Friday, May 31, 2013

Friendships
Hieromonk Paul and Abbot Tryphon
Lake Crescent Lodge

Bishop George and Hieromonk Paul

The Road to Olympic National Park
 
The Blessings of Good Friends

It has been said that you can count yourself a rich man if you have one good friend. I often feel like I am a billionaire, for my life has been blessed a thousand times over, with many good friends. One of them is surely Bishop George of Mayfield. Vladyka George was finally, after many years, able to travel to Vashon Island, from West Virginia, seeing our monastery for the very first time.

These past eight days have been filled with the sharing of our faith in Christ, serving the divine services, showing him the famous Pike Street Market and the Space Needle, and enjoyed a delicious dinner, followed by a wonderful evening of conversation, in the home of Archpriest Alex and Matushka Natilie Kotar.

 

On Thursday we took Bishop George to the Olympic National Park, where we ate dinner in the Lake Crescent Lodge, built in 1916, and explored the beautiful grounds of this venerable old resort. After lunch we  drove up to the snow level of Hurricane Ridge, where we experienced a late season snow storm. Bishop George, like myself, is an avid photographer, so we were enjoying every photograph moment of the whole trip.

Bishop George is a joyful man, serious about his faith, and quick to share with those who come in contact with him. My style as well, so our friendship has deepened over these many years, and we've both appreciated the time we've had in this period of where seriousness and laughter mixed freely.

Bishop George returns to his West Virginia tomorrow afternoon, and we will all miss him. But like all real friendships, distance won't impact or lessen it. I ask all my readers to please remember His Grace Bishop George in your holy prayers.

With love in Christ,
Abbot Tryphon


Hurricane Ridge
Abbot Tryphon enjoying the drive

Bishop George bundled against the cold

Friday May 31, 2013 / May 18, 2013
Fourth Week of Pascha. Tone three.
Fast. Fish Allowed

Commemoration of the Holy Fathers of Seven Ecumenical Councils.
Martyr Theodotus of Ancyra and seven virgin-martyrs: Alexandra, Tecusa, Claudia, Phaine, Euphraisa, Matrona, and Julia (303).
Martyrs Peter of Lampsacus, and Andrew, Paul, and Dionysia, at Euridinos (249-251).
St. Macarius (Glukharev) of Altai, Siberia (1847).
St. John (Gashkevich), archpriest of Korma (1917).
New Hieromartyr Michael, priest (1932).
New Hieromartyr Damjan (Damian) Strbac, Jr. of Grahovo, Serbia (1940s).
New Hieromartyr Basil priest (1942).
Martyrs Symeon, Isaac, and Bachtisius of Persia (339).
Martyrs Heraclius, Paulinus, Benedimus of Athenas (250).
Holy Martyrs Davit and Tarichan (693) (Georgia).
Martyr Euphrasia of Nicaea (Greek).
St. Stephen the New, patriarch of Constantinople (Greek).
Hieromartyr Theodore, pope of Rome (Greek).
St. Anastaso of Lukada (Greek).
Venerable Martinian of Areovinthus, monk (Greek).
Martyr Julian (Greek).
Hieromartyr Potamon, bishop of Heraclea (341) (Greek).
St. Elgiva, quenn of England.

You can read the life of the saint in red, by clicking on the name.


THANKS to all of you who have been able to contribute towards the support of the monastery. These difficult times of economic hardship have impacted the monastery, and those of you who have been able to donate, have been our lifeline. May God bless you for your generosity, and kindness.


With love in Christ,   Abbot Tryphon



Donations can be made directly to the monastery through PayPal, or you may send donations to:


All-Merciful Saviour Monastery
PO Box 2420
Vashon Island, WA 98070-2420 USA



The Scripture Readings

Acts 10:44-11:10


The Holy Spirit Falls on the Gentiles

44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. 45 And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.
Then Peter answered, 47 “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.

Peter Defends God’s Grace

11 Now the apostles and brethren who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. And when Peter came up to Jerusalem, those of the circumcision contended with him, saying, “You went in to uncircumcised men and ate with them!”
But Peter explained it to them in order from the beginning, saying: “I was in the city of Joppa praying; and in a trance I saw a vision, an object descending like a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came to me. When I observed it intently and considered, I saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. And I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat.’ But I said, ‘Not so, Lord! For nothing common or unclean has at any time entered my mouth.’ But the voice answered me again from heaven, ‘What God has cleansed you must not call common.’ 10 Now this was done three times, and all were drawn up again into heaven.



John 8:21-30


Jesus Predicts His Departure

21 Then Jesus said to them again, “I am going away, and you will seek Me, and will die in your sin. Where I go you cannot come.”
22 So the Jews said, “Will He kill Himself, because He says, ‘Where I go you cannot come’?”
23 And He said to them, “You are from beneath; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. 24 Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.”
25 Then they said to Him, “Who are You?”
And Jesus said to them, “Just what I have been saying to you from the beginning. 26 I have many things to say and to judge concerning you, but He who sent Me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I heard from Him.”
27 They did not understand that He spoke to them of the Father.
28 Then Jesus said to them, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things. 29 And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.” 30 As He spoke these words, many believed in Him.




I invite my readers to listen to my
Ancient Faith Radio podcasts.

JUNE 9 - Monasticism Today: A Journey to the Heart of God LIVE CALL IN ON ANCIENT FAITH RADIO
 
Guest: The V. Rev. Father Tryphon, a monk for almost thirty years, and co-founder and abbot of All-Merciful Saviour Monastery on Vashon Island, WA. Abbot Tryphon speaks with host Kevin Allen of Ancient Faith Radio about all aspects of (Orthodox Christian) monasticism in the 21 century (and perhaps some of his interesting personal journey story).

It will be a live stream -- as AFR is recording it -- but will also be available later as a download on AFR and the AFT archives.
 
It will stream live via Internet on Ancient Faith Radio TALK is 5 PM - 6:30 PM Pacific (US); 6 PM Mountain; 7 PM Central; and, 8 PM (- 9:30 PM) Eastern.
 
For foreign countries, please refer to the US standard times and adjust accordingly.





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