All Who Truly Follow Christ are Saints

On the Sunday after Pentecost, the Church celebrates All Saints.  This is not simply a way to “round up” all the saints we may have omitted to commemorate during the year, “because of the multitude of their names,” as the Liturgy of St Basil says.  Rather, it invites us to contemplate what sainthood means for the world and for the life of each one of us.  In his homily, below, Fr James Graham discusses our call to sainthood and how we can answer it.

Come and join us in celebrating the Divine Liturgy at 9:30 am on Sunday, and stay after to enjoy lunch and conversation in the church hall.

ALL WHO TRULY FOLLOW CHRIST ARE SAINTS

Hebrews 11:33-12:2…………….Matthew 10:32-38, 19:27-30

     Today the Church celebrates the Sunday of All Saints.  We remember and honor all the saints.

     But when we say “all the saints,” who are we really talking about?

     Do we mean only the “official” saints, those who have dates on the Church calendar?  Each of them has at least one day every year, often shared with one or more other saints because there are so many.

     Do we mean all Christians of extraordinary piety and holiness and good works?  Many such people go unrecognized, or are unknown, or are forgotten now, though they enjoyed great renown in their own times and places.

     So, really, who are “all the saints”?

     We remember that in the earliest days of the Church, in St Paul’s letters, he calls all the Christians “saints” or “holy ones.”  Originally, at that time, “saint” wasn’t an official title:  it was a description, a recognition that God calls all believers to be holy, as God is holy.

     And what does that mean?

     God is holy by nature.  God is the Creator, above all creation, set apart from all creation; perfect in power, in love, in mercy, in justice.

     We humans are created in the image of God, but we are not God.  We are not holy by nature.  But we can become holy, by God’s grace and our own cooperation with God’s grace.  The word “saint” literally means “sanctified” or “made holy.”  We can be made holy, we can be sanctified, we can become saints.  And this is what we are called to do.  How is God’s Kingdom going to come on earth and it is in heaven if we don’t become God’s holy ones?

     So the feast of All Saints really honors all Christian believers—past, present, and future—who live holy lives as God calls us to do.  We honor those who have gone before us—St Paul calls them “a great cloud of witnesses.”  They are our examples, our role models, our mothers and fathers in faith and in faithful living.

     And we also honor ourselves—we who are trying to be saints, trying to be faithful witnesses of the Lord in what we do and what we say.  Maybe it seems strange, or even boastful, but we need to recognize holiness in others and in ourselves, and to encourage it.  And if we are not living holy lives, this feast should remind us to get busy doing what God wants.  How will we be role models for future Christians if we don’t strive to be holy now?

     Perhaps we wonder how we can do this.  We aren’t Apostles like Andrew, Peter, James, John, and the others.  We aren’t close personal friends or relatives of Jesus, like Mary Magdalene and John the Baptist.  We aren’t great soldiers for Christ, like St George and St Demetrios, or prophets like St Elias.  We haven’t given up everything to help the poor, like St Francis and Mother Teresa.  We haven’t suffered and died for Christ, like St Barbara and other great martyrs.

     Our Lord Jesus told His disciples, “Everyone who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven,” and “You must take up your cross and follow me,” and “You who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones in glory,” and “Everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields, for my name’s sake . . . will inherit eternal life.”

     To be holy, we have to put God first, in whatever situation or circumstance of our life.  If we trust in God and put God first, God will show us what to do, whether it is simply praying for others or something as dramatic as being killed for the Christian faith.  All who truly follow Christ are saints, always giving thanks and praise and glory to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and ever and to ages of ages.  Amen.

Bulletin for 4 Jun 2023 -Sunday of All Saints

SUNDAY OF ALL SAINTS

Dear Friends, Today we are celebrating the Feast of All Saints. Placing the feast on this Sunday is well timed. After the outpouring of the Holy Spirit we can reflect on the result of it in celebrating All Saints as works of the Holy Spirit.

The Church is full of Saints from both Testaments and from the earliest days of Christianity even until our own day. The Byzantine Church has the honor of many recent Martyrs who stood up against the evil of Communism. We can also count the witness of others who suffered for the faith in even more recent years: Our Holy Father Pope Francis recognizing the Coptic Martyrs recently killed by ISIS only as far back as 2015.

