When we are preparing to receive Holy Communion at the Divine Liturgy, we must be mindful that we properly prepare ourselves through prayer and fasting to receive The Precious Body and Blood of Our Lord in Holy Communion. We must also make sure that we come to either Confession or Absolution either following Great Vespers on Saturday Evenings or before the Divine Liturgy on Sunday Mornings. We encourage everyone to come to Vespers on Saturdays as well as to the services during the week. If anyone has any questions with regards to fasting or preparations for Holy Communion, please see or contact Fr. Jason and he will guide you. May GOD continue to bless and guide all of you! +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ A NOTE ON ORTHODOX WORSHIP The Orthodox Church invites everyone to come and participate in the Divine Services. The Orthodox Church does not practice open communion but invites everyone to come and participate in the Divine Liturgy. Hence, only those Orthodox who have properly prepared themselves through prayer, fasting, and absolution/confession can come to receive Holy Communion.
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CONFESSIONS WILL BE HEARD BEFORE AND AFTER EVERY SERVICE OR BY APPOINTMENT! PLEASE CONTACT FR. JASON. IF ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO SCHEDULE A PANAHYDA, BAPTISM, CHRISMATION, WEDDING, OR WOULD LIKE TO HAVE USE OF THE CHURCH or DARIA HALL OR IF THERE IS AN EMERGANCY OR IF SOMEONE IS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL OR NURSING HOME. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SPONSOR THE BULLETIN OR PROVIDE FLOWERS FOR THE CHURCH, PLEASE SEE OR CONTACT FR. JASON AT THE CHURCH OFFICE/RECTORY – (609) 393-1234. THANK YOU!
Altar Candles are offered in honor of Paula and Alexandra Koerte as they celebrate their birthdays and for their continued good health.
Iconostasis Candles are offered in honor of Tanya Cheff as she celebrates her birthday and for her continued good health.
May GOD continue to bless and guide Tanya, Paula, and Alexandra with many more blessed years of good health and happiness.
MANY YEARS! МНОГАЯ ЛЕТА!
TODAY’S WEEKLY MESSENGER IS SPONSORED BY:
ST. VLADIMIR ORTHODOX CHURCH
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St. Vladimir Orthodox Church 812 Grand Street Trenton, NJ 08610 (609) 393-1234 www.saintvladimir.com
NO. 88 AUGUST 29, 2010 ________________________AUGUST 29, 2010 NO.88 THE WEEKLY MESSENGER
Published weekly in the interest of the parishioners and friends of Saint Vladimir Orthodox Church, Trenton, NJ, a parish of the Diocese of New York and New Jersey and The Orthodox Church in America
ST. VLADIMIR ORTHODOX CHURCH 812 Grand St. 609-393-1234 Trenton, NJ 08610
Rev. Jason Vansuch, Pastor 812 Grand St. 609-393-1234 Trenton, NJ 08610
GLORY TO JESUS CHRIST! GLORY FOREVER! __________________________________________________________________________________________
W E L C O M E!
We welcome all to the Divine Liturgy this morning, especially those who are visiting with us at St. Vladimir Orthodox Church. Everyone is invited to Daria Hall following the Divine Liturgy for Christian Fellowship. It is our prayer that your experience this morning was spiritually uplifting and you will return very soon to pray with our parish family.
May the Lord bless you with many years of good health and happiness. __________________________________________________________________________________________
THE SCHEDULE OF WEEKLY SERVICES and ACTIVITIES SUNDAY AUGUST 29, 2010 {STRICT FAST DAY} THE FEAST OF THE BEHEADING OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST 8:40 AM – THE HOURS 9:00 AM – DIVINE LITURGY Fellowship in Daria Hall following Liturgy! Chairperson’s Meeting during Coffee Hour!
The Beheading of St John the Baptist, a Feast day established by the Church, is also a strict fast day because of the grief of Christians at the violent death of the saint. In some Orthodox Traditions, pious people will not eat food from a flat plate, will not use a knife, will not use platters or even eat food that is round in shape on this day. They would use bowls. On this Feast, the Church also makes remembrance of Orthodox soldiers killed on the field of battle, as established in 1769 at the time of Russia's war with the Turks and the Poles.
FR. JASON TO BE ATTENDING CLERGY RETREAT On Tuesday August 31 through Wednesday September 1, Fr. Jason will be in Clifton, NJ attending the Diocesan Clergy Retreat. He will be returning in the late afternoon on Wednesday. Should you need to contact Fr. Jason, please call him on his cell phone (609) 851-3811 or contact the Rectory. Thank You!
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 2, 2010 AKATHIST TO ST. VLADIMIR – 9:30 AM
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 4, 2010 GREAT VESPERS– 6:00 PM Absolution and Confession following Vespers
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 5, 2010 THE HOURS – 8:40 AM DIVINE LITURGY – 9:00 AM Panahyda for Departed Members of the Pschenyczny Family Christian Fellowship/Coffee Hour in Daria Hall following Liturgy!
* * * * * PRAYERFUL REMEMBRANCE * * * * *
PLEASE REMEMBER TO KEEP IN OUR DAILY PRAYERS
For the continued good health of Thy Servants:
All of our beloved parishioners and family members who are in hospitals, nursing homes, or homebound.
Those who are celebrating their birthdays/anniversaries this month: Jamie Pelletteri (August 25) Adrianna Woltz (August 19) Stephanie Godun (August 25) Tanya Cheff (August 26) Nancy Letzo (August 29) Bishop MICHAEL (August 29) Paula and Alexandra Koerte
Metropolitan THEODOSIUS Metropolitan HERMAN Bishop NIKOLAI Archpriest John (Perich) Archpriest Joseph (Chupek) Archpriest John (Chupek) Archpriest William Archpriest John (Bruchok) Archpriest Sergei (Glagolev) Archpriest Paul and his family Archpriest Michael (M.) Archpriest Thomas (Edwards) Archpriest Vincent (Sevarino) Archpriest Paul and Matushka Mary Archpriest Daniel and Matushka Tamara Archpriest Sergius and Matushka Faith Priest Ivan and his family Archpriest Stephen and Prifteresha Margot (Siniari) Archimandrite Athanasy Prdn. Michael and Mat. Leslie and Elizabeth Prdn. John and Mat. Barbara and Michael
VANSUCH FAMILY and FRIENDS Edwina Mat. Paraskeva Mary Stephanie Margaret Jack Catherine John Mary Irene Inna Nicholas Marie Chegnon (Mary Demeo’s daughter) Millia James (Siefert) Nicholas Alexandra (Keysock) George Reader Bartholomew (Lovell) Elizabeth Steven Robert Ivan/Marina and family Robert Mary, Leo, Adam Eve James (Kelly) Xenia Sheri Costas (Friend of Fr. Jason/Mat. Katia) Paul (Chernay) Karen Seraphima Jeanie
FRIENDS/PARISHIONERS OF ST. VLADIMIR Rida Davis Mary Lorchak Olga Toth Eileen Yadlosky Zera Kiristos Manna John Stefero Jamie Glatt Olga Kluchkowska Dorothy Lovchuk Lydia Loginow Ann Walczak Charlotte (relative of Serge & Melody Stavisky) Tyler Connelly (nephew of Joyce Beer) Robert Beer Mary Pindar Helena (friend of parish) Ann Kush Harry Varava Arlene (niece of Martha Lutz) Ted Yadlosky Alexander Kush Dolores Gavin Richard Varhula David Sichik Jr. Michael Suchernick Assia (Zinna’s friend) Michael (Mat. Leslie’s father) Elizabeth Sohler Katherine Kisseljow Peter Lorchak Tatiana (friend of Anne Cheslock) Patricia (Joyce Beer’s siter)
Members of The Temple OCF
Adrian (Weidmann) and the child to be born of her Christine (Nass) and the child to be born of her Jen and the child to be born of her (Family Friends of Fr. Jason and Mat. Katia)
Mimi and the child to be born of her
Kenneth, Justin, Craig, Peter, Nadine, Don, Robert, Steven, Andrew, and Latoya Lynne and those serving in the Armed Forces in Iraq, Afghanistan, and throughout the world.
MANY YEARS! МНОГАЯ ЛЕТА!
For the repose of the souls of Thy Servants who have departed this life:
All of those parishioners and pastors of This Holy House who have departed this life. Especially for Thy Servants:
Archpriest Eugene Vansuch Metropolitan CHRISTOPHER Valentine (Friend of the Cheff Family)
MEMORY ETERNAL! ВЕЧНАЯ ПАМЯТЬ! HYMNS FOR THE DIVINE LITURGY
Troparion for Resurrection – Tone 5 Let us, the faithful, praise and worship the Word, co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit, born for our salvation from the Virgin; for He willed to be lifted up on the Cross in the flesh, to endure death, and to raise the dead// by His glorious Resurrection.
Troparion for Feast of Beheading of St. John— Tone 2 The memory of the righteous is celebrated with hymns of praise, but the Lord¹s testimony is sufficient for you, O Forerunner. You were shown in truth to be the most honorable of the prophets, for you were deemed worthy to baptize in the streams of the Jordan Him whom they foretold. Therefore, having suffered for the truth with joy, you proclaimed to those in hell God who appeared in the flesh, who takes away the sin of the world, and grants us great mercy. Troparion for St. Vladimir — Tone 4 Holy Prince Vladimir, you were like a merchant in search of fine pearls. By sending servants to Constantinople for the Orthodox Faith, you found Christ, the priceless pearl. He appointed you to be another Paul, washing away in baptism your physical and spiritual blindness. We celebrate your memory, asking you to pray for all Orthodox Christians and for us, your spiritual children.
