St Mary of Egypt Orthodox Church

On Jan. 23, 2012 a number of local Orthodox Churches, including 8 priests and many faithful, gathered at Kaw River Point in celebration of the Feast of Theophany. It was an uplifting time as the service of the Blessing of the Waters was preformed at the mouth of the Kaw and Missouri Rivers. Go the link below and to see press coverage of this blessed event.

http://www.nbcactionnews.com/dpp/news/local_news/waters-of-the-kaw-and-mo-rivers-now-considered-holy-water

Here is also an old article about the blessing of the Kaw River by St. George Serbian Orthodox Church in 1908 and 1910:   http://www.vintagekansascity.com/100yearsago/labels/Kaw%20river

Jan 5th Thursday: 5pm Vespers, Compline, Matins for the Forefeast of the Nativity

Jan 6th Friday: 8am Royal Hours followed by Vesperal Divine Liturgy of St Basil

Mother Katherine Weston

“The Ancient Faith for Modern Problems”

The Conference held August26 thru 28, 2011 in Detroit, was a wonderful time of retreat and renewal. Many old and new attended the Conference this year. We were graciously hosted by Holy Transfiguration in Livonia, MI. The church, which is in progress of being painted with icons, was a beautiful and tranquil setting for the Conference sessions, meals and everything else in-between. Many thanks to the Detroit chapter of St. Moses the Black, who were exceptional in making the Conference run smoothly. It was inspiring to see so many in one local city, attending different churches and united to support the efforts of the Brotherhood, prepare a wonderful time had by all. If you missed it this year, plan on being there next year, as this time of unity and support is very special and  needed for our Church today. If you would like to hear the presentations made at the Conference, go to ancientfaith.com for recorded podcasts.  For some pictures of the event see our gallery(now on the right sidebar), other pictures will be available on the Brotherhood website in weeks to come.

This Lazarus Saturday we witnessed five new rebirths. Out of the watery grave they came, filled with light and hope in this the new beginning offered them. Fr. Paisius presented us with the picture of a mummified Lazarus stumbling out of the  grave and Jesus commanding his followers to unwrap them. We are those who unwrap them, he  said. We are the ones who help to unbind them from past fetters (feelings, thoughts, heresies)  with our prayers, our way of life, our example of living out this path the Lord has laid our for us.   Fr. Justin in turn told us of the gift we have been given in the Gospel of John read  during this season. The image he left us with was, as sheep are notched in the ear by their owners to signify ownership, so by hearing the Gospel, God marks us as His. With this ownership we have a responsibility to live out this Gospel that He has marked us with. We can not stray far from it or from Him.

It was an inspiring day of old and new vows renewed before God.  A forerunner to the Resurrection day we are all waiting for, not just next week, but that day we know is coming soon.

What a blessed Theophany! What a blessing Theophany is! Not only are all the waters of the earth blessed, but we receive Holy Communion and participate in the Heavenly remembrance of Christ’s baptism. The words and expressions in the services are so rich and filled with beautiful imagery and life. The services are a celebration of Christ’s life, of the life of St. John the Baptist, and of our life in Christ made new by our own baptisms.  What a blessing it is to be able to participate in these feast days, fasting and feasting, giving and taking as the tides of the sea. Water that which today is made divine, which will fall on the just and the unjust alike. All the earth and all creation becomes sacred again! We look forward to next year when all the Orthodox churches in KC will gather to bless the waters at the meeting of the Kansas and Missouri Rivers. MP