The Morning Offering

Holy Saturday

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The Orthodox Observance of
Great And Holy Saturday

On Great and Holy Saturday the Church observes the day on which Christ reposed in the tomb. Foreshadowing this day as the blessed the seventh day, by Moses, the Church sees it the Blessed Sabbath. In other words, this is the day of rest on which the only-begotten Son of God rested from all His works (Vesperal Liturgy of Holy Saturday).

By calling this day the Blessed Sabbath the Church links Holy Saturday with the creative act of God. In the account of creation in the Book of Genesis, God made man in His own image and likeness, and to be truly himself, man was to live in everlasting communion with the dynamic power of that image: God. When humankind fell from God, that image was broken.

By His Holy Resurrection, the Logos (Word), the Son of God through whom all things were created, has come to restore us to communion with God. He has thereby completed creation, and all things are as the Father intended. Having consummated this great act, He rests from all His works, and this day is forever known as the Blessed Sabbath.

With love in Christ,
Abbot Tryphon

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Notice: In previous postings on this blog, I wrote that the monastery is not supported by the Western American Diocese, of which we are a part. This statement was incorrect, and in fact our diocese holds a special collection each year for its two main monasteries, of which All-Merciful Saviour Monastery is one, and parishes all throughout the diocese, which are often themselves extremely poor, offer what they are able on our behalf. Additionally, the diocese has in the past offered us additional financial support in cases of extreme need, and has even this year made adjustments to its collections to help bring funds to us earlier in the year. As a monastery of the Western American Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, we are grateful to the diocese, and to its parishes and many faithful who contribute to our life in this way--whose small but heartfelt contributions join with those of our many other benefactors to make our life here possible.

Saturday April 19, 2014 / April 6, 2014
Passion Week: Great Saturday, descent into Hades.
Great Lent. By Monastic Charter: Strict Fast (Bread, Vegetables, Fruits)
St. Eutychius, patriarch of Constantinople (582).
New Hieromartyr John priest (1934).
New Hieromartyr James priest (1943).
St. Sebastian, Elder of Optina and Karaganda (1966).
St. Methodius, Equal-to-the-Apostles, enlightener of the Slavs (885).
Venerable Platonida (Platonis) of Nisibis (308).
120 Martyrs of Persia (345).
Martyrs Jeremiah and Archilias the Presbyter.
Venerable Gregory of St. Athanasius monastery on Mt. Athos, instructor of St. Gregory Palamas (1308).
Venerable Gregory the Sinaite (1346).
2 Martyrs from Ascalon.
New Martyr Nicholas of Lesbos (1463).
New Monk-martyr Gennadius of Dionysiou, Mt. Athos, who suffered at Constantinople (1818).
New Martyrs Manuel, Theodore, George, Michael, and another George, of Samothrace (1835).
You can read the life of the saint by clicking on the highlighted name.


The Scripture Readings for the Day

Click on scripture books to read:
1 Corinthians 5:6-8 (Matins, Epistle)
Galatians 3:13-14 (Matins, Epistle)
Matthew 27:62-66 (Matins, Gospel)
Romans 6:3-11
Matthew 28:1-20

I invite my readers to listen to my
Ancient Faith Radio podcasts:
http://ancientfaith.com/podcasts/morningoffering


All-Merciful Saviour Monastery is a non-profit, 501 C3 organization, under IRS regulations. All donations are therefore tax deductible. We depend on the generosity of our friends and benefactors. You can donate to the monastery through PayPal, or by sending donations directly to the monastery's mailing address.

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

Abbot Tryphon's email address:
frtryphon@vashonmonks.com