St. Nikola, Macedonian Orthodox Church in Cabramatta, New South Wales | Religious organisation

St. Nikola, Macedonian Orthodox Church

Locality: Cabramatta, New South Wales

Phone: +61 2 9725 6676

Address: 79 Cabramatta Rd 2166 Cabramatta, NSW, Australia

Website: http://www.moca.community

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24.01.2022 You have anxieties about your life? Pray fervently to the Lord from your heart in this way: ‘I place my fate in Your hands, O my Saviour. In the way that You know, arrange my life as is best. From now on I cut off every care about myself, having but one care, to do what is pleasing before You.’ Speak to God in this way, and by doing so you will already have placed yourself completely in His hands, not being concerned about anything, but calmly accepting every sort of situatio...n, pleasant or unpleasant, as being arranged for you purposely by God. Your only concern should be to act according to God’s commandments in everything. This is all that is required of you. St. Theophan the Recluse

24.01.2022 "Geronda" a person asked: "If our salvation is in the hands of God, then why do we pray to the Mother of God: "Most Holy Theotokos, save us?" "Suppose a woman h...as a neighbor who is the mother of a priest, and a woman asks her to help her child find a job. The neighbor is ready to help, but she herself will not be able to do anything, but will ask her priest son, who due to his position, can and will help because the mother asks. So we ask the Mother of God for his salvation and She asks Her Son, who can save. And He fulfills the Mother's request because He loves Her very much." Saint Paisios

21.01.2022 Нико, пак, не става запалено светило на сокриено место, ниту под поклопец, туку на свеник, за да можат да а гледаат светлината оние што влегуваат. Твоето о...ко е светило на твоето тело. Ако твоето око е здраво и чисто, и целото твое тело е биде светло; а ако биде лошо, и твоето тело е биде темно; затоа внимава светлината што е во тебе да не е темнина. Ако, пак, целото твое тело е светло и нема ниеден темен дел, тогаш тоа е биде така светло, како кога светило те осветлува со своот са. Лука 11:33-36

21.01.2022 The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid? Psalms 27:1

20.01.2022 The main differences between the Catholic and Orthodox cross. 1. The Orthodox cross most often has an eight-pointed or six-pointed shape. The Catholic cross is ...four-pointed. 2. The words on the tablet on the crosses are the same, only written in different languages: Latin INRI (in the case of a Catholic cross) and Slavic-Russian IHTSI (on an Orthodox cross). 3. Another principal position is the position of the feet on the Crucifix and the number of nails. The feet of Jesus Christ are positioned together on the Catholic Crucifixion, and each is nailed separately on the Orthodox cross. 4. The image of the Savior on the cross is different. The Orthodox cross depicts God who opened the way to eternal life, and the Catholic cross depicts a person in torment. See more

