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And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord”…. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:9-11, 13-14 NKJV)
NATIVITY OF THE LORD 2013
To the Reverend Clergy and Faithful of the Diocese of the West
Dearly beloved:
Christ is Born! Glorify Him!
We live in very difficult times. Our own culture is daily attacking ancient basic, fundamental beliefs about morality, marriage and the family. People are jobless and hungry in the wealthiest society the world has ever known. The Middle East — the cradle of Christian faith and the Church — is literally in flames. Martyrs are being added to the ranks of the Saints every single day. The celebration of the coming of Christ is marked with gross consumerism.
Our minds tell us that it has always been so. Our hearts are not so easily convinced. But the glad tidings spoken by the angel of the Lord to those shepherds so long ago should give us great comfort. When the violence of the world seems to overwhelm us, we are reminded of the reality that happens when we let Christ into our hearts, our minds, and our souls. The King of Peace has come and overthrown all forms of darkness. He has put all tyranny to flight. He has calmed the turbulence of this world. If we let Him. The Peace that He is has brought the Kingdom of Heaven into our midst. The angel said, “there is born to you this day…”
So as we gather to celebrate this glorious feast, as we approach the humble little Infant in a manger placed in a cave, let us embrace the “humble glory” that has come into the world through Him. As the Kanon of the feast says, “Christ is Born, glorify Him. Christ is on earth, receive Him.”
I wish all of you the most blessed and glorious celebration of our Lord’s coming and pray that the Light of the new-born Christ fill every darkness and take away every fear!
In the new-born Christ,
†Benjamin
Archbishop of San Francisco and the West
Archpriest Basil Rhodes
“O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, how lovely are your branches!”
I first learned this familiar song as a child, but entirely in German. I learned it from my neighbors, who were German immigrants, and have loved all things connected with the German celebration of Christmas ever since.
Have you all put up your Christmas trees? Mine is in its bucket of water, waiting to go up. I hope that you have put yours up, or are planning to do so in the very near future. I love Christmas trees, and I'm always thrilled to hear or to see that people put one up during this advent season.
Some folks don't put up a Christmas tree. Some mistakenly think that this custom is derived from paganism, and is inappropriate for Christians. Others believe that it was something invented by Martin Luther, the German Protestant Reformer in the 16th century, and therefore not an Orthodox tradition. Still others imagine that a Christmas tree only makes sense if you have children and if you have presents to place beneath it. All of these explanations miss the mark. Do you know the origins of the Christmas tree? I'm sure many of you do. But in case you have forgotten, let me share with you a tale from the eighth century, a tale from the church's oral tradition, about St. Boniface, the martyr, born in Britain, who became the Apostle to the Germans.
According to the BBC in Devon, England, “The famous Devon Saint, St Boniface, was the creator of the very first Christmas tree. In the early part of the 8th century, St Boniface was sent into Germany as a missionary, with an aim of converting the pagans to Christianity...He worked tirelessly in the country destroying idols and pagan temples across Germany and building churches in their place. He was named Archbishop of Mainz and founded or restored the diocese of Bavaria.
"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood…”
Project Mexico
Orthodox Basic Training Week July 15 - 21
Hosted by the OCA Diocese of the West
Clergy and lay-workers from around the diocese will join together in serving "the least of these my brethren". Over the week, we will construct several sturdy, weatherproof homes for families without adequate shelter. As if that weren't enough(!), through various talks and discussion groups we will explore in-depth practical ways we can participate in, and prepare ourselves for, service "from glory to glory" during the high-school and college years. Among the topics to be presented and discussed:
- Discerning the Call
- Vocations: Monasticism, Priesthood, Music, Iconography, Family Life as Sacred Vocation
- Surviving the College Years: Prayer, Morality, Debt, Community, Sacramental Life
- "The Fields are Ripe for Harvest": Missions Both Home and Abroad
Where do volunteers stay? Volunteers will need to bring tents (or arrange to borrow) and set up on the grounds of St. Innocent Orphanage. The orphanage is located on a beautiful 16 acre ranch near Rosarito, Mexico.
by Father Zechariah Lynch
The sixth hour just finished. Eight priests of the Rocky Mountain deanery, along with guest speaker Achimandrite Irenei, one deacon, and four subdeacons file out of the Sanctuary towards the back of the church to await His Eminence Archbishop Benjamin. A shy and nervous youngster of the parish awaits His Eminence in the open doors of the church with a bouquet. The church is small but lovingly built over 89 years ago. It may even have the world's smallest Narthex. The original church was destroyed in a massive flood in 1921, and the impoverished congregation at that time scraped all their funds together to rebuild - St. Michael's Orthodox church in Pueblo, Colorado. On November 8th, the Feast of the Archangel Michael and all the Heavenly Hosts, the community celebrated its 110th Feast Day.
In the not so distant past of 1903 St. Tikhon received a large group of hardworking Uniate Slavs back into the fold of Holy Orthodoxy.
As His Eminence ascends the stairs leading up to the church the choir begins to sing and a full Hierarchical Divine Liturgy commences. In the rather packed little Sanctuary the Rocky Mountain deanery clergy gather around their Archpastor and the boundlessness of Christ Jesus' Holy Body and Blood, the one thing needful. As the Psalmist says, “Behold, what is so good, or what is so fine, but for brethren to dwell in unity”
With the blessing of His Eminence, Archbishop Benjamin of San Francisco and the West, and the support of Bishop-elect David (Mahaffey) of the historic diocese of Alaska, a cruise and conference at sea will be held September 6-13, 2014.
