Saint Nicholas
Greek Orthodox
Church
San Jose, California
| Church School |
| Hellenic School |
|
Greek Language Total Immersion Program |
| Monthly Canon of Faith |
| Sunday Services |
| Fr. Berris Golf Tournament |
©
1999-2006 St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church of
San Jose, CA
Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church
|
"Lord save your
people and bless Your inheritance, granting our rulers to prevail over
adversaries and protecting Your commonwealth by Your Cross" The Precious and
Life-Giving Cross: Have you ever noticed how we always begin Great Lent with such high spiritual expectations? We make a conscious effort to follow the Church's fasting regulations to the "letter of the law." We have every intention of faithfully attending Lenten services on a regular basis. We make a solemn vow to the Lord to truly make this 40-day period a season of repentance. Forty days, however is a long time, and while the spirit is often willing, the flesh is always weak! Our initial zeal for adhering to the Lenten disciplines that the Church prescribes for us quickly wanes. Our journey to Pascha becomes a real struggle. The Church realizes this, and in her infinite wisdom, she offers us a symbol of hope each year on the 3rd Sunday of Lent: THE CROSS. It is placed before us today as a means of encouragement for us. Just as we may rest under the branches of a beautiful tree while traveling along a difficult road, the Church calls on all of us to refresh ourselves under the Tree of Life as we continue to draw closer to commemorating Christ's Passion and His ultimate Resurrection. Indeed, the Cross serves to remind us of God's great love for us. It was for our sake and for our salvation that Christ suffered upon the Cross. If we carry our own cross with courage and dedication, we can be assured that we will reap the spiritual benefits of our Savior's victory, which He achieved on the Cross. May the words of the hymn sung repeatedly today be on our lips for the remainder of Lent: YOUR CROSS WE ADORE, O MASTER. Bible Readings for Sunday,
March 18th, 2001: |
Icon of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross On the Third Sunday of Lent we celebrate the veneration of the Precious and Life-giving Cross. The veneration of the Cross today prepares us for the commemoration of the Crucifixion which is soon to follow in Holy Week. At the same time it reminds us that the whole of Lent is a period when we are crucified with Christ. |
[ Home | Bulletin Menu | Previous | Next ]
St. Nicholas Greek
Orthodox Church
1260 Davis Street, San Jose,
California 95126