Helping the Vulnerable

With authority comes responsibility

When people are hurting, and seeking professional help, they are vulnerable, and the trust they place in the professional makes them particularly open to exploitation. This is why we must have institutions and lines of authority that hold professionals accountable. We can not allow anyone who is vulnerable, be they a child, or an adult, to be exploited.

The bottom line is that we are all fallen, and in need of redemption. None of us is beyond reproach, for we are all broken, and many in leadership roles are just as broken as those who seek out their help. The Church, as a living, healing, organism, is the place wherein we can all be healed by Christ, the Great Physician of our souls and bodies. If we but humble ourselves, can be made whole.

For those who hold positions of authority, be they police officers, teachers, clergy, physicians, psychologists, coaches, troop leaders, or just the friendly old neighbor; all must guard their hearts, knowing they will one day stand before the Great Throne of God, and give account. And, pity the one who would do harm to a child.

With love in Christ,
Abbot Tryphon

A word from Abbot Tryphon:

Architect, Father Deacon James Bryant, in his generosity, has produced this beautiful design for the Saint Seraphim of Sarov Retreat Center. It will have eight single occupant guest rooms, a large great room with coffee bar, and rest rooms, with additional space for twenty-four pilgrims, housed in two dorms. The architecture is in keeping with the Norwegian design of the existing monastery, and be constructed on our neighboring land, out of sight and separate from the monastic complex itself. We are grateful to another friend, architect Robert Latsko, who has generously rendered Father James’ design in graphic form.

The brotherhood needs this building, since we can not draw possible candidates for the monastic life without being able to offer overnight accommodations. Nor can we house the ever increasing numbers of pilgrims who’ve sought a place away from the fast pace of the everyday life, to go inward in prayer and solitude.

Please, if you know of an organization, or individual, that might be willing to contribute, please tell them about this worthy project. Meanwhile, we are asking for your prayerful support.

A word from Kevin Allen:

My wife and I made a pilgrimage to All-Merciful Saviour Monastery on Vashon Island. We were greatly blessed. Since the Monastery has no guest facilities, we stayed at a local hotel and visited during the day. They are now raising funds to build a guest house for visitors, which will be a great blessing.

Friday January 27, 2017 / January 14, 2017

32nd Week after Pentecost. Tone six.
Fast. Fish Allowed
Apodosis of the Theophany.
The Holy Fathers slain at Sinai and Raithu: Isaiah, Sabbas, Moses and his disciple Moses, Jeremiah, Paul, Adam, Sergius, Domnus, Proclus, Hypatius, Isaac, Macarius, Mark, Benjamin, Eusebius, Elias, and others (4th-5th c.).
St. Nina (Nino), equal-to-the-Apostles, enlightener of Georgia (335).
New Martyrs bishop Ambrosius (Gudko) and others slain at Raithu Monastery near Kazan (1918).
Venarable John confessor (1961).
Venerable Joseph Analytinus of Raithu Monastery (4th c.).
Venerable Theodulus, son of Venerable Nilus of Sinai (5th c.).
Venerable Stephen, abbot of Chenolakkos Monastery near Chalcedon (716).
Martyr Agnes.
St. Kentigern (Mungo), first bishop of Strath-clyde (Glasgow), Scotland (612) (Celtic & British).
St. Sava I, enlightener and first archbishop of Serbia (1235).
St. Meletius, bishop of Ryazan, missionary to Yakutia (1900).

The Scripture Readings

Matthew 10:1-8

The Twelve Apostles

10 And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease. 2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Cananite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him.

Sending Out the Twelve

5 These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: “Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. 6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ 8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.

1 Peter 1:1-2

Greeting to the Elect Pilgrims

1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,

To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ:

1 Peter 1:10-12

10 Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, 11 searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. 12 To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into.

1 Peter 2:6-10

6 Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture,

“Behold, I lay in Zion
A chief cornerstone, elect, precious,
And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.”

7 Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient,

“The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief cornerstone,”

Mark 12:1-12

The Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers

12 Then He began to speak to them in parables: “A man planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a place for the wine vat and built a tower. And he leased it to vinedressers and went into a far country. 2 Now at vintage-time he sent a servant to the vinedressers, that he might receive some of the fruit of the vineyard from the vinedressers. 3 And they took him and beat him and sent him away empty-handed. 4 Again he sent them another servant, and at him they threw stones, wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully treated. 5 And again he sent another, and him they killed; and many others, beating some and killing some.6 Therefore still having one son, his beloved, he also sent him to them last, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ 7 But those vinedressers said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ 8 So they took him and killed him and cast him out of the vineyard.

9 “Therefore what will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the vinedressers, and give the vineyard to others.10 Have you not even read this Scripture:

‘The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief cornerstone.
11 This was the Lord’s doing,
And it is marvelous in our eyes’?”

12 And they sought to lay hands on Him, but feared the multitude, for they knew He had spoken the parable against them. So they left Him and went away.