Kontakion for Resurrection – Tone 5 Thou didst descend into hell, O my Savior, shattering its gates as Almighty, resurrecting the dead as Creator, and destroying the sting of death. Thou hast delivered Adam from the curse, O Lover of Man,// and we cry to Thee: “O Lord, save us!”
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Kontakion for Feast of Beheading of St. John— Tone 1 The glorious beheading of the Forerunner, became an act of divine dispensation, for he preached to those in hell the coming of the Savior. Let Herodias lament, for she entreated lawless murder, loving not the law of God, nor eternal life, but that which is false and temporal.
Now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Steadfast Protectress Tone 6 (Hymn to the Theotokos) Steadfast Protectress of Christians, constant advocate before the Creator. Despise not the entreating cry of us sinners, but in Thy Goodness come speedily to help us who call on Thee in faith! Hasten to hear our petition and to intercede for us, O Theotokos!! For Thou dost always protect those who honor Thee! PROKEMEINON Tone 5 Thou, O Lord, shall protect us and preserve us from this generation forever.
v: Save me, O Lord, for there is no longer any that is godly!
THE SECOND PROKEIMEON The righteous shall rejoice in the Lord and shall hope in Him.
ALLELUIA VERSES I will sing of Thy mercies, O Lord, forever; with my mouth I will proclaim Thy truth from generation to generation.
For Thou hast said: “Mercy will be established forever; My truth will be prepared in the heavens.”
The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree, and grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
THE HYMN TO THE THEOTOKOS It is truly meet to bless You, O Theotokos, ever blessed and most pure and the Mother of our God. More honorable than the Cherubim and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim. Without defilement, You gave birth to God the Word, true Theotokos, we magnify You! THE COMMUNION HYMN Praise the Lord from the heavens! Praise Him in the highest! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
**FLOWERS FOR THIS WEEK** In front of the Icon of The Theotokos, In front of the Icon of Christ, and on the Tetrapod, are offered by
ST. VLADIMIR ORTHODOX CHURCH
May GOD continue to bless and guide all of us and our families.
MANY YEARS! МНОГАЯ ЛЕТА!
THE VIGILS LOCATED ON THE RELIC TABLE
In Honor of those who celebrate their birthdays in the month of August
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Some food for thought: “The soul that really loves God and Christ, though it may do ten thousand righteousnesses, esteems itself as having wrought nothing, by reason of its insatiable aspiration after God. Though it should exhaust the body with fastings, with watchings, its attitude towards the virtues is as if it had not yet even begun to labour for them.” St. Macarius the Great
UPCOMING EVENTS WITHIN THE AREA Holy Assumption Orthodox Church Clifton, NJ 75th Anniversary Celebration Saturday November 6 and Sunday November 7, 2010
Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Church 824 Adeline Street Trenton, NJ Cabbage Festival Saturday October 2, 2010 12:00 to 3:00 pm Featuring: Stuffed Cabbage, Pierogies, and much more!
UPCOMING EVENTS WITHIN THE DEANERY/DIOCESE Aug.31-Sept.1 Diocesan Clergy Conference Assumption of the Holy Virgin Church Clifton NJ
Sept. 6 New Jersey Deanery Clergy Picnic Christ the Savior Church Paramus NJ
Sept. 14 NJ Deanery Open Forum on OCA Strategic Plan Saints Peter and Paul Church South River NJ (7:00 PM)
EPISTLE LESSON FOR TODAY
2 CORINTHIANS 1:21-2:4 BRETHREN:
Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. Moreover I call God as witness against my soul, that to spare you I came no more to Corinth. Not that we have dominion over your faith, but are fellow workers for your joy; for by faith you stand.
But I determined this within myself, that I would not come again to you in sorrow. For if I make you sorrowful, then who is he who makes me glad but the one who is made sorrowful by me? And I wrote this very thing to you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow over those from whom I ought to have joy, having confidence in you all that my joy is the joy of you all. For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you, with many tears, not that you should be grieved, but that you might know the love which I have so abundantly for you.
GOSPEL LESSON FOR TODAY
MATTHEW 22:1-14
Let us Attend!
And Jesus answered and spoke to them again by parables and said: “The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son, and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding; and they were not willing to come. Again, he sent out other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, “Se, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and fatted cattle are killed, and all things are ready. Come to the wedding.”’ But they made light of it and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his business. And the rest seized his servants, treated them spitefully, and killed them. But when the king heard about it, he was furious. And he sent out his armies, destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.
Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy. Therefore go into the highways, and as many as you find, invite to the wedding.’ So those servants went out into the highways and gathered together all whom they found, both bad and good. And the wedding hall was filled with guests. “But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment. So he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ “For many are called, but few are chosen.” ============================================================================ = = = Scriptural Readings for the Week = = = Monday 2 Cor. 12:10-19 Mark 4:10-23 Tuesday 2 Cor. 12:20-13:2 Mark 4:24-34 Wednesday 2 Cor. 13:3-13 Mark 4:35-41 Thursday Gal. 1:1-10, 20-2:5 Mark 5:1-20 Friday Gal. 2:6-10 Mark 5:22-24, 35-6:1 Saturday 1 Cor. 4:1-5 Matt. 23:1-12 Sunday 2 Cor. 1:21-2:4 and Acts 13:25-32 Matt. 21:1-14 and Mark 6:14-30 ============================================================================
UPCOMING FEASTS/EVENTS WITHIN THE LIFE OF OUR PARISH September 12 Opening of Church School Moleben Service of Thanksgiving – 9:00 AM The Hours – 8:40 AM Divine Liturgy – 10:00 AM Church School/PTO Meeting during Coffee Hour
September 18 ANNUAL ST. VLADIMIR CHURCH FLEA MARKET
September 26 Special Parish Meeting on The Endowment Fund By-Laws
November 14 LADIES ALTAR SOCIETY ANNUAL TURKEY SOCIAL
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*More details about the above Events can be found on the table in the back of church*
ST. VLADIMIR ORTHODOX CHURCH WEEKLY FINANCIAL REPORT AUGUST 22, 2010 CANDLES -- $70.00 COFFEE HOUR -- -0- (First Sunday of each Month) COLLECTION PLATE -- $53.00 ENVELOPES Weekly -- $770.00 Parish Dues -- $245.00 Feast Day -- $70.00 Flowers -- -0- ARCHPRIEST EUGENE VANSUCH $100.00 IMPROVEMENT FUND PROSPHORA -- $7.00 MISCELLANEOUS -- $712.00 DONATIONS TO THE CHURCH FOR ANNUAL PARISH PICNIC - $40.00 DONATION TO CHURCH FOR ST. TIKHON’S GOLF OUTING – $50.00 DONATION TO CHURCH FOR ANNUAL PARISH BASEBALL OUTING – $614.00 DONATIONS TO THE CHURCH FOR CEMETERY MANTENANCE - $3.00 TOTAL INCOME – $2022.00
The minutes from the Monthly Parish Council Meetings as well as the Financial Reports as well as the Things-to-do List/Maintenance Projects are located in the ORANGE BINDER in the church Basement. These are posted for the benefit of the parishioners. If you have any questions or concerns, please see Fr. Jason, Ludwig Koerte, or any member of the Parish Council. Always remember, EVERYONE is invited and encouraged to come to the monthly meetings of the Parish Council.
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We extend our heartfelt thanks and sincere appreciation to all of you for your generosity and prayerful support for St. Vladimir Orthodox Church! May GOD continue to bless and guide all of you and your families!
NEWS FOR ST. VLADIMIR ORTHODOX CHURCH
1. ANNOUNCEMENTS IN THE WEEKLY BULLETIN If anyone would like to have an announcement or recognition of some sort in the weekly bulletin or would like to have an announcement made on Sunday Morning, please get it to Fr. Jason by Thursday Afternoon and he will make sure it is placed in the weekly bulletin. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to see or contact Fr. Jason at the Rectory/Church Office– (609) 393-1234 or on his cell phone (609) 851-3811. You may also contact Father via his email address: jvansuch@hotmail.com. Thank You very much for your cooperation! May God continue to bless you and guide you.
2. PARISH COUNCIL NEWS The Monthly meetings of the Parish Council will be held on the second Tuesday of every month at 7:00 PM. The September monthly meeting will be held on TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 21 at 7:00 pm in the meeting room of the Church Hall. We express our sincere and heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Ludwig Koerte and to all members of the Parish Council and parishioners who come to the meetings. We look forward to seeing all of you at these meeting as we discuss the life of our parish. If anyone would like to discuss something at the council meeting, please see or contact Fr. Jason and Ludwig Koerte ahead of time. Also, if any parish council member is unable to attend the Monthly Parish Council Meeting, kindly let Fr. Jason and Ludwig Koerte know ahead of time so that proper arrangements may be made. May GOD continue to bless and guide all of us as we continue the work of the Church in building up the Body of Christ here at St. Vladimir. Thank You!
