On Saturday 4 February and Sunday 5 February we had services for the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee and in honour of the New Martyrs and Confessors of Russia.  All-night Vigil was served on Saturday evening and the Hours and Divine Liturgy were served on Sunday morning.  At Divine Liturgy prayers were offered for peace in Ukraine and for deliverance from the coronavirus.  In his sermon the parish rector explained the Parable of the Publican and the Pharisee and spoke about following “the Pharisee in his virtues and… the Publican in his humility, [hating] what is wrong in each of them: foolish pride and the defilement of transgressions” (Ode 5, Canon of the Triodion).  He also spoke about the example of steadfastness in faith of the New Martyrs and Confessors of Russia.