"Christ is Risen from the dead, trampling down death by death and upon those in the tombs bestowing Life."
~ Paschal Troparion
62 Harvard Ave., Allston, MA 02134
Phone: (617) 787-7625
St. Herman of Alaska Christian School (617) 782-0878 www.sainthermanschool.org
From the Pastor...
We are about to enter the wonderful journey of Great Lent. For those new to the Orthodox Faith and as a review for the "old timers," I want to share with you the Orthodox practices of this holy season.
From ancient times and over the span of history, Pascha, the celebration of the Resurrection of our Lord, has always been considered the jewel of the Church year. The setting upon which this jewel is placed is Great Lent-the time of preparation. Every significant event in our lives is more often than not preceded by a time of preparation. The more significant the occurrence is, the more serious the preparation. Great Lent is likened to a pilgrimage. As a pilgrimage, the journey itself provides the preparation for the arrival. You could say the same about our earthly life: the journey is the preparation for the arrival-Eternity. Remember that the pillars of this journey are Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving. Read More>>
Featured Articles
Almsgiving: The Queen of the Virtues--A Beautiful Habit To Cultivate
by St. John Chrysostom
Almsgiving is the queen of virtues-she quickly raises humans to heavenly vaults and she is the most excellent counselor: almsgiving is a great act! That is the reason why Solomon exclaimed, "He that has a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he gives of his bread to the poor (Proverbs, 22:9)." Read More>>
Advice Concerning Why We Need To Read Scriptures Daily
by St. John Chrysostom
I also always entreat you, and do not cease entreating you, not only to pay attention here to what I say, but also when you are at home, to persevere continually in reading the divine Scriptures. When I have been with each of you in private, I have not stopped giving you the same advice. Do not let anyone say to me those vain words, worthy of heavy condemnation, "I cannot leave the courthouse, I administer the business of the city, I practice a craft, I have a wife, I am raising children, I am in charge of a household..." Read More >>
The Homilies of Fr. Symeon Krayopoulos
"God is here with us and for us. We have access to all this endless beauty yet we do not thirst for God. There is so much to draw from God but first we must long for Him. We forget about Him until we are sick or want our needs met." Read More>>
News and Events
Lenten Women's Retreat
This year's Women's Retreat will take place March 13, 2010 (9am-4:30pm) at Holy Resurrection Church. Space is limited and pre-registration is preferred. Fr. Theodore Petrides from Stroudsbourg, PA will be the speaker this year and the them is Healing our Brokenness using the Medicines of the Church: Holy Confession and Holy Communion. Please contact P. Paula for details at (ptishel at yahoo dot com) or check out the LENTEN WOMEN'S RETREAT PAGE.
Classes are held in the church classrom at 4pm every Saturday (unless otherwise listed). All catechumens and newly illumined are asked to attend as much as possible. We all benefit and grow in our Faith no matter what level -beginner or advanced. The series will cover a range of topics (Sacraments, Orthodox Piety, Church History, Biblical Theology etc.).
HROC Young Adults' Group THURSDAY NIGHTS!
Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church is hosting weekly Young Adults' meetings in the main room of the Church. Meetings consist of both informal presentations, discussions and contemplations from Orthodox professionals, scholars, priests, lay men and women and young adults. The meetings cover a wide range of relevant topics and give young adults a chance to meet one another and encourage eachother in the Faith. The Meetings begin at 7pm and will typically begin with a Vespers service (at 6pm, unless otherwise posted). REFRESHMENTS WILL BE SERVED! Please contact Fr. Patrick Tishel for questions!
Pledge Cards Now Available Online!
In order to make the pledge process easier, we have provided Pledge Cards that can be e-mailed directly to our Treasurer (kamen.madjarov@hrocBoston.org )
~Quick Links~
Lenten Women's Retreat (March 13, 2010)
Daily Lives of Saints and Readings
Monthly Calendar with Services
Parish E-mail List Sign-up HERE!
~Schedule of Services~
Orthodoxy 101: Sat at 4pm
Vigil: Sat. at 5:30pm
Divine Liturgy: Sunday at 9:30am
Open Door Dinner:Mon. at 6pm
Tree of Life Bookstore: Sunday after Church and by appointment
St. Herman's School: 8am-3pm Monday-Friday during the school year
Please see our Monthly Calendar for Feast Days, and other services and events.
~Clergy and Church Staff~
Fr. Patrick Tishel, Rector
Fr. Michael Kon, Assistant Rector
Fr. D. John Williamson, Deacon
Feodor Kouranov, Parish President
~Christ is Born in us~
Sermon Notes from the Sunday of the Fathers (January 3, 2010)
Seeing the beautiful children in the church reminds us that we were once children. By analogy, to approach the birth of Christ through the Virgin, reminds us that we too must give birth to Christ and through this be born again ourselves—Christ, not as a babe, but spiritually within ourselves. Christ is born each year and perpetually. He must be born in us and through us.
Nicodemus was perplexed: how can a man be born again after he has left his mother’s womb (John 3:4-5). We might really ponder this question: how can Christ be born in us and through us. Christ is the God-Man, God was incarnate, generating a flesh-body (carne), and became one with our humanity. We have to do the same, but in reverse. We start with the unity, which our Lord accomplished, and we have to be united with Him. It’s not good enough to just sprinkle Christ over our fallen humanity. He must become a part of us, integrated into every aspect our humanity. He must be born in us, or we must be reborn. How we think, evaluate things, what is possible or impossible, must be seen through Christ. The Logos, Christ, is the second Person of the Trinity. He was begotten of the Father before all ages. He was first “born” on the lips of the prophets, according to St. Maximos the Confessor, and through the law, and then he was “really born”—incarnate—as a child. Now he must be born again in us. How? Ask the Apostles who followed Him. How? Ask all the saints who lived and died for Him.
Before Christ all Jewish households dreamt of their sons and daughters participating in the mystery of the coming of the Messiah. After Christ, pious homes yearned for their sons and daughters to become saints. Today, we can yearn for Christ to be born in us and through us. How is this possible? It is a great mystery. The Holy Spirit came upon the mother of God. Could it come upon us? She was highly favored before God, virtuous. Could we strive for this? Is it possible to have a virtuous life?
How Can We Have a Virtuous Life
We have responsibilities. Let us strive for obedience. We know people. Let us love our neighbor. We have the poor with us. Let us give to them. We have visitors. Let us exercise hospitality. Our loved ones have problems. “Bear ye one another’s burdens and thus fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal. 6:2). We have temptations. Let us struggle and pray: “lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” We have been hurt and have reason to judge, but let us judge not that we be not judged (Matt. 7:1). Let obedience to Christ in my life be my daily business. I have control and responsibility for my own soul and with my own soul Christ can be born again, and I can be born again. At Christ’s birth there came to earth peace to men of good will. And in the same way, Christ is born spiritually in us today,
We see in even modern examples, men and women who have striven in this way towards holiness, that they are not strange or different, but, on the contrary, normal and more human than most, because Christ is truly born and integrated into every aspect and fiber of their life. This is another dimension of the revelation about peace on earth to men of Good will that was proclaimed to the shepherds by the angels and heavenly hosts. “Peace on earth, to men of good will” (Luke 2:14).
May the peace of Christ be born in us, and not just sprinkled upon us!
~Fr. Patrick