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Every dedicated ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN must observe the HOLY DAYS and FESTIVALS of the Church. The ECCLESIASTICAL CALENDAR lists the Holy Days that we may be aided in GROWING AS CHRISTIANS by receiving Spiritual strength through:
1. BIBLICAL EVENTS
2. HISTORICAL EVENTS IN THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH
3. THE LIVES OF THE SAINTS
If we persist in closing our eyes to the HOLY DAYS and FESTIVALS of the Church, we could CEASE TO GROW AS CHRISTIANS; we would NOT RECEIVE ANY SPIRITUAL NOURISHMENT; we would DECAY AND DIE; SATAN, who was defeated and trampled upon by our Lord, Jesus Christ, would TAKE US AWAY AS CHILDREN OF GOD - SATAN WOULD BE VICTORIOUS.
1. Worship actively in Church EVERY SUNDAY AND FEAST DAY
2. Never neglect to PRAY AND LIGHT THE KANDILI (Vigil light) in the home where the ICONOSTASION (icon stand) is
3. FAST every Wednesday and Friday as best you can, especially from MEAT
4. We should try to read one page a day from the HOLY BIBLE and review our Sunday School Lesson
5. We should FAST AND GO TO THE SACRAMENT OF CONFESSION in our preparation for HOLY COMMUNION
6. HOLY COMMUNION should be received on the Major Feast Days of the Church, such as: CHRISTMAS, EASTER, PANAGIAS, FEAST OF THE HOLY APOSTLES, SUNDAY OF ORTHODOXY and on the FEAST DAY OF OUR SAINT. A person can receive HOLY COMMUNION on any Sunday or Church Holy Day provided he is prepared according to the way the Church teaches
7. Attend every service that the ECCLESIA lists on the ECCLESIASTICAL CALENDAR of Services. If you can not attend Services because of School or other reasons, remember the HOLY DAY by lighting the KANDILIL which should always be lit; worship God in your prayers and offer thanksgiving to the Saint.
8. On your Saint's Day - your Name Day - remember your Saint by proper preparation to receive Holy Communion. Attend Church if you can. If you cannot attend, say an "extra prayer" and Go to Church on Sunday with prosforoh, (Church Bread) which we should ail learn how to bake, and bring our names to the Priest to read a special prayer for us. We should also light an extra candle on this day and give an extra gift - offering to the ' Church for the Glory of God.
9. Remember: Although, School may NOT let us attend Church on Holy Days during the week, we must attend and worship God every Sunday - winter and Summer - light our Kandili, say our Prayers, read the Holy Bible, Study the life of the Saint or event which we are celebrating.
We must always remember that God expects us to show our true love for Him, for ail the saints, by constantly thinking of Him, and observing properly the HOLY DAYS of the Church. We must also remember that we, ourselves, permit SATAN to become victorious when we are lazy, or forget, or are too tired, or neglect our Orthodox Christian obligations.
We must always be on guard against the evil tricks or SATAN because HE NEVER SLEEPS and is constantly trying to TAKE US AWAY AS CHILDREN OF GOD.
Everyone is thrilled when he looks at a STAIN GLASS WINDOW OF THE CHURCH and notices how beautifully it lights up when sunlight comes through the glass. We, too, shall light up like the Saints of the stain Glass Windows if we will let the LIGHT OF GOD shine through us by our worship, our prayers, our faith and deeds — and we shall be called BLESSED CHILDREN OF GOD!
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