Scripture Readings for March 21

Hebrews 11:24-26, 32-12:2

24 By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, 26 esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward. 32 And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: 33 who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. 35 Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. 36 Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented – 38 of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. 39 And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, 40 God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us. 1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

 John 1:43-51

43 The following day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee, and He found Philip and said to him, “Follow Me.” 44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote – Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” 46 And Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” 47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!” 48 Nathanael said to Him, “How do You know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” 49 Nathanael answered and said to Him, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” 50 Jesus answered and said to him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” 51 And He said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”

Scripture Readings for March 14

Romans 13:11-14:4

11 And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. 12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. 13 Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts. 1 Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. 2 For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. 3 Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him. 4 Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.

 Matthew 6:14-21

14 For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. 16 Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 17 But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. 19 Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Scripture Readings for March 7

1 Corinthians 6:12-20

12 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. 13 Foods for the stomach and the stomach for foods, but God will destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. 14 And God both raised up the Lord and will also raise us up by His power. 15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a harlot? Certainly not! 16 Or do you not know that he who is joined to a harlot is one body with her? For “the two,” He says, “shall become one flesh.” 17 But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him. 18 Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. 19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

 Luke 15:11-32

11 Then He said: “A certain man had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he divided to them his livelihood. 13 And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living. 14 But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. 15 Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything. 17 But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, 19 and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.”’ 20 And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. 23 And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; 24 for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry. 25 Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound, your father has killed the fatted calf.’ 28 But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him. 29 So he answered and said to his father, ‘Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends. 30 But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.’ 31 And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. 32 It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.’”

Scripture Readings for February 28

1 Corinthians 6:12-20

12 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. 13 Foods for the stomach and the stomach for foods, but God will destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. 14 And God both raised up the Lord and will also raise us up by His power. 15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a harlot? Certainly not! 16 Or do you not know that he who is joined to a harlot is one body with her? For “the two,” He says, “shall become one flesh.” 17 But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him. 18 Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. 19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

Luke 15:11-32

11 Then He said: “A certain man had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he divided to them his livelihood. 13 And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living. 14 But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. 15 Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything. 17 But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, 19 and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.”’ 20 And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. 23 And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; 24 for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry. 25 Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound, your father has killed the fatted calf.’ 28 But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him. 29 So he answered and said to his father, ‘Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends. 30 But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.’ 31 And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. 32 It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.’”

February 2021 Divine Liturgies' Attendance Survey: Continuation of Phase 2 Stage 4 of the Safe Reopening of St. Nicholas Cathedral

Dear Parishioners: 

We are delighted to continue with the Phase 2, Stage 4 of the Safe Reopening of St. Nicholas Cathedral. The same processes that were successfully implemented in June 2020 - February 2021 will be applied to March 2021. 

Lately, we have observed a rapid increase in COVID-19 cases in the DMV area and nationwide. Therefore, we would like to remind you that even though you have the opportunity to participate in the Divine Liturgies in March, you are under NO OBLIGATION to do so during these very challenging times! We urge you to continue to monitor the situation which changes daily and do what is in the best interest of you and your family.  

Your health and safety are of utmost priority! There is no guilt nor shame in keeping you, your loved ones and the parish community safe! Please feel comfortable in choosing to stay home, pray and be safe than risk your well-being to the pandemic. 

To participate in March, please complete the survey to help identify cohorts of 23 parishioners per the Divine Liturgy and 10 parishioners for the Sunday Communion only. The surveymust be completed by EACH member of the household interested in attending the Divine Liturgy or Sunday Communion Only. The survey is short (less than 3 minutes) and must be submitted before 11:00 pm on Friday, February 26.

Here is an overview of the attendance process:

On Monday, June 22, 2020, the District of Columbia entered into Phase Two of reopening and on Tuesday, June 23, 2020, His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon gave his blessing to St. Nicholas Cathedral to enter Phase 2, Stage 4 as outlined in the Synodal Directives of May 1, 2020 and evidenced in the chart below.

Note: St. Nicholas Cathedral closely monitors and follows all the DC Mayor's Orders related to the COVID-19 Public Emergency, including Order 2020-126 of December 16, 2020, and Order 2020-127 of December 18, 2020.

View fullsize

Click to enlarge

Specifically, the Metropolitan’s blessing directs St. Nicholas Cathedral only to “...celebrate the Divine Liturgy on Sundays and appropriate weekdays with the minimal crew (up to 23 people, or a few more when accounting for family units) and the safety precautions as described in your proposal. Anything beyond this, both in terms of types of services and number of parishioners will require the re-submittal of a proposal using the Archdiocesan form.” 

With the Cathedral’s reopening to a larger group of parishioners, our goal remains the same: to keep everyone safe and healthy and observe social distancing during the liturgy and prevent, as much as possible, the spreading of COVID-19 within our community. 

To help you make an informed decision about whether you would feel safe attending the liturgy or communion, we have included an outline of the Cathedral's already established preparation processes. These procedures have proven to create safe environment as per the testimonies of the parishioners who participated in the earlier phase of the Re-Opening. Please see the outline below.

As we continue with this Phase, the outlined procedures and processes are subject to change. We strongly rely on your patience, help, cooperation and understanding. May the Lord further deepen our appreciation for the Orthodox values and the importance of unity, respect, care and love for each other during this difficult period of time and beyond.