When we look at the armies of Martyrs we see the truth of the words of Origen: The blood of the Martyrs is the seed of Christians. This should be no surprise since the Blood of Christ is what brings life to the Church. Martyrs are those who gave up their lives (impelled by the strength of the Spirit) for Jesus their (best) friend. “No greater love hath a man than he lay down his life for his friend.” (St John. Ch15v13)

Not all Saints are Martyrs washed in their own blood, but all the Saints in their own way embraced the Cross. Indeed, it the Cross of the daily grind is what makes us martyrs. After all, by the help of grace, we can be gracious in doing good works that others will see and then glorify their heavenly Father. Saints are people who do the ordinary, extraordinarily well. When we do things to bear witness (which is the meaning of the word Martyr) then slowly we become the Saints God wants to make of us.

We should be encouraged that Saints come from all stations and walks of life. In addition to countless others who have trodden a path similar to ours we should think of the multitude of intercessors whose prayers rise before God on our behalf. Belief in the Communion of the Saints is after all the last article of what is called the Apostles Creed. St Peter and Paul fast: The Apostles Fast begins this evening after Vespers and lasts until June 28. The Typikon prescribes strict abstinence on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, with a mitigated abstinence (Wine and oil) on Tuesday and Thursday. The Ruthenian Metropolia has identified this period as a penitential season. (Canon 880 n2.) This fast may be observed voluntarily.

News of the parish

• On Monday at 2pm at the West Steps of the State Capitol building there will be a prayer vigil at which Bishop Jaime Soto will be present. Please join us if you can, or at least pray from home. We are gathering to pray in response to the public blasphemy and mockery of Christ, and also the dignity of Consecrated Sisters & Nuns by a group of men who are also corrupting children with public acts abhorrent to decency.
• Congratulations to Deacon Tim who has officially retired from his work.
• We also welcome back Rose and Therese Murin working over summer in Sacramento. Kim and the rest of the family are due to visit from the end of June until mid-August. Fr Francis will visit for about three weeks starting July 21 or 22.
• An anonymous gift: in keeping with discretion and the request of the donor we received a gift of $ for an ear marked project. I am most grateful for this gift and will be praying every good blessing upon this friend of St Philip’s.
• Fireworks fundraiser: There is a sign-up sheet for volunteers. This is a major fundraiser for our church so please be generous in attending the sales stall as you can.
• Save the date: June 15, 5:45 a.m. – Annual Akathist as part of the Global Rosary Relay, followed by Divine Liturgy.
• Last Week’s collection amounted to $ with 38 people in attendance.
• Hospitality: there are some blank spaces so please sign up.
• Summer Camps: Deadline on Monday: Fr Michael Mendelas of Seattle, appeals to youngsters and their dads so as to fill quotas for Byzantine Summer Camps in Washington State. There is a deadline, June 5, so if you are interested please visit: https://www.ephx.org/alive-in-christ-registration Also please note that since our Eparchy is hosting next year the National (Byzan)Teen Rally, there will not be an ‘Alive in Christ,’ summer camp next year.
• Bible study: our informal study of the Gospel of Saint John continues after Vespers on Wednesday evening. Bring a friend!
• Prayer requests: Please keep praying for the family of Karen and Raymond Vincent and their premature baby (Alexander). …pray for strength and grace upon them. For the health of Gary Stewart, the recently deceased Marilyn Giordano.
• Please also pray for the following: Fr. Michael, Fr. Marcus, Fr. Chris, Fr. Randall, Fr. Michal, Fr. Patrik, Fr Christopher, Fr Theodore, Sr. Patricia, Margaret, Gary and Ingrid, Slawomir and Oceana, Darlene, Becky, Alexis, Marion, Curtis, Ronald, Jeannine, Taylor, Lorrie, Frances, Alex, Leroy, Michael, Thomas, Carol, Michael, Jennifer, John, Elizabeth, Judy, Ruth, Dimitri, Christie, Viktoria, Emily and Dan, Margaret, Patricia. Nadezda, Doug S, Murin family, Aisha, Faustyna, John, Maia, Najwa, Nadia, Favin, Nazmin, Barbara, Trish, Shalom World, Jesse, Charles, Monica, Matt, Jackie, Tim, Edward, Don S, Monica S, Pineda family, John, Kazu, Jacob, Brent. AnNita Klimecki and family.