3. ON SUNDAY AUGUST 29, WE WILL SING MANY YEARS AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR BELOVED PARISHIONERS WHO CELEBRATE THEIR BIRTHDAYS IN AUGUST:
4. ST. VLADIMIR ORTHODOX CHURCH RE-POINTING PROJECT We would like to express our sincere and heartfelt thanks and appreciation to everyone who has donated towards the Re-pointing Project for our church. We appreciate your continued support and generosity for St. Vladimir Orthodox Church. Your continued support enables us to preserve the structural integrity of our beloved church as well to prevent further damage to the interior beauty and iconography. To this date we have $11,100.00 collected! Thank You for your continued support!
May GOD continue to bless and guide all of you with many more blessed years of good health and happiness!
5. PARISH DISCUSSION ON OCA STRATEGIC PLAN On Saturday September 11 at 4:00 PM, we will be serving a Panahyda for Thy departed Servants of God, all of those who tragically lost their lives on September 11, 2001 in the terrorist attacks on our nation. Following the Panahyda, we will celebrate Great Vespers at 5:00 PM. Immediately following Great Vespers, please join us in Daria Hall as we will have a Parish Discussion on the OCA Strategic Plan that was sent to everyone to review. This parish discussion is in preparation for the Open Forum for the Clergy and Laity of the NJ Deanery on Tuesday September 14 at Ss Peter and Paul in South River NJ beginning at 7:00 PM. I encourage all of us to take the time to read this Strategic Plan which provides much food for thought and guidance not only for our Church on The National and Diocesan Levels but even for us on a parish level. Please plan on making every effort to come to this Parish-Wide Discussion so that, together, as brothers and sisters in Christ, we review and work with one mind and one heart on strengthening our parish and our commitment to the life and mission of the Gospel of Our Lord and to The Orthodox Church in America. If anyone has any questions, please see or contact Fr. Jason or any member of the parish council.
6. ORTHODOX PILGRIMAGE TO THE HOLY LAND The faithful of the Diocese of New York and New Jersey are invited to join in an Orthodox Pilgrimage to the Holy Land (Israel, Jordan, and Sinai) led by Archbishop +Seraphim of Ottawa and Canada. This 17 day pilgrimage will include visits to the holy sites of Jerusalem, Bethlehem, multiple cities in Galilee, monasteries in the Judean Desert and Sinai Peninsula, along with historical sightseeing of important archeological parks in Israel and Jordan. This pilgrimage is scheduled to commence in late October of this year. For information, contact Fr. Ilya Gotlinsky at 1-607-797-1058 or by email at: ortours@gmail.com. Visit the "Orthodox Tours" website for complete details: www.orthodoxtours.com
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PRAYER REQUEST FROM HIS GRACE BISHOP MICHAEL
His Grace, Bishop Michael requests that all parish priests and faithful of the Diocese include in their prayers and Divine Services intercessions for health and strength for the servant of God:
His Grace, Bishop +Nikon Bishop of Boston, New England, and the Albanian Archdiocese
His Grace Bishop NIKON recently underwent surgery to remove a very small tumor in close proximity to his vocal cords. Bishop Nikon will undergo several weeks of radiation, during which he will curtail some of his previously scheduled visitations. Archpriests Arthur Liolin and John Kreta, Chancellors of the Albanian Archdiocese and Diocese of New England respectively, reported that Bishop Nikon wishes to stress how positive he is about the results of recent tests, while requesting the faithful to keep him and those who are guiding his care and treatment in their prayers.
May GOD continue to bless and guide Bishop NIKON with many more blessed years of good health and strength.
THE LATEST NEWS FROM THE DIOCESE OF NEW YORK and NEW JERSEY 1) Clergy Conference and Open Forums for Diocese of NY&NJ A Clergy Conference for all diocesan priests, and three separate "Open Forums" in each deanery to discuss the OCA (draft) Strategic Plan, have been scheduled. These gatherings were blessed by His Grace, Bishop +Michael, in consultation with the Council of Presbyters. The clergy conference will take place in Clifton NJ from August 31 to September 1 of this year. Fr. Jason will be attending the Clergy Conference and has been appointed Clergy Sacristan for the Divine Service held during the Conference. The deanery forums have been scheduled to permit maximum participation of clergy and laity, with His Grace and the diocesan representative on the Strategic Planning Committee present to answer questions, listen to discussions, and respond to feedback as the Strategic Plan (a "work in progress") is further developed. The Open Forum for The NJ Deanery will take place on Tuesday Sept. 14 at Ss Peter and Paul Orthodox Church in South River beginning with a 3 PM Clergy Meeting followed by Vespers, Meal and The Clergy/Laity Open Forum at 7:00 PM. If anyone is interested in attending this Open Forum, please see or contact Fr. Jason so that arrangements can be made.
2) The Strategic Plan Working Draft for The Orthodox Church in America The Strategic Plan Working Draft (Orthodox Church in America) has been released and published on the official OCA website. His Grace, Bishop Michael, strongly encourages all clergy and faithful of the diocese to read and review the document in preparation for upcoming clergy/laity discussions in each deanery (“focus groups”) leading up to the Diocesan Assembly at the Cathedral of the Holy Virgin Protection in New York City on Tuesday, 9 November 2010. Comments and questions regarding the Strategic Plan document are encouraged and welcomed as this “work-in-progress” moves forward through careful review and analysis. Those wishing to offer input on the Working Draft are encouraged to send comments and observations to ocastratplan@oca.org. Hard copies of the draft will be made available for sharing at the parish level, while an upcoming issue of The Orthodox Church magazine will be devoted to the plan. Copies of the Strategic Plan are located on the table in the back of church.
AVAILABLE DATES FOR HOSTING COFFEE HOUR As we know, each week, we are blessed to have coffee hour following the Divine Liturgy. This is made possible by our beloved parishioners who offer, as part of their Christian Stewardship, delicious foods for our parish family to enjoy together in Christian Fellowship (Agape) as a continuation of The Divine Liturgy. So far this year, almost every week has been filled. However, we still have some weeks that need to be filled. If you are interested in hosting a coffee hour, please see Mat. Katia and/or the schedule on the wall near the kitchen in Daria Hall. If anyone has any questions about coffee hour, please see or contact Nancy Letzo or Ann Kush and they will be able to assist you. The following dates still need coffee hour hosts:
September 5 September 12 September 19 October 17 October 24 November 7 November 14 November 21 December 5 December 19
Thank you for your continued support and efforts! May GOD continue to bless and guide all of you! ++++++++++++++++++++++
**ST. VLADIMIR EDUCATION CORNER**
As we continue with our spiritual journey, it is very important that we feed and nourish our souls with the food that God provides for us through the Divine Services of the Church, through The Holy Icons, through Holy Scripture, through the Lives of Saints, through prayer, fasting, almsgiving, through receiving Holy Communion, and through living and proclaiming Christ to all. With this in mind, each week we will have an article in the weekly bulletin about a specific topic that has been asked about or brought up by our parishioners. These articles will be under the section: “ST. VLADIMIR EDUCATION CORNER”
ST. VLADIMIR EDUCATION CORNER: THE VIRTUES: OBEDIENCE In speaking of Christ's humility, Saint Paul said that Jesus was obedient to God His Father "unto death, even death on a cross." (Philippians 2:8) In truth, Jesus obeyed God in all that He did. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my will, but the will of Him who sent me. And this is the will of Him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that He has given me, but raise it up on the last day. (John 6:38-39)
All that Jesus has and is, He has received from God the Father. From all eternity, the Son has listened to the Father in order to do His work and to accomplish His will. The will of God is that the Son should become a man, take up the sins of the world and die in the flesh in order to raise the dead that "nothing would be lost." Jesus has accomplished this in divine and perfect obedience, giving the example to all.