20.01.2022 Holy Monasteries by Abbot Tryphon Monasteries are centers for spiritual healing and intercessory prayer Monastics are an integral part of the Church and should ...not be seen as independent of the Church Universal. Monks are bound by the same Gospel as other Christians and need to avail themselves to the missionary and pastoral needs of the Church, as needed. Although a primary role of monasticism is to be found in worship and contemplative prayer, monks also have a long history as missionaries. Many of the great monasteries of Russia, as an example, were founded in remote places but became centers of pilgrimage, attracting countless people. Whole cities often formed around monasteries, precisely because the monks had reached out with the Gospel and worked among the people. Where there was a need, monks responded with charity and evangelical witness. In these difficult times where people are suffering economic hardship, loss of jobs and foreclosure on homes, monks can bring a different perspective that can give hope to those who’ve lost all hope. Monasteries are centers of spiritual healing and empowerment. People who have been struggling to find meaning in their lives can walk away with a new vision, gained through the interior work of the monks who’ve availed themselves as therapists for those who are hurting. The strength of Orthodox monasticism is not to be found in the sameness of every monastery, for each monastic community has its own expression, often quite different from other monasteries. In Greece and Russia, there are monastic communities that run printing presses, care for the elderly and infirm, run Orthodox bookstores in cities, live as hermits, run large retreat facilities, teach in schools, and even, on occasion, serve parishes. Monasticism is not something that is mastered through academic pursuits, but is rather acquired over many years of struggle, through obedience, long nights of prayer, ascetical practice, and communal life. A monastic, who is true to his vocation, will often see himself as just a beginner, even though he’s been a monk for forty years, for he realized how far he is from the perfection that comes with total surrender to Christ. Many would wish to see monasticism in a romantic way, with monks quietly and silently living out hidden lives, yet there are monks who work with people as spiritual fathers, preachers, teachers, participating in an active way in service to the world. Each monk, and each monastery is called apart for the service of God and His Church, as God wishes. Thus, it is dangerous ground when we judge a monastery or a monk from our own fanciful image of what we think they should be like, for even on the Holy Mountain of Athos, there are many varieties of monastic expression, none being better than the other, and all based on the prompting of the Holy Spirit, as the monk attempts to live out the evangelical life of the Gospels. Although the Orthodox Church does not have religious orders as the Latin Church does, there are in Orthodoxy different styles of monastic life, both individually and in community. Generally speaking some monasteries may be more liturgically oriented, while others may be more ascetic, while still others may have a certain mystical tradition, and others be more inclined to spiritual guidance and openness to the world for the purpose of care and counseling. These various styles of monasticism, which take both a personal as well as a corporate form, are not formally predetermined or officially legislated. They are the result of organic development under the living grace of God. Yet all monastics share the common vows of poverty, chastity, stability, and obedience, ever following the words of Jesus which are the cornerstone for this life, be ye perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect. With love in Christ, Abbot Tryphon Image Credit Bigorski Monastery St John the Baptist, Macedonia

18.01.2022 ас верувам дека нема нико подобар,поразумен и посовршен од Христа. Со убов зборувам не само дека нема како Он сличен, но неможе ни да има. Постоано велам...: кога неко би можел да докаже дека Христос е надвор од вистината и ако вистината го исклучила Христа, ас би останал со Христа, а не со вистината... Достоевски

17.01.2022 Sveti Naum Ohridski Hamilton (repost) To Those Who Bring Small Children to Church: There you are at church. Your baby or toddler is restless. Perhaps even a lit...tle boisterous. You try to silence them, and nothing. You try to pacify them with food or toys, and nothing. Eventually, you resort to the last thing you wanted to do: you pick them up, and before a watching audience, you make the march out of the church. All the while you’re a little embarrassed, maybe a little frustrated too. You might even think to yourself, There’s no point in coming to church. I get nothing out of it because I have to constantly care for my kid. I want you - mothers and/or fathers - to know just how encouraging you are to so many. The elderly woman who often feels alone beams with a smile at the sight of you wrestling with your little one. She’s been there before. She knows how hard it can be, but she smiles because to hear that brings back precious memories. Seeing young parents and their small children brighten her day; she may have just received bad news about her health but seeing the vitality of young ones removes - if but for a moment - her fears. The older man who always seems to be grouchy notices you too. He’s always talking about how children in this day have no respect or sense of goodness. But he sees you - a young family - in church every week. Like clockwork, he can depend on the sight of you and your young family. You give him hope that maybe the Church isn’t doomed after all, because there are still young parents who love God enough to bring their restless children to church. Bring your children to church! If we don’t hear crying, the church is dying. As hard as it might be for you as a parent who’s half-asleep, keep on doing what you’re doing. You are an encouragement, and you’re starting off your children’s lives as you should. Author unknown Image Credit Pinterest

