The Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts

Throughout the entire Lent, it is imperative that we give at least one evening to attend the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts with the spiritual experience it implies - that of total fasting, that of transformation of at least one day into a real expectation of judgement and joy. No reference to conditions of life, lack of time , etc., are acceptable at this point, for if we do only that which easily 'fit' into the conditions of our lives, the very notion of lenten efforts becomes absolutely meaningless. Not only in the 20th century, but in fact since Adam and Eve, 'this world' was always an obstacle to the fulfilment of God's demands. There is, therefore, nothing new or special about our modern 'way of life'. Ultimately it all depends again on whether or not take our religion seriously, and if we do, eight or ten additional evenings a year at church are truly a minimal effort.

Alexander Schmemann - Great Lent, St. Vladimir's Seminary Press, 1990

About the prayer

Metropolitan Anthony of Sourozh - About the prayer


This search for silence is essential for prayer. Shortly after my ordination a woman from an old ladies' home asked me about prayer. I told her to ask someone who knew how to pray. She said she had asked them and got no help, so she came to me instead. She had tried for years to pray, I said, "How can you expect God to get a -word in when you're speaking all the time? Go into your room, put an easy chair so that it faces the room and the icon, and sit there and knit.” This sounded; like an unlikely prospect, so prosaic, but when I saw her again, she said "It worked.’’ I said, "What works?" "Well”, she said, "I had a lot of thoughts at first, but then I was aware that the room was quiet and I heard the knitting-needles clicking on the arms of the chair. I was aware that the silence kept deepening and began to hold me, and was a Presence." There was the One who had stilled the storm on the Sea of Galilee. We should put ourselves into an ordinary situation, and instead of repeating fixed prayers let the silence conquer us. When the maximum depth has come that one can bear serenely, then we can let the words that are given us be said. It is like looking at the bottom of a pool when it is still and you can see everything there. If the turmoil can't be overcome because of the onslaught of the outer world rather than just idleness or inner disorder, then you may have to go and deal with the thing that is pressing on your mind or cry out for help.

The Holy Humility

The humble person is conscious of his inner state and, however unsightly it is, he does not lose his personality. He knows he is sinful and is grieved by the fact, but he does not despair and does not annihilate himself. The person who possesses holy humility does not speak at all, that is, he doesn't react. He accepts to be criticized and rebuked by others, without getting angry and defending himself. He does not lose his equilibrium. The oposite happens with the egotist, the person who has a sense of inferiority. To begin with he seems to be humble, but if he is goaded a little, he immediately loses his calm and is irritated and upset.

(Source: "Wounded by Love. The Life and the Wisdom of the Elder Porphyrios", published by the Holy Convent of the Life-Giving Spring - Chrysopigi, Greece, 2005)

For difficult times

Brethrens, but the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts. If we live by the Spirit, let’s also walk by the Spirit. Let’s not become conceited, provoking one another, and envying one another. Brethrens, even if a man is caught in some fault, you who are spiritual must restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; looking to yourself so that you also aren’t tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. For if a man thinks himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. (Source: The Epistle of St Paul to the Galatians, 5:22-26, 6:1-3)

There is no Service at Leeds on Sunday 18th December 2011

There is no Service at Leeds on Sunday 18th December 2011


Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Please note that there is no service at "St Makarios the Great" Parish in Leeds on Sunday 18^th December.

Please advise anyone you know about this.

Also, please check the Worship calendar on the regular basis @ http://www.sfmacarie.org/en/worship.html

God bless,
The Parish Council

Parish General Meeting - everyone is welcome

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Christ is Risen!

We would like to invite you on 12^th of June 2011, after the Holy Liturgy of Pentecost Sunday, to attend the General Meeting of the Parish of St Makarios the Greatin Farnley, Leeds. On this occasion, we will elect a new Parish Council and we will discuss the future projects and work for the  Parish for  the next 12 months.

Everyone is welcome.

God bless!


On behalf of the Parish Council,
Razvan Taranu

Diary for Sunday 15th May

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
on Sunday 15^th May, Father Nicolae Tanase from the Parish "Valea Plopului", Prahova will be  at Leeds Parish of St. Makarios the Great and he will sustain, after the Holly Service, a conferences with the title "The Christian Family Today".
The event will be followed by an Agape feast.
The Parish Council