Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!
The parish of St. Athanasius the Great in Indianapolis has many projects on it’s to-do list. Our mission to make a positive impact in the neighborhood where we worship requires many physical plant changes to stabilize first, and then upgrade our buildings. Our small size has restricted our resources to undertake the many needy projects to fulfill our mission to spread and live the gospel of our Risen Lord and Savior. We need your help. Please visit our Go Fund Me page for a detailed list of our projects or go straight to our Donate page to help us with your financial gift
We thank God for bringing us to where we are today and providing the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to direct us on the path to fulfill His wishes. Thank you, in advance, for your prayers, spreading the word on our behalf and your donation to our projects as He has directed. May God grant you the wisdom, peace, and joy that you have chosen to be part of His loving community.
Christ is Risen!
St. Athanasius the Great Byzantine Catholic parish in Indianapolis IN extend our sincerest wishes for a joyous and a blessed Paschal season, an Easter season which brings nothing but an abundance of all good things from the hand of our merciful and generous God to you and to all your loved ones.
The Paschal [Easter] Greeting in various languages!
English: Christ is risen! / Indeed He is risen!
Arabic: Al-Maseeh qam! / Háqqan qam!
Greek: Christós anésti! / Alithós anésti!
Slavonic: Christós voskrése! / Vo-ístinu voskrése!
Spanish: Christo ha Resucitado! / Verdademente ha Resucitado!
Romanian: Christós a inviáht! / Adevarát a inviáht!
Hungarian: Felta’madt Krisztus! Valo’ban felta’madt!
Quartet practicing for Pascha – video
Father Bryan proclaiming “Christ is Risen” during the singing of the Paschal Canon – video
Are there any who are devout lovers of God?
Let them enjoy this beautiful bright festival!
Are there any who are grateful servants?
Let them rejoice and enter into the joy of their Lord!
Are there any weary with fasting?
Let them now receive their wages!
If any have toiled from the first hour,
let them receive their due reward;
If any have come after the third hour,
let him with gratitude join in the Feast!
And he that arrived after the sixth hour,
let him not doubt; for he too shall sustain no loss.
And if any delayed until the ninth hour,
let him not hesitate; but let him come too.
And he who arrived only at the eleventh hour,
let him not be afraid by reason of his delay.
For the Lord is gracious and receives the last even as the first.
He gives rest to him that comes at the eleventh hour,
as well as to him that toiled from the first.
To this one He gives, and upon another He bestows.
He accepts the works as He greets the endeavor.
The deed He honors and the intention He commends.
Let us all enter into the joy of the Lord!
First and last alike receive your reward;
rich and poor, rejoice together!
Sober and slothful, celebrate the day!
You that have kept the fast, and you that have not,
rejoice today for the Table is richly laden!
Feast royally on it, the calf is a fatted one.
Let no one go away hungry. Partake, all, of the cup of faith.
Enjoy all the riches of His goodness!
Let no one grieve at his poverty,
for the universal kingdom has been revealed.
Let no one mourn that he has fallen again and again;
for forgiveness has risen from the grave.
Let no one fear death, for the Death of our Savior has set us free.
He has destroyed it by enduring it.
He destroyed Hell when He descended into it.
He put it into an uproar even as it tasted of His flesh.
Isaiah foretold this when he said,
“You, O Hell, have been troubled by encountering Him below.”
Hell was in an uproar because it was done away with.
It was in an uproar because it is mocked.
It was in an uproar, for it is destroyed.
It is in an uproar, for it is annihilated.
It is in an uproar, for it is now made captive.
Hell took a body, and discovered God.
It took earth, and encountered Heaven.
It took what it saw, and was overcome by what it did not see.
O death, where is thy sting?
O Hell, where is thy victory?
Christ is Risen, and you, o death, are annihilated!
Christ is Risen, and the evil ones are cast down!
Christ is Risen, and the angels rejoice!
Christ is Risen, and life is liberated!
Christ is Risen, and the tomb is emptied of its dead;
for Christ having risen from the dead,
is become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep.
