November Calendar Events

FROM YOUR PASTOR …

November 8 – St. Michael and the Angels
On this day we celebrate the presence of God’s bodiless ministers: the Archangels Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, our guardian angels, the Cherubim and Seraphim and all the heavenly hosts. This day is also the altar feast of our sister parish in Concord.

November 15 – The Nativity Fast Begins
Today we begin the fasting period of Advent in preparation for the “Winter Pascha,” the celebration of the first coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

November 21 – The Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple
On this, one of the “Twelve Great Feasts” of the year, we honor the Mother of God who in bearing Christ in her womb became the living temple of the uncon- tainable God. We also remember the words of St. Paul: “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s spirit dwells in you?” (I Cor. 3:16) At the vigil on the eve of the feast we hear for the first time this year the Katavasia of the Christmas Canon: “Christ is born! Glorify Him!”

November 25 – Thanksgiving Day
In the morning of this civil holiday we have the opportunity to gather as the Church and celebrate the akathist: “Glory to God for All Things.” Throughout the years many have expressed the conviction that this glorious hymn is one of the best opportunities to invite someone to the Orthodox Church for the very first time. On this holiday, invite a relative, friend, co-worker, or neighbor to church.

Our Altar Feast – December 6 – St. Nicholas of Myra
One of the most important feasts in every parish is the annual commemoration of its heavenly patron or altar feast. A parish feast is like a second Pascha, and beckons the entire congregation to prepare for the feast. It is a work of the whole Church—the Body of Christ— and not an individualistic and private spiritual matter, in which one considers perhaps to attend, or not to attend.

This year St. Nicholas day falls on a Thursday evening—Friday morning. It will require a little extra effort to plan ahead so that every member of our parish can be free to gather for the Festal Vigil and Divine Liturgy together with the clergy and faithful of the Bay Area. Please plan to be present and again – invite a relative, friend, co-worker, or neighbor to your church for this very special day! Both the Liturgy and Vigil have become occasions for pilgrims to annually visit our parish. Please make an effort to welcome them at both events. Remember, 90% of all the special hymns honoring St. Nicholas are sung at the Vigil!