Notices

ALL SAINTS: NOTICES - - THE PRESENTATION OF OUR LORD IN THE TEMPLE, 2025

Beloved Christians,

The Righteous Simeon and the Prophetess Anna, the last righteous people of the Old Testament, were deemed worthy to meet the Saviour in the Temple.

The child Jesus is brought to the temple, as was the custom and requirement under the God-given Law of Moses (Exodos 13:2, 12; Levitikos 12:2-8).

When the righteous Simeon, who receives the child in his arms, sees Him, he knows immediately that this is the Redeemer promised by Israel’s prophets, for Simeon is inspired by the Holy Spirit (Luke 2:26-27). Being inspired, he himself utters prophetic words which form the hymn which is sung at the end of the Esperinos [vespers] service: “Lord, now let your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation which you have prepared before the face of your people, a light to lighten the gentiles, and the glory of your people, Israel” (Luke 2:29-32). This is a declaration that Christ is truly Salvation Incarnate; with this recognition a new era begins- the era of God’s presence among His people.

What is important for us Christians is that, like the righteous Simeon, we have also witnessed the Truth:  “seen the True Light, received the Heavenly Spirit, found the true faith”.  Through the bearing of our cross, in becoming a willing and uncomplaining servant of God, in our ceaseless self-emptying, in our humble prayers; through meekness, and willingly suffering for Christ's sake - we also may be made worthy of meeting with the Lord. By the love of God, and through our preparations and prayers, the Divine Liturgy propels us forward and we are changed by the Holy Eucharist.

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ALL GLORY TO GOD!

Daniel O - training to serve in the holy altar. Please pray for him; also, for the newly tonsured Reader, Aaron; and for James (aged 9) all of whom - in response to His Eminence's call - came forward to labour in the Lord's vineyard.

Those who grasped the blessed responsibility of vacuum cleaning after the holy services on a Sunday.
Stephen and colleagues for inspecting the electrical system and instigating remedial action.

Daniel O - for the holy eikon of Saint Gregory the Theologian.
Those who brought food & drink to share, and who donated books.
Those who covered Presbytera's duties. 
Ted - for eggs, vegetables, bread.
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YOUR HOLY PRAYERS

We ask you, please, to pray--
For peace in Ukraine.

For the Lord to send more workers for His vineyard of All Saints. 

For those in our parish undertaking theological studies so as to be prepared to serve Christ in tonsured and ordained roles.
For those who sacrifice so much of their time to the glory of God. Especially, Nadezhda (creating Orthodox Christian websites and online resources); Natasha (writing and illustrating a book for Orthodox Christian children); Lăcrămioara (tailoring vestments for servers and clergy).
Iulia, Vasile, Iulius - broken central heating.
Joshua; Presbytera Susanna - travelling, Friday.
Savvas - facing a very demanding week.
Emily - pregnant.
For our electrical supply issues to be resolved.

Jean - ENROLLED, TODAY, AS KATECHUMEN. Pray for her. Befriend her. Help her.

Aidan (katechumen) - preparing for Reception into the holy Church on 16th Feb.; and for Savvas, godfather-to-be.
Simon (seeker, non-orthodox) - unwell.
Tina (Susannah's mum, non-orthodox) - still unwell, in hospital.
Andrew (non-orthodox) - medical appointment. Serious health/addiction issue.
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Happy Feast!

With love in the Lord,

Father Jakob

sinner, unworthy presbyter

please post these notices online, and share them with friends and family

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LOOKING AHEAD -- TWELVE GREAT FEASTS
To help you plan ahead, for those of you who are able to take time off work, etc., here are the dates of GREAT FEASTS for the year ahead.
These are dates upon which we should try to be in Church (sadly, many of us do not always have this choice).
These are days upon which the Divine Liturgy should be served at All Saints. Servers, singers, helpers- please do what you're able.

14th SEPTEMBER -- EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS 
21st NOVEMBER -- ENTRY OF THE THEOTOKOS INTO THE TEMPLE
25th DECEMBER -- NATIVITY OF CHRIST
6th JANUARY -- HOLY THEOPHANY
2nd FEBRUARY -- PRESENTATION OF OUR LORD IN THE TEMPLE
25th MARCH -- HOLY ANNUNCIATION
13th APRIL -- ENTRY OF OUR LORD INTO IERUSALEM*
20th APRIL -- HOLY PASCHA*
29th MAY -- HOLY ASCENSION*
8th JUNE -- HOLY PENTEKOST*
6th AUGUST -- HOLY TRANSFIGURATION
15th AUGUST -- HOLY DORMITION

[ * The dates of these feasts vary from year to year. ]

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ORTHODOXY 101 : ATTENDING THE DIVINE LITURGY

Christianity is experiential; it is not just 'read about', it must be lived. The Holy Eucharist is at the centre of our worship, at the centre of our Life in Christ.

