St. Seraphim of Sarov taught everyone the following rule of prayer:

Let any Christian, upon arising from sleep stand before the holy icons, and read the Lord’s Prayer “Our Father” thrice, in honor of the Most-holy Trinity, then the hymn to the Theotokos “O Theotokos and Virgin, rejoice…” three times as well, and finally, the Symbol of Our Faith once. Having completed this rule, let each one attend to the tasks to which he was appointed or to which he is called.

During work at home or while traveling somewhere, let him quietly read “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.” If there are others in his vicinity while he is working, let him silently repeat “Lord have mercy,” until supper.

After supper, upon completing his tasks, let him quietly read “Most Holy Theotokos, save me a sinner,” and let him repeat this until falling asleep.

Going to bed, let any Christian again read the above-mentioned morning rule. Thereafter, let him go to sleep, having protected himself with the sign of the Cross.” Fr. Seraphim said “Keeping this rule, it is possible, to reach Christian perfection, for the three prayers indicated are the foundation of Christianity. The first, as the payer given [to us] by Christ Himself, is the model for all prayers. The second was brought from Heaven by the Archangel to greet the Virgin Mary, the Mother of Our Lord. The Symbol [of our faith] contains in brief all of the salvific dogmas of the Christian Faith.

To those who for whatever reason could not complete this little rule, Venerable St. Seraphim recommended reading it under whatever circumstance: during lessons, while walking, and even in bed. He based this advise on the words of the Scriptures “whosoever should call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved…”

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, Who art in the heavens, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

Hymn to the Most-holy Theotokos

O Theotokos and Virgin, rejoice, Mary full of grace, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women, and blessed is the Fruit of your womb, for you have borne the Savior of our souls.

The Symbol of our Faith

I believe in one God, Father Almighty, Creator of
heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of
God, begotten of the Father before all ages;

Light of Light, true God of true God, begotten,
not created, of one essence with the Father
through Whom all things were made.

Who for us men and for our salvation
came down from heaven and was incarnate 
of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became man.

He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, 
and suffered and was buried;

And He rose on the third day,
according to the Scriptures.

He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father;

And He will come again with glory to judge the living
and dead. His kingdom shall have no end.

And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Creator of life, 
Who proceeds from the Father, Who together with the
Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified, Who 
spoke through the prophets.

In one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church.

I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.

I look for the resurrection of the dead, 
and the life of the age to come.

Amen.

Summer Hours

Summer Hours begin on Sunday, June 25. There will be no Orthros; Divine Liturgy will begin at 9:30 am.

Fellowship Hour

Fellowship Hour today is offered by Nia Georgopoulos and Barbara Kalioras. Sas Efcharistoume! There are lots of Sundays available to sign up for Fellowship Hour throughout the summer. Our next Community Pot Luck Fellowship is July 16.

Festival Committee Meeting

The Festival Committee Meeting will take place on Wednesday, June 28 at 6:00 pm. Everyone is invited to come and take a piece of the Festival. Bring a friend!

Name Day Vespers in Haverhill

On Wednesday, June 28 at 6:00 pm our sister parish of the Holy Apostles in Haverhill MA will be celebrating their Name Day Vespers. You are invited to join them for this wonderful occassion. There will be a reception following the Vespers.

St. John of San Francisco

Next Sunday, July 2, is the Feast of St. John of Shanghai and San  Francisco, a holy Russian bishop who died in 1966 and whose incorrupt body is preserved in the Cathedral of the Protection of the Theotokos in San Francisco. In honor of his feast day, we will be anointed with oil from the kandelia at his tomb. May St. John always intercede for our salvation!

Kali Parea Event

Our next outing will be to Pickety Place, lunch followed by a stroll in their gardens and a trip to the gift shop, on Monday, July 10 at 12:30 pm. We will be meeting in the church parking lot at 10:30 am. Please call Maria Bryant at 224-7311 early to reserve a spot. 

Orthodox Store

Are you in need of devotional items, like censers, incense, oil lamps, prayer ropes (koumboskinia)? Check out our new Holy Trinity Store. With time we will be expanding the available items and will even be including books to purchase. We are also establishing a lending library. Check out the store in the corner of the Hall by the Bulletin Board! Please put the money in the basket; we are using the honor method. Make checks payable to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church.