Forgiveness Vespers

“Earthly life—this brief period—is given to man by the mercy of the Creator in order that man may use it for his salvation, that is, for the restoration of himself from death to life.” This is the saying of St. Ignatius Brianchaninov

The saint goes on to say that our life as a Christian on earth is a “chain of suffering,” that we have to do battle against our body, its passions, and the evil spirits. “Our hope lies in this fight. Our salvation is from God. Having put our reliance on Him, we must bear with patience the time of struggle.” Lent is that time of struggle for our healing.

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The Prayer of St. Ephraim the Syrian

O Lord and Master of my life, Take from me the spirit of sloth faint-heartedness, lust of power and idle talk. (prostration)
But give rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience, and love to thy servant. (prostration)
Yea, O Lord and King grant me to see my own errors and not to judge my brother; for Thou art blessed unto the ages of ages. Amen. (prostration)

The prayer is prayed the first time through with the prostrations, joining body and soul in the prayer for deification, and then 12 metanias are made with the words, "God, cleanse me (a) the sinner." Thereafter the whole prayer is said again, making one prostration at the end. The repetition is meant to help us get the prayer inside of us so that we can truly think it through and begin to make a start in applying it to our lives.

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Sunday of the Pharisee and the Publican & Sunday of the Prodigal Son

“He who seeks forgiveness of his sins loves humility, but if he condemns another he seals his own wickedness. Just as water and fire cannot be combined, so self-justification and humility exclude one another.” —St. Mark the Ascetic (Philokalia)

“The culture in which we live constantly instills in us the sense of pride, of self-glorification, and of self- righteousness. It is built on the assumption that man can achieve anything by himself and it even pictures God as the One who all the time “gives credit for man’s achievements and good deeds...” —Fr. Alexander Schmemann, Great Lent

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January 2007 Newsletter

Glory to Jesus Christ! I pray that this update on ACM finds you well. It’s been a very rewarding beginning to the new year for the ministry. The students returned from their Christmas break excited to participate again in the daily activities and worship of the Holy Trinity which the ministry affords them. Praise God for His work in their lives!

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November 2006 Newsletter

Christ is in our midst! I pray this newsletter finds you well and that you enjoyed a blessed Thanksgiving. I thank God for your faithful support of this ministry, which is making a life-changing difference in the lives of students, faculty, and others.

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