In this email
Message from Fr Alexander — The Holy Cross
Are you struggling to pray?
Covid-19 Response
Live stream information
News of Future Services
Resources
Saints and Feasts — 17th–24th September
Offer of help
Dear Friends
Crucifixion is truly an awful method of execution. It was designed by the Romans not only to kill but kill in the most horrible way—a warning to other would-be trouble makers not to challenge the authority and strength of Rome. A cross is something to be feared, something to avoid, something to escape.
“If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.”
— Luke 9:23f
Our modern world is searching for happiness and for meaning. People around us are searching for the thing which can fill their lives with meaning—money, shopping, drugs, football, mindfulness, etc.—or, at least, numb them from the pain of existence. They will occupy themselves with phones, music or podcasts whenever in the public sphere, facemasks even provide for not having to share a smile—anything to avoid interacting with others or having to remember the one certainty in their lives: it will end with death.
“I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”
— John 10:10
Christ has come into this world and changed everything: he has given us the meaning for existence and for being: to love. And when we act this love, when we show this love, we become truly alive: moreover, when we act on this love even though we die we will be alive in Christ.
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, dear friends, the Gospel is hard because it requires each of us, you and me, to take up our cross daily. Yet we can offer our world the one thing for which it yearns: life. True life. Abundant life. And we achieve this through love.
Do you love your friends and neighbours, your colleagues and acquaintances, your family and society, enough that you desire them to come alive, truly alive? Will you work with me that we may bring life to Eastleigh and the surrounding area? Please pray. Then listen to the response of the Lord in your heart.
“If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.”
— Luke 9:23f
Are you struggling to pray?
In this latest episode of Be the Bee, #150, Steve considers what we can do if we struggle to pray. Please watch.
Covid-19 Response
We should follow government advice whenever we can. We are not being asked to give up or deny our Faith, but many are being told to stay socially isolated and this will last, perhaps, for many months.
How can you respond? Pray. We pray because we love and because we know the power of prayer. We pray not as a last resort but as a first response.
Is there anything you need or anything you can offer? Let me know — my telephone number and email address are on each of the emails: please get in contact if you are feeling isolated: I am here for you.
Are you willing to contact isolated people via email or phone? Let me know! It would be good to match up those who need help with those who can offer it.
Live stream
The Monastery of Saints Antony and Cuthbert, Shropshire, is live-streaming its services for all who are unable to go to their own churches. These are over YouTube and can be accessed here:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfWMaefJYqFEZkYiK2WmeEw
Usually Vespers on Saturday evenings at 5 pm and Matins and Liturgy on Sunday mornings from 7.30 am.
News of Future Services
We want to start to hold services together: things are difficult now but they remind us that we can do nothing by our own power. Only when we place our hope in the Lord—and not in our own skills, talents, ideas, imaginations—will we be able to build a house for the Lord.
Please pray!
Resources
Have a look at our website — orthodoxeastleigh.uk
If you click on the “Blog” link, or directly here, you will see all past emails as well as sermons etc.
Our Facebook Page, facebook.com/orthodoxeastleigh, too, has daily additions during the week as well as on feast days. Please do like and share our page and content so we may reach a wider group of people.
Do you receive the weekly (on Fridays) text message? If not, then let me know.
Saints and Feasts
Thursday 17th September — Afterfeast of the Exaltation of the Cross. Martyr Sophia and her three daughters Faith, Hope and Love at Rome (c 137).
Friday 18th — Afterfeast of the Exaltation of the Cross. St Eumenios, Bishop of Gortyna (6th).
Saturday 19th — Afterfeast of the Exaltation of the Cross. St Theodore of Tarsus, Archbishop of Canterbury (690).
Sunday 20th — 15th after Pentecost and Sunday after the Exaltation of the Cross. Great Martyr Eustathius (Eustace), his wife Martyr Theopisti, and their children, Martyrs Agapius and Theopistus, of Rome (c 118).
Monday 21st — Leavetaking of the Exaltation of the Cross. Prophet Jonah.
Tuesday 22nd — Hieromartyr Phokas, Bishop of Sinope (c117).
Wednesday 23rd — The Conception of the Holy, Glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John.
Thursday 24th — St Silouan the Athonite (1938). Holy Protomartyr and Equal-to-the-Apostles Thecla (1st).
Can I help you?
I am here for you, you need only ask. Is there a way I can support your life of faith? Get in touch.
Can you help the mission?
Yes, absolutely. Offer yourselves to the Lord: pray! Make available to him all your talents and ask him how he would like you to use them — listen for his reply.
I ask your prayers for me.
With love in Christ
Fr Alexander
[email protected]