Saint Anna Parish Music Ministry

We recently purchased new hymnals produced by the Holy Eparchial Synod of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Associated text was approved by the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

Given we’re unable to gather together in one location to begin learning the new arrangements, we will instead make use of technology to help move us forward. 

George Papailias will utilize a music notation software application to enter music notation from the new hymnal. With this capability, he can send both hymn recordings and associated music scores to those interested in learning the music. This way, when we do gather together again to glorify God, we will be that much closer in making our transition.

Having a photocopy of each hymnal page, coupled with the associated recordings, allows us to learn the music together. Period ZOOM meetings will also be scheduled so we can discuss how things are going, what challenges we’re experiencing, as well as hear suggestions. 

If you’re interested in learning to sing from our new hymnal now, please email George at gpapailias@me.com stating that you want to be included in the music ministry email distribution list (during this time). 

Bonhoeffer on Christian fellowship

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Dietrich Bonhoeffer, (born February 4, 1906, Breslau, Germany [now Wrocław, Poland]—died April 9, 1945, Flossenbürg, Germany), German Protestant theologian important for his support of ecumenism and his view of Christianity’s role in a secular world. His involvement in a plot to overthrow Adolf Hitler led to his imprisonment and execution. His Letters and Papers from Prison, published posthumously in 1951, is perhaps the most profound document of his convictions.

Prayer during Pandemic Illness (to include in your daily devotion)

Prayer during Pandemic Illness
"Almighty Master, the help and salvation of the world; the redeemer and Savior of the sick; the physician and aid of the ailing; the healer of the sorrows of mankind’s bodies and souls; who vanquished death: our God. We now beseech, You, cleanse and rid us of every malady of body and soul. Lord be not far from us. Send down upon us Your heavenly power of healing. Cast far from us every lurking illness. Grant us aid in this time of pandemic and deliver us from every evil, grief and sorrow. End this present scourge and now grant us patience, O Lord. Uplift us and be physician to us all. Raise us from our bed of pain and from our bedding of affliction. Accept the entreaties of doctors and nurses and all whose efforts serve and minister to the sick. They offer care and comfort. In Your love of mankind, aid them. By Your power strengthen them. To those who have succumbed to this accursed, illness and are now departed from us, grant them repose in a place of refreshment. They are Your servants and our brothers and sisters. Restore us who hope in You to Your Holy Church, healed and in health, to worship and glorify Your holy name. For it is Yours to show mercy and to save, O Christ our God, and to You we give the glory:  Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and always and unto the ages of ages. Amen.”

Father Stavros Kofinas, Coordinator of the Network of the Ecumenical Patriarchate for Pastoral Health Care

MESSAGE FROM THE ARCHBISHOP OF SINAI ON THE TERRIBLE PANDEMIC, ON THE SUNDAY OF SAINT JOHN KLIMAKOS

MESSAGE FROM THE ARCHBISHOP OF SINAI ON THE TERRIBLE PANDEMIC, ON THE SUNDAY OF SAINT JOHN KLIMAKOS 

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Great and international is the temptation visited upon the world by the deadly epidemic of the coronavirus. As Abbot of the Holy Monastery of St. Catherine on the God-trodden Mountain of Sinai, and as a Hierarch of the Greek Orthodox Church, many ask me why God allowed this great trial which has deprived us of church attendance and the reception of Holy Communion.

a) I humbly think that the All-Good God wants to sound the alarm of danger, because unfortunately we have all forgotten the divine benefactions and commandments that lead to the earthly happiness and heavenly blessedness to which He destined us – and for which He was crucified.

Unfortunately, we chose another path to happiness for ourselves; one based in material goods, and which separated us from spiritual ones, together with the virtues.

b) God allows such tribulations in order to show us that, no matter how greatly humanity progresses in science and technology, it is impossible for us to be saved if God Himself does not bless our works and ideas. This would explain why various forms of globalization, undertaken without recourse to His help, have descended into failure, perhaps even calamity.

c) In addition, many Christian confessions have veered from the core message of the Gospel which was correctly interpreted by minds enlightened by the Holy Spirit, the highly lettered and spiritually proven Fathers of the Orthodox Church.

d) Despite the tribulation which the entire world is undergoing today, the love of God does not cease to visit the creature He fashioned according to His own image. The Orthodox Church thus holds out every hope that with our patience, this heavy trial, having passed, will leave behind immense spiritual profit. The world will awaken from the material lethargy from whose consequences it has suffered globally, and it will show forth love in action reflective of its primal worth, mutual support, and authentic peace between peoples. This begins with the inner peace that stems from reconciliation of the person with God, and by extension, with his neighbor and the natural environment in which God Himself placed him. This is where God gave him the command to love and work. Through sin, however, the human altered and finally turned this environment against himself; only through love will he pacify it.

May God grant this by the prayers of all the Saints, especially the fathers and mothers of the God-trodden Mount Sinai who sacrificed themselves in the desert, through prayer and fasting, for the enlightenment and salvation of the entire world. Because the fervent supplication of one who prays with sacrifice has the power of nuclear energy to change its destiny … Saint John Klimakos of Sinai, whose memory is honored every year on the fourth Sunday of Great Lent, elucidated the path to such sanctity in his Ladder of Divine Ascent, the famed work which is considered second in spiritual value only to Holy Scripture.

