In an attempt to get our entire parish on the right bearing as we enter into the new liturgical year, the parish family of St. Vladimir kicked off the ecclesiastical (Church) New Year by sharing the forgiveness of Jesus Christ with each other.  The Church New Year is celebrated September 1st each year.

"This Sunday, being the first Sunday in which the majority of us could gather, was an appropriate time to enter into the New Year," said Fr. John.  The Rite of Forgiveness is typically thought about as that service which we do at the beginning of the Great Fast of lent in preparation for our Lord's resurrection.  While this is true, it is equally true that we are to forgive one another "seventy times seven" (Matt. 18:22).

The message of forgiveness is for all of us, for God invites all of us to be embraced by His forgiveness.

While considering the words of St. John the Theologian, "If a man say, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar: for he that does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?"  (1 John 4:20), our parishioners offered and accepted forgiveness of one another as we bowed down, exchanged the kiss of peace, embraced and said to one another  "Forgive me, a sinner."  "God forgives you, and I forgive you."