Cheesefare Sunday:

• Next Sunday (March 2nd) is Cheesefare/Forgiveness Sunday. As in the past, we will gather for lunch following the Divine Liturgy and then celebrate Vespers which liturgically ushers in the Great Fast.
• In preparation for this parish event, I request your help this Saturday, March 1st, following the Divine Liturgy (at about 10:00 AM). There will be some light cleaning and ordering, Social Hall set-up, and a bit of food prep. We should be finished quite early if a sufficient number of volunteers respond.
• Next Sunday plan on staying for the Divine Liturgy, lunch and Vespers. Please bring a cold dish, finger foods, hors d’oeuvres, crudités, or a sweet, gooey, decadent dessert for a pre-Lenten treat. In order to cut down on preparation work and clean up, we will stick to cold dishes such as salads, sandwiches, etc.

Sunday Morning Prep: Prior to the Divine Liturgy next Sunday morning, beginning at 9:00 AM until the Liturgy begins at 10:00 AM, I will need help in the kitchen with last minute food prep including cutting bread and rolls, making sandwiches, arranging platters and serving trays, etc. Please plan on coming early to help with some last minute prep work.

Divine Services During The Great Fast:

• The Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts will be celebrated on Wednesday evenings at 7:30 PM during the Great Fast.
• This year on Fridays at 12:00 NOON there will be a Lenten Service to accommodate our parishioners who may not be able to attend evening Services. This Service may vary during Lent, e.g., The Sixth Hour/Office of Typika, Paraklesis, Akathist, Moleben, etc. Please refer to the bulletin for the weekly schedule.
• Weekdays of the Great Fast — Monday through Friday –€” are aliturgical days, i.e., the Divine Liturgy is not celebrated except on the Feast of the Annunciation (March 25th). The Divine Liturgy is celebrated regularly on Saturdays and Sundays during the Fast.
• Saturdays during the Great Fast are dedicated to specific themes:
  • First Saturday of the Fast: Miracle of St. Theodore Tyro
  • Second, Third, and Fourth Saturdays: Memory of all the Faithful Departed
  • Fifth Saturday: Akathistos Saturday
  • Sixth Saturday: Lazarus Saturday
• Attending the Divine Liturgy on Saturday mornings at 10:00 AM during the Great Fast provides an opportunity to attend an additional Service during Lent for those who may not be able to attend the evening Services.
• The Office of Matins is celebrated every Sunday morning throughout the year at 9:00 AM. Attending the morning prayer of the Church during the Great Fast provides yet another opportunity to devote more time to prayer during the Great Fast.