17.01.2022 The Importance of Repentance and Confession In Matthew 26:23-25, Jesus confirms the identity of His traitor, Judas Iscariot. He replied, One of you who has jus...t eaten from this bowl with Me will betray Me. For the Son of Man must die, as the Scriptures declared long ago. But how terrible it will be for the one who betrays Him. It would be far better for that man if he had never been born! Judas, the one who would betray Him, also asked, Rabbi, am I the one? And Jesus told him, You have said it. The below icon is a powerful illustration of Judas slipping away from the last supper, leaving his halo behind. Jesus told the apostles to take His body and His blood, but Christ knew that Judas was in a state of unrepentant sin. Blessed Theophylact of Ohrid expresses both points of view as having the right to exist: The evangelist added [him] to those who were eating, in order to show the inhumanity of Judas; if he was even a beast, then he should have at least softened up [his heart and evil intentionsTrans.], because he had already eaten one supper, from one holy table, and yet he, being convicted, had not been enlightened, and having even partaken of His Body, had not repented. However, some say that Christ communed His disciples with His Mysteries already by the time that Judas left. Therefore, we also must do likewise, that is to say, to excommunicate wicked people from the Divine Sacraments. The Orthodox Church believes that by the consecration, the bread and wine are truly changed into the Body and Blood of Christ. Of all sacraments, the Holy Eucharist is the most central and important. Everything in the Church leads to the Eucharist, and all things flow from it. It is the completion of all of the Church’s sacraments, it is the origin and the holy grail of all of the Church’s doctrines and institutions. To this day, the Church Clergy can not offer a person the sacrament of Holy Communion if they know the person is in unrepentant sin; it is their duty to fence that person from the Table (1 Cor. 5:11). It is our duty as Orthodox Christians to connect with a Spiritual Father to make confession so that we may partake in the "sacrament of all sacraments". "Judas the betrayer was fainthearted and unskilled in battle, and so the enemy, seeing his despair, attacked him and forced him to hang himself, but Peter, a firm rock, when he fell into great sin, like one skilled in battle did not despair nor lose heart, but shed bitter tears from a burning heart, and the enemy, seeing these tears, his eyes scorched as by fire, fled far form him wailing in pain. And so brothers, St. Antioch teaches, when despair attacks us let us not yield to it, but being strengthened and protected by the light of faith, with great courage let us say to the evil spirit: What are you to us, estranged from God, a fugitive from heaven and evil servant? You dare do nothing to us. Christ, the Son of God, has authority both over us and over everything. It is against Him that we have sinned, and before Him that we will be justified. And you, destroyer, leave us. Strengthen by His venerable Cross, we trample under foot your serpent’s head (St. Antioch, Discourse 27).Book Little Russian Philokalia St Seraphim of Sarov

16.01.2022 25.09.20 Светиот свештеномаченик Автоном Се оддалечи во времето на гонеето на Диоклециан од Италиа во Витиниа Азиска, во местото наречено Сореос и таму долг...о време помина во христиански подвиг и изгради црква посветена на Светиот Светиот свештеномаченик Корнут, епископ Икониски Родум од Никомидиа од селото Салата. Беше вее сосем стар кога настана гонеето во времето на Деки и Валериан. Неко мачител на христианите Перени доде во Никомидиа и почна да трага по христиани. Светиот маченик улиан со четириесетмина другари Сите пострадаа околу 300 година. Прво беа мачени, па убиени со меч. Пред своата смрт, Св. улиан Го молеше Бога вака: На оние што е земаат од правот мо, пода им, Господи, простувае на гревовите. Преподобен Даниил од Тасос Подвижник и основач на голем манастир. Современик на Св. оаники Велики. Бил присутен при посетата на Свети оаники на Тасос. Народот го молел прославениот оаники да ги ослободи од змиите. Светите маченици Македони, Татиан и Теодул Пострадаа за Христа во времето на улиан богоотстапникот, а во местото Мероса Фригиска. Беа луто мачени заради разоруваето на некоа идолска статуа.Ги печеа на железна леса се додека не Му ги предадоа душите на Бога.

16.01.2022 Утре , Септември 27 2020 е "Воздвижение на Светиот Крст Господов (КРСТОВДЕН) . Повелете на литургиа во 09:00am Tomorrow, September 27 2020 is "The Elevation of the Venerable and Life-Creating Cross of the Lord". Join us for Liturgy at 09:00am...Continue reading

16.01.2022 Thursday 8 October 18th Week after Pentecost Tone Eight Commemoration of the earthquake in Constantinople in 447, when a boy was lifted to heaven and heard the ..."Trisagion". During the reign of the Emperor Theophilus, the city of Constantinople was visited by earthquakes for almost four months. The Emperor, the Patriarch Proclus, and the people joined in a barefoot procession to make prayer to God for their safety. While they were gathered, the tremors increased dramatically, and a young boy was taken up into the sky in the sight of the people, who fearfully cried out Kyrie eleison! When the boy came down from the heavens, he said that he had been among choirs of Angels who sang Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us! and that a voice had commanded him to tell the Patriarch that the people should make supplication to God in this way. The Patriarch instructed the people to chant this hymn, whereupon the ground stopped shaking and the child died. The Empress Pulcheria asked the Patriarch to order that this hymn be chanted henceforth in the Divine Liturgy, as it still is today.