Liturgical schedule 

Jun 4 Sunday	8:30 am Confessions     9:30 am DivineLiturgy	Sunday of All Saints	Reader: Victor
Jun 6 Tues	5:30 pm Divine Liturgy
Jun 7 Weds	5:30 pm Vespers	Followed by Bible study
Jun 8 Thurs	5:30 pm Divine Liturgy
Jun 10 Saturday	9:00 am Divine Liturgy
Jun 11 Sunday	8:30 am Confessions     9:30 am DivineLiturgy	2nd Sunday after Pentecost. St Bartholomew	Reader: Richard

For Confession, please call Fr. Christopher for an appointment, or come 30 minutes before or after scheduled services. If you desire Spiritual Direction then please see Fr Andrews for an appointment during the week so as to allow everyone an opportunity on Sundays for Confessions. Please consider those traveling from long distances.

Bulletin for 28 May 2023 – Pentecost Sunday

PENTECOST SUNDAY

Dear Friends,

Today, we celebrate the Feast of Pentecost. This was a festival celebrated as a harvest festival. It is interesting that this feast is one for the Hebrews which would always be celebrated in contrast to the Pass Over which the Hebrews understood would one day cease to be celebrated.

The Gospel of today speaks of Living Waters. We as moderns tend to distinguish the water as fresh or salty. The Hebrew thinks of water as living or dead, we might better understand the distinction as flowing and still (or stagnant) water. The distinction is that flowing water whether fresh or salty is oxygenated and therefore life giving.

This is also a feast to which many pilgrims travelled to Jerusalem. Thus the great multitude speaking every tongue was used as a vehicle spreading the news of this great event. Three thousand were converted at this moment and the Church is born and equipped, through Apostolic teaching, to preach the Good News to all Peoples.

We refer to the Holy Spirit as Giver of Life, and we can certainly see that everything touched by the Spirit is restored and renewed. For example, we believe that in the mystery of Confession the Holy Spirit is poured out upon us for the remission of sins. Our souls are not just restored, but by the grace of the Mystery with Christ at work in us, we are strengthened against sin.

The restoration and renewal, or rather perfection is seen in the Apostles themselves who are now emboldened to preach to all men, in all corners of the Earth. This brings to mind the words of Psalm 103v30: “Send forth your spirit, they are created, and You renew the face of the earth.” Indeed Pentecost manifests the many works the Spirit does, which in wisdom and goodness He has done.

In the Byzantine Tradition we say ‘Kneeling’ prayers on Pentecost. This is a public act of imploring the Spirit upon us. In the East it is normal to stand to pray. In fact this was even decreed at the First Ecumenical Council of Nicea 325. St Benedict has his monks stand while reciting the Office, and he is explicit that there is no kneeling during Paschal time. He is inspired by drawing from “Our Holy Father St Basil.” (Rule ch72). Benedictine Monks do not typically genuflect. Noblesse oblige!

Although the Roman Church kneels we can look at their Tradition as something making sense when in the Roman world kneeling was a sign of subjection. For the Greeks however, bowing is a sign of reverence and there is the idea that we are nobles in Christ by baptism. Hence since we are not slaves it is proper to stand when we pray. Either way both views make sense.

Today, however, it is especially significant that we kneel as we acknowledge that we are, as it were, beggars of God’s grace and mercy.

Icon of Pentecost: in the upper part of the icon we see the Apostles (St Paul included) and the Evangelists holding their Gospels with Mary the Mother of Jesus praying with them beseeching the outpouring and gift of the Spirit. (Acts ch1 v14.) In the center of the icon below the Apostles, a royal figure is seen against a dark background. This is a symbolic figure, Cosmos, representing the people of the world living in darkness and sin, and involved in pagan worship. However, the figure carries in his hands a cloth containing scrolls which represent the teaching of the Apostles. The tradition of the Church holds that theApostles carried the message of the Gospel to all parts of the world.

