Agape Meal and Blessing of Pascha Baskets:
The main Resurrection Service this year will begin Saturday night, April 11, at 11:30 pm and end at approximately 2:30 am on Sunday morning, April 12. Immediately after the service we will enjoy the traditional Agape Paschal Meal. A sign-up sheet will be available in the hall for people to indicate what foods they will be able to bring. Donations are also welcome. We ask that everyone arrive “prior to 11:30 pm” so that everything and everyone will be in place for the start of the service, at which time all lights in the building will be turned off.
In addition, after the Midnight Service we will bless Pascha Baskets. Tables will be made available in the back of the hall on which to place the baskets. Traditionally these are filled with foods from which people have fasted during Lent, to share with others or taken home and eaten during Bright Week. For more information, please see Fr. Basil.
Bright Week and Services:
The week immediately after Pascha is an extended celebration of the Lord’s Resurrection. Although we enjoy a 40-day Paschal season (April 12 to May 20), the services of Bright Week are uniquely joyous, reflecting the specific tone and spirit of Pascha night. Divine Liturgies and Vespers celebrated during this time are very similar to those of April 12. There is, as well, no fasting during Bright Week.
During Bright Week we will celebrate an additional Paschal Liturgy at St. Barbara’s on Thursday, April 16 (10:00 am). Resurrection Vespers will be celebrated on Wednesday, April 15 (7:00 pm). In addition, Orthodox Churches throughout the Metroplex will celebrate Bright Week services, as their schedules allow. We invite you to check out their websites and avail yourselves of these opportunities. Christ is Risen!
Chili and Cornbread Competition Results:
On Sunday, February 15, St. Barbara's conducted its Annual Chili and Cornbread Competition. This year’s event included the most contestants seen in years: 14 in the Cornbread category and 15 Chili entries.
Those who placed in the Chili Cookoff were: 1st Place, Max Tarpley and Preston Jordan; 2nd Place, David Hagebush; 3rd Place, Maria and Michael Tarpley.
In the Cornbread Competition: 1st Place, Bryce Wortman; 2nd Place, Joel and Anna Dakwar; 3rd Place, Mrs. Carol Guarnieri.
Congratulations to the winners, and a big thank you to all of our competitors for making our Coffee Hour on February 15, something to remember. Thank you also to everyone to brought side dishes, and to our Chili Contessa, Mrs. Lynn Powers for her efforts in hosting and arranging this wonderful event.