MAR 15: CONFESSION – 8:30 AM, DIVINE LITURGY OF ST. BASIL – 9:00 AM (LIVE-STREAMED); EASTERN CHRISTIAN FORMATION – 10:15 AM; DIVINE LITURGY OF ST. BASIL – 11:00 AM, PANACHIDA FOR 4TH ALL SOULS SATURDAY – 12:15 AM.
The Fourth Sunday of the Great Fast, the Church commemorates our Righteous Father John Climacus. He is called Climacus due to his authorship of the great spiritual work “The Ladder of Divine Ascent,” in which he talks about a ladder, or succession of virtues which lead us up to the Throne of God. His commemoration is designated by the Church on this Sunday of Lent as his life and writings affirm him as a supreme bearer and proponent of Christian abstinence. (see below for additional information about this Sunday of the Great Fast).
The Gospel Reading today, Mark 9: 17-31, is The Healing of a Boy from a Deaf and Dumb Spirit. Jesus Christ rebukes the deaf and dumb spirit and it leaves the boy restored to health. How often in life are we influenced by such a demonic spirit that leaves us deaf at times when we should speak and dumb at times when we need to hear? We are given situations in which we can speak up for what is right, and instead we allow the dumb spirit to come upon us and we remain silent in the moment when our voice might make a difference. We could speak up for those who cannot defend themselves, or are oppressed, weak and vulnerable, but instead we become possessed with silence. What can you do to change, so when it matters your words might uphold what is good, true, beautiful and just?
PROPERS: 03-15-26_GF4_Sunday_DL
PANACHIDA: https://mci.archpitt.org/books/DL/page.html?432
“The Panachida is a memorial service for the dead, that provides an opportunity to pray for the soul of the one who has died, asking God to grant them rest and forgiveness of all their sins, and also serves to comfort and console those left behind. The name comes from the Greek pannychis, meaning an all-night vigil. For guidelines on leading the singing of this service, see Singing the Panachida. “(This information is from THE METROPOLITAN CANTOR INSTITUTE).
The complete text of the Panachida can be found in our Divine Liturgies book on pages 432-440, where it immediately follows the hymns of the Divine Liturgy “for the faithful departed.” For guidelines on leading the singing of this service, see Singing the Panachida. “(This information is from THE METROPOLITAN CANTOR INSTITUTE).
Streaming via Facebook Live. https://www.facebook.com/saintscyrilandmethodius/
Parishes live-streaming in the Diocese can be found here: https://www.eparchyofpassaic.com/directory
GOD WITH US ONLINE – THE SUNDAY OF ST. JOHN OF THE LADDER (from March 19, 2023): https://godwithusonline.org/reflections/the-sunday-of-st-john-of-the-ladder-ruthenian/
OUR PASCHA JOURNEY 2027:
ByziKids 2027 Countdown to Pascha:
You may read “The Ladder of Divine Ascent,” at this site: https://www.sscyrilmethodius.org/wp-prod/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Daily-Readings-for-the-Great-Fast-Ladder-of-Divine-Ascent.pdf
The Ladder (Klimakos in Greek) is composed of 30 steps, each representing a particular vice or virtue encountered in the ascent towards spiritual fulfillment. (from Orthodox Wiki: https://orthodoxwiki.org/The_Ladder_of_Divine_Ascent
Step 1. On renunciation of the world
Step 2. On detachment
Step 3. On exile or pilgrimage
Step 4. On blessed and ever-memorable obedience
Step 5. On painstaking and true repentance
Step 6. On remembrance of death
Step 7. On joy-making mourning
Step 8. On freedom from anger and on meekness
Step 9. On remembrance of wrongs
Step 10. On slander or calumny
Step 11. On talkativeness and silence
Step 12. On lying
Step 13. On despondency
Step 14. On that clamorous mistress, the stomach
Step 15. On incorruptible purity and chastity
Step 16. On love or money, or avarice
Step 17. On non-possessiveness (that hastens one Heavenwards)
Step 18. On insensibility
Step 19. On sleep, prayer, and psalmody with the brotherhood
Step 20. On bodily vigil and how to use it to obtain spiritual vigil.
Step 21. On unmanly and puerile cowardice
Step 22. On the many forms of vainglory
Step 23. On mad pride and unclean blasphemous thoughts
Step 24. On meekness, simplicity and guilelessness
Step 25. On the destroyer of passions, most sublime humility
Step 26. On discernment of thoughts, passions and virtues
Step 27. On holy stillness of body and soul
Step 28. On holy and blessed prayer
Step 29. Concerning Heaven on earth, or Godlike dispassion and perfection
Step 30. Concerning the linking together of the supreme trinity among the virtues.
