News and Events

  SUNDAY OF

  ST. JOHN CLIMACUS

A holy Saint of the desert, John Climacus wrote The Ladder of Divine Ascent -- a sure guide to the ascetic life, written by a great man of prayer experienced in all forms of the monastic polity; it teaches the seeker after salvation how to lay a sound foundation for his struggles, how to detect and war against each of the passions, how to avoid the snares laid by the demons, and how to rise from the rudimental virtues to the heights of Godlike love and humility.

Hebrews 6:13-20

BRETHREN, when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore to himself, saying, "Surely I will bless you and multiply you." And thus Abraham, having patiently endured, obtained the promise. Men indeed swear by a greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation. So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he interposed with an oath, so that through two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible that God should prove false, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to seize the hope set before us.

Among the very important scenes depicted on the walls of churches decorated in the traditional Byzantine manner is "The Soul-saving and Heavenward Ladder," usually referred to as "The Ladder of Divine Ascent." This painting or mosaic is a large synthesis that is given prominence in the narthex of some of the churches and refectories of the Holy Mountain of Athos, as well as in some old churches elsewhere.

The icon is connected with the famous spiritual classic entitled The Ladder of Divine Ascent of Saint John Climacos, who flourished in the seventh century. His memory is celebrated by the Orthodox on March 30 and on the Fourth Sunday of the Great Lent.

In this book, he describes thirty stages of spiritual development, which he likens to thirty steps upward on a ladder.

Those who aim at ascending with the body to Heaven, indeed need violence and constant suffering, especially in the early stages of their renunciation, until our pleasure-loving dispositions and unfeeling hearts attain to love of God and chastity by manifest sorrow.

St John begins forthrightly in his Ladder. He is neither flowery with his words nor soft in his speech, but instead speaks simply and with a driving intent. There is a certain ‘brutal honesty’ to his spiritual direction, for he does not make any attempt to portray the path of salvation and sanctification in a way that will be pleasing to men, but rather in a manner that is truthful to the reality of God.

HOLY CONFESSION    During Great Lent, Holy Confession will be offered on Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m.(before Presancitified Liturgy) and Fridays at 6:00 p.m. (before the Salutations to the Holy Theotokos). 

CHALLENGE LITURGY AND FELLOWSHIP   On Saturday, March 20, there will be the monthly Challenge Liturgy for those with intellectual and physical challenges, their families and friends.  The Liturgy will be at 9:30 a.m. followed by Fellowship.  Please join us for this important Liturgy in support of our brothers and sisters.

GREAT LENTEN BOOK DISCUSSION   Held Wednesday evenings during the Great Fast.  Presanctified Liturgy at 6:30 p.m. followed by a Lenten Supper and te presentation on Fr.