Tomorrow is the feast of St. Ioannikios the Great.  St. Ioannikios was a shepherd in his youth, then he served in the military.  Finally after finishing his military service, he became a monk at Mt. Olympus in Asia Minor.  He was a great ascetic, and a wonderworker both during his lifetime and after his repose.  Though he was physically massive and powerful, he was known as a truly meek and humble man, using his strength to fight evil rather than to do harm to others.  He is the author of the beautiful prayer we pray at Compline: "The Father is my hope; the Son is my refuge; the Holy Spirit is my protector; O Holy Trinity, glory to Thee!"

To ponder:

"Watch yourselves - your passions especially - in your home life, where they appear freely, like moles in a safe place." ~ St. John of Kronstadt.

Services and Events this week:
This evening (Wed.) 6pm - Akathist to St. Raphael; 6:45 - Catechism Class
Friday, 7:15am - 1st Hour and Men's Meeting
           6pm - Vespers for St. Raphael's Feast
Saturday, 9am - Orthros   10am - Liturgy for St. Raphael's Feast
               5pm - Moussa Baptism  6pm - Great Vespers
Sunday services as usual

Announcements
-Remember that Daylight Savings Time ends this coming weekend, on Nov. 6/7.  Turn your clocks back (fall back) on Saturday night.  If you forget, that's okay - just come to church early!

-Feast of St. Raphael of Brooklyn: St. Raphael's feast day is on November 6.  There will be a full cycle of services with Liturgy at 10am on Saturday morning, followed by our 3rd Annual Train Station Pilgrimage.

-The Ladies and the SOYO will meet following Liturgy this Sunday, Nov. 7.

- Feast of the Holy Archangels: The Synaxis of Archangel Michael and all the Bodiless Powers of Heaven is this coming Monday, Nov. 8.  Orthros will be at 8am and Liturgy at 9am.  Come honor our bodiless protectors!

- St. Nektarios - There will be an Akathist to St. Nektarios on Monday evening (Nov. 8) at 5:30pm, to celebrate the feast day of St. Nektarios which is the following day (Nov. 9).

-Wine Tasting Fundraiser: This year's fundraiser is coming up on Tuesday, November 9th, and will take place at Savoie's at 6:30pm.  Tickets are available through Barry Busada.  Items for the silent auction are still needed.  Please be sure to get silent auction forms to Jan asap. For more information about the silent auction, contact Jan or Hanan.

-Parish Retreat: Mark your calendar for a retreat at St. Nicholas on Saturday, November 13.  Our guest speaker will be Mother Nektaria from St. Paul's Skete in Grand Junction, TN.  See the flyer for details.

- The Nativity Fast begins on Monday, Nov. 15.  See the fasting guidelines below.

- Parish Council: the next meeting will take place on Monday, Nov. 15 at 6pm.

- Ladies' Book Club: the next meeting will be on Tues., Nov. 16 at 6pm.

THE NATIVITY FAST, which begins on Monday, November 15th, is divided into two periods:  The 1st period is November 15th through December 19th when the traditional fasting discipline (no meat, poultry, eggs, dairy, fish, wine and oil) is observed on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, but with katalysis [allowance] for wine and oil on Tuesday and Thursday (though some also permit fish on Tuesday and Thursday during this 1st period) and for fish, wine and oil on Saturday and Sunday.  The 2nd period is December 20th through the 24th (the period of the Forefeast) when the traditional fasting discipline (no meat, poultry, eggs, dairy, fish, wine and oil) is observed Monday through Friday, but with katalysis for wine and oil on Saturday and Sunday.