---

Outline of the Cathedral’s Preparations

To ensure personal safety as well as our compliance with the guidelines set by the District of Columbia, OCA, His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon, and the Cathedral’s Parish Council, the following are the Outline, Maps, Instructions and Important Notes to be observed by each parishioner. 

Important: Again, there might be modifications to the below processes. Any changes will be reflected and communicated to you. Thank you for your respect, patience and support!  

1. Schedule of the Divine Liturgies and Sunday Communion Only

The Parish Council and a group of volunteers have been reorganizing and sanitizing the premises as well as working on the safe reopening plan launched originally on Saturday, July 11, 2020. The March Schedule will include 4 English Divine Liturgies, Slavonic Divine Liturgies and 4 Sunday Communion Only on the following days: 

4 (four) English Divine Liturgies with twenty three (23) parishioners attending

from March 7 through March 28

Sunday, March 7

Sunday, March 14

Sunday, March 21

Sunday, March 28 

4 (four) Slavonic Divine Liturgies with twenty three (23) parishioners attending

from March 6 through March 27

Saturday, March 6

Saturday, March 13

Saturday, March 20

Saturday, March 27 

4 (four) Sunday Communion Only to be held outdoors with ten (10) parishioners

attending from March 7 through March 28

Sunday, March 7

Sunday, March 14

Sunday, March 21

Sunday, March 28

2. Maps for Observing Social Distancing

The interior of the Cathedral will be different from what you remember because of the steps we have taken to assure your safety and comply with the CDC regulations. To ensure social distancing and minimal contact, we have created 23 individual spaces. For detail, please see the attached maps/charts:

·     Registration Map before entering the Cathedral (outside map of the Cathedral and outside map of the Annex) - we have marked the Cathedral's grounds as well as the Annex to make sure we have 23 designated lots - one per each parishioner - before registering for the liturgy. These maps will also be used for Sunday Communion Only.

·     Entrance and Exit - before entering the Cathedral, the cohort of 23 parishioners will be split into 4 smaller groups to minimize contact:

·     Group 1: Numbers 1 through 7

·     Please click here for Group 1 Entrance

·     Please click here for Group 1 Exit

·     Group 2: Numbers 8 through 12

·     Please click here for Group 2 Entrance

·     Please click here for Group 2 Exit

·     Group 3: Numbers 13 through 17

·     Please click here for Group 3 Entrance

·     Please click here for Group 3 Exit

·     Group 4: Numbers 18 through 23

·     Please click here for Group 4 Entrance

·     Please click here for Group 4 Exit

·     Designated location - each designated location is tape outlined.

·     Communion - please remove your mask before receiving Holy Communion and put it back on immediately thereafter. Please see the map to receive Holy Communion.

·     Group 1: Numbers 1 through 7

·     Group 2: Numbers 8 through 12

·     Group 3: Numbers 13 through 17

·     Group 4: Numbers 18 through 23

·     Restroom - If you need to use the restroom, please let the usher know and he/she will escort you downstairs. Only one person is allowed to use the restroom at a time.

3. Mandatory Pre-Registration Process

As per the Preventative Measures of the Synodal Directives Towards a Re-opening of our Churches effective May 1, 2020, every action has been taken to safeguard the well-being of our parishioners. The cohorts of parishioners will need to fill in the Pre-Registration Form in a timely manner. The Pre-Registration form will be open for submission between 6:00 pm Thursday and 12:00 pm Friday.

4. Arrival time for Divine Liturgies and Sunday Communion - each group is expected to arrive at the time designated below. Due to the check-in process we are adamant that you arrive on time:

·     Group 1: Numbers 1 through 7

·     Arrive at 8:30 am

·     Group 2: Numbers 8 through 12

·     Arrive at 8:30 am

·     Group 3: Numbers 13 through 17

·     Arrive at 8:40 am

·     Group 4: Numbers 18 through 23

·     Arrive at 8:40 am

·     Sunday Communion Only

·     Arrive at 10:05 am

Services will begin at the serving priest's discretion as soon as the majority of parishioners have arrived. That's why we strongly request to arrive at the time, scheduled for your designated group.

5. Check-in process - each Divine Liturgy and Sunday Communion Only are preceded by the registration/check-in process that includes:

·     Signing of the Acknowledgement Form (click here to view; no need to print) which must be signed at the door each morning before the Divine Liturgy and not earlier;

·     Sanitizing your hands;

·     Taking your body temperature.

6. PPE: A face mask must be on before entering the church and through the entire service. Please carry an extra face mask with you at all times.

Other Important Notes:

·     There will be no icons to venerate in order to eliminate sources of the COVID-19 viral transmission. Please do not venerate the frescoes either;

·     Candles will be lit before each service as the Candle Counter will remain closed through the end of Phase Two;

·     No kissing, touching or hugging are allowed before, during or after the service;

·     Bow to venerate the frescoes, the Holy Communion cup, the priest’s hand, and the cross;

·     A basket will be near the exit doors in case you would like to leave an offering. You can also make your donation through the Cathedral’s website.

We hope the above outline helps you be better prepared for the service in March 2021. Please click here to go to the survey and we hope to see you at the Divine Liturgies or Sunday Communion Only.

With love in Christ,

Father George Kokhno

Father Valery Shemchuk

Claire Nobles, President

The St. Nicholas Parish Council