February 2009~ Divine Liturgy: Sunday 10am

^{The Shrine of Holy Wisdom is a radically inclusive spiritual community seeking gnosis through the inner teachings of the Christos-Sophia: a western path to enlightenment.}

Bishop Seraphim OSB

^{Liturgical assignments}

Feb. 1 ~ Divine Mother Liturgy

CANDLEMAS – Candles will be blest and distributed before the entrance procession.

Acolytes: Cat Serpone

Anna Kalusa

Greeter: Angie Romero

Lector: Deacon Robert Pieper

Music: Schola Cantorum

Feb. 8 ~ Liturgy of the 5 Scrolls

Acolyte: Zachary Scott

Greeter: Melissa Fletcher

Music: Anna Kalusa

Feb. 15 ~ East Indian Pooja

Acolyte: Joyce Carlson

Greeter: Cheryl Cross

Lector: Deacon Robert Pieper

Social Hour: Angie Romero

Feb. 22 ~ Holy Grail Liturgy

Acolyte: Anna Kalusa

Greeter: Cat Serpone

Lector: Jim Lane

Music: Joyce Carlson

Spanish Liturgy -12:30

Acolyte: Ricardo Romero

Music: Angela Romero

^{Foundation for Intercultural Dialogue visits Shrine Sunday, February 1st.}

The Foundation for Inter-Cultural Dialogue (FID), is organizing an event called "ASURE." Asure (also known as Noah's Pudding or Asura) is a dessert prepared especially by Muslims to celebrate the landing of Noah's ark after the big flood. Apart from having a connection with the religious history and being a simple dessert, Asure itself symbolizes a harmony of differences. Different ingredients come together without losing their original taste to create a unique blending. FID is an independent non-profit organization established by Turkish-Americans to promote understanding, mutual respect, collaboration, and community service, among different commu-nities through intercultural dia-ogue. In January 2007, FID was awarded the Martin Luther King Diversity Award by the City of Tempe for its commitment to diversity. Representatives of FID will be coming to the Shrine on Sunday, February 1^st to serve “asura” after the 10 a.m. service and explain the significance of this beautiful Muslim tradition.

Ancient Feast of Candlemas to be observed

On Sunday, February 1^st The Shrine will observe the ancient Marian feast of Candlemas-once known as the Purification of the Holy Mother of God. It is consider-ed one of the 12 great major festi-vals of the church year. This obser-vance officially brings to a close the 40 days of the Christmas season. There are exactly 40 days between Christmas Day and Candlemas. This festival is one honoring the lengthening of daytime and the growing intensity of sunlight. A special ritual preceding the Divine Liturgy will include the blessing and distribution of beeswax candles to all present. A solemn procession with the lighted tapers will recall the manifestation of the Christ as Light giver of the World. This feast is considered one of the oldest feasts dedicated to Mary the mother of Mar Yeshua. It was kept in Jerusa-lem in the fourth century and from there was adopted in Constan-tinople and then in Rome where it is found in the seventh century being observed on February 2nd. The feast day has been renamed the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple. After the Eucharist, all are invited to receive a special indivi-dual blessing of the throat with the newly blessed candles-an ancient custom in honor of St. Blaise who is invoked against diseases and maladies of the throat.

The Holy Season of Lent

Russian icon of the Holy Face not made by human hands better known in the West as the Veil of Veronica

Ash Wednesday which falls on February 25th initiates the tradi-tional forty day introspective season known as Lent in western Christen-dom. The 40 days (excluding Sundays) precede the glorious festival of Christ’s resurrection which falls on Sunday, April 12^th. The last week of Lent previous to Easter Sunday is known as the great Holy Week. The 40 days of Lent are symbolic of the forty day fast which Mar Yeshua spent in the wilderness overcoming temptations and remaining steadfast in communion with the Divine essence which now pervaded his entire being. Yeshua’s ordeal in the desert confirms that the Christos of God is the mighty quickener of the I AM as Love incarnate. The Christos is always the “you” who is in reverence before the Godseed in the other. The undertaking of confronting one’s personal ordeals and struggles of the ego nature of the self are what are at the heart of all Lenten spiritual practices. The Lenten period, therefore, is a time of rededication to the practice of the Presence of God throughout each day...in other words, it is a time outside of ordinary time which is set aside to think about, contemplate, love, adore, ponder, and dwell upon your Divine essence-the Christ Self

-with greater intensity.

To initiate the Lenten observan-ces, Bishop Seraphim will lead worshippers in a non-traditional prayer service known as “The Mystery of Identity: The Journey of the Christed One.” This special service will begin at 7:30. p.m. Participants will receive the ashes of repentance, and be invested with the “crown of life,” anointed with the oil of gladness and dubbed with the sword of discernment-symbols of encouragement to remain steadfast in one’s spiritual disciplines. Deeksha will be given as an integral part of the service. Come and observe the beginning of Lent and be renewed in the strength of the Living Christos.

