Sts. Cyril & Athanasius Institute for Orthodox Studies in San Francisco: a new institution, currently in development, that will serve and support the Orthodox Church by fostering theological education, scholarship, worship and prayer. Promoting the acquisition of higher learning and scholarship in the context of traditional Orthodox life, practice and thought, it will offer a venue for foundational and higher study in theological, historical, liturgical and practical areas of Orthodox Christianity.


With its central facilities located in San Francisco, California - an historic and important center of Orthodox life in North America - the Sts. Cyril & Athanasius institute aims to reach out to the whole western region of North America, currently under-served in terms of Orthodox educational provision, as well as to establish itself as a national institute through conferences, symposia, and programmes delivered across the country. Regional Centers will allow interactive education in various cities and areas, while richly-developed Distance Learning resources will allow elements of study to be completed wherever you may be located. If a rich, in-depth knowledge and experience of Orthodox history, life, thought and practice is of interest to you, ask yourself now: Will this institute be right for me?


Goals and Aims, and a Unique Mission

The Institute, as a new venture of the Orthodox Church in western North America, will be a center for higher learning in Orthodox Christianity, fostering and supporting the life of the Church and its mission in the world. It aims to accomplish these goals through a threefold pattern of (1) educating those in the Church, including both laypeople and clergy, in theoretical and practical knowledge and skills; (2) educating those outside of the Church, who have an interest in her life, history, theology and heritage—in particular students, enquirers, and researchers; and (3) making Orthodox theology, history and practice more widely known through the dissemination of scholarly publications, conferences, and regional activities (see our Journal & Publications area for more information in this regard).

As a centre for higher education, the Sts. Cyril and Athanasius Institute will approach its topics with the intensity, rigour, and engagement customary to under- and post-graduate learning, providing this culture of academic excellence in the context of traditional Orthodox life and practice. Students of the Institute will study for under- and post-graduate level certificates and diplomas and practical liturgical qualifications, together with higher-level study, in an environment that encourages the study of Orthodoxy in engagement with an Orthodox approach to higher learning, emphasizing the relationship of critical study and analysis to the lived traditions of ecclesiology, worship, ascesis and spirituality.

Centered in San Francisco, the Instiute aims to build up Orthodox studies throughout western North America, together with other locations, through the establishment of Regional Centers. This same model will also allow us to reach out even further throughout the United States, offering such programs as Diaconal Training and Certificate-level studies in a wide range of cities and areas. Additionally, the Institute aims to become a national center for critical Orthodox thought through national and international conferences, etc.

Fostering Orthodox Unity Through Education

From the first, the Sts. Cyril and Athanasius Institute aims at the pan-Orthodox mission of building a common culture through education. Sponsored by the Russian Orthodox Church, Diocese of the West, as a pan-Orthodox venture aiming to build up Orthodox education and learning across all jurisdictional lines in the region, the Sts. Cyril & Athanasius Institute will provide a context of learning and growth rooted in the living heritage of Orthodox tradition and experience. An emphasis on dynamic engagement with this living tradition will characterize its approach to all areas of study, linking critical assessment with ecclesiastical practice—theoria with praktike—in the manner that has marked out Orthodox learning for centuries.

Taught by eminent faculty and lecturers, students approach topics of history, theology, liturgical life and practice, ethics and doctrine, and others, within the context of a lived spirituality, Christian discipline and ecclesiastical community.

Find out more at: http://www.sforthodoxinstitute.org/

Orthodoxy is an unending web of inter-relatedness, For example: When you want to have your loved ones, both living and deceased, remembered by name in the Liturgy, you pick up a tiny loaf of bread from the tray in the Narthex, and place it on the tray next to it. Slip a memorial booklet or piece of paper with the name(s) for prayer, under the bread. Don't forget to put a dollar bill with it, because these dollars support the women's Monastery in Calistoga. They bake the little loaves for us with love and prayer.

From the Narthex the loaves with all the memorial booklets/pieces of paper are brought to the Preparation Table behind the Icon Screen where a small pie shape piece is cut out by the priest and he places it on the Paten as he prepares the bread and the wine for the Liturgy. One of the Altar servers reads the names out of each booklet/piece of paper as the Priest cuts the piece from each loaf and places these little pieces on the Paten right next to the cube shaped bread called the Lamb. It is called the Lamb because it will become the Lamb of God Jesus Christ in the Consecration during the Liturgy. The Lamb as well as the little commemoration pieces become the Body of the Lord for our Holy Communion.

