February 19, 2012

Sunday of the Last Judgment
“Meatfare Sunday”
Tone 3 Eothinon 3

Today we commemorate: Apostles Archippos, Philemon and Apphias of the Seventy; Venerable-Martyr Philothea of Athens; New-Hieromartyr Nikita of Epiros

Apolytikion of the Resurrection - Tone 3: Let the heavens rejoice and the earth be glad, for the Lord hath done a mighty act with His own arm; He hath trampled down death by death and become the first-born from the dead; He hath delivered us from the depths of Hades, granting the world the great mercy.

Apolytikion of St. George - Tone 4: Liberator of captives, defender of the poor, physician of the sick, and champion of kings, O trophy-bearer, Great Martyr George, intercede with Christ God that our souls be saved.

Kontakion for Sunday of the Last Judgment - Tone 1: When Thou comest, O God, to earth with glory, and all creatures tremble before Thee, and the river of fire floweth before the Altar, and the books are opened and sins revealed, deliver me then from that unquenchable fire, and make me worthy to stand at Thy right hand, O righteous Judge.

Farewell to Meat
Today is “Meatfare Sunday.” This means that today is the last day on which we eat meat until Holy Pascha on April 15. During this coming week the Church offers us the opportunity to “ease into” the Lenten Fast. We eat no meat or poultry during the week, but we may continue to eat dairy products, eggs, fish, oil and wine even on Wednesday and Friday. The fast from these items begins on Clean Monday, Feb. 27.

Upcoming Events
Forgiveness Vespers - The first service of Great Lent will be Forgiveness Vespers at 6pm on Sunday, Feb. 26.

Clean Week Schedule – During the first week of Lent services will be offered at St. George each evening. On Monday, Tuesday and Thursday (Feb. 27, 28 & Mar. 1) Great Compline with the Canon of St. Andrew of Crete at 7pm. On Wednesday (Feb. 29) Presanctified Liturgy at 6pm followed by a Lenten potluck supper and Great Compline with the Canon of St. Andrew at 8pm. On Friday (Mar. 2) the first Salutations (Madayeh) Service at 7pm.

Sunday of Orthodoxy – The pan-Orthodox community of Portland will gather for a joint celebration of the Sunday of Orthodoxy on Mar. 4 at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral (3131 NE Glisan). Services will begin with Matins at 9am, followed by the Divine Liturgy at 10am with the procession of the icons afterward. Remember to bring an icon for each member of your family to carry in the procession. Matins and Divine Liturgy will also be served at St. George on Mar. 4 followed by a procession of the icons.

Lenten Services – During Great Lent the following special midweek services will be offered. Tuesdays: Great Compline at 7pm. Wednesdays: Presanctified Liturgy at 6pm, Lenten potluck supper following. Fridays: Salutations Service (Madayeh) at 7pm.

Women’s Retreat – March 30 through April 1 at the Greek Orthodox Monastery of St. John the Honorable Forerunner in Goldendale, WA. Details may be found at orthodoxportland.org.

Camp St. Mary Registration Now Open
“Run the Race” (Hebrews 12:1-2). Calling all campers ages 9 to 17, ONLINE Registration for St. Mary of Egypt Summer Camp is OPEN! CSME will be held July 16-21 on the beautiful Spokane River at Ross Point in Post Falls, Idaho. Early Bird registration (by March 15) is $345 per camper. See your priest NOW to apply for limited scholarship funds granted each parish by the Order of St. Ignatius (due by end of Feb). Adults may apply ONLINE for Counselor or Staff positions. To register or for more information, visit our website: www.campstmary.org. If you do not have internet access, please contact our registrar, Tina Hippner, at (360) 650-0931.