The Development of the Byzantine Liturgy (Zoom study class starting on Monday, March 30)

The Development of the Byzantine Liturgy
This class will be a survey of the development of the Byzantine liturgy, from its origins, focusing on the 11th and 12th century, to the modern celebration. It will provide an overview of the origins, the importance of the city of Constantinople, the building of Hagia Sophia and its shaping of the liturgy, and the interaction with monasteries and cathedrals. Attention will be given to the liturgical documents, such as the Liturgy of Basil and Chyrsostom (and why each one is used on particular days), and books such as the Book of Hours, Psalters, Typikons, and Euchologions, books used on a daily basis. The interaction between ritual celebration, liturgical setting (architecture, iconography, city plans) and mystagogy will also be discussed. No knowledge of languages, history, architecture, or medieval Constantinople is required. This class will be a survey that will help us understand why we celebrate the liturgy in a particular way and how it developed. 

Mondays, 1-2PM 

Offered by Jessica Rentz, 1st Year, Liturgical Studies/Sacramental Theology, Department of Theology and Religious Studies

Thoughts on Resiliency and Disease

Thoughts on Resiliency and Disease (prepared for and shared with the 195th Wing CAANG)

Regardless of our philosophies, theologies, or expression of spirituality, health remains a pursuit. Even in the Air Force, we’ve developed a holistic approach to maintaining our fitness and resiliency. The intent of Comprehensive Airman Fitness (CAF) is to ensure that our Airmen are holistically fit, that is, mentally, spiritually, physically, and socially healthy. Logically, if we are healthy, then we are better equipped to deal with not only the rigors of the military, but also the greater adversities of life.

As news of the spread of the novel coronavirus (now referred to as COVID-19) has continued even into our area, many of us have become all the more anxious about our wellbeing. The American Psychological Association (8 Oct 2018), wrote an informative piece titled “Resilience and Disease” that addressed the spread of SARS and other contagious diseases. To summarize the article:

-Do your best to separate facts from sensationalism.

-These diseases affect our psychological wellbeing. Individuals often develop heightened periods of stress and anxiety.

-Isolation increases in periods of uncertainty.

Resilience during disease outbreaks includes:

1. Making connection – keep in touch with family, friends and others. Even if it can’t be face-to-face, then keep in contact through technology. Maintaining one’s spiritual disciplines and or volunteering to assist others is helpful.

2. Maintain a hopeful outlook – great minds are attempting to develop cures and our hospitals are filled with competent caregivers.

3. Self-care is critical – eat properly, exercise and rest. Schedule time for activities that are enjoyable.

4. Limit the amount of time that you spend reading or watching disease-related sensationalized coverage. Find credible sources for your information.

5. Take decisive actions – do take the appropriate precautions recommended by medical personnel, have an emergency plan in place, recall the ways you’ve handled difficult moments in the past.

The article concludes by noting that developing resilience is in fact a personal journey. Each of us has to discern what makes us the most resilient mentally, spiritually, physically and socially. Although there may be commonalities in approaches, what works for me may not work for you and vice-versa.

Having said this though, our journey in resiliency takes place within community – neighborhoods, faith communities, organizations and institutions – by design. So, when we’re feeling overwhelmed, it’s always wise to consider talking to someone who can help –family friends, a religious leader, a mental health professional, a physician, members of the chaplaincy, a physician, a supervisor, or even just a fellow Airman. Turning to someone for guidance and care is a resilient act unto itself!

Further Parish Directives

Although the tempo of our days has changed dramatically, God remains good and His Grace is in abundance.  We are to use our time wisely, and in many an instance, creatively unto His glory, the edification of the Church and unto salvation.   

On account of pandemic, we are having to limit physical attendance at services to the clergy, a chanter, a few servers in the Sanctuary, and a member of our Parish Council who is assisting with broadcasts, beginning this evening (we will begin broadcasting at 5:45PM with the 9th hour).  Thankfully, you are able to attend services remotely, at this point via https://www.facebook.com/saintanna (you need not be a member of Facebook.  Just close the box that asks if you’d like to login or create a new account).  We will continue to work on the quality, both video and sound, in addition to providing you texts to pray at home.  In addition, we will continue to pray and creatively consider how we can best offer the Holy Mysteries to our faithful.  

