April 6th, 2025
Always a Spiritual Focus, First
Dearest Parish Families,
Because this coming Sunday, we celebrate and honour the life of Saint Mary of Egypt, there is so much we can learn from her example: qualities like sacrifice for God, and patience, and depth of sincerity.
If you have never visited the Egyptian desert extending from Cairo, you absolutely should make a point of going there. It is simply mystical. Upon seeing that sandy expanse, now I can understand the attraction that distance holds on us. It is a removal from the world, while still being in the world. It’s hard to explain. I used to believe that a desert was devoid of life. But that’s simply not true. Any true desert is filled with life and presence.
As we are continuing our fasting period of Great Lent, I always remember the words of Father Philotheos Zervakos who says we are never alone in our lives, for we have the angels, we have the Virgin Mary, we have the saints. Ever since then, I realise I’ve never been truly lonely in my life. I always have their spiritual presences around me.
Perhaps, this is one way to understand how we can relate to others and be a steadfast part of a community: by being spiritually connected and spiritually trusting. I believe the quality of trust in our lives helps our lives. Totally.
The life of Saint Mary of Egypt is, admittedly, one of extremity: she totally gave up the world and lived in the desert. We don’t have to go to that extreme. But we can appreciate what she did. Just read her biography and how the miraculous prevented her from entering the Christian Church—and how the miraculous came to her in her next living with fasting and repentance.
For our Great Lent, especially as we come to the final days of fasting and then entering Holy Week, we can decide to increase our efforts. For Holy Week, let us strive to enter silence. Turn off our social media, our televisions. One of the hardest things for us to do is to actually make friends with silence. This is a great striving. Even if only for a week of Holy Week, see if you can come closer to God in a spirit of peace and quiet, in silence, letting the hymnology of our church services resonate deeper for you. See you always in our parish services.
Faithfully, Father Samaras
8th Morning Gospel Lesson
Fifth Sunday of Lent: Saint Mary of Egypt
On April 6, we commemorate our holy father Eftychios, Patriarch of Constantinople; the holy 120 martyrs of Persia; our devout mother Saint Platonis; the two holy martyrs of Ascalon, who died after they were buried up to the waist; our devout father Gregory of Sinai, who lived as an ascetic in the fourteenth century, died in peace; Devout Saint Gregory, who lived as an ascetic in the vicinity of Great Lavra Monastery on Mount Athos in the fourteenth century, died in peace. On this day in the year 1818, the holy monastic martyr Gennadios contested in Constantinople; and the holy and glorious five Neomartyrs: Manuel, Theodore, George, Michael, and another George, who were from Samothrace and who contested in Makri, Thrace in the year 1835. And today, the fifth Sunday of Lent, we have been enjoined to observe the memory of our devout Mother Mary of Egypt

2025 PARISH COUNCIL
President - Theo Christ
Vice President – Yvonne Anastasiou
Secretary – Dina Mastoras
Parish Council Member - Evdokia Sofos
Parish Council Member - Dialecti Voudouris
Parish Council Member - Anastassios Mentis
Parish Council Member – Paula Refolo
Parish Council Member - Theodore Vougiouklakis
Parish Council Member - Mike Anastasiou