His Eminence Metropolitan SABA Archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of All North America His Grace Bishop Alexander
Pastor: Fr John Vazquez| fatherjohnvazquez@gmail.com | stgeorgealbany.org | 1 St George's Pl Albany
Office Hours: Mon/Fri 10am-5pm/Confessions: After weekly services or by appointment
Parish Council Leadership: Chair—Michella Rizk, Treasurer—Ranya Palmer, Secretary—Daniel Palmer, Vice Chair—Linda Grady
Beloved,
Elder Aimilianos of Simonopetra Monastery on Mount Athos, whom I have often quoted before, says that when it comes to receiving Christ—be it in Holy Communion, or a feast of the Church, or when we are at prayer—we receive what we have prepared ourselves to receive. What does this mean?
One way we can understand this quote is that we will reap what we sow. In other words, if we are don't show Christ that we desire to receive Him through preparing a place for Him—like we would for beloved guest in our home—then we will be caught off guard and maybe even annoyed by His coming! Imagine, viewing Christ as an annoying guest...May this never be so! This is actually what we do though if we do not prepare a place for Him. If, on the other hand, we are constantly seeking Christ in our lives through prayer, through fasting, through keeping the commandments, through going to the services of the Church, through reading the Holy Scriptures then we will receive Him in a deep and profound way that will enliven and strengthen us.
This week—and every week—let us make an effort and prepare ourselves to receive Christ for the sanctification of our souls and the resurrection of our afflicted bodies.
With love in Christ,
Fr John
Monday, September 29th—12pm—6th Hour and Paraklesis of the Theotokos
Wednesday, October 1st—8am—1st Hour and Divine Liturgy
Wednesday, October 1st—6pm—Paraklesis of St George
Friday, October 3rd—8am—3rd Hour and Orthros
Friday, October 3rd—3pm—Bible Study at Melody Holman's (Judith)
Saturday, October 4th—5pm—Board Games, 9th Hour and Great Vespers w/Bible Study to follow (Psalms)
Sunday, October 5th—8:45am—Orthros and Divine Liturgy—PARISH COUNCIL
Sunday, October 6th—10am—Divine Liturgy for Feast of St Innocent @ our sister Parish St Innocent in Oneonta, NY (305 Main St—St James Episcopal Church)
COMING UP
Sunday, November 2nd—8:45am—Orthros and Divine Liturgy—FESTIVAL OF NATIONS
Sunday, November 9th—8:45am—Orthros and Divine Liturgy—ALL PARISH MEETING
Click to view our Upcoming Schedule
*We will be making a trip to St Dumitru Monastery in Middletown, NY the weekend of October 10th and 11th. Let me know if you are interested in coming.