To Him be Glory and Power forever and ever. Amen!
The Easter sermon of John Chrysostom (circa 400 AD)
HOLY WEEK, PASCHA and BRIGHT WEEK SCHEDULE 2016
SAT. MARCH 19 LAZARUS SATURDAY
7 PM FESTAL EVENING PRAYER
8 PM MYSTERY OF HOLY REPENTANCE [CONFESSION]
SUN. MARCH 20 PALM [FLOWERY] SUNDAY
THE ENTRANCE OF OUR LORD INTO JERUSALEM
9 AM FESTAL MORNING PRAYER
[immediately followed by Blessing of Palms and Pussywillows and Procession]
10 AM DIVINE LITURGY
11:30 AM LUNCHEON
12:30 PM EASTERN CHRISTIAN FORMATION CLASSES
1:30 PM PALM SUNDAY EVENING PRAYER
TUE. MARCH 22 GREAT AND HOLY TUESDAY
7 AM BRIDEGROOM MATINS
WED. MARCH 23 GREAT AND HOLY WEDNESDAY
7 AM BRIDEGROOM MATINS
7 PM PRE-SANCTIFIED LITURGY WITH THE MYSTERY OF HOLY ANOINTING
THU. MARCH 24 GREAT AND HOLY THURSDAY
7 AM FIRST HOUR
7 PM VESPERS WITH LITURGY OF ST. BASIL
FRI. MARCH 25 GREAT AND HOLY FRIDAY
FEAST OF THE ANNUNCIATION
12 NOON ROYAL HOURS [ON THE HOUR]
7 PM VESPERS WITH THE LITURGY OF ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM & BURIAL SERVICE OF CHRIST
11 PM JERUSALEM MATINS
SUN. MARCH 27 THE HOLY PASCHA
9 AM PROCESSION & RESURRECTION MATINS
10 AM FESTAL DIVINE LITURGY
11:30 AM PASCHAL LUNCHEON
1 PM AGAPE EVENING PRAYER
MON. MARCH 28 BRIGHT MONDAY
7 AM FIRST HOUR & DIVINE LITURGY
TUE. MARCH 29 BRIGHT TUESDAY
7 AM FIRST HOUR
10:30 AM DIVINE LITURGY
1st All Souls Saturday – January 30, 2016
Christ is Born! Glorify Him!
As the Christmas season winds down and quickly ramps up to the season of the Great Fast St. Athanasius the Great parish held a day of prayer. It commenced on Friday evening, January 29 with Evening Prayer for the Departed and the Chanting of the List of the Departed (Vespers for the Deceased video.)
Saturday, January 30, the feast of the Three Holy Hierarchs, services started with 7 a.m. Matins (Video part 1 & part 2) and 1st Hour. At 9 a.m. 3rd Hour and Divine Liturgy were celebrated. Following a break cantor Brian Goshorn helped the attendees practice some of the less frequently used melodies and harmonies that accompany the Divine Services.
At noon the 6th Hour was chanted followed by lunch and more musical practice. Also the last two rows of pews were removed from the temple so that future processions, like the Small and Great Entrances during the Divine Liturgy, had more room. The 9th Hour was celebrated at 3 p.m.
Toward the end of the busy day Very Reverend Protopresbyter Bryan R. Eyman and con-celebrating Fr. Deacon John Russell led us in prayer for 7 p.m. Vespers for Sunday of Meatfare. Fr. Bryan celebrated the Mystery of Holy Repentance before we had our final social in St. Mary’s Hall to end the day.
Thanks to all who participated in this enriching marathon of glorifying our God.
5th Wedding Anniversary Blessing for Goshorns – January 24, 2016
Father Bryan R. Eyman blessed the marriage of Brian and Suzanne Goshorn following Divine Liturgy on the Sunday of the Prodigal Son. Their oldest daughter, Cecelia, is standing between the couple. God grant your servants, Brian, Suzanne and the entire Goshorn family many happy and blessed years!
