WELCOME TO OUR CHURCH COMMUNITY!HOLY RESURRECTION ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL is a parish community of the Diocese of Philadelphia & Eastern Pennsylvania of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA). Our bishop, Archbishop MARK (Maymon), provides spiritual oversight for our community. The parish community was founded in 1892 by Fr. Alexis Toth (now a canonized saint in the Orthodox Church).
*************Note Fr. Gregory had to undergo emergency surgery to remove his gall bladder. Please note the changes to the current schedule of Lenten services. Services will resume starting with Vespers 4:00p.m. on Saturday and Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral on 3/19/2023, 9:00p.m. ***********
Parishioners are encouraged to attend serivces at Holy Trinity in Plains Service Schedule | Holy Trinity Orthodox Church (wbholytrinity.org) until mid March. Sunday of Orthodoxy Vespers will be held at the Cathedral as originally scheduled.
February 24, 2023
Great Lent 2023
Dear Rev Frs. And faithful, Christ is in our midst!
Great Lent is here and the Lord gives us wonderful opportunities
to redirect our lives and hearts to Him. Hopefully, we will take full advantage of this time to renew our relationship with the Lord through repentance, confession, increased prayer, reading of the Holy Scripture, fasting and almsgiving. As Fr. Alexander Schmemann comments in his book on Great Lent, ‘let us abstain from frivolous conversation and various forms of entertainment.’ The fast is not simply from certain foods, but from feeding the passions. Remember the hymnography of Lent, the demons do not eat either. Minimize time spent on the internet or watching television. Let us seek to be at peace with one another, forgiving and offering forgiveness. Read through Genesis, Isaiah, Psalms and Proverbs during this Holy season.
Let’s make use of this time to rid our lives of the distractions that clutter our
minds. As we ponder the prayer of St Ephraim the Syrian, let us abstain from the spirit of sloth, faint-heartedness, lust of power and idle talk and open our hearts to chastity, humility, patience, and love. May the Lord help us to see our own sins and not to judge our brother.
Sadly, some of our faithful never embraced the Lenten school of repentance and its discipline. We will try everything the world offers to seek mental and physical health, but never embrace the tried and proven gift of Great Lent. If you never engaged the Lenten prescription above, try it this year. By the time we reach Holy Week things we once considered unchangeable in our lives suddenly begin to be addressed or resolved through the lengthy and determined effort. Many talk about what they are “giving up” for Lent, and do not consider what they have the opportunity to get rid of, i.e., a lot of bad habits that ultimately separate us from communion with the Lord. As we embrace the discipline of the Church, we are giving up nothing, but gain eternal life. Doing things our own way is what landed us in this mess, let us seek to embrace the discipline of the Church so that might experience the authentic freedom and joy Christ gracious bestows on those beloved of Him.
Your unworthy father in Christ,
+MARK, Archbishop of Philadelphia and the Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania
Locum Tenens of the Albanian Archdiocese of the Orthodox Church in America
The Office of Pastoral Life presents its March Synaxis entitled "The Priest's Confession: Finding the Thread that Runs Through You Life," with guest speaker Fr. Vladimir Aleandro, on March 21, 2023 from 2-4PM, EST. Go to www.DOEPA.org for additional information.
Encyclical from the All American Council for July of 2022, https://www.oca.org/holy-
His Eminence Archbishop MARK has released a message announcing the 2023 St. Tikhons Summer Camp, with an appeal to all parishes. ALL parishes are encouraged to support this important Youth Ministry program.
UPCOMING EVENTS...His Eminence Archbishop MARK has released a message announcing the 2023 St. Tikhons Summer Camp, with an appeal to all parishes. ALL parishes are encouraged to support this important Youth Ministry program.
WORSHIP, PRAYER and SERVICE SCHEDULESaturday- Great Vespers 4:00 p.m.
Sunday- Prayer of the Hours 8:40 am & Divine Liturgy 9:00 a.m.
Eve of Major Feast Days - Great Vespers 6:00 pm (followed by holy Confession), see DOEPA Directive
Major Feast Days - Divine Liturgy 9:00 a.m.
Rector: Fr. Gregory G. White Sr. 570-822-7725 gregory.white@stots.edu
Mitred Archpriest Vladimir Petorak: Pastor Emeritus
Protodeacon: Sergei Kapral
Mr. David Hutz: Board of Directors President
Catechism Classes - For those who are interested in finding out more about the Holy Orthodox Church or how to go about joining, classes are offered on a continual / rotating basis. For more information contact Fr. Gregory at 570-822-7725 or email him at: gregory.white@stots.edu
Daily Scripture Readings - Orthodox Church in America (oca.org)
Study Group & Recommended ReadingOur Orthodox Christian study group is currently reading:
The Heavenly Banquet, Understanding the Divine Liturgy, by Fr. Emmanuel Hatzidakis, Orthodox Witness Press, ISBN 978-0-90778970-1-8
If you have always wanted to know why the Orthodox Divine Liturgy is celebrated the way it is join us.