15.01.2022 Воздвижение на Чесниот Крст, Отец Александар Шмеман Со векови на денот на Воздвижението, односно Воздигнуваето на Чесниот Крст, архиереите, стоеи среде црквата, окружени од мноштвото свештеници, го издигале Крстот високо над главите на соборот на верни, додека хорот во тоа време громогласно пеел Господи, помилу! Тоа бил празникот на христианското царство, кое се родило под закрилата на Крстот, во денот кога царот Константин го видел Крстот над ко пишувало:: Со ова ...Continue reading

15.01.2022 True Repentance by Abbot Tryphon True repentance must culminate in the Sacrament of Confession Confession is a God-given commandment, and it is one of the Sacra...ments of our Church. Confession must never become a formal, habitual, and unprepared act, coming forth from a sense of duty or obligation. Nor can we allow our confession to be nothing beyond some sort of psychological relief. Our confession must be united to a sincere desire for true repentance. If our confession is nothing more than an act of relieving a sense of guilt, we will not have truly confessed. Repentance is that important moment when we reach deeply into our heart, and cultivate the process of contrition and sorrow for having distanced ourselves from God through sin. To be truly repentant has nothing to do with promoting a relentless sense of guilt, for that could lead to the inflating of our ego. This would not be sincere repentance, but a secret egotism based on shame alone. True repentance must be about making a complete about-face, demonstrating our sincere desire to turn our backs on sin, and focus on an inner communion with God. Our act of true repentance must make clear our desire to embrace all that is good in our life, and make our commitment to the things of this world, a thing of the past. Repentance means a change in our thoughts, and making a commitment to living a life of virtue, and benevolence. Repentance must prompt us to be re-joined to Christ through the Grace of the Holy Spirit. True repentance must begin in the depth of our heart, and culminate in the sacrament of Confession, wherein we sincerely and humbly bear all before the confessor, as though in the presence of Christ. Our repentance must be grounded in a true commitment to keeping our eyes on the things of God, and casting aside all that would detract from the ultimate goal, Eternal Life. With love in Christ, Abbot Tryphon

12.01.2022 "Pay attention carefully. After the sin comes the shame; courage follows repentance. Did you pay attention to what I said? Satan upsets the order; he gives the courage to sin and the shame to repentance." St John Chrysostom

12.01.2022 Today, Thursday 26 November 2020, the 25th Week after Pentecost, is the "Eve of the Nativity Fast" Saint John Chrystostom wrote; "The value of fasting consists ...not in avoiding certain foods, but in giving up of sinful practices. The person who limits his fast only to abstaining from meat is the one who especially lowers the value of it. Do you fast? Prove it by doing good works. If you see someone in need, take pity on them. If you see a friend being honored, don't get jealous of him or her. For a true fast, you cannot fast only with your mouth. You must fast with your eyes, your ears, your feet, your hands, and all parts of your body. You fast with your hands by keeping them pure from doing greedy things. You fast with your feet by not going to see forbidden shows or plays. You fast with your eyes by not letting them look upon impure pictures (pornography). Because if this is forbidden or unlawful, it mars your fast and threatens the safety of your soul. But if you look at things which are lawful and safe you increase your fast, for what you see with your eyes influences your conduct. It would be very stupid to eliminate or give up meat and other foods because of the fast but feed with your eyes upon other things which are forbidden. You don't eat meat, you say? But you allow yourself to listen to lewd things. You must fast with your ears, too. Another way of fasting with your ears is not to listen to those who speak evil or untrue things about others. "Thou shalt not receive an idle report." This is especially true of rumors, gossip, untruths which are spoken to harm another. Besides fasting with your mouth by not eating certain foods, your mouth should also fast from foul language or telling lies about others. For what good is it if you don't eat meat or poultry, and yet you bite and devour your fellow man?" A blessed Nativity Fast to all.