Having self-isolated for forty years in a cave deep in the Sinai desert, Saint John devoted himself to God through prayer and ascetic deprivation, and with the Grace of the Holy Spirit he studied the depths of the human soul and the spiritual medicines for its healing toward the benefit of all humanity. We however, being sinners although in repentance, are now called by need, not voluntarily like Saint John, to close ourselves in our own rooms and raise our hands toward the All-Good God to deliver us.

May our own humble prayers in the mystical chamber of our hearts to the Holy Trinitarian God “who sees in secret” be rewarded according to our requests “in the open” by the  spiritual and bodily health of all people, and at the present juncture, by our deliverance from this invisible enemy, the terrible coronavirus epidemic.

With many prayers and much love in Christ, I wish everyone the blessings of the remainder of Great Lent while awaiting, with discernment, humility and great longing, the arrival of Blessed and Holy Pascha.  

†Archbishop of Sinai,Damianos

Daily Prayer before the Holy and Miracle-working Iveron Icon

Father Nectarios Yangson, Guardian of the Wonderworking “Hawaiian” Iveron Icon, is inviting the faithful to join him in his daily prayer before the Holy and Miracle-working Iveron Icon. Each evening beginning at 6:15pm Hawaii Standard Time, (CA time: 9:15 pm Pacific Daylight Savings Time), you are invited to pray with Father Nectarios and many others around the world in the collective chanting of the Akathist Hymn to the Theotokos in honor of her Wonderworking Iveron Icon, https://www.facebook.com/383299595785150/posts/635499637231810/.   Together, let us all beseech the Holy Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary for her intercessions and aid before the Throne of Our Lord.  Text for the Service may be found at:  https://www.ohiia.org/service-texts-copy

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The Development of the Byzantine Liturgy (Zoom study class starting on Monday, March 30)

The Development of the Byzantine Liturgy
This class will be a survey of the development of the Byzantine liturgy, from its origins, focusing on the 11th and 12th century, to the modern celebration. It will provide an overview of the origins, the importance of the city of Constantinople, the building of Hagia Sophia and its shaping of the liturgy, and the interaction with monasteries and cathedrals. Attention will be given to the liturgical documents, such as the Liturgy of Basil and Chyrsostom (and why each one is used on particular days), and books such as the Book of Hours, Psalters, Typikons, and Euchologions, books used on a daily basis. The interaction between ritual celebration, liturgical setting (architecture, iconography, city plans) and mystagogy will also be discussed. No knowledge of languages, history, architecture, or medieval Constantinople is required. This class will be a survey that will help us understand why we celebrate the liturgy in a particular way and how it developed. 

Mondays, 1-2PM 

Offered by Jessica Rentz, 1st Year, Liturgical Studies/Sacramental Theology, Department of Theology and Religious Studies

Thoughts on Resiliency and Disease

Thoughts on Resiliency and Disease (prepared for and shared with the 195th Wing CAANG)

Regardless of our philosophies, theologies, or expression of spirituality, health remains a pursuit. Even in the Air Force, we’ve developed a holistic approach to maintaining our fitness and resiliency. The intent of Comprehensive Airman Fitness (CAF) is to ensure that our Airmen are holistically fit, that is, mentally, spiritually, physically, and socially healthy. Logically, if we are healthy, then we are better equipped to deal with not only the rigors of the military, but also the greater adversities of life.

As news of the spread of the novel coronavirus (now referred to as COVID-19) has continued even into our area, many of us have become all the more anxious about our wellbeing. The American Psychological Association (8 Oct 2018), wrote an informative piece titled “Resilience and Disease” that addressed the spread of SARS and other contagious diseases. To summarize the article:

-Do your best to separate facts from sensationalism.

-These diseases affect our psychological wellbeing. Individuals often develop heightened periods of stress and anxiety.

-Isolation increases in periods of uncertainty.

Resilience during disease outbreaks includes:

1. Making connection – keep in touch with family, friends and others. Even if it can’t be face-to-face, then keep in contact through technology. Maintaining one’s spiritual disciplines and or volunteering to assist others is helpful.

2. Maintain a hopeful outlook – great minds are attempting to develop cures and our hospitals are filled with competent caregivers.

3. Self-care is critical – eat properly, exercise and rest. Schedule time for activities that are enjoyable.

4. Limit the amount of time that you spend reading or watching disease-related sensationalized coverage. Find credible sources for your information.

5. Take decisive actions – do take the appropriate precautions recommended by medical personnel, have an emergency plan in place, recall the ways you’ve handled difficult moments in the past.

The article concludes by noting that developing resilience is in fact a personal journey. Each of us has to discern what makes us the most resilient mentally, spiritually, physically and socially. Although there may be commonalities in approaches, what works for me may not work for you and vice-versa.

Having said this though, our journey in resiliency takes place within community – neighborhoods, faith communities, organizations and institutions – by design. So, when we’re feeling overwhelmed, it’s always wise to consider talking to someone who can help –family friends, a religious leader, a mental health professional, a physician, members of the chaplaincy, a physician, a supervisor, or even just a fellow Airman. Turning to someone for guidance and care is a resilient act unto itself!