Holy Apostles Orthodox Church is a parish of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR), founded with the purpose of bringing the Gospel and Divine Services of the Russian Orthodox Church to the people of America in the English language. We invite you to come to any of the Divine Services or events at our mission church. In 2009 we were gifted a beautiful, historic chapel and two-acre campus by the Christian Brothers. Our vision is to establish the parish in its new home, from where the parish can continue to thrive and grow as a living icon of Orthodox missions in America.

Dear Family in God,

Here is what is immediately upcoming:

11/27 – Saturday 5:00 PM Evening Vigil, with the Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God

Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan brings the Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God to this service.

You are invited to a meal following the Vigil, with our special guest of honor Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan.

Download the flier, and RSVP asap. We hope you can join us!

11/28 – Sunday 9:40 AM Hours & Divine Liturgy - the 23rd Sunday after Pentecost - the Martyrs Gurias, Samonas and Abibus - the Nativity Fast begins today

12/1 - Wednesday 8:00 PM A Walk Through the Divine Liturgy - led by Fr. Dcn. Christopher Capp

12/2 - Thursday 7-9 PM Choir Rehearsal

12/3 – Friday 6;30 PM Evening Vigil
12/4 – Saturday 8:40 AM Hours & Divine Liturgy - the Entry of the Mother of God into the Temple - one of the 12 Great Feasts of the Liturgical Year

12/4 – Saturday 5:00 PM Evening Vigil
12/5 – Sunday 9:40 AM Hours & Divine Liturgy - the 24th Sunday after Pentecost - Afterfeast of the Entry - Holy Apostles of the 70 Philemon and Archippus

An Old Poem of Timely Import

The following is a recension of a poem of 1845 by James Russell Lowell called "The Present Crisis."  Originally of 90 lines, it was a protest against the Mexican War.  Besides what he regarded as unwonted aggression, a reason for his opposition as an abolitionist was his concern that human chattel slavery, practiced throughout the southern states, would be extended into the newly conquered territories.  The Missouri Compromise of 1820 established that, after Missouri was admitted as a slave state, slavery would not be permitted in territories above the latitude in line with Missouri's southern border.  Much of the acquired territory was below this latitude.  Lowell's opposition was shared by then young congressman Abraham Lincoln.  Our nation's history records that great stress and violence about slavery continued until that issue was settled in the Civil War.

The version presented here was a construct made by the English Congregational minister W. Garrett Horder for inclusion in a hymn collection of 1896.  This version has since been included in many hymnals, including the Episcopal Church's "Hymnal 1940" where I first encountered it.

In our increasingly secularized society, the agenda of the world has been co opted by some who call themselves Christians, denigrating the morality and standards of life taught by Christ Himself, spread throughout the Scripture and taught and held from the beginning within the Church.  It is certain that any ambiguity suggested in the following lines, given the dates of composition, could not include any attenuation of these basic truths.  For Lowell and his time, the "ancient uncouth" good is slavery, in reaction to that preached then from many southern pulpits that slavery was a positive good.  Obvious affronts to things good and true that we daily face require us to stand in our own time as did Lowell in his, following the path, the way, of the Cross, and so trust in God's watching over us, come what may.

Once to Every Man and Nation

Once to every man and nation Comes the moment to decide,
In the strife of truth with falsehood, For the good or evil side;
Some great cause, God’s new Messiah, Offering each the bloom or blight,
And the choice goes by forever, ‘Twixt that darkness and that light.

Then to side with truth is noble, When we share her wretched crust,
Ere her cause bring fame and profit And ’tis prosperous to be just;
Then it is the brave man chooses, While the coward stands aside
Till the multitude make virtue Of the faith they had denied.

By the light of burning martyrs Jesus’ bleeding feet I track,
Toiling up new Calvaries ever With the cross that turns not back;
New occasions teach new duties, Time makes ancient good uncouth;
They must upward still and onward Who would keep abreast of truth.

Though the cause of evil prosper, Yet ’tis truth alone is strong;
Though her portion be the scaffold, And upon the throne be wrong,
Yet that scaffold sways the future, And behind the dim unknown,
Standeth God within the shadow Keeping watch above His own.

With love in our Lord, triumphant over the kingdom of sin death,
Father George