We come to the Church, we remain in the Church in order that our souls be saved. That is all. It is our soul's salvation - there is nothing else.

The Holy Services are a store-house of spiritual treasures. To be saved, we need to gain knowledge of ourselves. We do this by discovering our sins and weaknesses, and by fighting against their pull. Our faith is war on personal pride. When our pride is wounded in the course of Church life, we should thank God!

We fight best when we are supported. For support we have the Holy Gospels; the Holy Fathers, their Lives and Teachings; we have God and we have each other.

The Church Community (both living and departed) is our Family in Christ. Our God is LOVE. And we are giving of our best, when we give love to God and to each other.

The Holy Eucharist is the body and Blood of Christ. It is life itself, it is Salvation. It is our treasure: "Where your treasure is there will your heart be also"​(Matthew 6:21). We spend time with - we are attentive to - the people, the things we love the most.

Canon LXXX (Sixth Oecumenical Council) reads, "A cleric or layman shall not go three consecutive Sundays without attending church, unless some necessary business requires him to leave his town. The usual penalties apply: deposition for a cleric; excommunication for a layman".

It is not always possible to come to every holy service, but our good practice, and simple good manners, is to notify the priest of our absence, or if we have moved away. Notification demonstrates love and humility, and allows the priest and community to pray for us, for example - when we are sick.

We pray for those who are absent from the divine services for legitimate reasons. The others, who come infrequently or have not attended for long periods, have become prodigal sons, wanderers. They have distanced themselves from Christ and from their Christian family. Their love has become luke-warm. A full and proper return to Church requires a full and proper repentance, taking responsibility for our failings.

Church life is about responsibility. It is about stepping up and being adult. This is done by singing, standing throughout the holy services, fasting, making regular confession, reading in Church, serving, cleaning and tidying, cooking, reading the morning and evening prayers every day, preparing properly for confession and communion. Above all it is about praying.

To be blunt, Church (parish) life is about giving time and money to the glory of God. Church life is about commitment. Without commitment, we will never become deeply Orthodox or even remain Orthodox.

Love of God and love of neighbour are entwined. We cannot love God if we do not love our neighbours, especially our fellow Christians; and we cannot love our neighbours if we do not love God (1 John 4:20).

We spend time with God, we spend time with each other. We do so not because we feel 'obliged' or even because we 'want to' but simply because our heart draws us, and we follow Christ's new commandment (Luke 10:27): "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbour as yourself".

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AΓAΠH = CARITAS = CHARITY = LOVE

John 4:16: Ὁ Θεὸς ἀγάπη (koine Greek) = Deus caritas est (Latin) = God is Love (English)

GIVING TO OTHERS

All glory to God! Our small parish has been able in little ways to help the poor, offer love to the stranger, to help heal the wounded.

GIFTAID

This past year we received £2,000 back from the UK government. Our parish trustees have authorised this and future monies raised through giftaid to be passed on to our poorer neighbours. If more of us donated by giftaid we could do even more to help the poor, the wounded, and the marginalised who are our neighbours.

'HOW CAN I HELP?'

Every penny helps! Donate to our parish via gift aid. If you pay tax in the UK you can use giftaid. It's free, it's easy, and as you can see above, it helps us to help others. The UK government pays us back for what you give to us via gftaid. This is the only official help that UK charities receive.

Our hope and ambition is that every penny given to us by you comes through giftaid.

LAZAROS, OUR NEIGHBOUR

The dying Lazaros is lying outside our door (Luke 16:20). We Christians have a duty of care (John 21:17), this is a constant in our life (Matthew 26:11), we must not ignore him (1 John 3:17). Let us do all that we are able to help to help our neighbour (John 15:12). May I ask you - please make a start, and donate to the parish by giftaid.

CHRIST IS RISEN!

In the Risen Lord,

Father Jakob

Presbyter, All Saints North Benfleet

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