Announcements August 2022

Library Request

Over the years we have received generous book donations for the Parish Library, and continue to do so. Most books are available for check-out (those on the North Wall of the Library) and we ask that those using the Library please use the card in the jacket of the book, signing it out for 3 weeks, returning the book afterwards, or signing it out for another 3 week period.  In addition, we have a series of reference books (clearly marked on the East Wall of the Library) that may be read in the building itself, but are not for home use.  Your kind attention to these guidelines will help to insure that all of our members and friends have adequate access to reading materials.  Thank you.       

Confession, Workshop, Council & Parents Meeting

This month General Confession will offered on Wednesday, August 17, at 6:00 pm. A Readers Workshop will be held on Sunday, August 21. A Council Meeting will be convened Thursday, August 25, at 6:30 pm.  And a Parents Church School Meeting will be conducted on Sunday, August 28.   

Fall Church School Classes

Sacraments of the Church along with Orthodox Christian Fundamentals will constitute the overarching themes for Church School Classes during the Fall and Spring semesters at St. Barbara’s.  Teachers and youth will review the Seven Major Sacraments of Orthodoxy, as well as: daily rules of prayer, fasting, prostrations, making the sign of the Cross, Confession and participation in the Eucharist, ranks of clergy in Orthodoxy including how to greet a visiting bishop, the priesthood of believers, Christian stewardship, and heavenly intercessors (the patron saint of each Church School student).  Class schedules will follow past models:  once a month on the 2nd Saturday each month, with handouts provided for parents.  Please see Matushka Christine or Fr. Basil for more information. Classes start Saturday, Sept. 10, 4:30 pm. 

Church School & Parents Meeting, Aug. 28

In anticipation of the upcoming 2022-2023 School Year, we would like to meet with Church School teachers as well as parents on Sunday, August 28, toward the middle of Coffee Hour.  At this meeting the basic principles of our Church School Program will be reviewed, as well as the curriculum to be used during the upcoming months.  We encourage all teachers and parents with Church School aged children to take part in this gathering.  In addition, we will have Church School registration on two consecutive Sundays, August 28 and September 4 after Divine Liturgy.  For more information or clarification please see Matushka Christine Zebrun our Church School Coordinator.  

Greeters Invite

A Greeters Ministry is an important outreach and hospitality arm of any parish. We desire that our own Greeters Ministry continue to be a strength within the parish as it has been over the years. We wish to thank those people who have been serving as greeters, for their warm and friendly efforts. Those who have been Orthodox for a while, or who have visited the Orthodox Church many times, sometimes forget how different and new the Orthodox Faith is to first time visitors.  And not just Orthodoxy in general, but people experience differences from parish to parish. We also tend to forget how important it is to speak with newcomers, providing answers to their many questions, welcoming them to our community. Please see Rdr. Stephen Bodnarchuk for how you can help with this effort.  Experience is not required; only a friendly face and a desire to welcome guests into God's House.   

April 2022 - Holy Week and Pascha

Special Features of the Paschal Midnight Service:

These include:  Nocturnes (11:30 pm to 12:00 midnight) celebrated in total darkness with only dim lighting for the choir. Nocturnes is followed by a triple procession around the outside of the Church, a Resurrection Gospel reading and the first announcement of, “Christ is Risen!” 

The Paschal Matins then begins, during which the Church is brightly lit and the faithful sing of Christ’s Resurrection in a very joyous manner. Near the end of Matins, the Paschal Catechetical Sermon of St. John Chrysostom is read.  During the Liturgy of St. John the Gospel from the Prologue of St. John’s Gospel is chanted in several languages, symbolic of the universal character of the Christian Faith.  Immediately after the service, food for the Agape Meal is blessed, as well as Pascha (Easter) baskets full of non-fasting foods.

On Sunday afternoon, April 24, from 12:00 noon to about 12:45, we return to the Church to celebrate Resurrection Vespers during which we hear a Gospel reading and more hymns of Christ’s Resurrection.  A continuation of the Agape Meal will be enjoyed after Vespers.

Agape Meal and Blessing of Pascha Baskets:

The main Resurrection Service this year will begin Saturday night, April 23, at 11:30 pm and end at approximately 2:30 am on Sunday morning, April 24.  Immediately after the service we will enjoy the traditional Agape Paschal Meal.  A sign-up sheet will be available in the hall in the near future for people to indicate what non-fasting foods they will be able to bring.  Donations are also welcome.  We ask that everyone arrive prior to 11:30 so that everything and everyone will be in place for the start of the service, at which time all lights in the building will be turned off.

In addition, after the Midnight Service we will bless Pascha Baskets.  Tables will be made available on which to place the baskets.  Traditionally these are filled with foods from which people have fasted during Lent:  various cheeses and meats, wine, butter, homemade bread, etc.  The baskets may also be adorned with Pysanky, ribbons or decorative cloth coverings. Food from the baskets are either shared with others during the Agape Meal and/or are taken home and eaten during Bright Week (the week following Pascha).  For more information, please see Fr. Basil.  

Bright Week Services:

The week immediately after Pascha is an extended, intense celebration of the Lord’s Resurrection. Although we enjoy a 40-day Paschal season (April 24-June1), the services of Bright Week are uniquely joyous, reflecting the specific tone and spirit of Pascha night.  Divine Liturgies and Vespers celebrated during this time are very similar to those of April 24.  There is, as well, no fasting during Bright Week.  We look forward to celebrating Pascha with all of our Church members and friends. 

During Bright Week we will celebrate additional Paschal Liturgies at St. Barbara’s on Tuesday, April 26 (10:00 am), and Thursday, April 28 (10:00 am).  Resurrection Vespers will be celebrated on Wednesday, April 27 (7:00 pm).  In addition, other Orthodox Churches throughout the Metroplex will celebrate Bright Week services also, as their schedules allow.  We invite you to check out their websites and avail yourselves of these opportunities.  Christ is Risen!

Holy Week and Early Confessions:

Holy Week begins on April 18 with Pascha celebrated on April 24.  We invite all members and friends of St. Barbara’s to set aside this special time for entering the celebration of the central mysteries of our Faith.  As announced, since we will be preparing for, and celebrating services each day during Holy Week, we ask that appointments for confessions be made early so that Lenten confessions can be concluded by Palm Sunday, April 17.  Thank you.