Archpastoral Visitation

Archbishop Kyrill and Bishop Theodosy visit the monastery

The Brotherhood was blessed with a hierarchical visitation of His Eminence Archbishop Kyrill of San Francisco and Western America, and His Grace Bishop Theodosy of Seattle. During the Hierarchical Liturgy on Sunday morning, Archbishop Kyrill granted me the blessing to wear the bejeweled cross and bestowed upon me the Abbatial Staff. His Eminence also elevated Hieromonk Paul to the dignity of wearing the Gold Cross.  Edward Pierson, a fellow islander, and regular attendant of our monastery, was ordained a Reader. Hierodeacon Peter of San Francisco, accompanied the bishops on their journey.

Thank you to all who came and lent their support and prayers on the blessed occasion of this celebration of our Monastery’s 30-year-anniversary.

With love and blessings,
Abbot Tryphon

I was deeply honored that my friend, Nick Buick of San Francisco, and Warden of Holy Virgin “Joy of All Who Sorrow” Cathedral, would fly to Seattle in order to be present for the honor bestowed by our beloved Archbishop, upon me, unworthy as I am. Photos by Sergei G. Kalfov of Seattle.

Monday October 3, 2016 / September 20, 2016
16th Week after Pentecost. Tone six.

Afterfeast of the Exaltation of the Cross.
Great-martyr Eustathius (Eustace) Placidas, his wife Martyr Theopistes, and their children Martyrs Agapius and Theopistus, of Rome (118).
Holy Martyr and Confessor Michael and his councilor Theodore, wonderworkers of Chernigov (1245).
New Hieromartyr Anatole (Kamensky), archbishop of Irkutsk (1925).
New Hieromartyrs Theoktist and Alexander priests (1937).
Venerable Oleg, prince of Briansk (1285).
Synaxis of All Saints of Briansk.
Martyr John the Confessor of Egypt, beheaded in Palestine, and with him 40 Martyrs (310).
New Martyr Hilarion of Crete (Mt. Athos) (1804) (Greek).
Venerables Theodore and Euprepiusand two named Anastasius, confessors and disciples of St. Maximus the Confessor (7th c.).
Martyrs Artemidorus and Thalos (Greek).
St. Meletius of Crete (Greek).
Venerable Kyr John of Crete (Greek).
St. Eustathius, archbishop of Thessalonica (1194).

Scripture Readings

Galatians 4:28-5:10

28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise. 29 But, as he who was born according to the flesh then persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, even so it is now. 30 Nevertheless what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the bondwoman and her son, for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.” 31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman but of the free.

Christian Liberty

5 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. 2 Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. 3 And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. 4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. 5 For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.

Love Fulfills the Law

7 You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? 8 This persuasion does not comefrom Him who calls you. 9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump. 10 I have confidence in you, in the Lord, that you will have no other mind; but he who troubles you shall bear his judgment, whoever he is.

Luke 3:19-22

19 But Herod the tetrarch, being rebuked by him concerning Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife,[a] and for all the evils which Herod had done, 20 also added this, above all, that he shut John up in prison.

John Baptizes Jesus

21 When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened. 22 And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.”