11.01.2022 The closer we remain to the Shepherd, the safer we will be from the wolves. I am the good shepherd; I know My own sheep, and they know Me, just as My Father kn...ows Me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice My life for the sheep. I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also. They will listen to My voice, and there will be one flock with one shepherd. The Father loves Me because I sacrifice My life so I may take it back again. No one can take My life from Me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what My Father has commanded. John 10:11-18

10.01.2022 Бог, Ко го создаде светов и с, што е во него; То, Ко е Господ на небото и на земата, не живее во ракотворени храмови, ниту, пак, прима служба од човечки р...аце како да има потреба од нешто, но Сам на сите им дава живот, здив и с. Од една крв го создаде сиот род човечки за да живее по целото лице на земата, откако утврди предопределени времиа и граници на нивните живеалишта, за да Го бараат Господа, та да би можеле некако да Го насетат и надат, иако То не е далеку од секого меу нас: зашто ние преку Него живееме, се движиме и постоиме, како што рекле и некои од вашите стихотворци: Негов род сме.‘ И така, бидеи род Божи сме, не треба да мислиме дека Божеството прилега на злато, или сребро, или камена творба што излегла од човечки ум и измислица. Бог, пак, не осврнуваи се на времиата на незнаее, сега редум им заповеда на сите луе да се покаат, зашто определи ден кога праведно е му суди на светот преку одредениот од Него Човек, откако ги увери сите со Неговото воскресение од мртвите. Дела 17:24-31

10.01.2022 A young man approached his parish priest and said "Father, I will not come to church again." The priest was saddened by this mans decision to leave and asked him what his reason was. The young man replied to him, "when I come to church I see women and men whispering to one another during the service, I have seen people next to me fall asleep, some don't repeat the prayers well and I've seen people argue with the chanters. During the liturgy, I've heard people's mobiles ring, ...see people take photographs and hear people gossip about others as soon as they walk outside". The priest looked at him lovingly, smiled and said, "You're right. I also see and hear everything you do, but, before you decide to leave church, please do me a favor. Take this candle and circle around the church three times, without spilling a single drop of oil. When you have done this come and see me". Only that? Okay" said the young man. He circled the church three times as requested by the priest. When he had finished he said, "Father, I did what you asked". The priest then asked him "When you walked around the temple, did you notice anyone gossiping?" He replied, "No". The priest asked, "Did you see someone using their phone? He answered, "No". The priest then proceeded to explain. "Do you want to know why? You were focused on the candle so you wouldn't spill the oil. And that's how it is in our lives. When we gather together in Church to worship Christ, we don't have time to look at other people's mistakes. , ."