Kontakion: When the Most High came down and confounded tongues of men at Babel, He divided the nations. When He dispensed the tongues of fire, He called all to unity, and with one voice we glorify the Most Holy Spirit.

News of the parish:

• Fireworks fundraiser: There is a sign-up sheet for volunteers. This is a major fundraiser for ourChurch so please be generous in attending the sales stall as you can.
• Save the date: We are scheduled to be part of a Global Rosary Crusade on June 15th. This is something the parish has taken part in for some years. Whereas the Rosary is not part of an Eastern Tradition, we will instead sing an Akathist which will be followed by Divine Liturgy, starting at 5.45am.
• Last Week’s collection amounted to $ with 42 people in attendance.
• Hospitality: there are some blank spaces so please sign up.
• Last Sunday I was able to take Communion to Gary and Ingrid Steward. I was able to anoint Gary just before his heart surgery which was on Monday. Fortunately, that went well but please keep him in your prayers as he recovers. Also after Divine Liturgy I was asked to take Communion to two of the Faithful who requested it. The pair are on the street parallel to 65th Street. That very morning Marilyn Giordano had a heart attack and so I only brought Communion to Lyn. Marilyn passed away but was anointed at the Hospital. Keep her in your prayers. Marilyn is known to Darlene Jansen and we will welcome Lyn here who is able to walk to Church – Marilyn drove him to Our Lady of Lourdes Church for many years.
• Summer Camps: Fr Michael Mandelas of Seattle, appeals to youngsters and their dads so as to fill quotas for Byzantine Summer Camps in Washington State. There is a deadline, June 5, so if you are interested please visit: https://www.ephx.org/alive-in-christ-registration Also please note that since our Eparchy is hosting next year the National (Byzan)Teen Rally, there will not be an ‘Alive in Christ,’ summer camp next year.
• I will also start an informal ‘Bible Study,’ on Wednesday nights. There will be time for questions and answers and a moment to come together to learn and to mix and mingle. Why not bring a friend?
• Prayer requests: Please keep praying for the family of Karen and Raymond Vincent and their premature baby (Alexander). Karen’s diagnosis does not look good but we can still pray for strength and grace upon them. Gary and Ingrid Stewart, the recently deceased Marilyn Giordano. Deceased friends and Benefactors of St Philip’s who are remembered at Our Sunday Liturgies, Deceased Servicemen and Servicewomen especially as we celebrate Memorial Day.
• Please also pray for the following: Fr. Michael, Fr. Marcus, Fr. Chris, Fr. Randall, Fr. Michal, Fr. Patrik, Fr Christopher, Fr Theodore, Sr. Patricia, Margaret, Slawomir and Oceana, Darlene, Becky, Alexis, Marion, Curtis, Ronald, Jeannine, Taylor, Lorrie, Frances, Alex, Leroy, Michael, Thomas, Carol, Michael, Jennifer, John, Elizabeth, Judy, Ruth, Dimitri, Christie, Viktoria, Emily and Dan, Margaret, Patricia. Nadezda, Doug S, Murin family, Aisha, Faustyna, John, Maia, Najwa, Nadia, Favin, Nazmin, Barbara, Trish, Shalom World, Jesse, Charles, Monica, Matt, Jackie, Tim, Edward, Don S, Monica S, Pineda family, John, Kazu, Jacob, Brent. AnNita Klimecki and family.

Liturgical schedule 

May 28 Sunday	8:30 am Confessions   9:30 am Divine Liturgy, followed by kneeling prayers	Pentecost Sunday	Reader: Richard
May 30 Tues	6:30 am Divine Liturgy
May 31 Weds	5:30 pm Vespers	(and Bible Study)
Jun 1 Thu	5:30 pm Divine Liturgy
Jun 3 Sat	9:00 am Divine Liturgy	Otdanije of Pentecost
Jun 4 Sunday	8:30 am Confessions     9:30 am Divine Liturgy	Sunday of All Saints	Reader: Victor

For Confession, please call Fr. Christopher for an appointment, or come 30 minutes before or after scheduled services. If you desire Spiritual Direction then please see Fr Andrews for an appointment during the week so as to allow everyone an opportunity on Sundays for Confessions. Please consider those traveling from long distances.