My father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as Thou wilt...if this cannot pass until I drink it, Thy will be done. (Matthew 26:39, 42) There is no degradation in obedience to God, nothing shameful or demeaning. On the contrary, to do the will of God is glory and life. It is the highest dignity of man, his greatest joy and delight. (Cf. Psalm 119) It is the way of perfection for all, even for the man Jesus Himself. Although He was a Son, He learned obedience through what He suffered, and being made perfect He became the source of salvation to all who obey Him. (Hebrews 5:8-9) Disobedience to God and His Son Jesus Christ is the source of all sin. Refusal to submit to God in all things is the cause of all sorrow and death. Those who hear the Gospel and fail to enter into the eternal rest of God, do so only "because of disobedience." (Hebrews 5-6, Cf. Deuteronomy 4:29-31) In the Orthodox spiritual tradition, obedience is a basic virtue: obedience to the Lord, to the Gospel, to the Church (Matthew 18:17), to the leaders of the Church (Hebrews 13:7), to one's parents and elders, to "every ordinance of man" (I Peter 2:13, Romans 13:1), "to one another out of reverence for Christ." (Ephesians 6:21) There is no spiritual life without obedience, no freedom or liberation from sinful passions and lusts. To submit to God's discipline in all of its human forms, is the only way to obtain "the glorious liberty of the children of God." (Romans 8:21) God disciplines us as His children out of His great love for us. "He disciplines us for our good, that we might share His holiness." (Cf. Hebrews 12:3-11) Our obedience to God's commandments and discipline is the exclusive sign of our love for Him and His Son. He who has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me; and he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him. (...) If a man loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come and make our home with him. He who does not love me does not keep my words; and the word which you hear is not mine but the Father's who sent me. (John 14:21-24)
THE BEHEADING OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST Commemorated on August 29
The Beheading of the Prophet, Forerunner of the Lord, John the Baptist: The Evangelists Matthew (Mt.14:1-12) and Mark (Mark 6:14-29) provide accounts about the martyric end of John the Baptist in the year 32 after the Birth of Christ. Following the Baptism of the Lord, St John the Baptist was locked up in prison by Herod Antipas, the Tetrarch (ruler of one fourth of the Holy Land) and governor of Galilee. (After the death of king Herod the Great, the Romans divided the territory of Palestine into four parts, and put a governor in charge of each part. Herod Antipas received Galilee from the emperor Augustus). The prophet of God John openly denounced Herod for having left his lawful wife, the daughter of the Arabian king Aretas, and then instead cohabiting with Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip (Luke 3:19-20). On his birthday, Herod made a feast for dignitaries, the elders and a thousand chief citizens. Salome, the daughter of Herod, danced before the guests and charmed Herod. In gratitude to the girl, he swore to give her whatever she would ask, up to half his kingdom. The vile girl on the advice of her wicked mother Herodias asked that she be given the head of John the Baptist on a platter. Herod became apprehensive, for he feared the wrath of God for the murder of a prophet, whom earlier he had heeded. He also feared the people, who loved the holy Forerunner. But because of the guests and his careless oath, he gave orders to cut off the head of St John and to give it to Salome. According to Tradition, the mouth of the dead preacher of repentance once more opened and proclaimed: "Herod, you should not have the wife of your brother Philip." Salome took the platter with the head of St John and gave it to her mother. The frenzied Herodias repeatedly stabbed the tongue of the prophet with a needle and buried his holy head in a unclean place. But the pious Joanna, wife of Herod's steward Chuza, buried the head of John the Baptist in an earthen vessel on the Mount of Olives, where Herod had a parcel of land. (The Uncovering of the Venerable Head is celebrated (February 24). The holy body of John the Baptist was taken that night by his disciples and buried at Sebastia, there where the wicked deed had been done. After the murder of St John the Baptist, Herod continued to govern for a certain time. Pontius Pilate, governor of Judea, later sent Jesus Christ to him, Whom he mocked (Luke 23:7-12). The judgment of God came upon Herod, Herodias and Salome, even during their earthly life. Salome, crossing the River Sikoris in winter, fell through the ice. The ice gave way in such a way that her body was in the water, but her head was trapped above the ice. It was similar to how she once had danced with her feet upon the ground, but now she flailed helplessly in the icy water. Thus she was trapped until that time when the sharp ice cut through her neck. Her corpse was not found, but they brought the head to Herod and Herodias, as once they had brought them the head of St John the Baptist. The Arab king Aretas, in revenge for the disrespect shown his daughter, made war against Herod. The defeated Herod suffered the wrath of the Roman emperor Caius Caligua (37-41) and was exiled with Herodias first to Gaul, and then to Spain. The Beheading of St John the Baptist, a Feast day established by the Church, is also a strict fast day because of the grief of Christians at the violent death of the saint. In some Orthodox cultures pious people will not eat food from a flat plate, use a knife, or eat food that is round in shape on this day. Today the Church makes remembrance of Orthodox soldiers killed on the field of battle, as established in 1769 at the time of Russia's war with the Turks and the Poles.
THE SPECIAL MONTHLY CHARITY COLLECTION SPECIAL COLLECTION FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST THE RESCUE MISSION OF TRENTON The Rescue Mission of Trenton, New Jersey, is the agency in the City of Trenton that serves the truly needy men and women who have no place to turn for shelter, food, and clothing. The Mission provides a safe, clean, warm refuge for the homeless, the hungry, the transient, and the addicted.
The Mission provides services and counseling to encourage individuals to reach their greatest potential. The Mission creates an environment where one can live with dignity, build self-esteem, experience love, responsibility, and hope.
For more information about THE RESCUE MISSION OF TRENTON please visit their website at: www.rescuemissionoftrenton.org/
Please take a moment to reflect upon what God has given you, and to discern how you might be able to return to God a portion of the blessings you have received. For more information about The Rescue Mission of Trenton, please refer to the Flyer on the table in the back of church as well as see the flyer in today’s bulletin. This collection will take place TODAY!!
As we continue to fulfill the work of Our Lord by building up the Body of Christ here at St. Vladimir, let us open our hearts and minds by providing support and assistance to the church and to the social services for their good work and for those whom they help and assist by giving back a portion of the blessings God has given us!
We extend our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to all of you and your families for your continued prayers and support.
May GOD continue to bless you and guide you! Thank You!
If anyone has any questions or concerns, please see or contact Fr. Jason!
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER THE FEAST OF THE NATIVITY OF THE THEOTOKOS
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 7, 2010 THE EVE OF THE FEAST OF THE NATIVITY OF THE THEOTOKOS GREAT VESPERS with LITIYA – 7:00 PM
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 8, 2010 THE FEAST OF THE NATIVITY OF THE THEOTOKOS THE HOURS – 9:10 AM DIVINE LITURGY – 9:30 AM
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 11, 2010 PANAHYDA FOR THE VICTIMS OF 9/11 – 4:00 PM GREAT VESPERS – 5:00 PM PARISH DISCUSSION ON OCA STRATEGIC PLAN – 6:00 PM
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 12, 2010 THE FEAST OF THE NATIVITY OF THE THEOTOKOS MOLEBEN FOR OPENING OF CHURCH SCHOOL – 9:00 AM THE HOURS – 9:40 AM DIVINE LITURGY – 10:00 AM CHURCH SCHOOL/PTO MEETING DURING COFFEE HOUR
THE FEAST OF THE EXALTATION OF THE CROSS
MONDAY SEPTEMBER 13, 2010 THE EVE OF THE FEAST OF THE EXALTATION OF THE CROSS FESTAL VIGIL with the Procession of the Life-Giving Cross – 7:00 PM
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 14, 2010 {STRICT FAST DAY} THE FEAST OF THE EXALTATION OF THE CROSS THE HOURS – 9:10 AM FESTAL DIVINE LITURGY – 9:30 AM
NJ DEANERY OPEN FORUM DISCUSSION ON OCA STRATEGIC PLAN SS PETER and PAUL ORTHODOX CHURCH (South River, NJ) – 7:00 pm
A SINCERE AND HEARTFELT THANK YOU We express our sincere and heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Ray George, Mat. Fran and Mat. Katia who assisted with organizing our Parish Picnic/Extended Coffee Hour last week. We thank Ray for his hard work in cooking on the grill. We also express our sincere and heartfelt thanks and appreciation to everyone who made financial donations towards the picnic last Sunday along with everyone who donated the delicious foods which were enjoyed by all. Also, we thank everyone who assisted with setting up and cleaning up last Sunday. Indeed it was a wonderful afternoon enjoyed by all with the good food and Christian Fellowship.
We extend our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to all of you and your families for your continued prayers and support.
May GOD continue to bless you and guide you! Thank You!
Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost The Parable of the Wedding Feast Matthew 22: 2-14 From The Explanation of the Gospel of St. Matthew by Blessed Theophylact, Archbishop of Ochrid and Bulgaria 1-7. And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, The kingdom of heaven is like unto a man who was a king, who made a marriage for his son, and sent forth his servants to call them that were called to the wedding: and they would not come. Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them who were called, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fattened calves are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his field, another to his merchandise: and the others took his servants, and treated them spitefully, and slew them. But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. This parable, too, like that of the vineyard, alludes to the disobedience of the Jews. But as that one indicates Christ’s death, so this one indicates the nuptial joy, that is, the resurrection. But this parable also shows them to be worse transgressors than the men in the preceding parable. For the husbandmen of the vineyard slew those who demanded fruits of them. But these men vented their murderous rage upon those who had invited them to a wedding. God is likened to a human king, for He does not appear as He is, but as it is fitting for Him to appear to us. When we die as humans, subject to human failings, God appears to us in human form; but when we walk about as gods, then God stands in the congregation of gods.[Ps. 81:1] And when we live as wild beasts, then He, too, becomes for us a panther, and a bear, and a lion. He makes a wedding feast for His Son, joining Him to every soul that is beautiful. For the bridegroom is Christ and the bride is the Church and the soul. The servants that were sent out first are Moses and those with him, whom the Jews did not obey but provoked God in the wilderness for forty years and did not want to accept the word of God and spiritual joy. Then other servants, the prophets, were sent out; but of these, some they killed, as they did Isaiah; others they treated spitefully, as they did Jeremiah, throwing him into a pit of mire. Those who were less extreme merely declined the invitation: one went his way to his own field, that is, turned towards a life of pleasure and carnal pursuits, for one’s own field is the body; another, to his merchandise, that is, to a life of acquisition and profit, for merchants are a type of men most greedy for profit. This parable shows that those who fail to attend the wedding feast and the fellowship and feasting with Christ, do so primarily on account of these two things—the pleasures of the flesh, or the passion of greed. In this parable the meal is called a dinner, although elsewhere the same thing is called a supper [Lk. 14:16], and not unreasonably. For it is called a supper when this wedding feast appears in perfect form in the latter times, towards evening, that is, at the end of the ages. But it is called a dinner when even in former times the mystery was revealed, although more obscurely. The oxen and the fattened calves [in Greek, sitista, grain-fattened calves] are the Old and the New Testaments. The Old Testament is symbolized by the oxen, for it contained animal sacrifice; the New Testament is symbolized by the grain-fattened calves, for now we offer loaves upon the altar, which could truly be called sitista [literally, "formed from wheat"], as the loaves consist of wheat, sitos. God therefore calls us to partake of the good things of both the Old Testament Scriptures and the New. But when you see someone clearly interpreting the divine words, know that he is giving grain-fattened meat. For when he teaches clearly, it is as if he were feeding the unlearned with rich food. No doubt you will ask why He says here, Call them that were called. If they were already invited, why are they going to invite them again? Learn, then, that each of us by nature has been called towards the good, for we are being called by the word of the innate teacher within us. But God also sends us external teachers to call us from without, we who were first called by the word in our nature. The king sent his armies, that is, the Roman legions, and destroyed the disobedient Jews and burnt up their city, Jerusalem, as even the truthful Josephus says. [History of the Jewish Wars] 8-10. Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they that were called were not worthy. Go ye therefore into the lanes off from the highways, and as many as ye shall find, call to the marriage. So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. Since the previous servants, Moses and those with him, and the prophets, did not persuade them, He sends out other servants, the apostles, and they call the Gentiles who do not walk in the true way but are divided, some here, some there, separated into many ways and doctrines. Indeed, they are to be found along the lanes off from the highways, that is, in great error, delusion, and deviation. They were even at odds among themselves, and were not in the true way, but along the exits, which are the evil doctrines that they taught. For they were not all content with the same doctrines, but some with these and some with those. But perhaps an even better explanation is this: the highway is the life and the manner in which each person lives; the lanes exiting from the highway are doctrines. The pagan Greeks, then, travel along evil highways, that is, they lead reprehensible lives, and from these evil lives they have turned off into godless doctrines, setting up shameful gods as patrons of their own passions. So as the Apostles went forth from Jerusalem to the Gentiles, they gathered all together, both evil and good, that is, those filled with every wickedness and also those less wicked whom He calls good by comparison to the others. 11-14. And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man who had not on a wedding garment: and he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind his hands and feet, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen. The entry into the wedding takes place without distinction of persons, for by grace alone we have all been called, good and bad alike; but the life thereafter of those who enter shall not be without examination, for indeed the king makes an exceedingly careful examination of those found to be sullied after entering into the faith. Let us tremble, then, when we understand that if one does not lead a pure life, faith alone benefits him not at all. For not only is he cast out of the wedding feast, but he is sent away into the fire. Who is he that is wearing filthy garments? It is he who is not clothed with compassion, goodness, and brotherly love. For there are many who deceive themselves with vain hopes, thinking that they shall attain the kingdom of heaven, and they include themselves among the assembly of the dinner guests, thinking great things of themselves. Being justified in regard to that unworthy man, the Lord demonstrates these two things to us; first, that He loves mankind, and secondly, that we ought not to pass judgement on anyone, even if they sin openly, unless they have been reproved for their sin. The Lord then says to His servants, the angels of punishment, Bind his hands and feet, that is, the soul’s powers of action. For in this present age is the time to act and to do, but in the age to come all of the soul’s powers of action are bound, and a man cannot then do any good thing to outweigh his sins. Gnashing of teeth is the meaningless repentance that will then take place. Many are called, for God calls many, indeed, all, but few are chosen. Few are saved and found worthy to be chosen by God. It is God’s part to call, but to become one of the chosen or not, is our part. He shows, then, that this parable was spoken for the Jews who were called but were not chosen, as they did not listen.
**ATTENTION: CONFESSION and ABSOLUTION**
When we are preparing to receive Holy Communion at the Divine Liturgy, we must be mindful that we properly prepare ourselves through prayer and fasting to receive The Precious Body and Blood of Our Lord in Holy Communion. We must also make sure that we come to either Confession or Absolution either following Great Vespers on Saturday Evenings or before the Divine Liturgy on Sunday Mornings. We encourage everyone to come to Vespers on Saturdays as well as to the services during the week. If anyone has any questions with regards to fasting or preparations for Holy Communion, please see or contact Fr. Jason and he will guide you. May GOD continue to bless and guide all of you! +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ A NOTE ON ORTHODOX WORSHIP The Orthodox Church invites everyone to come and participate in the Divine Services. The Orthodox Church does not practice open communion but invites everyone to come and participate in the Divine Liturgy. Hence, only those Orthodox who have properly prepared themselves through prayer, fasting, and absolution/confession can come to receive Holy Communion.
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CONFESSIONS WILL BE HEARD BEFORE AND AFTER EVERY SERVICE OR BY APPOINTMENT! PLEASE CONTACT FR. JASON. IF ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO SCHEDULE A PANAHYDA, BAPTISM, CHRISMATION, WEDDING, OR WOULD LIKE TO HAVE USE OF THE CHURCH or DARIA HALL OR IF THERE IS AN EMERGANCY OR IF SOMEONE IS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL OR NURSING HOME. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SPONSOR THE BULLETIN OR PROVIDE FLOWERS FOR THE CHURCH, PLEASE SEE OR CONTACT FR. JASON AT THE CHURCH OFFICE/RECTORY – (609) 393-1234. THANK YOU!
Altar Candles and Iconostasis Candles are offered In Loving Memory of The Ever-Memorable Archpriest Eugene Vansuch.
May GOD continue to grant rest eternal and blessed repose to Thy Servant of God, The Ever-Memorable Archpriest Eugene Vansuch, and may his memory be eternal!
MEMORY ETERNAL! ВЕЧНАЯ ПАМЯТЬ!
TODAY’S WEEKLY MESSENGER IS SPONSORED BY:
Priest Jason, Matushka Katia Vansuch and Mat. Fran Vansuch and Ivan and Marina Moroz In Loving Memory of The Ever-Memorable Archpriest Eugene Vansuch
*Please refer to the Weekly Bulletin and Church Website for any changes to the calendar*
St. Vladimir Orthodox Church 812 Grand Street Trenton, NJ 08610 (609) 393-1234 www.saintvladimir.com
NO. 87 AUGUST 22, 2010 THE WEEKLY MESSENGER
Published weekly in the interest of the parishioners and friends of Saint Vladimir Orthodox Church, Trenton, NJ, a parish of the Diocese of New York and New Jersey and The Orthodox Church in America
ST. VLADIMIR ORTHODOX CHURCH 812 Grand St. 609-393-1234 Trenton, NJ 08610
Rev. Jason Vansuch, Pastor 812 Grand St. 609-393-1234 Trenton, NJ 08610
Archpriest Paul Shafran, Pastor Emeritus 609-882-6440
Mrs. SaraLee Pindar, Choir Director 609-499-0930
Mr. Ludwig Koerte, Parish Council President
www.saintvladimir.com
13th SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST — Tone 4. Afterfeast of the Dormition. Martyr Agathonicus of Nicomedia and his companions: Martyrs Zoticus, Theoprepius, Acindynus, Severian, Zeno, and others who suffered under Maximian (4th c.). Hieromartyr Athanasius, Bishop of Tarsus in Cilicia, Ven. Anthusa—Nun, and her servants, Martyrs Charesimus and Neophytus (3rd c.). Virgin Martyr Eulalia of Barcelona (ca. 303).
EPISTLE: 1 Cor. 16:13-24 GOSPEL: Matt. 21:33-42
GLORY TO JESUS CHRIST! GLORY FOREVER! __________________________________________________________________________________________
W E L C O M E!
We welcome all to the Divine Liturgy this morning, especially those who are visiting with us at St. Vladimir Orthodox Church. Everyone is invited to Daria Hall following the Divine Liturgy for Christian Fellowship. It is our prayer that your experience this morning was spiritually uplifting and you will return very soon to pray with our parish family.
May the Lord bless you with many years of good health and happiness. __________________________________________________________________________________________
THE SCHEDULE OF WEEKLY SERVICES and ACTIVITIES SUNDAY AUGUST 22, 2010 THE HOURS – 8:40 AM DIVINE LITURGY – 9:00 AM PARISH PICNIC/EXTENDED COFFEE HOUR IN DARIA HALL and ON CHURCH PROPERTY FOLLOWING LITURGY!!
MONDAY AUGUST 23, 2010 LEAVETAKING OF THE FEAST OF DORMITION AKATHIST WITH LAMENTATIONS TO THE THEOTOKOS – 9:30 AM AKATHIST WITH LAMENTATIONS TO THE THEOTOKOS – 7:00 PM
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 25, 2010 PANAHYDA FOR ARCHPRIEST EUGENE VANSUCH – 9:30 AM
SATURDAY AUGUST 28, 2010 EVE OF THE FEAST OF THE BEHEADING OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST Panahyda for those who lost their lives in the field of battle – 5:00 PM GREAT VESPERS with LITIYA – 6:00 PM
SUNDAY AUGUST 29, 2010 {STRICT FAST DAY} THE FEAST OF THE BEHEADING OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST 8:40 AM – THE HOURS 9:00 AM – DIVINE LITURGY Fellowship in Daria Hall following Liturgy! Chairperson’s Meeting during Coffee Hour!
