SUNDAY February 17/ March 2

Trapeza Team 1

Cheese-fare Sunday

Forgiveness Sunday

9:00 - Hours

10:00 - Divine Liturgy

All are welcome to join us for a Trapeza meal following Divine Liturgy

1:00PM - Forgiveness Vespers following the Trapeza meal

MONDAY February 18/ March 3

CLEAN WEEK - Lent Begins

6:00 PM - Canon of St. Andrew (first half)

TUESDAY February 19/ March 4

CLEAN WEEK

NO ZOOM CLASSES DURING LENT

6:00PM - Canon of St. Andrew (second half)

WEDNESDAY February 20/ March 5

CLEAN WEEK

6:00 PM - Presanctified Liturgy

8:30PM - Lenten meal following Liturgy

THURSDAY February 21/ March 6

CLEAN WEEK

FRIDAY February 22/ March 7

6:00 PM - Presanctified Liturgy

SATURDAY February 23/ March 8

5:00 PM - Vespers and Confession

THE CLERGY CHRONICLES

Weekly message from Fr. George

On Cheesefare Sunday or Forgiveness Sunday

March 2^nd will be the Sunday we begin the Lenten Fast with a last meal of cheese, eggs, butter or anything else dairy.  So first we started out with a week where we could eat any meat or dairy we wanted,  The second week was a “standard” week with Wednesday and Friday being strict fast days – that was this past week the 17th-21^st.  This week, the 24th-28^th will be Cheesefare where we are allowed to continue our preparation for the strict fast of Lent where there will be no meat, no dairy, no wine or oil except on weekends.  The Church prepares us for the fast in a gradual manner so that we can make the best of the fast and not lose our resolve.  The Church is also marking major themes that have to do with self-restraint, mercy, and forgiveness.

The climax of all this preparation is Forgiveness Sunday or Cheesefare Sunday.  Traditionally at the end of Sunday, there would be an evening Vespers service which ends with the Rite of Forgiveness.  At the end of the Vespers service, everyone asks each other for forgiveness.  We will be doing our vespers service after trapeza on Sunday.  The Rite of Forgiveness is quite ancient with records of it dating back to the second century.

The process happens like this: Starting with the priest and a parishioner, they both bow or in some cases make a full, to-the-ground-prostration, they rise and ask each other forgiveness, saying, “Forgive me a sinner.” They exchange a kiss of peace on each shoulder and both say, “God forgives and I forgive.” The parishioner moves to the end of the line and the next person comes and asks forgiveness.  In this way everyone in the service asks everyone else for forgiveness until everyone has had the chance to ask for and give forgiveness.

This service is so important that in monasteries this service is performed every night before the monastics retire to their cells.  Why is it so important?  Jesus said Himself that unless we forgive each other whether they be friend, family or even enemy, we cannot share in His forgiveness.  As Christ forgave, so we must forgive.  Forgiveness involves humility, vulnerability and love.  If we do not learn these traits we can have no part in Christ.

May the Lord bless our Lenten effort!

Peace,

Fr. George

Other recommended resources from Fr. George for this week:

Click HERE to download and read “Some Prayers and Thoughts For Great Lent”

Click HERE to read “A Lenten Primer”

WANT TO HELP OTHERS FIND US? PLEASE LEAVE A REVIEW

Today’s generation will OFTEN use google maps as a way to find something near them. If you’re in Redding (or anywhere outside Anderson) you may not see a listing for St. Andrew at all when you search for “Orthodox Church”. We have heard from MANY new inquirers that they didn’t even know there were two Orthodox Churches in the area. We are trying to change that!

In an effort to be more visible and accessible to new inquirers, we are encouraging our members to leave a review on our Google business listing. This helps Google show more people our listing and helps people who see our listing feel welcome! If you would like to contribute to this effort, please click HERE and leave us a review. Thank you!

BOOK OF THE WEEK

Reading recommendations from our parish bookstore

Click HERE to read Fr. George’s recommendation for Lenten reading

Our Journey to Pascha is an annual publication, produced by Fr. Jonathan Bannon. It’s a very helpful tool in understanding what’s going on in the coming weeks leading up to Pascha 2025! Take a look at the image below and feel free to download your own copy to print using the link below the image.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE SICK AND SUFFERING

• Vladimir and Xenia Runyon

• James Walton

• Kaylyn and Kenton Burris

• Barbara Stackpole

• Pelegia Ahlstromer

• Zacharias and Elisabeth Tierney

• Diakonissa Patricia

• Christopher Elliott

• Kieranna Dunn

• Seraphima Banks

• Herman

• Peter

• Nina

• Macarius

• Euphrosyne

• Elena

• Donnan

• Thomas

• Hierschemamonk Ambrose

• Nun Olga

• Hieromonk Paisius

• Monk Nicholas

• Brother Ambrose

• Anna

• Leah

• Abbess Joanna

• Eugenia

• Basil

• Elena

• Matushka Stephania

PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR CATECHUMENS

• Blain

• Daniel

• Lindsie

• Gwendolyn

• Teagan

• Gracelyn

• Kale

• Joe

• Rebecca

• Sarah

• Morgan

• Margo

• Kate

• Dylan

• Ethan