O Virgin, we extol the great grace of your Protection, which you spread out like a bright cloud beyond all understanding; for you invisibly protect your people from the foe's every assault. Since we have you as our shelter and certain help, we cry to you with our whole soul: Glory to your great deeds, O most pure Maid. Glory to you shelter most divine. Glory to your care and providence for us, O spotless one.” Apolytikion of Holy Protection of the Theotokos, First Tone
Stewards and Friends of St. Anna Parish-
After a week of extreme heat, wildfires now rage in the State; two continue to expand, the LNU Lightning Complex (Napa and Sonoma) and the SCU Lightning Complex (in Eastern San Francisco Bay), in addition to those burning in Nevada County. These fires as well as others create extremely dangerous and even deadly conditions for our firefighters, first responders and residents of these regions, as well as all Californians on account of the poor air quality.
Please be mindful of your wellbeing: both the safety of you and your loved ones if you are in proximity to these fires, as well as your health from the air quality. I would also ask that you include the prayer at the close of this email in your private devotion. Together, let us pray that God will keep safe those who fight the fires and that life and property will be preserved as the fires are extinguished.
Thanks be to God, we’re back inside for Divine Services this weekend. We will continue to follow established guidelines to ensure the wellbeing of our parishioners (please visit, https://www.saintanna.org/parish-news-1/2020/6/6/welcoming-our-faithful-back-to-communal-worship). Our Service schedule is as follows:
Saturday, 5PM (Great Vespers)
Sunday, 7:30AM (Orthros)
8:30AM (First Liturgy)
10:00AM (Second Liturgy)
We will limit the number of parishioners attending services. Parishioners will be asked to sign-up for services at https://saintanna.churchcenter.com/home or on the Church Center App by clicking on “Events” (please register each individual in your immediate family who will be attending).
Finally, those of us who signed-up for the Festival that has since been postponed have received notices reminding us that our volunteering is right around the corner. Our apologies for any confusion this may have caused.
May our good God continue to keep our families, our communities and our State in His care.
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Prayer for Protection from Raging Fires
(by Archimandrite Nektarios Serfes)
O Gracious God Who created the earth and all that is in it, Thou didst give us so many blessings. Indeed, Thou didst fill the world with so much beauty, bounty and no end of wonders!
We ask Thee now to save Thy people from nature’s furious fires.
Save those in California whose homes and families are in the path of the wildfires that are consuming the land.
Give courage to those who fight fires, who clean up and help others to rebuild after disasters strike.
Give strength to all survivors and peace to those whose lives are in danger.
Send down abundant rain showers to quench the flames in California. As Thou didst send to Noah of old, send also the rainbow of hope.
Nature may rage but Thou, O Lord, we know art a Loving God Who ever holds in Thy hand all Thou hast created. Unto Thee do we give thanks for all things!
Grant us humility to repent of our negligence in tending Thy Creation & give us henceforth the will to serve Thee more faithfully.
Protect homes and monasteries and all Thy people. In all the days of our lives let us remember to honor and worship Thee as the Living God: Father, Son, and All-Holy Spirit. Amen.
Through the prayers of the holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ Son of God, have mercy on us and save us.