MAR 19: CONFESSION – 8:30 AM, DIVINE LITURGY OF ST. BASIL – 9:00 AM (LIVE-STREAMED), DIVINE LITURGY OF ST. BASIL – 11:00 AM, PANACHIDA FOR 4TH ALL SOULS SATURDAY – 11:15 AM.
PROPERS: 03-19-23_GF4_Sunday_DL
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/livestream
GOD WITH US ONLINE – THE SUNDAY OF ST. JOHN OF THE LADDER: https://godwithusonline.org/reflections/the-sunday-of-st-john-of-the-ladder-ruthenian/
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 so he is 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 true and 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. We are overwhelmed with noise – constant talk shows, broadcast media, podcasts, and advertisements. Yet when it matters and our words might uphold what is good, true, beautiful and just – then we are still silent. What can you do to change that?
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.
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.
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.
