Saturday, December 27, 2014

Traditional Christmas Schedule at Holy Transfiguration

We are fortunate that the Russian Orthodox Church has held fast to the Church Calendar, as we now in Peoria have the opportunity to participate in the services of Nativity as they were originally set forth by our Christian fathers. 

Our preparation for Nativity began the day after American Thanksgiving with the beginning of the Nativity fast.  It continued with
  • the Feast of the Entry of the Mother of God into the Temple in Jerusalem
  • the commemorations of the Prophets Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah
  • the celebration of St. Nicholas the Hierarch and Wonderworker of Myra and Lycia, and 
  • the Conception of the Virgin Mary by her mother, St. Anna 

This Sunday (12/28 on the civil calendar) we begin our approach to Nativity celebrating the "Forefathers of Christ" - all in the Old Testament who participated in His future Incarnation - with our normal service schedule.

(The following Monday and Tuesday are the commemorations of the Prophet Haggai and the Prophet Daniel with the Three Youths)

Next Sunday, (the Sunday before Nativity, we commemorate the genealogy of Christ. 

Christmas Eve begins on Monday evening (Jan 5th on the civil calendar) with Vespers at 5PM, and continuing Tuesday morning with Royal Hours of Nativity at 8:30 AM.

Nativity will be celebrated Tuesday evening with Great Compline at 5PM, and Festal Hours and Typika at 8:30 AM on Wednesday morning. 

Please remember to refer to our calendar page for the latest schedule updates. 

Sunday, September 21, 2014

Blessing of the New Church Space and First Divine Liturgy

Nativity of the Mother of God, 2014

Today our rector, Hieromonk Alexander, performed the blessing of the new church space and served our first Divine Liturgy here.  This joyous event was coupled with the celebration of the Nativity of the Mother of God and the Sunday before the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. 

Fr. Alexander during his homily reminded us that there are no coincidences and that this timing is by God's providence.  We had initially planned for the blessing of the church to happen last week, during the Indiction of the Church Year, but circumstances delayed Fr. Alexander's trip one week.  He reiterated how fortunate we are to be given the opportunity to perform this work on this Great Feast of the Nativity of the Mother of God.

And we did feel fortunate to be a part of this important and uniquely satisfying work.  Glory to God!