Editor’s Note: This article first was published in Spirit of Abilene in December 2023. By Philip LeMastersOrthodox Christians celebrate the memory of Saint Nicholas on December 6. He is a saint so beloved that he is the basis for the figure of Santa Claus. Living in the 4th century in what is now Turkey, St. Nicholas had a sizeable inheritance
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Following is the schedule of Holy Week services at St. Luke Orthodox Christian Church, 501 Sunset Drive, Abilene For more information, contact Father Philip LeMasters atfrphiliplemasters@gmail.com or go to http://www.stlukeorthodox.net. Friday, April 11: Little Compline with Canon for St. Lazarus, 6 p.m. Saturday April 12: Lazarus Saturday: Hours 9:40 a.m./Divine Liturgy 10 a.m.; 5:30 p.m., Great Vespers for Palm Sunday
Read moreEaster, or Pascha, will be celebrated May 5 in Orthodox churches, which follow a different calendar from Western churches. St. Luke Orthodox Christian Church, 501 Sunset Drive, will observe the following schedule. Visitors are welcome. Contact Father Philip LeMasters, frphiliplemasters@gmail.com, for more information. Friday, April 26: Little Compline with Canon for St. Lazarus, 6 p.m. Saturday, April 27: Hours 9:40
Read more“Am I That Bad? Reflections on the Sinner Identity” will be the theme of a Lenten retreat at St. Luke Orthodox Christian Church, March 22-24. Dr. Peter Bouteneff will lead the retreat at the church, 501 Sunset Drive, consisting of three sessions. The public is invited to all the sessions and services that accompany them. Bouteneff will draw on his book How to
Read moreBy PHILIP LeMASTERS Those who promote Christian political agendas must take care in order to avoid damaging their souls and distorting their witness to Jesus Christ. The practices and virtues associated with the quest for earthly power, even for the best of ends, are hardly those of the Beatitudes. Christ called his followers to acquire purity of heart and love
Read moreSt. Luke Orthodox ChurchM 501 Sunset Drive4/9: Palm Sunday: 9 am, Matins; 10 am, Divine Liturgy. Lunch follows in the hall; 6 pm, Bridegroom Mat4/10: Holy Monday: 6 pm, Bridegroom Matins 4/11: Holy Tuesday: 6 pm, Bridegroom Matins 4/12: Holy Wednesday: 6 pm, Holy Unction4/13: Holy Thursday, 6 pm, Service of the Twelve Passion Gospels 4/14: Holy Friday: 10 am, Royal Hours; 3:30 pm,
Read more“One Life, Two Arenas: Christian Struggle in the Monastery and Family” is the theme of a retreat to be held Feb. 17-19 at St. Luke Orthodox Christian Church, 501 Sunset Drive. The retreat is open to the public. Evening presentations on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 17-18, will begin at 7 p.m. following prayers at 5:30 p.m. and a meal. The
Read morePhilip LeMasters, pastor St. Luke Orthodox Church, will present the program at the monthly meeting of the Abilene Association of Congregations. The program begins with lunch at 11:45 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 25, at St. Paul United Methodist Church, 525 Beech St. A $3 donation is requested for lunch. LeMasters’presentation will begin at noon. The public is invited to the meeting.
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Abilene is filled with houses of worship but most Abilenians are familiar with the inside of only a handful. A periodic feature in Spirit of Abilene will give you an “Insider’s View” of some of those places you may have driven by many times but never entered. By LORETTA FULTONNAME: St. Luke Antiochian Orthodox Christian ChurchLOCATION: 501 Sunset DriveWEBSITE: https://www.stlukeorthodox.net/LEAD
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