December 2008
My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ,

As you know, the 5th and 6th of December are our patronal feast days. On
the 5th we celebrate the Great Vespers (Esperino) with the blessing of
loaves, and on the 6th, Matins and Divine Liturgy. These are two very
special celebrations in honor of our patron, St. Nicholas. His Grace
Bishop Ilia will honor us by officiating at both services.

On the 24th of December we will celebrate the Great Vespers of the
Nativity of Our Lord at 6:30 p.m., and on the 25th, the Divine Liturgy
of the Nativity of Our Lord at 10:30 a.m. Please keep Advent (Christmas
Lent) as well as you can. Remember, the fasting is not over until after
the Christmas Liturgy. I pray you all have a successful and meaningful
Advent and I wish all a blessed and joyful Christmas.

January 1 is the feast of the circumcision of Our Lord Jesus Christ, which is the
first shedding of His Holy Blood for our salvation. Also on that day is
the feast of St. Basil the Great, the founder of cenobitic monasticism.
On January 6, please attend the Holy Theophany service and partake of
the Holy Water that is blessed at that time.

May I take this opportunity to wish all of us a blessed, healthy and prosperous New
Year. Please pray for the peace of the world, which can only come
through Jesus Christ.

With much love in Christ,
Fr. Philip