09.01.2022 And it came to pass, that, as the multitude pressed against Him to hear the word of God, He stood by the lake of Gennesaret, and saw two boats standing by the l...ake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. And He entered into one of the boats, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And He sat down, and taught the people out of the boat. Now when He had left speaking, He said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a catch. And Simon answering said unto Him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at Thy word I will let down the net. And when they had done this, they enclosed a great multitude of fishes, and their net broke. And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other boat, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus knees, saying, Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, 0 Lord. For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the catch of the fishes which they had taken; and so were also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men. And when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all, and followed Him. The Lord flees glory, which all the more pursues Him. When the crowd pressed against Him, He entered the boat, so that from the boat He could teach those standing on the shore, and everyone would be in front of Him, rather than some coming towards Him from behind. And when He had finished teaching the people, He did not leave the owner of the boat without payment, but gave him a two-fold benefit: He bestowed on him an abundance of fish, and He made him His disciple. Marvel at how wisely the Lord arranges our salvation, drawing to Himself each one by means of the things that are his own and with which he is familiar. As He had attracted the Magi with a star, so now He draws the fishermen by means of fish. Behold the gentleness of Christ, how He does not command, but requests, that Peter put out from land. Behold also the obedience of Peter, how he welcomes into his boat a man whom he did not know, and obeys Him in everything. When the Lord tells him to launch out into the deep, Peter does not become exasperated and leave Him, nor does he reply, "I have toiled the whole night and gained nothing, and now I should obey you and do it all again?" Peter said nothing like this, but instead, At Thy word I will let down the net. Such was the warmth of his trust even before he had faith. And he caught so great a number of fish that he was not able to haul them in, and he beckoned to his companions in the other boat. He calls them with a signal, because his astonishment at the catch was so great that he could not even speak. Out of great reverence for Jesus, Peter begs Him not to remain in the boat, and calls himself a sinner who is not worthy to be with Him. You may also understand these things in a spiritual sense. The boat is the synagogue of the Jews. Peter represents the teachers of the law. For the teachers of the law also toiled the whole night before Christ came (the time before Christ's sojourning on earth was indeed night) and took in nothing. But when Christ came, and it became day, the teachers of the law were replaced by the Apostles who, at His word, that is, at His command, let down the net of the Gospel in which they caught so great a number of men that the Apostles could not haul in the catch by themselves. And so they beckon to their partners and companions and together pull in the net. These are the pastors and teachers of the Church in every generation who teach and interpret the words of the Apostles, laboring with the Apostles to catch mankind. Consider also the words, Let down the net. The net is the Gospel: like the fisherman's net, which is a lowly and commonplace thing, the Gospel is composed of humble, everyday words which reach down and condescend to the simplicity of the people. This is why it is said that the net is let down. If any one should say that letting down the net also indicates the depth of meaning of the Gospel, neither would he be off the mark. Therefore the words of the prophet have also been fulfilled, Behold, I will send many fishermen, saith the Lord, and they shall fish for them; and afterward I will send many hunters, and they shall hunt for them (Jer. 16:16). The fishermen are the holy Apostles, and the hunters are the leaders and teachers of the Church in each generation. Blessed Theophylact of Ohrid Chrysostom Press Fresco of the Miraculous Catch of Fish, and Peter swimming to shore, in the Orthodox Church in Capernaum, Galilee. Photo: Pilgrim Pat

09.01.2022 The Burning of Incense in the Orthodox Church Incense is a mix of spices and gums that the Orthodox Church burns during services, which produces a beautiful fragrant smoke. The Psalmist wrote in 141:2 "Let my prayer come before Thee as incense, the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice".... The burning of incense is symbolic of prayer and it is mentioned throughout both Old and New Testaments. In Luke 1:8-20, the Archangel Gabriel appeared to Zechariah as he was serving God in the Temple, for his order was on duty that week. As was the custom of the priests, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense. While the incense was being burned, a great crowd stood outside, praying. While Zechariah was in the sanctuary, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the incense altar. Zechariah was shaken and overwhelmed with fear when he saw him. But the angel said, Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John. You will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the eyes of the Lord. He must never touch wine or other alcoholic drinks. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth. And he will turn many Israelites to the Lord their God. He will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah. He will prepare the people for the coming of the Lord. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and he will cause those who are rebellious to accept the wisdom of the Godly. Zechariah said to the angel, How can I be sure this will happen? I’m an old man now, and my wife is also well along in years. Then the angel said, I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. It was he who sent me to bring you this good news! But now, since you didn’t believe what I said, you will be silent and unable to speak until the child is born. For my words will certainly be fulfilled at the proper time. In the book of Revelation chapter 8: 3-4, it says that an angel came and stood at the altar, with a golden censer. A great amount of incense was given to the angel to mix with the prayers of God’s people as an offering on the gold altar before the throne. The smoke of the incense, mixed with the prayers of God’s holy people, ascended up to God from the altar where the angel had poured them out. Incense is an integral part of worship in the Orthodox Church, and also in the homes of the Orthodox faithful. The priest censes icons in honour of God as God alone has crowned the saints, and God alone works wonders through their intercessions here on earth. The priest also censes the faithful, who make the sign of the cross as a reminder of their baptism and their devotion to Christ. O magnify the LORD with me, And let us lift up His name together. Psalms 34:3