A five book series: Revelation, The Seven Golden Seals by Archimandrite Athanasios Mitilinaios ISBN 978-0-9851915-2-8, Zoe Press, Monday nights @ 6:30 p.m. held in the hall of Holy Resurrection Orthodox Cathedral 591 N. Main St. Wilkes-Barre, PA. Bring your Orthodox Study Bible! First time visitors should call ahead of time to confirm the weekly schedule.
Many of the following books are rated four to five stars. These books are recommended reading for those who want to know more about the Holy Orthodox Faith and Christs' Church! If you take the time to read you will find out that the Church still exists today. James 1:5, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and without reproach; and it shall be given him."
Information on Mount Athos
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Athos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mXl8C4-M_4&t=15s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5D8OxrSZZU8&t=361s
Thirsting for God in a Land of Shallow Wells by Matthew Gallatin, St. Valdimir's Seminary Press, ISBN 978-1-888212-28
The Truth, What Every Roman Catholic Should Know About the Orthodox Church by Clark Carlton, Regina, Salisbury, MA
The Faith, Understanding Orthodox Christianity, An Orthodox Catechism also by Clark Carlton
The Way, What Every Protestant Should Know About the Orthodox Faith also by Clark Carlton
Knowledge of God by Dr. Harry Boolas, St. Tikhon's Seminary Press ISBN 978-1-878997-83-8
Current members of the Holy Orthodox Faith, or the more advanced inquirer are encouraged to also check out the following titles. They will help with your understanding of who Jesus Christ is... What happened to the early Church? Does it still exist? What's Orthodox Salvation all about?
Matthew The Poor, Orthodox Prayer Life, The Interior Way, by Father Matta El-Meskeen, St. Valdimirs Press, ISBN 978-0-88141-250-5
The Soul's Longing An Orthodox Christian Perspective on Biblical Interpretation by Dr. Mary Ford ISBN 978-0-9905029-6-8
A must read for those that struggle with Biblical Interpretation in this day and age of Denominationalism. Read how the early Church understood the Holy Scripture and it's Tradition.
The Orthodox Study Bible by Thomas Nelson Publishing. Full of commemtary, teachings, references and study articles ISBN 978-0-7180-0359-3
Orthodox Spirituality by Metropolitan Nafpaktos Hierotheos, Birth of the Theotokos Monastery ISBN 978-960-7070-20-3
Passions and Virtues According to St. Gregory Palamas by Anestis Keselopoulos, St. Tikhon's Seminary Press, ISBN 1-878997-75-0
Acquiring the Mind of Christ by Archimandrite Serguis, St. Tikhon's Monastery Press, ISBN 978-0-995029-9-9
https://sttikhonsmonastery.org/
Glory and Honor, Orthodox Christian Resources on Marriage by Dr. David Ford, Dr. Mary Ford and Alfred Kentigern Siewers. Editors, St. Valdimirs Seminary Press, ISBN 9789-0-8841-540-1. A must read before you get married!
Angels and Demons by Dr. Harry Boosalis, ISBN 978-1-878997-83-8
Holy Traditon by Dr. Harry Boosalis, ISBN 978-0-9884574-2-3
Orthodox Spiritual Life According to Saint Silouan the Anthonite by Dr. Harry Boosalas, St. Tikhon's Seminary Press, ISBN 978-1-878997-60-9
Man the Target of God by Archimandrite Zacharias, Mount Tabor Publishing
The following series of titles expand even more on Wisdom and Spirituality inspired by the Holy Spirit by the Monastic life on Mount Athos. The three stages of Orthodox Christian Salvation; Purification, Illumination and Deification are outlined throughout these timeless resources.
Remember Thy First Love by Archimandrite Zacharias, Mount Tabor Publishing
Enlargement of the Heart by Archimandrite Zacharias, Mount Tabor Publishing
The Hidden Man of the Heart by Archimandrite Zacharias, Mount Tabor Publishing
Saint Silouan the Anthonite by Archimandrite Sophrony, Mount Tabor Publishing
Information on Mount Athos, also posted above!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Athos
ABOUT THE UPCOMING FEAST...Go to this weblink for the daily readings about the Lives of the Saints: Feasts & Saints - Orthodox Church in America (oca.org)
Sunday of Cheesefare: Expulsion of Adam from Paradise
As we begin the Great Fast, the Church reminds us of Adam’s expulsion from Paradise. God commanded Adam to fast (Gen. 2:16), but he did not obey. Because of their disobedience, Adam and Eve were cast out of Eden and lost the life of blessedness, knowledge of God, and communion with Him, for which they were created. Both they and their descendents became heirs of death and corruption.