Watch the video
5th Wedding Anniversary Blessing for Goshorns – January 24, 2016Read More
First Community Meal of 2016 – January 23, 2016
The parish hosted a evening meal for the neighborhood. Flyers were distributed to our neighbors in the prior week and announcements were published on social media sites like Facebook and Nextdoor. The meal’s theme was Soup & Salad. We served 5 varieties of soup, 2 salads, 4 types of bread and cookies. Following the meal the parish celebrated Evening Prayer (Vespers) for the Sunday of the Prodigal Son.
Fall Festival with Trunk-or-Treat – October 30, 2015
A FREE Community event featuring games and face painting, a FREE Chili bar, and LIVE entertainment provided by Hogeye Navvy!
When: Friday, October 30, 2015
Where: Our church parking lot at 1117 Blaine Ave., Indpls., IN
Schedule of events:
5:00 – 6:45 p.m. Games
5:30 – 8:00 p.m. Live performance concert by Hogeye Navvy
6:00 – 7:30 p.m. Free chili bar
7:00 – 8:00 p.m. Trunk-or-Treating
8:00 p.m. Vespers (evening prayer) in our church
If you know anyone with extra pumpkins that they can donate please let us know. We’d like to have children at the Fall Festival decorate a pumpkin and take it home as a gift.
Bagging your leaves this fall? Bring them to our church so we can use them in our garden. Our soil thanks you.
Facebook Event Link
Fall Festival with Trunk-or-Treat – October 30, 2015Read More
Albert Macek funeral arrangements
Al Macek died Saturday morning, June 27, 2015. He was home under the protective eyes of his daughter Sharon.
On Tuesday, June 30th, the viewing will take place from 4 until 8 p.m. at the Hampton-Gentry Funeral Home in Plainfield. At 7 p.m. Father Bryan will be celebrating a Parastas service at the funeral home. On the following day, Wednesday July 1st, the Office of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Athanasius Church at 10 a.m. The parishioners of our parish will host a luncheon in St. Mary’s Hall following the funeral. Please accept our invitation to attend either or both of these divine services. Inurnment will take place in Pennsylvania at a later date.
View the obituary here. You’ll see at the end of the obituary that Al’s family suggests donations to our parish and other parishes or play the lottery and light a candle. Al was always playing the lottery to win funds for the church. He was also a constant donor for one of the monthly candles in addition to his Sunday donation.
Al, and his wife Donna who preceded him in death, were one of the 4 families that started St. Athanasius parish in 1980. He was a past member of the parish advisory council and performed many functions for our church. Upon retiring Al constantly assisted with handyman projects at the church until he suffered a stroke numerous years ago. At the time he was serving as an acolyte at Resurrection Matins. May God grant his servant, Albert Macek, blessed repose and eternal memory.
Happy 35th Anniversary!
35 years ago today our parish celebrated its first Divine Liturgy in Indianapolis. Read about it on our Parish History Page
Also our patronal feast day is this Saturday, May 2nd, 2015. We’re moving the celebration for the feast of St. Athanasius the Great to Sunday. You can join our event on Facebook, but it’s not mandatory. Everyone is welcome to attend. See what food is being served and let us know if you’re bringing something to our potluck brunch on our online menu. Please accept our invitation to come worship with us on Sunday starting at 9 a.m. for Morning Prayer (Matins) and 10 a.m. Divine Liturgy. Immerse yourself in praising our Creator and Savior in the Divine Services that date back to the 4th century. You’ll be glad you did.
Here’s one comment from our Facebook group on 4/27/15:
“Had a wonderful time at the lunch after Divine Liturgy. Divine Liturgy is truly the Mystery of Redemption. Thank you to all for such a welcoming spirit on our journey. You are small but mighty.”
Holy Week through Bright Tuesday liturgical schedule in 2015
Here’s a link to our schedule for the week leading up to the great feast of Pascha – the Resurrection of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Holy Week through Bright Tuesday liturgical schedule in 2015Read More