It is important to note that although not perfect, the internet broadcast of services are to be observed by the faithful respectfully, prayerfully and not at our leisure or convenience. We should do everything we can to be attentive and prayerful while observing the services in our home. This is certainly not a substitute to gathering in the House of the Lord, but it is the temporary response to the current situation. 

I’m thankful to share that in the days ahead, we will:

- Take our study classes online.
- Create forums for our junior high school, high school and young adults to gather in fellowship. 
- Conduct wellness checks (phone calls) on all of our parishioners. 
- Provide additional Orthodox Christian resources for families (please note the correct address for the conference on Monasticism is https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzMFpudCpFCladKk1OEMBgPyboEGWMNzq). 

Of course, if a member of your family is ill or in need, please contact Fr. Seraphim or Fr. Christopher so that we can add them to our prayer lists, schedule a visit, and or simply be of assistance.

 If a member of your family is not added to our listserv, please sign them up at https://www.goarch.org/listserv/listsubscribe?l=saintanna 

Message from Metropolitan Gerasimos on the Coronavirus Pandemic

Message from His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos to the Clergy and Faithful of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco

Beloved in the Lord,

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 

Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, 

and you will find rest for your souls.”

Matthew 11:28-29

With every passing moment the information we are receiving regarding the COVID-19 pandemic continues to change because of the volatility of this situation. Health officials, both locally and worldwide, are working diligently to curtail the spread of this virus. Just yesterday, seven counties in the greater San Francisco area have been ordered to “shelter in place” until April 7, 2020, with no non-essential services being permitted, so as to slow the spreading of this disease. This restriction currently affects ten parishes located in San Francisco, Belmont, Novato, San Jose, Oakland, Castro Valley, Concord and Santa Cruz. We anticipate that similar orders may be issued in other regions as the spread of the Coronavirus continues, and expect that parishes will abide by the guidelines of the authorities.

The pervasiveness of COVID-19 into every corner of our Metropolis makes it nearly impossible to monitor city by city and county by county the guidelines and protocols for each area. According to the recent guidelines issued by the White House and Centers for Disease Control (CDC), gatherings of more than 10 people are not permitted. For this reason, I am directing all parishes in the Metropolis of San Francisco to observe the following until further notice:

1.      All parishes must adhere to the guidelines mandated by local, state and federal authorities.

2.      For all services, including the Divine Liturgy, clergy may conduct services with one chanter, and one or two necessary assistants. The participation of the faithful should be in accordance with the parameters set forth by the authorities, or by encouraging them to participate through the various online resources.

3.      Funerals are to be conducted with immediate family only.

4.      Unless the situation is urgent, baptisms should be rescheduled. 

5.      Clergy will make themselves available to minister to the individual needs of their faithful.

6.      Monastic communities are to be closed to all visitors.

During the difficult time of this pandemic, these words from the Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil are especially appropriate, “Remember, Lord, the people here present and those who are absent with good cause. Have mercy on them and on us according to the multitude of Your mercy.”  

To say these are challenging times is an understatement. However, we must remain strong in our faith, and use this time when other worldly distractions are removed from our attention to instead focus on prayer, reading the Holy Scriptures, fasting, and truly prepare to receive the Crucified and Resurrected Christ into our lives on the Great Feast of Pascha!

With Love in Christ,

 +Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco

Download the Message from Metropolitan Gerasimos

List of Parishes Where You Can Watch Services Online

Academic Lectures from the recent “Byzantine Monasticism: Past and Present" 

“Byzantine Monasticism: Past and Present" 

This series, sponsored by The Institute for the Study of Eastern Christianity at Catholic University of America, provided a variety of lectures on Monasticism, both past and present. Lectures discussed the earliest forms of monasticism, liturgical influence of monasticism, monasticism and technology, and monasticism in a modern age and the use of technology. Lecturers included PhD students, distinguished scholars, monastic scholars, and even Bishops in the Orthodox Church. 

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzMFpudCpFCladKk1OEMBgPyboEGWMNzq

We thank St. Anna parishioner, Jessica Rentz, who is currently in the midst of her doctoral studies at the Catholic University of America for sharing this information with us.