Discover Western Mystical Secrets

British Scholar, author and spiritual teacher David Goddard will offer a series of classes on Western Mystical Secrets from February 4 – 15 at the Shrine of Holy Wisdom in Tempe. Mr. Goddard is an initiated adept and lineage holder of the Western Esoteric Tradition trained in the Qabalah, the Hermetic Arts, and the Celtic Wisdom of Britain. He is the founder of Rising Phoenix Foundation, an organization that makes available to the general public the authentic spiritual teachings that are the mystical heart of Western culture. The foundation plays an active part in initiating a spiritual renaissance in the First World consciousness. David is author of several classic esoteric works including The Sacred Magic of the Angels and has spent the last 3o years training students in Western Esoteric Wisdom. The public is invited to attend a free lecture on The Ageless Wisdom on Wednesday, February 4^th at 7:00 p.m. at the Shrine of Holy Wisdom located at 4625 S. Ash Avenue, Suite J-19. On Friday, February 6^th David will offer an empowerment of the Archangel Haniel. Other topics that will be explored are: Celestial Magic, Alchemy-Lead into Gold, The Way of Love, and How to Read the Tarot. In conjunction with David’s visit to Arizona, a special angelic ritual known as The Summoning of the Shining Ones will be enacted by the Sanctum of the Blessed Archangels on Monday, February 9^th at 7:00 p.m. To view the entire schedule of events and workshop fees visit: www.christofdivinelife.org   For further information or to book your classes contact Bishop Seraphim at 480 219-9633 or write: retablos@cox.net

NOTE: IN ORDER TO ACCOMMODATE DAVID GODDARD’S LECTURE WEDNESDAY, FEB. 4^TH, DEEKSHA SERVICE WILL BE HELD ON TUESDAY, FEB. 3^RD.

^{Radiant Light ~ Leading with the Soul ~ Empowerment training with Rev. Debbi Brown}

Rev. Debbi Brown, an experien-ced professional as well as a highly trained intuitive channel, facilitates this personal explora-tion and study into the life of the soul, unity consciousness and enlightenment. Learn more about global awakening and the quan-tum shift taking place within humanity’s evolutionary journey. You will have the opportunity to move more deeply into your beautiful, soulful, spiritual expres-

sion here on earth. Through inward journeys, initiations and divine energy transmissions, awaken and live more joyfully connected to your Truth, Wisdom and Light. The four (4) classes meet on Mondays February 16, March 2, 16 & 30, from 7-9:30 pm. The fee is $35 per class or $120 for all four sessions. You are not obligated to attend all classes. However, if you attend all classes you receive a $20 discount as well as the full benefit of the entire course. This is a wonderful oppor-

tunity being offered at the Shrine by a masterful teacher who is a Mentor, Trainer and a Minister of Soulful Living

To reserve your seat RSVP TODAY. You may reach Debbi by phone: 602-389-9862 or at

www.SoulLoveAndLight.com

Email: debbibrown@cox..net

^{Saturday, Feb. 21st ~ 1 -5 pm. A Spiritual Renewal Retreat}

Avail yourself of a wonderful opportunity to spend an afternoon in silence, a time to close the door to the mundane world and open to the Presence. Sitting and walking meditations, inspirational readings, beautiful chants and live harp music will deepen your experience and help you connect with the Self.  Deeksha, a divine energy trans-mission will be given. You will also have the opportunity to walk the Shrine’s beautiful Rose labyrinth. This afternoon of recollection is facilitated by Cheryl Cross. RSVP at 480-897-6261 no later than February 18th. Your investment is $45. What a marvelous way of preparing for the beginning of the Lenten season.

Bishop Seraphim to present at East/West Exchange

Fr. Jorge has been invited to give a presentation in conjunction with a series known as The purpose art plays in humanity at East West Exchange on Friday, February 27^th from 7- 9 p.m. The topic will be on Discovering Spirit in Sound: Chanting. Fr. Jorge will briefly discuss the common threads of chanting around the world, pro-vide musical selections of chants from various spiritual traditions, and speak about the ability to use sound, voice, and music to create changes in oneself and in others. Participants will be guided through a series of practices and exercises to explore their own voice and the healing power of sound. East/West Exchange provides a positive, multifaceted environment in which people can learn more about themselves and their own potential by studying the cultures, perspectives, and practices of other people. It is located on the SW corner of Dobson & Warner Rd. in Chandler. The presentation is free to the public but a free will offering is suggested.