My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ God,

Saturday, Friday 22nd is the First Saturday of the Souls. On the day before the Sunday of the Last Judgment, and in close connection with the theme of this Sunday, there is a Universal Commemoration of the dead 'from all the ages.' (There are further commemorations of the dead on the second, third, and forth Saturdays in Holy Lent.) Before we call to mind the Second Coming of Christ in the services on Sunday, we command to God all those departed before us, who are now awaiting the Last Judgment. In the texts for this Saturday there is a strong sense of the continuing bond of mutual love that links together all the members of the Church, whether alive or dead. For those who believe in the Risen Christ, death does not constitute an impassable barrier, since all are alive in Him; the departed are still our brethren, members of the same family with us, and so we are conscious of the need to pray insistently on their behalf. (Lenten Triodion)

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DIVINE SERVICES ON THE FIRST SATURDAY OF SOULS:

Orthros (Matins) at 9:00 a.m.
Divine Liturgy at 10:00 a.m.

Memorial service immediately following.

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It is our Orthodox Christian Tradition that the faithful attend the divine services and bring the names of their departed relatives and/or friends to be commemorated and prayed for. The names should be the baptismal names of Orthodox Christians and not the last name. Those of you who know how to make kolyva (wheat) should bring a small bowl for the service.

Departed. The dead. Following death and judgment, those who have accepted God's Truth and Love as fully revealed in Christ and the Holy Spirit inherit eternal life in Heaven. Those who have rejected His gift inherit eternal darkness. (See Luke 16:19-31).

The use of wheat (kolyva) at the memorial service. In the gospel of Saint John, we read: Jesus answered them, saying, "... Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone, but if it dies, it produces much grain" (John 12:24). The image of the "grain of wheat" dying in order to bear fruit signifies that Christ will die in order to give life, a principle of self-sacrifice which applies to all those who follow the way of Christ.

Please make every effort to attend the holy services and to bring the names of your loved ones.

With agape,

+Father George