St. John of Shanghai Orthodox Church

Just a quick reminder: We will be celebrating Vesperal Liturgy tonight for the Presentation of Christ in the Temple, one of the twelve great feasts of the church. Because of the emphasis on Christ being the light of the world in righteous Simeon’s prophecy (“a light to enlighten the Gentiles and the glory of Your people, Israel”), it is traditional, at this feast, to bring any candles that you will be using in your prayer corner at home to be blessed. (For more detail on this, please see Fr. Stephen’s excellent post here.)

Also, as is usual with any Vesperal Liturgy, those intending to receive communion at the service tonight are reminded to fast from about noon on, in preparation.

Love in Christ,

Fr. Justin.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Christ is born! Let us glorify Him!

As we end the twelve days of Christmas, we will be celebrating the Feast of Theophany (Epiphany in the West). As the feast falls on a workday, we will continue with our practice of celebrating the feast in the evening preceding the actual feast with a Vesperal Liturgy. (Liturgically, the evening is the start of the day.) In the absence of our beloved Fr. Justin, we will join the community of St. Herman of Alaska in Langley for this service. Here are the details:

Vesperal Liturgy: 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 5th, 2010

Address: St. Herman of Alaska Orthodox Church, 7221 – 198B Street, Langley, BC, V2Y 1R9.

For those of you who are planning to drive, could you please let me know whether you have room in your car for additional passengers? There are a few individuals who do not have rides yet.

If you plan to take Holy Communion on Wednesday evening, please fast from food and drink (if you are able) in the afternoon before Communion. (Those who are sick, pregnant, nursing, or qualify as young children are exempt from fasting.) Lastly, the Lesser Blessing of Water will take place on Wednesday evening. If you wish to bring home some Holy Water, please bring a water container.

See you on Wednesday evening.

In Christ,
Dn. Peter

Just a quick reminder: Bishop Irénée will be with us for Daily Vespers tomorrow (Thursday) evening at 7pm, after which we will have an informal time for Q&A/fellowship/food with Vladyka. Please bring fast-friendly food with you to share if you possibly can, and, even if you can’t, please be sure to bring yourself!

As usual, a byproduct of my being in Vancouver tomorrow evening will be that I will not be in Vancouver for Little Compline tonight – but, also as usual, our faithful monastic, Fr. Cyprian, will be “holding the fort” with his everyday monastic Little Compline at 8pm this evening, and I know he would be delighted to have you join him!

Looking forward to seeing all of you who manage to make it out to pray and visit with Vladyka on Thursday!

Love in Christ,

Fr. Justin.