Orthodox Articles


On the participation of the faithful in the Eucharist

February 3, 2015

Document  approved  at  the  Hierarchal  Consultation  of  the Russian  Orthodox  Church,  February 2–3, 2015 in the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow…


Participation of the faithful at the holy eucharist


The eucharist is the main Sacrament of the Church, instituted by our Lord Jesus Christ on the eve of his saving Passion, death upon the Cross, and resurrection. To participate in the eucharist and to partake of the Body and Blood of Christ is commanded by our Saviour who through his disciples said to all Christians: “Take, eat: this is My Body,” and “Drink of it, all of you: for this is My Blood of the New Testament” (Matt 26:26-­‐28). The Church herself is the
Body of Christ and, therefore, the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ visibly manifests the mystical nature of the Church, building up the ecclesial community. The spiritual life of an Orthodox Christian is inconceivable without the communion of the Holy Mysteries. Receiving the Holy Gifts, the faithful are sanctified by the power of the Holy Spirit and are united with Christ our Saviour and with each other, making one Body of Christ. The Sacrament of the Eucharist requires special preparation. In the Church, the time itself – be it the span of a human life or the entire history of mankind – is an expectation and preparation for
the encounter with Christ, while the entire rhythm of liturgical life is an expectation and preparation for the Divine Liturgy and, accordingly, for communion, for which sake the Liturgy is celebrated [in the first place].

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Major Feast Days

The Ascension of our Lord . . . . . June 9


Pentecost – Trinity Sunday . . . . . June 19


Parish Feast Day. All Saints . . . . . June 26


Nativity of St. John the Baptist . . . . . July 7


Ss. Apostles Peter and Paul . . . . .  July 12


The Holy Transfiguration of Our Lord, God and Saviour Jesus Christ . . . . . August 19


The Dormition of Our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary . . . . . August 28


The Beheading of the Glorious Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptist John . . . . .  September 11


The Nativity of Our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary . . . . .  September 21


The Exaltation of the Precious and Life-giving Cross . . . . . September 27


The Protection of Our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary . . . . .  October 14


The Entry of the Most Holy Theotokos into the Temple . . . . .  December 4


2017

The Nativity according to the Flesh of Our Lord, God and Saviour Jesus Christ . . . . .  January 7


The Circumcision of Our Lord Jesus Christ . . . . . January 14


Baptism of the Lord . . . . . January 19


The Meeting of Our Lord, God and Saviour Jesus Christ . . . . . February 15


The Annunciation of Our Most Holy Lady, the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary . . . . .  April 7


The Bright Resurrection of Christ, The Pascha of the Lord . . . . . April 16



The Sacrament of Holy Unction

 

Please read below so that you are prepared.

Таинство Елеосвященія (Соборованіе)

  1. Слѣдуетъ не опаздывать къ началу Таинства Елеосвященія;
  2. Собороваться могутъ только православные христіане;
  3. Дѣти младше 7 и лѣтъ НЕ соборуются;
  4. Женщины въ періодъ мѣсячнаго очищенія МОГУТЪ приступить къ Таинству Соборованія;
  5. Женщинамъ нельзя пользоваться косметикой;
  6. На Таинство всѣмъ слѣдуетъ приходить въ одеждѣ съ открытымъ воротомъ, женщинамъ – съ покрытой головой;
  7. Святое масло послѣ Соборованія раздавать НЕ положено;
  8. Къ началу Таинства всѣмъ необходимо имѣть въ рукахъ большую свѣчу.

Елеосвященіе (Соборованіе) – это Таинство, въ которомъ, при помазаніи больного освященнымъ еле- емъ (масломъ), призывается на больного Божественная благодать для исцѣленія его отъ тѣлесныхъ и душевныхъ недуговъ.

„Таинство св. елея“ учреждено Самимъ Господомъ нашимъ Іисусомъ Христомъ (Матѳ. 10:1; Мк. 6:13). О существованіи его въ древней Церкви, кромѣ апостола Іакова свидѣтельствуютъ Оригенъ и святители Ириней Ліонскій, Василій Великій и Іоаннъ Златоустъ (ими и составлены молитвы, читаемыя при совершеніи Таинства).

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The Sacrament of Holy Unction

  1. One should not be late for the beginning of the Sacrament of Holy Unction;
  2. Only Orthodox Christians may receive Unction;
  3. Children younger than 7 are NOT anointed;
  4. Women undergoing menstruation MAY receive Holy Unction;
  5. Women may not be wearing cosmetics;
  6. One should come to the Sacrament dressed with an open collar; women should cover their heads;
  7. The holy oil should NOT be given out after Unction;
  8. Each person should be holding a large candle for the beginning of the Sacrament.

Holy Unction is a sacrament that, by blessing the believer’s body with sanctified oil, calls down God’s grace, healing one’s physical and spiritual infirmities.

The sacrament of “anointing with oil” was instituted by our Lord Jesus Christ Himself (Matt. 10:1; Mark 6:13). In addition to the Holy Apostle James, Origen and the Holy Hierarchs Irenaeus of Lyons, Basil the Great, and John Chrysostom all attest to its existence in the Early Church (indeed, they are the authors of the prayers read during the performing of the Sacrament).

 

Click here to download the Unction Rules as PDF

The New Icon of All Saints

The All Saints Mission was blessed to receive an icon of our patronal feast on the Sunday of Orthodoxy.

The icon was written by master iconographer Mirela Miron from Cluj-Napoca, Romania. She is the sister of our parishioner Claudia Vaida and has visited the parish several times now.

We are blessed to have this authentic work and the icon is on the main analoy in the center of the chapel. The plan is to use this icon on the permanent icon screen and Mirela has been commissioned to write the other icons for the main tier.

Anyone wishing to commission an icon for themselves or for All Saints is encouraged to do so. Her address is: [email protected] and her website is: www.mirelamiron.com.

Grant O Lord a properous, peaceful and blessed life to Your servant Mirela for many years!

+Bishop NIKOLAI

В воскресенье Торжества Православия церковь Всех Святых получила икону нашего Престольного праздника.

Эта икона написана мастером-иконописцем Мирелой Мирон из Румынии, города Клуж-Напока. Она сестра нашей прихожанки Клаудии Вайда и уже несколько раз посещала наш приход.

Мы благословлены тем, что имеем эту икону в подлиннике на главном аналое в центре нашей церкви. Мы планируем положить икону на постоянный иконостас, для которого Миреле поручено написать и другие иконы.

Каждый желающий заказать икону для себя или для церкви Всех Святых может это сделать по адресу: [email protected] / www.mirelamiron.com.

Даруй Господи мирную, процветающую и благословенную жизнь рабе Твоей Миреле на многие лета!

+ Епископ Николай
The icon of our patronal feast was received on the Sunday of Orthodoxy
The icon of our patronal feast was received on the Sunday of Orthodoxy