08.01.2022 The holy Virgin Mary was born of her aged parents, Joachim and Anna. Her father was of the tribe of David and her mother of the tribe of Aaron, and so she was o...f royal blood from her father and priestly blood from her mother. By this, she foreshadowed Him who would be born of her as King and High Priest. Her parents were already old and had no children, and, because of this, were ashamed before men and humble before God. In their humility, they prayed with tears that God would bring joy to their old age with the gift of a child, as He had once given joy to the aged Abraham and Sarah, giving them their son Isaac. God, almighty and all-seeing, gave them a joy far exceeding all their expectations and their wildest dreams, for He gave them not just a daughter, but the Mother of God; He illumined them not only with temporal joy but with eternal. God gave them just one daughter, who later gave them just one grandson - but what a daughter and what a grandson! Mary full of grace, blessed among women, the temple of the Holy Spirit, altar of the living God, table of living bread, ark of God"s holy things, tree of the most delicious fruits, glory of the human race, praise of womanhood, fount of virginity and purity - this was the daughter given by God to Joachim and Anna. Born in Nazareth, she was after three years taken to the Temple in Jerusalem, whence she returned again to Nazareth and shortly afterwards heard the tidings of the holy Archangel Gabriel concerning the birth of the Son of God, the Saviour of the world, from her most pure and virginal body. See more

08.01.2022 The Church: An Essential Institution We are both Individually and Collectively part of Christ’s Body Over the years I have met people who have chosen not to joi...n a church, choosing, rather, to "worship" at home. Some have convinced themselves church is a waste of time, and feel they can be close to God while staying home on a Sunday morning. Others believe none of the churches teach the bible according to their own interpretation, and choosing to worship in the privacy of their own home, assure themselves they won't have to hear any false teachings. Some people have chosen to stay away from church because of past conflict with a clergyman, or perhaps got tired of hearing pleas for money, and have convinced themselves that giving to a charity is money better spent (in reality, church goers tend to outspend non-church goers in charitable giving). In truth, God has given us the Church as the very place wherein we can grow spiritually, while enjoying the protection, and the blessings, of being in weekly contact with other believers. Just like an earthly family, we don't always enjoy the presence of other members, but it is often those difficult and uncomfortable moments that help us grow the most. As well, there are blessings that would never be experienced, should we remain apart from fellow Christians. In these trying times we have witnessed civil authorities telling us the Church is not an "essential institution". Many Church leaders have chosen to allow the dictates of governments to order parishes to remain in lockdown, while liquor stores, pot shops, and even, as in the case of San Francisco, museums to be seen as essential. In Luke 4:16, we read that Our Lord Jesus Christ was regularly in the temple, for "He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom." It was Christ's regular practice to go to attend and take part in corporate worship - as He always did on the Sabbath, He went to the meeting place. If Our Lord Jesus made it a priority to meet together with other believers, how can we excuse ourselves from doing the same. Finally, the most important reason for weekly church attendance lies in the fact that it is only in the church where we can receive Holy Communion, for Our Lord went so far as to say that unless we eat of His flesh, and drink of His blood, we will have no life in us (John 6:53). It is in the reception of Holy Communion where we receive the grace needed to grow spiritually, and where we are empowered to live in all holiness and truth. With love in Christ, Abbot Tryphon

08.01.2022 If we truly fell in love with Christ, each of us would say, "Lord, I do not ask you for any prosperity, let me support Your Cross, which You carry, let me help You." Father Sergios Baranov

06.01.2022 Светите маченички Вера, Надеж, убов и мака им Софиа Martyrs Sophia and her three daughters Faith, Hope and Love

05.01.2022 И сиот народ сакаше да се допре до Него, зашто од Него излегуваше сила и ги лекуваше сите. А То, откако ги подигна очите кон учениците Свои, им говореше: "Бла...жени сте вие, сиромашните, зашто ваше е царството Божо! Блажени сте вие, што сега гладувате, зашто е се наситите! Блажени сте вие, кои сега плачете, зашто е се смеете! Блажени е бидете кога е ве намразат луето и е ве отфрлат и е ви нанесат срам, и е го разгласат името ваше како лошо, заради Синот Човечки! Зарадувате се во оно ден и заиграте од радост, зашто голема е наградата ваша на небото. Зашто и нивните татковци така постапуваа со пророците! Лука 6:19-23

05.01.2022 Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, being tempted for forty days by the devil.... And in those days He ate nothing, and afterward, when they had ended, He was hungry. And the devil said to Him, If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread. But Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.’ Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said to Him, All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours. And Jesus answered and said to him, Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ Then he brought Him to Jerusalem, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here. For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you,’ and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’ And Jesus answered and said to him, It has been said, ‘You shall not tempt the LORD your God.’ Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time. Then Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and news of Him went out through all the surrounding region. And He taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all. Luke 4:1-15

