We are very pleased to announce that this December 29th and 30th, we will welcome His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon for his first archpastoral visit to our Mission. We will greet our new bishop on Saturday at 4:30pm for refreshments and discussion before the celebration of Great Vespers at 6:00pm. The Hierarchical Divine Liturgy will take place at 9:00am on Sunday morning, followed by a festive luncheon hosted at the Parish Center. Absolutely all of you are invited for this festive occasion! Please come and bring your family and friends as well!

As we welcome Metropolitan Tikhon, we will also keep the tradition of St. Basil’s bread on Sunday, December 30th:

The tradition of Saint Basil’s Coin dates to the fourth century, when St. Basil the Great, the father of philanthropy, wanted to distribute money to the poor in his diocese. He commissioned some women to bake sweetened bread, in which he placed gold coins. Thus the poor families in cutting the bread to nourish themselves were pleasantly surprised to find the coins. This custom is kept to this day among Orthodox Christians, who on Saint Basil’s Day, January 1st, place gold coins inside a loaf of sweetened bread in honor of the Saint’s care for the poor. The one who finds the coin in his or her piece is considered commissioned by St. Basil to carry on his work for the poor, and in exchange he will ask the Lord for whatever is needful for the New Year.

We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible, both the celebrate the above events and also to share in the festive joy of the Lord’s Nativity.  Wishing you a blessed remainder of the Fast and a holy celebration of Christmas!

In Christ,

Fr. John & the Faithful of Christ the Savior