All this connects you the offerer, and those you ask prayer for, with the Altar and the Eucharist itself. After the Liturgy is finished and you leave the Nave, you stop in the Narthex and pick up your little blessed family loaf to take home with you. You can consume it at home, or share it with family members that could not be at the Liturgy, or you can consume a small part of it each day of the week. Be creative as to how you consume and share this blessed bread.
This Sunday there will be more of the little loaves from the Monastery for your convenience. Try it; you will be blessed by it. Okay, so who are the loved ones you want to be remembered by name in the Eucharist this Sunday? Write them on a slip of paper provided and tuck that list under one of the loaves. Remember your family and loved ones this Sunday as you make this small "t" tradition part of your Sunday worship.

May you be blessed by the Bread of Life this Sunday and always!
Fr. Leo

Here's the next two weeks of happenings at St. Innocent Orthodox Church!!  Please also check our website (www.stinnocent.net) for additional information on the listings below.  Have a wonderful week and we hope to see you soon!!

Tuesday, September 6 - 7:30pm - Inquirer's Class

Wednesday, September 7 - 7pm - Vespers of the Nativity of the Theotokos

Thursday, September 8 - 8am - Liturgy of the Nativity of the Theotokos

Saturday, September 10 - 8am - Jesus Prayer Service
Saturday, September 10 - 5:30pm - Vespers

Sunday, September 11 - 10am - Divine Liturgy with refreshments immediately following
    Epistle Reading - I Corinthians 16:13-24
    Gospel Reading - Matthew 21:33-42
    Parish Council immediately following refreshments
    Youth Group meetings immediately following refreshments
    Snack - P. Hughes

Tuesday, September 13 - 7:30pm - Vespers of the Elevation of the Cross

Wednesday, September 14 - 9am - Liturgy of the Elevation of the Cross

Saturday, September 17 - 5:30pm - Vespers

Sunday, September 18 - 10am - Divine Liturgy with refreshments immediately following
    Epistle Reading - 2 Corinthians 1:21-2:4
    Gospel Reading - Matthew 22:1-14
    Snack - Hyczar / Cleanup - Tingley


Dates coming up....
Monday, September 19...choir practice resumes, open to new members!  If you have any questions, please call Susan Anderson at 449-1004.

Friday-Sunday, September 30-October 2 - Youth group campout at Del Valle...we still have a few spots open!!!!  Let Nancy denBroeder know if you'd like to go (699-9966)!! 

Four Corners Orthodox Mission

Orthodox Church in Durango

That’s what we’re working toward. Our goal is to establish an Eastern Orthodox Christian Church in the Four Corners area of Colorado. Toward this end we come together as a community in Christ to celebrate the Divine Liturgy on the second Sunday of each month at 9.30 am.

If you live in Durango, Cortez, Pagosa Springs, Farmington or anywhere in South West Colorado and have any interest in joining us, we welcome you.

For more info, please visit

http://fourcornersorthodoxmission.org/

Jesus Prayer Service

Each second Saturday here at St. Innocent, we gather in silence of heart to seek the Presence of God. We recite the Jesus Prayer several minutes and then relax into holy silence before the Presence of the

Lord. The Jesus Prayer has been a holy prayer of Orthodox Christians for over a thousand years. Monastics and laity alike keep the holy Name as the focus of their journey to Theosis (divinization). You are

invited to enter God's Presence with us this Saturday. September 10^th, at 8:00 am for a brief hour of quiet contemplation.

 

Vespers of the Nativity of the Theotokos

This Wednesday, September 7^th, we will honor the Mother of God in our Vespers Service at 7:00 pm.  You are cordially invited to memorialize the Birth of the Theotokos with us at St. Innocent Orthodox Church. 

Thursday morning at 8:00 am we will serve the Divine Liturgy honoring the Birth of Theotokos.  Do come if you can.   “O Bride of the Father, immaculate Mother of the Son, and holy and resplendent Temple of the Holy Spirit; O most chaste of all creation, most suitable to His ultimate purpose, on this account the universe was created and, by thy birth, was the eternal will of the Creator fulfilled.” (St. Andrew of Crete 660-740) 

Blessings!

Fr. Leo Arrowsmith

Hi St. Innocent young people and parents!!

Does the hectic pace of your day need a spiritual break? Come to St. Innocent Orthodox Church this Saturday, August 13 to spend a reflective hour praying the Jesus Prayer including 15 minutes of silence focused on the presence of God in our midst? The “Jesus Prayer Circle” is a very special service meditating on the ancient prayer "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner." The Jesus Prayer is at the root of the Orthodox Christian contemplative tradition. Join us as we strive to emulate St. Paul's injunction to "pray without ceasing." The Jesus Prayer service is at 8:00 am on the second Saturday of each month - it is for all who wish to grow closer to Christ and cultivate the present moment with God. See you Saturday at 8!

Blessings in the Holy Name of Jesus!

Fr. Leo