Mid-point of Great Lent Reached

“O Christ our God, you accepted your voluntary crucifixion for the general resurrection of the human race. And using the cross as a pen, you dipped your fingers in the red ink of your blood, and you signed our imperial pardon, as King, and thus showed mercy on humanity. Do not forsake us, who once again are in danger of being estranged from you. You alone are long-suffering; therefore take pity on your people in distress, and rise up and fight those who fight us; for you are the Almighty Lord.” ~Doxastikon of Great Vespers for 3rd Sunday in Great Lent– the Veneration of the Holy Cross

My Dear Spiritual ‘Ohana,
It has been a very interesting year, being in the midst of the long-standing and enduring pandemic. On Sunday, March 15, 2020, we found ourselves at the midpoint in Great Lent, celebrating the Veneration of the Holy Cross. The next day, we were in lock-down due to the arrival and threat of COVID-19 to our beloved State of Hawaii. Who would have ever anticipated that Sunday would be the last we would celebrate in a normal way, and for how long we would have to endure all these shut-downs?

It has now been over a year since the beginning of the pandemic. To be honest, I have deeply agonized (and this has been my heavy “cross” to carry) over the impact that the pandemic would have on our community of Christians here in Hawaii. My greatest fear and deepest sadness was that our people would lose their spiritual connection with the Church, and what is called “the new normal” would have to be the lifestyle we live out from now on. 

I have been appreciative of the various innovative technological platforms through which we can provide services, such as Uber Conference, Zoom and Facebook Live. But nothing can ever take the place of in-person services and the personal connections we are intended to experience as human beings.

I am truly grateful to all our people who took these challenging times, and turned them into opportunities. For this is what the Holy Fathers and Saints urge us to do. They tell us, each in their unique and special way, to embrace challenges,tribulations and afflictions, as they are pathways to our salvation. If everything is too easy, we will be lost by forgetting about our innate need for God’s Presence in our lives. For being made in His Image and Likeness, there is a natural longing for God within each of us. So let us be grateful to God for all the challenges we face, so that we may always and ever look to our God Who is with us and never abandons us.
Compared to a year ago, I believe we are in a better place, and I am optimistic that we will be able to return to more of a sense of “normal” in the foreseeable future. We are in tier 3, and let us hope that we move ever-forward to tier 4 and beyond. Let us, as a human race, each do our part to ensure that we advance and overcome the pandemic with God’s help. Our part is to be diligent in wearing our masks in public places and avoiding crowded and risky gatherings that put ourselves and others at risk for spreading the virus.

For Holy Week, I plan to have all services from the Saturday of Lazarus to Pascha, in-person together with Facebook Live. I would also like to have between two and four of our Adult Choir Members return to sing, provided it is safe to do so, following distancing and masking guidelines. Also, I am looking to have some of our altar servers return, who are under 18 years of age, given that they are mature enough to keep the guidelines of our Metropolis and State, between the ages of 10 and up.

As of April, we find ourselves journeying through the middle of Lent, wherein lies the Veneration of the Cross, through which we find comfort and strength as we continue our spiritual and ascetic journey through the rest of Great Lent, into Holy Week, and arriving at the celebration of Holy Pascha, which is celebrated on May 2nd.

Our annual journey through Great Lent, Holy Week and Pascha are indicative of our lifelong journey to seek intimate communion and union with God. It is through Him, alone, we find true joy and fulfillment. To ever strive to experience the awe-inspiring love, mercy and glory of God is our ultimate goal.

Amidst the challenges we face daily, and especially during these most trying times of pandemic, always remember that God is paradoxically unreachable, yet most intimate and found within the recesses of our heart. Knowing this, what else can we ever ask for than for Him to dwell in us at all times?

St. John Chrysostom tells us: “God loves us more than a father, mother, friend, or any else could love, and even more than we are able to love ourselves.”

Have a Blessed Journey to Holy Pascha!
With Love in Christ,
+Fr. Alexander