Next Sunday, April 2, 2023

UPCOMING EVENTS

• (4/1/23) Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry
  Did you know that there are Orthodox Christians trying to practice their faith in prison? Or that there are non-Orthodox prisoners who are ready to repent of their crimes and embrace the fullness of Orthodoxy?
  
  Saturday, April 1, 2023 at 3:00 pm Ss. Peter and Paul Orthodox Church in Potomac, MD is hosting a gathering for those interested in leaning more about setting up a prison ministry. For more information please review the flyer for more informeation or visit Site to register.
  
  
• (4/1/23) Ukranian Orthodox League Lenten Retreat - Fr. Anthony Perkins will be the speaker at the retreat at the Basilian Spirituality Center in Jenkintown, PA on April 1, 2023. Click on the link for more information and to register.
  
  

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

• Lenten Retreat Schedule
  His Eminence Metropolitan Gregory is pleased to announce we will be offering in-person regional Lenten Retreats. Information can be found at the Diocesan website. An informational PDF flyer is located at this link.
  
  
• Lenten Psalm Reading Guide
  With the blessing of His Eminence, Metropolitan Gregory, and through the labors of Fr. David Mastroberte,  we are pleased to forward to your attention a Lenten Psalm Reading Guide for the upcoming Lenten Season.  By following this guide, the entire Psalter may be read during the season of Great and Holy Lent. Follow this link to download the reading guide.
  
  
• Special Appeal to Support Earthquake Victims
  His Eminence, Metropolitan Gregory, today has issued the following appeal to all Diocesan Parishes to take up a special collection for the victims of the catastrophic earthquake in Southern Turkey and Northern Syria. Click on the link to read his letter.
  
  
• US Supreme Court - Roe v. Wade Overturned
  It is important that our parish faithful in the aftermath of this Supreme Court ruling have accurate and concise information regarding the Orthodox Church's position on the Sacredness of Human Life and the termination of life via Abortion. The linked statements below were approved by the entire membership of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the USA:
  
  
  The First, Dated June 19th, 2022,   A Statement on the Sacredness of Human Life and its Untimely Termination
   
  And the Second, Dated June 24, 2022, A Press Release published on the AOB website regarding the Overturning of Roe V. Wade
  
  
  
  
• New Church App - Online Donation Available
  St. Thomas Parish now has a smartphone app! Our parish family is encouraged to download the “Church Center” app on either the Apple App Store or Google Play. Once you've downloaded the App, search for our parish. From the app you can see the Church calendar, donate, participate in church groups, and be notified about important information from St. Thomas Church. There are two ways you can connect:
  
  • Download the Church Center app to your iOS or Android device
  • Or you can go to the website to give using the Church Center Website instead of the app
  
  
  
• Study Series - The Divine Liturgy
  

  (The study series will resume after Pascha.)
  
  Ever wondered why we do the things we do in Liturgy? When did the Liturgy come about? What did the Early church Fathers teach regarding worship? Why do we say 'Amen'? What is an Antiphon anyway? These and other questions will be explored during a new Study Series, Exploration of the Divine Liturgy on Wednesday evenings. Please check the calendar for the schedule.

  In the series, will work through the Liturgy to understand why each part is there, its significance in our Corporate Worship and our personal Christian development with a goal of bringing us closer to Christ. We will look at historical writings and explanations to gain a better understanding of our Liturgy.

  "The most important aspect of the divine service is that the Orthodox Christian enters into a mystical union with God through the celebration of the Mysteries, especially in the Mystery of Holy Communion; and from this union with God, the Orthodox Christian receives the power of Divine Grace to live a righteous life." -  Archpriest Seraphim Slobodskoy