January  2006
 

Welcoming Antonios Harvey into the church family…
In this Issue

 Theophany
Prayer is the work of Christians!
News

Theophany

When Thou, O Lord,
wast baptised in the Jordan
the worship of the Trinity
was made manifest!
For the voice of the Father
bare witness to Thee,
and called Thee His beloved Son!
And the Spirit , in the form of a dove, confirmed the
truthfulness of His word.
O Christ our God,
Who hast revealed Thyself,
and hast enlightened the world,
glory to Thee!

Theophany Troparion

This Great Feast, on 6th January, is the revelation of the Trinity to the whole world. At the baptism of the Son, the Father speaks and the Holy Spirit appears in the form of a dove.

Christ, Who did not need baptism, in humility shows the way to salvation for us sinners. John the Baptist, the last prophet of the old covenant, brings about the inauguration of the new covenant by baptising, at His own request, He Who is Christ our true God from throughout all ages.

It is at this time that the Great Blessing of the Waters takes place. The Holy Cross is plunged into the water with many prayers so that the water may be used for our benefit:

     • to bless our homes;
     • to drink for our wellbeing;
     • for the averting of every evil both visible and invisible and for the healing of souls and bodies.

The long prayers said by the priest over the water to be blessed are very beautiful and so often not heard by the majority, who do not attend. We have the remedy for so many ills, by the grace of God, but we don't know or don't use it. Come to the service 5th January in the evening and/or 6th January during the day and take away water to use and be blessed and strengthened thereby.

Great art Thou, O Lord, and marvellous are Thy works, and there is no word which is sufficient to hymn Thy wonders!
 

Prayer is the work of Christians!

It is our duty and privilege to bring to God in prayer, every day, all those who, because of our relationship with our heavenly Father, have entrusted us with this task:

   our spiritual father;
   our godparents;
   our godchildren;
   our brothers and sisters in the Faith;
   the sick;
   our earthly families;
   all whose needs are brought to our attention through others or through the media.

Use the Jesus Prayer to pray simply, but be faithful in this labour of love.

We must not only pray, but also be a support, as much as we are able, in giving our time and showing our concern and care for each other.

See how these Christians love one another!
 

News from St. Michaels

Monk Elia has returned to Lebanon for Christmas and Theophany. He sends his best wishes to all at St.Michael's. May God bless him as he keeps us in his prayers.

Vasilii Zakharov is on the move. He is leaving England to live near to Geneva. We wish him all the best for the future.

We can expect another baby next year! Congratulations to Christian and Gabriella.

This is your newsletter. If you have any news about you, your children, grandchildren etc., or of future activities, please let us know so that we can include it in future editions.