Our Journey To Pascha 2021!
Brought to you by the Religious Education Committee
Presanctified Liturgy & Veneration of the Holy Cross
By: Fr. Stephen Mathewes
Devotional Reading
Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:1-6 (OSB page 1657)
O Gladsome Light Click Here

Recite the Prayer to St. Ephrem with prostrations.
In Eastern Orthodox worship, prostrations are preceded by making the sign of the cross and consist of kneeling and touching the head to the floor. They are commonly done during the three sections of the Prayer of Saint Ephrem.

O Lord and Master of my life!
Take from me the spirit of sloth, faint-heartedness, lust of power, and idle talk. (prostration)
But give rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience, and love to Thy servant. (prostration)
Yea, Lord and King! Grant me to see my own errors and not to judge my brother, for Thou art blessed unto ages of ages. (prostration). Amen.
Family Activities
Plan to attend one of the Presanctified Liturgies offered at your parish. After attending, do you know the answers the following questions?

  1. What was different in this Liturgy from our normal Sunday Divine Liturgy?
  2. Did you notice the priest’s vestments? What color is he wearing? Is it the same as a Sunday Divine Liturgy? If not, why?
  3. Why does the priest cover his head in this processing of the Presanctified Gifts? Why do the people kneel when the priest comes out with the gifts in the Procession? 

Create a tray at home for the Veneration of the Holy Cross!
Put it in a visible place to remind the family of the importance of the day. Place a cross on a round tray or plate, then under the cross put fresh flowers. When the tray is finished, sing or recite the words that the priest and people sing during the procession. Your Cross, Do We Venerate Listen Here!

Fun Fact!
As Orthodox Christians, we know that Christ suffered on the cross, but we rejoice at the sight of it because we also know what follows. During Sunday of the Veneration of the Holy Cross, there is a procession with a cross and flowers. The flowers are are symbolic of Spring and renewal of life. We adorn the Cross with the beauty of nature as we continue our Journey to Pascha!
Lent Lunch & Learn
St. Nektarios Greek Orthodox Church in Charlotte, NC invites the Metropolis of Atlanta communities to their Lent Lunch and Learn. It is a zoom call every Thursday.

Today's Topic: The Road Back to Christ