05.01.2022 Од 28.11.2020 сабота (пост на риба) започнуваат Божините пости кои се востановени во чест на Рааето Христово. Според уставот пропишан од Православната Црква ...овие пости се постат: понеделник, среда и петок на вода (строг пост) вторник и четврток е дозволено да се употребува масло и вино, додека во сабота, недела и на големите празници е благословено и риба. Во табелата подолу се напишани и деновите кога ово пост е ублажен (според Правила и одредби на Православната Црква за постот од Преподобен Гаврил Светогорец, Епископ Велички, ко советува оние што постат по типикот да не ги осудуваат оние што постат вака ублажено). За дополнително ублажувае и разрешувае консултирате се со Вашите духовници. Имате Богоугодни пости. From tomorrow, 28.11.2020 the Nativity Fast begins, in honor of the Birth of Christ. According to the constitution prescribed by the Orthodox Church, this is how to fast: Monday, Wednesday and Friday is a strict fast, no oil, no dairy, no meat or fish Tuesday and Thursday oil and wine is permitted Saturday, Sunday and the great holidays are blessed, so fish, oil and wine is permitted (no dairy or meat). The table below is a guide to the upcoming fast (according to the Rules and Provisions of the Orthodox Church for Fasting by the Venerable Gabriel Svetogorec Bishop Velichki, who advises those who fast by the typicon not to condemn those who fast so mitigated. For further mitigation and dismissal, please consult your spiritual father or parish priest. May you fasting be blessed. Repost https://www.facebook.com/orthodox.macedonian/

04.01.2022 Затоа с трпам заради избраните, за да добиат и тие спасение во Христос Исус со вечна слава. Верни се зборовите: Ако со Него сме умреле, со Него и е живееме.... Ако истраеме, со Него и е царуваме. А ако се одречеме од Него, и То е се одрече од нас. Ако не сме верни, То останува верен, бидеи Сам Себе не може да се одрече. 2 Тимоте 2:10-13 So I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen. This is a trustworthy saying: If we die with him, we will also live with him. If we endure hardship, we will reign with him. If we deny him, he will deny us. If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is. 2 Timothy 2:10-13

04.01.2022 "Believe me, if you knew Who is with you, you would not fear anything the world has to offer." St Macarius the Great

03.01.2022 Humility by Abbot Tryphon (And the surrender of self-will) There is freedom from stress, anxiety, and even anger, when we place our trust in God, and in he whom... God has set over us as our spiritual guide. The invading enemies to our salvation have power over us only when we depend on ourselves. Without humility, there can be no victory over the demons that would destroy the soul. When we set ourselves up as our own spiritual guide, we end up feeding the ego and give power to the enemy. Comfort and joy can only be part of our life when we surrender our self-will to the will of God. Having a good confessor, or a spiritual father, helps destroy the ego, and leads us into the loving embrace of God. With love in Christ, Abbot Tryphon Icon is of the Baptism of Saint Christina

03.01.2022 Благодарност до Маран (Milo’s Cleaning Service ) и неговата екипа за несебичноста и одличнo завршената работа. Бог да ви дарува здраве и напредок вам и на ваш...ите семества! Big thanks to Marjan (Milo’s Cleaning Service) and his crew for their generosity a job well done. May our Lord grant you and your families health and prosperity!

03.01.2022 If anyone would ask you why you pray to soulless icons, what profit you derive from them, say that we derive incomparably greater profit from our icons than we ...do from the kindest and most benevolent living persons; say that blessed power and help to our souls always comes to us from icons, saving us from sins, sorrows, and sicknesses; especially from icons of the Saviour and of the Mother of God; that one single look with faith upon them, as upon the living and those who are near to us, saves us from cruel sorrows, passions, and spiritual darkness; that if touching the Saviour's garment, and the garments and handkerchiefs of the Apostles could restore health to the sick, much more are the images of the Saviour and of the Mother of God powerful to heal believers of every affliction, in accordance with their faith in the Lord and in His Mother. St. John of Kronstadt, On Prayer