 4