Saint Aidan Orthodox Church

Great Lent Fast
2023-02-27 - 2023-04-15

Beginning of Great Lent
2023-02-27
In the Orthodox Church, the last Sunday before Great Lent—the day on which, at Vespers, Lent is liturgically announced and inaugurated—is called Forgiveness Sunday. On the morning of that Sunday, at the Divine Liturgy, we hear the words of Christ:
“If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses…” (Mark 6:14-15)…more to read from Father Alexander Schmemann at: https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2023/02/27/8-beginning-of-great-lent

Divine Liturgy-Sunday of Cheesefare-Expulsion of Adam from Paradise-Forgiveness Sunday
2023-02-26 10:30 - 12:30 (America/Edmonton)
As we begin the Great Fast, the Church reminds us of Adam’s expulsion from Paradise. God commanded Adam to fast (Gen. 2:16), but he did not obey. Because of their disobedience, Adam and Eve were cast out of Eden and lost the life of blessedness, knowledge of God, and communion with Him, for which they were created. Both they and their descendants became heirs of death and corruption…To Continue reading, click: https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2023/02/26/7-sunday-of-cheesefare-expulsion-of-adam-from-paradise
This Sunday Forgiveness Vespers will be served in the early afternoon, directly after Liturgy.

Great Vespers-Tone 4
2023-02-25 17:30 - 18:30
As we begin the Great Fast, the Church reminds us of Adam’s expulsion from Paradise. God commanded Adam to fast (Gen. 2:16), but he did not obey. Because of their disobedience, Adam and Eve were cast out of Eden and lost the life of blessedness, knowledge of God, and communion with Him, for which they were created. Both they and their descendants became heirs of death and corruption.
Let us consider the benefits of fasting, the consequences of disobedience, and recall our fallen state. Today we are invited to cleanse ourselves of evil through fasting and obedience to God. Our fasting should not be a negative thing, a mere abstention from certain foods. It is an opportunity to free ourselves from the sinful desires and urges of our fallen nature, and to nourish our souls with prayer, repentance, to participate in church services, and partake of the life-giving Mysteries of Christ…continue reading , click: https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2023/02/26/7-sunday-of-cheesefare-expulsion-of-adam-from-paradise
This Sunday is also Forgiveness Sunday.

Meat Fast Day
2023-02-25, 2023-02-23, 2023-02-21, 2023-02-20

Fast Day
2023-02-24, 2023-02-17, 2023-02-03
Friday we fast as we remember that the Lord Jesus Christ was hung on the cross for our sake.

Fast Day
2023-02-22, 2023-02-15, 2023-02-01
Wednesday we fast as we remember the betrayal of the Lord by Judas. We pray that we would not do the same.

St. Aidan Church Breakfast
2023-02-20 07:30 - 09:30, 2023-02-06 07:30 - 09:30
A free breakfast is served every Monday of every month.
Monday breakfast consists of a breakfast sandwich with coffee, juice, yogurt and two pieces of fruit.

Divine Liturgy-Sunday of the Last Judgement/ Meatfare Sunday
2023-02-19 10:30 - 12:30
Today’s Gospel reading is Matthew 25:31-46, the parable of the Last Judgment. It reminds us that while trusting in Christ’s love and mercy, we must not forget His righteous judgment when He comes again in glory. If our hearts remain hardened and unrepentant, we should not expect the Lord to overlook our transgressions simply because He is a good and loving God. Although He does not desire the death of a sinner, He also expects us to turn from our wickedness and live (Ezek. 33:11). This same idea is expressed in the prayer read by the priest after the penitent has confessed his or her sins (Slavic practice)…to continue reading click : https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2023/02/19/5-sunday-of-meatfare-of-the-last-judgment
Also, this is the last time we eat meat until we celebrate the Risen Christ at Pascha.

Great Vespers-Tone 3
2023-02-18 17:30 - 18:30

Memorial Divine Liturgy-Saturday of Meatfare
2023-02-18 09:30 - 11:00
On the day before Meatfare Sunday, on which we remember the Last Judgment, the Orthodox Church prays for those of its members who may have died unexpectedly because of wars, plagues, starvation, or any other sort of death while they were in a foreign country, or while they were traveling by sea, by land, or by air. The Church also prays for the poor, or for those who may not have received a proper burial, or who had no one to request Memorial Services to be offered for them…Click the following link to continue reading: https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2023/02/18/4-memorial-saturday-of-meatfare

St. Aidan Church Breakfast
2023-02-13 07:30 - 09:30
freeA free breakfast is served every Monday of every month.
Monday breakfast consists of a breakfast sandwich with coffee, juice, yogurt and two pieces of fruit.

Divine Liturgy-Sunday of the Prodigal Son
2023-02-12 10:30 - 12:15
The Sunday after the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee is the Sunday of the Prodigal Son. This parable of God’s forgiveness calls us to “come to ourselves” as did the prodigal son, to see ourselves as being “in a far country” far from the Father’s house, and to make the journey of return to God. We are given every assurance by the Master that our heavenly Father will receive us with joy and gladness. We must only “arise and go,” confessing our self-inflicted and sinful separation from that “home” where we truly belong (Luke 15:11-24)…much more to read…click https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2023/02/12/3-sunday-of-the-prodigal-son to continue.

Cancelled- Great Vespers-Tone 2
2023-02-11 17:30 - 18:15

Fast Free Day
2023-02-10
The week following the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee is fast free in accordance with the Lenten Triodion.

St. Aidan Church Breakfast
2023-02-08 07:30 - 09:30, 2023-02-01 07:30 - 09:30
A free breakfast is served the first two Wednesdays of every month.
Wednesday breakfast consists of burritos with coffee, juice, yogurt and two pieces of fruit.

Fast Free Day
2023-02-08
Fast free week after the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee.

Divine Liturgy-Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee
2023-02-05 10:30 - 12:15
The Sunday after the Sunday of Zacchaeus is devoted to the Publican and the Pharisee. At Vespers the night before, the Triodion (the liturgical book used in the services of Great Lent) begins… click to read more: https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2023/02/05/2-sunday-of-the-publican-and-the-pharisee-embeginning-of-the-lente

Great Vespers Tone 1
2023-02-04 17:30 - 18:15

The Meeting of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in the Temple
2023-02-02
The Meeting of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus Christ is described in the third Gospel (Luke 2:22-40). Forty days after His birth the Divine Child was brought to the Temple at Jerusalem to be presented to the Lord. According to the Law of Moses (Lev. 12:2-8), a woman who gave birth to a male child was forbidden to enter the Temple for forty days. At the end of the time of her purification, the mother went to the Temple with the child, to offer a young lamb, two turtledoves, or pigeons to the Lord as a sacrifice. The Most Holy Virgin had no need of purification, since she had given birth to the Source of purity and sanctity. Out of humility, however, she fulfilled the requirements of the Law… to continue reading, click: https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2023/02/02/100407-the-meeting-of-our-lord-and-savior-jesus-christ-in-the-temple

“Money and Salvation” Book Study
2023-01-31 20:00 - 21:15
All are welcome to join, either at the Applegate residence or by the zoom link. Please contact Fr. Andrew if you are interested.