The Beheading of St John the Baptist, a Feast day established by the Church, is also a strict fast day because of the grief of Christians at the violent death of the saint. In some Orthodox Traditions, pious people will not eat food from a flat plate, will not use a knife, will not use platters or even eat food that is round in shape on this day. They would use bowls. On this Feast, the Church also makes remembrance of Orthodox soldiers killed on the field of battle, as established in 1769 at the time of Russia's war with the Turks and the Poles.
* * * * * PRAYERFUL REMEMBRANCE * * * * *
PLEASE REMEMBER TO KEEP IN OUR DAILY PRAYERS
For the continued good health of Thy Servants:
All of our beloved parishioners and family members who are in hospitals, nursing homes, or homebound.
Those who are celebrating their birthdays/anniversaries this month: Jamie Pelletteri (August 25) Adrianna Woltz (August 19) Stephanie Godun (August 25) Tanya Cheff (August 26) Nancy Letzo (August 29)
Metropolitan THEODOSIUS Metropolitan HERMAN Bishop NIKOLAI Archpriest John (Perich) Archpriest Joseph (Chupek) Archpriest John (Chupek) Archpriest William Archpriest John (Bruchok) Archpriest Sergei (Glagolev) Archpriest Paul and his family Archpriest Michael (M.) Archpriest Thomas (Edwards) Archpriest Vincent (Sevarino) Archpriest Paul and Matushka Mary Archpriest Daniel and Matushka Tamara Archpriest Sergius and Matushka Faith Priest Ivan and his family Archpriest Stephen and Prifteresha Margot (Siniari) Archimandrite Athanasy Prdn. Michael and Mat. Leslie and Elizabeth Prdn. John and Mat. Barbara and Michael
VANSUCH FAMILY and FRIENDS Edwina Mat. Paraskeva Mary Stephanie Margaret Jack Catherine John Mary Irene Inna Nicholas Marie Chegnon (Mary Demeo’s daughter) Millia James (Siefert) Nicholas Alexandra (Keysock) George Reader Bartholomew (Lovell) Elizabeth Steven Robert Ivan/Marina and family Robert Mary, Leo, Adam Eve James (Kelly) Xenia Sheri Paul (Chernay) Karen Seraphima Jeanie
FRIENDS/PARISHIONERS OF ST. VLADIMIR Rida Davis Mary Lorchak Olga Toth Eileen Yadlosky Zera Kiristos Manna John Stefero Jamie Glatt Olga Kluchkowska Dorothy Lovchuk Lydia Loginow Ann Walczak Charlotte (relative of Serge & Melody Stavisky) Tyler Connelly (nephew of Joyce Beer) Robert Beer Mary Pindar Helena (friend of parish) Ann Kush Harry Varava Arlene (niece of Martha Lutz) Theodore Yadlosky Alexander Kush Dolores Gavin Richard Varhula David Sichik Jr. Michael Suchernick Assia (Zinna’s friend) Michael (Mat. Leslie’s father) Elizabeth Sohler Katherine Kisseljow Peter Lorchak Bruce Funk (contractor) Tatiana (friend of Anne Cheslock) Patricia (Joyce Beer’s sister)
Members of The Temple OCF
Adrian (Weidmann) and the child to be born of her Christine (Nass) and the child to be born of her Jen and the child to be born of her (Family Friends of Fr. Jason and Mat. Katia) Mimi and the child to be born of her
Kenneth, Justin, Craig, Peter, Nadine, Don, Robert, Steven, Andrew, and Latoya Lynne and those serving in the Armed Forces in Iraq, Afghanistan, and throughout the world.
MANY YEARS! МНОГАЯ ЛЕТА!
For the repose of the souls of Thy Servants who have departed this life:
All of those parishioners and pastors of This Holy House who have departed this life. Especially for Thy Servants:
Archpriest Eugene Vansuch Metropolitan CHRISTOPHER
MEMORY ETERNAL! ВЕЧНАЯ ПАМЯТЬ!
HYMNS FOR THE DIVINE LITURGY
Troparion for Resurrection – Tone 4 When the women disciples of The Lord learned from the angel the joyous message of Thy Resurrection; they cast away the ancestral curse and elatedly told the apostles: Death is overthrown! Christ God is risen, granting the world great mercy.
Troparion for Feast of Dormition — Tone 1 In giving birth Thou didst preserve Thy virginity. In falling asleep Thou didst not forsake the world, O Theotokos. Thou was translated to life O Mother of Life,// and by Thy prayers Thou dost deliver our souls from death.
Troparion for St. Vladimir — Tone 4 Holy Prince Vladimir, you were like a merchant in search of fine pearls. By sending servants to Constantinople for the Orthodox Faith, you found Christ, the priceless pearl. He appointed you to be another Paul, washing away in baptism your physical and spiritual blindness. We celebrate your memory, asking you to pray for all Orthodox Christians and for us, your spiritual children.
Troparion for The Holy Martyr Lupus– Tone 4 Your holy martyr Lupus, O Lord, through his suffering has received an incorruptible crown from You, our God. For having Your strength, he laid low low his adversaries, and shattered the powerless boldness of demons. Through his intercessions, save our souls!
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Kontakion for Resurrection – Tone 4 My Savior and Redeemer as God rose from the tomb and delivered the earthborn from their chains. He has shattered the gates of hell, and as Master, He has risen on the third day!
Now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Kontakion for The Feast of Dormition – Tone 2 Neither the tomb, nor death, could hold the Theotokos, who is constant in prayer and our firm hope in her intercessions. For being the Mother of Life,// she was translated to life by the One Who dwelt in her virginal womb.
PROKEMEINON Tone 4 O Lord, how manifold are Thy works! In wisdom hast Thou made them all!
v: Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God, Thou art very great!
THE SECOND PROKEIMEON My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
ALLELUIA VERSES Go forth and prosper and reign, for the sake of meekness, righteouness , and truth.
For Thou lovest righteousness and hateth iniquity!
Arise, O Lord, into Thy resting place: Thou and the Ark of Thy Might!
THE HYMN TO THE THEOTOKOS {Feast of Dormition} The Angels, as they looked upon the Dormition of the Virgin, were struck with wonder, seeing how the Virgin went up from earth to heaven.
The limits of nature are overcome in you, O Pure Virgin: for birthgiving remains virginal, and life is united to death; a virgin after childbearing and alive after death, you ever save your inheritance, O Theotokos.
THE COMMUNION HYMN Praise the Lord from the heavens! Praise Him in the highest! I will receive the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
**FLOWERS FOR THIS WEEK** In front of the Icon of The Theotokos, In front of the Icon of Christ, and on the Tetrapod, are offered by
IN LOVING MEMORY OF THE DEPARTED MEMBERS OF THE LADIES ALTAR SOCIETY
May GOD continue to grant rest eternal and blessed repose to Thy Handmaidens of God, The Departed Altar Society Members, and may their memory be eternal!
MEMORY ETERNAL! ВЕЧНАЯ ПАМЯТЬ!
THE VIGILS LOCATED ON THE RELIC TABLE
In Loving Memory of The Ever-Memorable Servant of God Archpriest Eugene Vansuch
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Some food for thought: “The soul that really loves God and Christ, though it may do ten thousand righteousnesses, esteems itself as having wrought nothing, by reason of its insatiable aspiration after God. Though it should exhaust the body with fastings, with watchings, its attitude towards the virtues is as if it had not yet even begun to labour for them.” St. Macarius the Great
UPCOMING EVENTS WITHIN THE AREA Holy Assumption Orthodox Church Clifton, NJ
75th Anniversary Celebration Saturday November 6 and Sunday November 7, 2010
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Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Church 824 Adeline Street Trenton, NJ
Cabbage Festival Saturday October 2, 2010 12:00 to 3:00 pm Featuring: Stuffed Cabbage, Pierogies, and much more!
UPCOMING EVENTS WITHIN THE DEANERY/DIOCESE Aug.31-Sept.1 Diocesan Clergy Conference Assumption of the Holy Virgin Church Clifton NJ
Sept. 6 New Jersey Deanery Clergy Picnic Christ the Savior Church Paramus NJ
Sept. 14 NJ Deanery Open Forum on OCA Strategic Plan Saints Peter and Paul Church South River NJ (7:00 PM)
EPISTLE LESSON FOR TODAY
1 CORINTHIANS 16:13-24 BRETHREN:
Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all that you do be done with love. I urge you, brethren—you know the household of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints—that you also submit to such, and to everyone who works and labors with us.I am glad about the coming of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, for what was lacking on your part they supplied. For they refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge such men. The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Priscilla greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house. All the brethren greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. The salutation with my own hand—Paul’s. If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed. O Lord, come! The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.
GOSPEL LESSON FOR TODAY
MATTHEW 21:33-42
Let us Attend!
“Hear another parable: There was a certain landowner who planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a winepress in it and built a tower. And he leased it to vinedressers and went into a far country. Now when vintage-time drew near, he sent his servants to the vinedressers, that they might receive its fruit. And the vinedressers took his servants, beat one, killed one, and stoned another. Again he sent other servants, more than the first, and they did likewise to them. Then last of all he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ But when the vinedressers saw the son, they said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and seize his inheritance.’ So they took him and cast him out of the vineyard and killed him. “Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vinedressers?” They said to Him, “He will destroy those wicked men miserably, and lease his vineyard to other vinedressers who will render to him the fruits in their seasons.”
Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘ The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. This was the LORD’s doing, And it is marvelous in our eyes’?
============================================================================ = = = Scriptural Readings for the Week = = = Monday 2 Cor. 12:10-19 Mark 4:10-23 Tuesday 2 Cor. 12:20-13:2 Mark 4:24-34 Wednesday 2 Cor. 13:3-13 Mark 4:35-41 Thursday Gal. 1:1-10, 20-2:5 Mark 5:1-20 Friday Gal. 2:6-10 Mark 5:22-24, 35-6:1 Saturday 1 Cor. 4:1-5 Matt. 23:1-12 Sunday 2 Cor. 1:21-2:4 and Acts 13:25-32 Matt. 21:1-14 and Mark 6:14-30 ============================================================================
UPCOMING FEASTS/EVENTS WITHIN THE LIFE OF OUR PARISH September 12 Opening of Church School Moleben Service of Thanksgiving – 9:00 AM The Hours – 8:40 AM Divine Liturgy – 10:00 AM Church School/PTO Meeting during Coffee Hour
September 18 ANNUAL ST. VLADIMIR CHURCH FLEA MARKET
September 26 Special Parish Meeting on The Endowment Fund By-Laws
September 7-8 Feast of The Nativity of Theotokos
September 13-14 Feast of The Exaltation of the Precious Cross
*More details about the above Feasts and Events will be provided over the next few weeks*
ST. VLADIMIR ORTHODOX CHURCH WEEKLY FINANCIAL REPORT AUGUST 15, 2010
CANDLES -- $139.00 COFFEE HOUR -- -0- (First Sunday of each Month) COLLECTION PLATE -- $37.00 ENVELOPES Weekly -- $740.00 Parish Dues -- $145.00 Feast Day -- $310.00 Flowers -- -0- ARCHPRIEST EUGENE VANSUCH -0- IMPROVEMENT FUND PROSPHORA -- $19.00 MISCELLANEOUS -- $1070.00 MEMORIAL DONATIONS TO THE CHURCH FOR KATRINE LASSER - $70.00 DONATION TO CHURCH FOR ENDOWMENT FUND – $1000.00
TOTAL INCOME – $2460.00
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The minutes from the Monthly Parish Council Meetings as well as the Financial Reports as well as the Things-to-do List/Maintenance Projects are located in the ORANGE BINDER in the church Basement. These are posted for the benefit of the parishioners. If you have any questions or concerns, please see Fr. Jason, Ludwig Koerte, or any member of the Parish Council. Always remember, EVERYONE is invited and encouraged to come to the monthly meetings of the Parish Council.
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We extend our heartfelt thanks and sincere appreciation to all of you for your generosity and prayerful support for St. Vladimir Orthodox Church! May GOD continue to bless and guide all of you and your families!
NEWS FOR ST. VLADIMIR ORTHODOX CHURCH
1. ANNOUNCEMENTS IN THE WEEKLY BULLETIN If anyone would like to have an announcement or recognition of some sort in the weekly bulletin or would like to have an announcement made on Sunday Morning, please get it to Fr. Jason by Thursday Afternoon and he will make sure it is placed in the weekly bulletin. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to see or contact Fr. Jason at the Rectory/Church Office– (609) 393-1234 or on his cell phone (609) 851-3811. You may also contact Father via his email address: jvansuch@hotmail.com. Thank You very much for your cooperation! May God continue to bless you and guide you.
2. PARISH COUNCIL NEWS The Monthly meetings of the Parish Council will be held on the second Tuesday of every month at 7:00 PM. The September monthly meeting will be held on TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 21 at 7:00 pm in the meeting room of the Church Hall. We express our sincere and heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Ludwig Koerte and to all members of the Parish Council and parishioners who come to the meetings. We look forward to seeing all of you at these meeting as we discuss the life of our parish. If anyone would like to discuss something at the council meeting, please see or contact Fr. Jason and Ludwig Koerte ahead of time. Also, if any parish council member is unable to attend the Monthly Parish Council Meeting, kindly let Fr. Jason and Ludwig Koerte know ahead of time so that proper arrangements may be made. May GOD continue to bless and guide all of us as we continue the work of the Church in building up the Body of Christ here at St. Vladimir. Thank You!
3. ON SUNDAY AUGUST 29, WE WILL SING MANY YEARS AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR BELOVED PARISHIONERS WHO CELEBRATE THEIR BIRTHDAYS IN AUGUST: Jamie Pelletteri (August 25) Adrianna Woltz (August 19) Stephanie Godun (August 25) Tanya Cheff (August 26) Nancy Letzo (August 29) May GOD continue to bless and guide all of you with many more blessed years of good health and happiness!
4. ST. VLADIMIR ORTHODOX CHURCH RE-POINTING PROJECT We would like to express our sincere and heartfelt thanks and appreciation to everyone who has donated towards the Re-pointing Project for our church. We appreciate your continued support and generosity for St. Vladimir Orthodox Church. Your continued support enables us to preserve the structural integrity of our beloved church as well to prevent further damage to the interior beauty and iconography. To this date we have $11,100.00 collected! Thank You for your continued support!
5. PARISH DISCUSSION ON OCA STRATEGIC PLAN On Saturday September 11 at 4:30 PM, we will be serving a Panahyda for Thy departed Servants of God, all of those who tragically lost their lives on September 11, 2001 in the terrorist attacks on our nation. Following the Panahyda, we will celebrate Great Vespers at 5:30 PM. Immediately following Great Vespers, please join us in Daria Hall as we will have a Parish Discussion on the OCA Strategic Plan that was sent to everyone to review. This parish discussion is in preparation for the Open Forum for the Clergy and Laity of the NJ Deanery on Tuesday September 14 at Ss Peter and Paul in South River NJ beginning at 7:00 PM. I encourage all of us to take the time to read this Strategic Plan which provides much food for thought and guidance not only for our Church on The National and Diocesan Levels but even for us on a parish level. Please plan on making every effort to come to this Parish-Wide Discussion so that, together, as brothers and sisters in Christ, we review and work with one mind and one heart on strengthening our parish and our commitment to the life and mission of the Gospel of Our Lord and to The Orthodox Church in America. If anyone has any questions, please see or contact Fr. Jason or any member of the parish council.
6. CHAIRPERSON’S MINISTRIES MEETING – SUNDAY AUGUST 29 On Sunday August 29, we will have an organizational meeting of the chairpersons for the following Ministries: Choir, Church School, Senior “R” Club, Ladies Altar Society, Coffee Hour, Mission Outreach, and the Senior “R” Club to set up a calendar of services, events, meetings, etc. for the upcoming year: September 2010 – August 2011. All Chairpersons are asked to bring a list of their activities with them so we can plug them into the calendar. This way we can work together in providing a list and schedule of services and activities for the upcoming year and provide this for our parishioners. If anyone is unable to attend the meeting, please see or contact Fr. Jason. We welcome everyone to come and provide your thoughts and ideas as we all work together in building up The Body of Christ here at St. Vladimir’s.
GOD’S MINUTE "I have only just a minute, Only sixty seconds in it, Forced upon me, can't refuse it. Didn't seek it, didn't choose it. But it's up to me to use it. I must suffer if I lose it, Give an account if I abuse it, Just a tiny little minute, But Eternity is in it."
THE LATEST NEWS FROM THE DIOCESE OF NEW YORK and NEW JERSEY
1) Clergy Conference and Open Forums for Diocese of NY&NJ A Clergy Conference for all diocesan priests, and three separate "Open Forums" in each deanery to discuss the OCA (draft) Strategic Plan, have been scheduled. These gatherings were blessed by His Grace, Bishop +Michael, in consultation with the Council of Presbyters. The clergy conference will take place in Clifton NJ from August 31 to September 1 of this year. Fr. Jason will be attending the Clergy Conference and has been appointed Clergy Sacristan for the Divine Service held during the Conference. The deanery forums have been scheduled to permit maximum participation of clergy and laity, with His Grace and the diocesan representative on the Strategic Planning Committee present to answer questions, listen to discussions, and respond to feedback as the Strategic Plan (a "work in progress") is further developed. The Open Forum for The NJ Deanery will take place on Tuesday Sept. 14 at Ss Peter and Paul Orthodox Church in South River beginning with a 3 PM Clergy Meeting followed by Vespers, Meal and The Clergy/Laity Open Forum at 7:00 PM. If anyone is interested in attending this Open Forum, please see or contact Fr. Jason so that arrangements can be made.
2) The Strategic Plan Working Draft for The Orthodox Church in America The Strategic Plan Working Draft (Orthodox Church in America) has been released and published on the official OCA website. His Grace, Bishop Michael, strongly encourages all clergy and faithful of the diocese to read and review the document in preparation for upcoming clergy/laity discussions in each deanery (“focus groups”) leading up to the Diocesan Assembly at the Cathedral of the Holy Virgin Protection in New York City on Tuesday, 9 November 2010. Comments and questions regarding the Strategic Plan document are encouraged and welcomed as this “work-in-progress” moves forward through careful review and analysis. Those wishing to offer input on the Working Draft are encouraged to send comments and observations to ocastratplan@oca.org. Hard copies of the draft will be made available for sharing at the parish level, while an upcoming issue of The Orthodox Church magazine will be devoted to the plan. Copies of the Strategic Plan will be made available Next Sunday on the table in the back of church. We will be discussing this at the Parish Council Meetings as well as have parish discussions on this prior to the Open Forum on Sept. 14.