Let us consider the benefits of fasting, the consequences of disobedience, and recall our fallen state. Today we are invited to cleanse ourselves of evil through fasting and obedience to God. Our fasting should not be a negative thing, a mere abstention from certain foods. It is an opportunity to free ourselves from the sinful desires and urges of our fallen nature, and to nourish our souls with prayer, repentance, to participate in church services, and partake of the life-giving Mysteries of Christ.
At Forgiveness Vespers we sing: “Let us begin the time of fasting in light, preparing ourselves for spiritual efforts. Let us purify our soul, let us purify our body. As we abstain from food, let us abstain from all passion and enjoy the virtues of the spirit....”
Read on about the beginning of Great Lent
Beginning of Great Lent
In the Orthodox Church, the last Sunday before Great Lent—the day on which, at Vespers, Lent is liturgically announced and inaugurated—is called Forgiveness Sunday. On the morning of that Sunday, at the Divine Liturgy, we hear the words of Christ:
“If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses...” (Mark 6:14-15).
Then after Vespers—after hearing the announcement of Lent in the Great Prokeimenon: “Turn not away Thy face from Thy child, for I am afflicted! Hear me speedily! Draw near unto my soul and deliver it!”, after making our entrance into Lenten worship, with its special melodies, with the prayer of Saint Ephraim the Syrian, with its prostrations—we ask forgiveness from each other, we perform the rite of forgiveness and reconciliation. And as we approach each other with words of reconciliation, the choir intones the Paschal hymns, filling the church with the anticipation of Paschal joy.
What is the meaning of this rite? Why is it that the Church wants us to begin the Lenten season with forgiveness and reconciliation? These questions are in order because for too many people Lent means primarily, and almost exclusively, a change of diet, the compliance with ecclesiastical regulations concerning fasting. They understand fasting as an end in itself, as a “good deed” required by God and carrying in itself its merit and its reward. But the Church spares no effort in revealing to us that fasting is but a means, one among many, towards a higher goal: the spiritual renewal of man, his return to God, true repentance and, therefore, true reconciliation. The Church spares no effort in warning us against a hypocritical and pharisaic fasting, against the reduction of religion to mere external obligations. As a Lenten hymn says:
“In vain do you rejoice in not eating, O soul!
For you abstain from food,
But from passions you are not purified.
If you persevere in sin, you will perform a useless fast!”
Now, forgiveness stands at the very center of Christian faith and of Christian life because Christianity itself is, above all, the religion of forgiveness. God forgives us, and His forgiveness is in Christ, His Son, whom He sends to us so that by sharing in His humanity we may share in His love and be truly reconciled with God. Indeed, Christianity has no other content but love. And it is primarily the renewal of that love, a growth in it, that we seek in Great Lent, in fasting and prayer, in the entire spirit and the entire effort of that season. Thus, truly forgiveness is both the beginning of, and the proper condition for, the Lenten season.
One may ask, however: Why should I perform this rite when I have no “enemies?” Why should I ask forgiveness from people who have done nothing to me, and whom I hardly know? To ask these questions is to misunderstand the Orthodox teaching concerning forgiveness. It is true that open enmity, personal hatred, real animosity may be absent from our life, though if we experience them, it may be easier for us to repent, for these feelings openly contradict Divine commandments. But the Church reveals to us that there are much subtler ways of offending Divine Love. These are indifference, selfishness, lack of interest in other people, of any real concern for them—in short, that wall which we usually erect around ourselves, thinking that by being “polite” and “friendly” we fulfill God’s commandments. The rite of forgiveness is so important precisely because it makes us realize—be it only for one minute—that our entire relationship to other men is wrong, makes us experience that encounter of one child of God with another, of one person created by God with another, makes us feel that mutual “recognition” which is so terribly lacking in our cold and dehumanized world.
On that unique evening, listening to the joyful Paschal hymns we are called to make a spiritual discovery: to taste of another mode of life and relationship with people, of life whose essence is love. We can discover that always and everywhere Christ, the Divine Love Himself, stands in the midst of us, transforming our mutual alienation into brotherhood. As I advance towards the other, as the other comes to me—we begin to realize that it is Christ who brings us together by His love for both of us.
And because we make this discovery—and because this discovery is that of the Kingdom of God itself: the Kingdom of Peace and Love, of reconciliation with God and, in Him, with all that exists—we hear the hymns of that Feast, which once a year “opens to us the doors of Paradise.” We know why we shall fast and pray, what we shall seek during the long Lenten pilgrimage.
Forgiveness Sunday: the day on which we acquire the power to make our fasting—true fasting; our effort—true effort; our reconciliation with God—true reconciliation.
—Father Alexander Schmemann
