The Spiritual Watch

Below, please find the latest issue of The Spiritual Watch, the official publication of the Metropolis of America, published with the blessings of His Eminence, Metropolitan Demetrius of America. In The Spiritual Watch, you will find news and information regarding our Holy Metropolis, as well as spiritual writings.

The Spiritual Watch, Vol VII (New: February 24/March 8, 2024)

Quote From the Fathers

[Abba Moses said:] 'Fasts and vigils, the study of Scripture, renouncing possessions and everything wordly are not in themselves perfection, as we have said; they are its tools. For perfection is not to be found in them; it is acquired through them. It is useless, therefore, to boast of our fasting, vigils, poverty, and reading of Scripture when we have not achieved the love of God and our fellow man. Whoever has achieved love has God within himself and his intellect is always with God.'
—St. John Cassian, On the Holy Fathers of Sketis.

About the Fast

Preceding every great Feast of the Church is a corresponding period of preparation, which includes prayer and fasting. On Monday, November 15/28, the Church begins the Nativity Fast, which is broken on the Feast itself, December 25/January 7. During this Fast, we are permitted to have wine and oil every day save Wednesdays and Fridays. On Saturdays and Sundays, from the Entry of the Theotokos on Nov. 21/Dec. 4 until the Feast of St Spyridon on Dec. 12/25, we are also permitted to eat fish.

On the Feast of the Entry of the Theotokos we begin to chant in Matins the Katabasiai of the Nativity, “Christ is born, glorify Him.” On the Feasts of St Andrew, Nov. 30/Dec. 13, and St. Nicholas, Dec. 6/19, we begin to chant various hymns for the Nativity.

The Sunday occurring two weeks before the Nativity, Dec. 12/25, is dedicated to the Forefathers of Christ, and on the Sunday before the Nativity, Dec. 19/Jan. 1 we read the genealogies of Christ according to Luke during the Matins and according to Matthew during the Divine Liturgy. The next day is the Prefeast of the Nativity, from which until the Eve of the Nativity are chanted Three-ode canons (Τριώδιοι κανόνες) during the Compline modeled after the Three-ode canons chanted during Great Week. On the Eve of the Nativity Dec. 26/Jan. 6, we chant the Royal Hours and celebrate the Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil the Great.

Thus, through the various pre-festal hymns of the Church, scripture readings, and comparatively eased fasting, we should be sufficiently prepared to celebrate the Nativity according to the flesh of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Theophany at South Street Seaport

Details
Created on Monday, 31 December 2007 08:55

The Holy Metropolis of the Genuine
Greek Orthodox Church of America
Cathedral of Saint Markella
22-68 26 Street
Astoria, NY 11105
December 29, 2007


Announcement: Theophania (Epiphany) at South Street Seaport

The Holy Metropolis is pleased to announce that for the seventh time since 2001 the blessing of the waters for Theophania (Epiphany) 2008 will again occur at the South Street Seaport, in New York City.

On Saturday, January 19, 2008, following Divine Liturgy at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of St. Markella, His Eminence PAVLOS, the Metropolitan of America, will lead the clergy and faithful to the seaport where he will conduct a service to bless the waters of the great city. He will complete the blessing by casting a Cross into the icy waters. This symbolizes the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan at the hands of St. John the Baptist. Dozens of young men will dive into the harbor hoping to reach the Cross first and return it to Metropolitan PAVLOS.

This ancient and holy Christian ritual, dating from the time of the Emperors in Constantinople, will be witnessed by the people of New York through the cooperation of the local authorities, and NYPD harbor launches and scuba divers.

The Holy Metropolis invites everyone to come witness this glorious and joyful Holy Tradition together with the clergy and faithful of the Cathedral. It is expected that the solemn procession to the seaport will begin at 1 P.M. from the corner of Water and Fulton Streets. The procession will be lead by the Monaghan Bag-Pipe Band. Buses from the Cathedral in Astoria will be available with a required reservation. Contact me for directions by public transportation or automobile. God be with you,

+Bishop Christodoulos

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About the Church

The Church of the Genuine Orthodox Christians (GOC) of America is The Traditionalist Orthodox Church serving the faithful of North and South America following the old (Julian) calendar. Having its roots in the Diocese of Astoria, founded by Metropolitan Petros (Astyfides) in 1954, it presently consists of two Metropolises (America and Toronto) and two dioceses (Etna and Portland, and Boston), shepherded by five hierarchs, under the Presidency of His Eminence, Metropolitan Demetrius of America.

The Church of the GOC of America is an autonomous Eparchy whose Mother Church is The Holy Synod of the Church of the GOC of Greece, under the Presidency of His Beatitude Archbishop Kallinikos of Athens and All Greece. The bishops belonging to the Eparchial Synod are also members of the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece. We resist the heresy of Ecumenism.

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