By these signs then, that carnal pride is shown... He is utterly lacking in patience, and without charity:  impudent in offering insults to others; faint-hearted in bearing them himself; troublesome in the matter of obedience, except where his own wishes and likings correspond with his duty; unforgiving in receiving admonition; weak in giving up his own wishes; very stubborn about yielding to those of others; always trying to compass his own ends, and never ready to give them up for others; and thus the result is that though he is incapable of giving sound advice, yet in everything he prefers his own opinion to that of others.

St. John Cassian.  Institutes.

The Diocese of Wichita and Mid-America
Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America

14 February 2010
Forgiveness Sunday

To the Right  Reverend, Very Reverend and Reverend Clergy, the Christ-loving Monastics, and  the Faithful Laity of the Diocese of Wichita and Mid-America:

Blessings and greetings in the Name of the Lord Christ.

As we stand at the thresh-hold of the Great Fast, I make my prostration before you and ask your forgiveness.  As this year’s Forgiveness Sunday Message to our Diocese, I share with you the following counsel of our Venerable and God-bearing Father Theodore the Studite (759-826).

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We will soon be publishing a parish cookbook – featuring our festival recipes and favorite recipes from our parishioners.

We are asking all parishioners to please submit at least 5-6 of their favorite recipes.  You can use the attached recipe collection card or email your recipes in Word format directly to me at jlongofono@cox.net.

Please use the suggested abbreviations (listed on the attachment) – e.g., instead of 1 cup, write 1 c. 

Thanks so much for your help – can't wait to see the finished cookbook!

God bless,
Kh. Marsha

The last day for house blessings is Sunday, February 14th.

Fr. Joseph will be unavailable to bless houses on Monday, February 8th through Wednesday the 10th.  That means you have Thursday through Sunday left.

Here are the fasting guidelines for the coming 2010 Lenten season.  The Church Calendar has also been updated with the following dates:

• Prodigal Son Sunday - January 31, 2010:  We observe the usual fasting discipline during the week following.
• Judgment (or Meatfare) - Sunday February 7, 2010:  We fast from flesh-meats during the week following, but dairy, fish, wine and oil are permitted on all days.
• Forgiveness (or Cheesefare) Sunday - February 14, 2010:  The last day for dairy fish, wine and oil -- except as permitted by the Typikon.
• Pure Monday (Start of the Great Fast) - February 15, 2010:  We observe the usual fasting discipline during this fast -- wine and oil are permitted on Saturdays and Sundays.
• Thursday of the Great Canon - March 18, 2010: Thursday of the 5th Week of the Great Fast -- wine and oil are permitted.
• Feast of the Annunciation - March 25, 2010:  Thursday of the 6th Week of the Great Fast -- fish, wine and oil are permitted.
• Lazarus Saturday - March 27, 2010:  Wine and oil are permitted.
• Palm Sunday - March 28, 2010:  Fish, wine and oil are permitted.
• Great and Holy Saturday - April 3, 2010:  We fast from oil on this Saturday, but wine is permitted.
• Holy Pascha - April 4, 2010:  Tthe week following known as "Bright" or "New Week" is fast-free.

Have a blessed Lenten season and a glorious Pascha!!

St. Theophan the Recluse

There is a moment, and a very noticeable moment, which is sharply marked out in the course of our life, when a person begins to live in a Christian way. This is the moment when there begins to be present in him the distinctive characteristics of Christian life. Christian life is zeal and strength to remain in communion with God by means of an active fulfillment of His holy will, according to our faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the help of the grace of God, to the glory of His most holy name.

The essence of Christian life consists in communion with God, in Christ Jesus our Lord - in a communion with God which in the beginning is usually hidden not only from others, but also from oneself. The testimony of this life that is visible or can be felt within us is the ardor of active zeal to please God alone in a Christian manner, with total self-sacrifice and hatred of everything which is opposed to this. And so, when this ardor of zeal begins, Christian life has its beginning. The person in whom this ardor is constantly active, is one who is living in a Christian way. Here we will have to stop and pay attention to this distinctive characteristic.

If anyone has any photos of church-related events they would like to have posted, please contact the webmaster.  Thanks.

There is Pysanky Egg Workshop coming on March 20th.  Learn how to make Ukranian Easter Eggs.

To see the flyer Click Here