While exploring Juneau, Sitka, Glacier Bay, and other sites on the Holland America Westerdam, conference participants will attend a wide variety of daily lectures, services and workshops offered by Fr Michael Oleksa, a recognized authority on Alaskan history and spirituality, and Fr Laurent Cleenewerck, Rector of Saint Innocent Church, Eureka, CA, who is also an academic and author.
Detailed information, including rates and agenda, may be found at www.orthodoxcruises.com
Only 100 “seats” are available for this event, and registrations are accepted now on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Fr John Tomasi, Fr Basil Rhodes and Fr Yousuf Rassam celebrated the altar feast of the Mission "Joy of All Who Sorrow" on Wednesday, November 6, 2013. Fr John's excellent homily was on the topic of how it is our responsibility and duty as Christians to bring joy to the sorrowing and broken people in the world. The joyous Divine Liturgy was followed by a festive repast in the parish trapeza.
It was a nice turnout for the Mission, in spite of the fact of the early weekday Liturgy. As there are now a good number of Russians attending the Mission, Frs Basil and Yousuf were able to use some Slavonic for them, as well as lead the singing of "Otche Nash" (Our Father). The small choir sang beautifully, utilizing a good deal of znamenny chant. The Mission choir recently recorded a Byzantine chant
CD of the complete Lamentations for Holy Friday night in English, which is available from their excellent and well-stocked bookstore.
We are in the season of annual meetings, budgets, new personal pledges for the coming year, etc. The following is a reflection on the words of St. Paul about giving that is offered with the prayer that it helps each of us in our meditation, prayer and commitment to our parishes and Church.
Father John Dresko
The concept of “stewardship” can be misunderstood in today’s Church. Although stewardship principles include giving money, it is much more than that. Stewardship is a Christian (and biblical) concept. In his second letter to the Corinthians (8:1-9:8), St. Paul writes a remarkable essay on what it means to follow Christ as a steward. Anyone claiming to live a Christian life must reflect on his words.
And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God’s will. So we urged Titus, since he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. But just as you excel in everything — in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us — see that you also excel in this grace of giving. (8:1-7)
Christian stewards give “themselves first to the Lord.” True stewardship begins with the realization that Christ does not expect “something” from us — He expects everything. He told the rich young man to sell “everything,” give it to the poor, and follow Him. We begin a stewardly life by giving ourselves to the Lord.
But it is important to note that Paul exalts the Macedonians for their “rich generosity.” He also marvels in the fact that they, on their own, “pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service.” Generous giving of ourselves to the “service of the saints” (i.e., the life and work of the Church) is not something that is to be taken grudgingly, or as something to be minimized or avoided, but rather a privilege that should be embraced.
In holding up the Macedonians as an example, Paul then turns his attention to the Corinthians. They are excellent in many ways: “in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness,” even in love. But if they are excellent in those things, they must also be excellent in the grace of giving. Paul implies that they would be lacking as Christians if they ignored this aspect of their lives. As would we be lacking if we excel in a number of Christian virtues but are miserly in giving.
I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
And here is my advice about what is best for you in this matter: Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have. (8:8-12)
The 2013 Pacific NW Pan Orthodox Liturgical Singing Seminar was attended by over 70 participants of various skills levels-choir directors, singers, Readers, Deacons and Clergy from various jurisdictions and geographical locations. Located at the Church of the Annunciation in Milwaukie, Oregon, the seminar drew attendees from as far south as the San Francisco Bay Area all the way to Langley, British Columbia. Participants ranged from OCA parishes to ROCOR, Antiochian and GOA churches.
This year’s guest lecturers were Prof. David Drillock and Valerie Yova. Attendees were immersed in an intensive all day seminar with lectures focusing on the history and development of Orthodox music, the role of antiphonal singing, Hierarchical services and more. In addition other lectures focused on proper vowel formation, posture and intonation.
The Pan Orthodox Choir sang Great Vespers and Divine Liturgy under the direction of Irina Burkett, choir director at the Church of the Annunciation. It was a Grace filled day of choir development, learning and prayer for those who attended. The website for the Church of the Annunciation, as well as the Pan Orthodox Liturgical Singing Seminar Facebook page will be updated regularly providing information for the October, 2014 seminar.
(Story courtesy Kodiak Mirror)
A Russian Orthodox Bell has been returned to Alaska after more than 150 years in Southern California.
On October 1, 2013, Alaska Airlines graciously delivered the bell, known as the San Fernando Bell, to Holy Resurrection Orthodox Cathedral on Kodiak Island. Until recently, said bell had been under the care of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles and housed at the Mission of San Fernando Rey de España. It has since been repatriated by the Catholic Church and Catholic Natives to the Native Orthodox of Alaska as a sign of friendship and unity.
Saturday, October 12, 2013 Annunciation parish in Milwaukie, Oregon, will host a Pacific Northwest Pan-Orthodox Liturgical Singing Seminar. All Orthodox singers are invited! The "Singing With the Angels" seminar will explore issues related to the ministry of song and the worshipping community, including chanting, congregational singing, vocal production, clarity of pronunciation, choral blend, and new music. Click here to download a copy of the seminar brochure.
Our guest speakers this year are David Drillock, Chairperson of the OCA Liturgical Music and Translations Department, and Valerie Yova, music director of the St. Athanasius Orthodox Church, Goleta CA, and a graduate of the New England Conservatory. More information about David Drillock may be found at:
http://oca.org/about/departments/liturgical-music and http://www.svots.edu/content/david-drillock
For more information about the October 12 seminar, contact: irena.burkett@gmail.com And check our page on Facebook ("Pacific Northwest Pan Orthodox Liturgical Singing Seminar") for the latest updates!