++++++++++++++++++++++ AVAILABLE DATES FOR HOSTING COFFEE HOUR
As we know, each week, we are blessed to have coffee hour following the Divine Liturgy. This is made possible by our beloved parishioners who offer, as part of their Christian Stewardship, delicious foods for our parish family to enjoy together in Christian Fellowship (Agape) as a continuation of The Divine Liturgy. So far this year, almost every week has been filled. However, we still have some weeks that need to be filled. If you are interested in hosting a coffee hour, please see Mat. Katia and/or the schedule on the wall near the kitchen in Daria Hall. If anyone has any questions about coffee hour, please see or contact Nancy Letzo or Ann Kush and they will be able to assist you. The following dates still need coffee hour hosts:
September 5 September 12 October 10 October 17 October 24 November 7 November 14 November 21 December 5 December 19
Thank you for your continued support and efforts! May GOD continue to bless and guide all of you! ++++++++++++++++++++++
**ST. VLADIMIR EDUCATION CORNER**
As we continue with our spiritual journey, it is very important that we feed and nourish our souls with the food that God provides for us through the Divine Services of the Church, through The Holy Icons, through Holy Scripture, through the Lives of Saints, through prayer, fasting, almsgiving, through receiving Holy Communion, and through living and proclaiming Christ to all. With this in mind, each week we will have an article in the weekly bulletin about a specific topic that has been asked about or brought up by our parishioners. These articles will be under the section: “ST. VLADIMIR EDUCATION CORNER”
ST. VLADIMIR EDUCATION CORNER: THE VIRTUES: HUMILITY In the Orthodox tradition, humility has often been called the "mother of all virtues," and pride has been named "the cause of all sin." The wise and honest person is the one who is humble. Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor, than to divide the spoils with the proud. A man's pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will retain honor. (Proverbs 16:18, 16:19, 29:23) According to the Gospel, in the Song of the Virgin, the Lord scatters the proud in the imagination of their hearts and exalts those who are humble and meek. (Cf. Luke 1:51-52) This is the exact teaching of Jesus. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. (Luke 14:11, 18:14, Proverbs 3:34) Humility does not mean degradation or remorse. It does not mean effecting some sort of demeaning external behavior. It does not mean considering oneself as the most vile and loathsome of creatures. Christ Himself was humble and He did not do this. God Himself, according to the spiritual tradition of the Church, has perfect humility, and He certainly does not act in this way. Genuine humility means to see reality as it actually is in God. It means to know oneself and others as known by God - a power, according to Saint Isaac, greater than that of raising the dead! The humble lay aside all vanity and conceit in the service of the least of God's creatures, and to consider no good act as beneath one's dignity and honor. Humility is to know oneself, without the grace of God, as dust, sinful and dead. God is humble because He cares about the least: the birds in the air, the grass in the fields, the worst of sinners. (Cf. Matthew 6:25-30) Christ is humble because He associates with the lowly, becoming the slave of all in taking on Himself the sins of the world. If I then, your Lord and Master have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. (John 13:14-15) You know that the rulers of the pagans lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave; even as the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many. (Matthew 20:25-28)
All Christians are to follow the example of Christ in His divine humility. Saint Paul teaches: Do nothing from selfishness or conceit, but in humility count others better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which you have in Christ Jesus, who though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:3-11) The exaltation of Jesus as a man depended entirely on His self-emptying humility. True greatness, divine greatness, is the ability to be the least and to the least with the absolute certitude that it is externally and divinely important, that it is an imitation of God Himself. True humility for the sinful man is to know that indeed, according to one's own possibilities and gifts, each one is truly the first and greatest of sinners (Cf. I Timothy 1:15), for each one has sinned in his own way "like no other man." (Saint Andrew of Crete, (7th c), Penitential Canon) The truly humble person is the one who, confessing his sins, is "faithful over little," and doing so, is exalted by the Lord and is "set over much." Only such a person will "enter into the joy of his Master." (Matthew 25:14-23, Luke 19:17)
Martyr Agathonicus of Nicomedia and others who suffered under Maximian Commemorated on August 22
The Martyrs Agathonicus, Zoticus, Theoprepius, Acindynus, Severian, Zeno and others accepted death for Christ during the reign of the emperor Maximian (284-305). The Martyr Agathonicus was descended from the illustrious lineage of the Hypasians, and he lived at Nicomedia. Well versed in Holy Scripture, he converted many pagans to Christ, including the most eminent member of the Senate (its "princeps" or leader). Comitus Eutolmius was sent to the Pontine (lower Black Sea) region, where he crucified the followers of the Christian Zoticus, who had refused to offer sacrifice to idols. He took Zoticus with him. In Nicomedia, Eutolmius arrested the Martyr Agathonicus (together with the princeps), and also Theoprepius, Acindynus and Severian. After tortures, Eutolmius ordered that the martyrs be taken to Thrace for trial by the emperor. But along the way, in the vicinity of Potama, the Martyrs Zoticus, Theoprepius and Acindynus were unable to proceed further behind the chariot of the governor because of wounds received duringtorture. Therefore, they were put to death. The Martyr Severian was put to death at Chalcedon, and the Martyr Agathonicus together with others was beheaded with the sword by order of the emperor, in Selymbria. The relics of the Martyr Agathonicus were in a church named for him at Constantinople, and were seen in the year 1200 by the Russian pilgrim Anthony. And in the fourteenth century Philotheus, the archbishop of Selymbria, devoted an encomium to the Martyr Agathonicus.
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER SUNDAY AUGUST 22, 2010 THE HOURS – 8:40 AM DIVINE LITURGY – 9:00 AM PARISH PICNIC/EXTENDED COFFEE HOUR IN DARIA HALL and ON CHURCH PROPERTY FOLLOWING LITURGY!!
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MONDAY AUGUST 23, 2010 LEAVETAKING OF THE FEAST OF DORMITION AKATHIST WITH LAMENTATIONS TO THE THEOTOKOS – 9:30 AM AKATHIST WITH LAMENTATIONS TO THE THEOTOKOS – 7:00 PM
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WEDNESDAY AUGUST 25, 2010 PANAHYDA FOR ARCHPRIEST EUGENE VANSUCH – 9:30 AM
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SATURDAY AUGUST 28, 2010 EVE OF THE FEAST OF THE BEHEADING OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST Panahyda for those who lost their lives in the field of battle – 5:00 PM GREAT VESPERS with LITIYA – 6:00 PM
SUNDAY AUGUST 29, 2010 {STRICT FAST DAY} THE FEAST OF THE BEHEADING OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST 8:40 AM – THE HOURS 9:00 AM – DIVINE LITURGY Fellowship in Daria Hall following Liturgy! Chairperson’s Meeting during Coffee Hour!
The Beheading of St John the Baptist, a Feast day established by the Church, is also a strict fast day because of the grief of Christians at the violent death of the saint. In some Orthodox Traditions, pious people will not eat food from a flat plate, will not use a knife, will not use platters or even eat food that is round in shape on this day. They would use bowls. On this Feast, the Church also makes remembrance of Orthodox soldiers killed on the field of battle, as established in 1769 at the time of Russia's war with the Turks and the Poles
THE SPECIAL MONTHLY CHARITY COLLECTION SPECIAL COLLECTION FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST THE RESCUE MISSION OF TRENTON
The Rescue Mission of Trenton, New Jersey, is the agency in the City of Trenton that serves the truly needy men and women who have no place to turn for shelter, food, and clothing. The Mission provides a safe, clean, warm refuge for the homeless, the hungry, the transient, and the addicted.
The Mission provides services and counseling to encourage individuals to reach their greatest potential. The Mission creates an environment where one can live with dignity, build self-esteem, experience love, responsibility, and hope.
For more information about THE RESCUE MISSION OF TRENTON please visit their website at: www.rescuemissionoftrenton.org/
Please take a moment to reflect upon what God has given you, and to discern how you might be able to return to God a portion of the blessings you have received. For more information about The Rescue Mission of Trenton, please refer to the Flyer on the table in the back of church as well as see the flyer in today’s bulletin. This collection will take place on SUNDAY AUGUST 29!!
As we continue to fulfill the work of Our Lord by building up the Body of Christ here at St. Vladimir, let us open our hearts and minds by providing support and assistance to the church and to the social services for their good work and for those whom they help and assist by giving back a portion of the blessings God has given us!
We extend our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to all of you and your families for your continued prayers and support.
May GOD continue to bless you and guide you! Thank You!
If anyone has any questions or concerns, please see or contact Fr. Jason!
Orthodox Pilgrimage to The Holy Land The faithful of the Diocese of New York and New Jersey are invited to join in an Orthodox Pilgrimage to the Holy Land (Israel, Jordan, and Sinai) led by Archbishop +Seraphim of Ottawa and Canada. This 17 day pilgrimage will include visits to the holy sites of Jerusalem, Bethlehem, multiple cities in Galilee, monasteries in the Judean Desert and Sinai Peninsula, along with historical sightseeing of important archeological parks in Israel and Jordan. This pilgrimage is scheduled to commence in late October of this year. For information, contact Fr. Ilya Gotlinsky at 1-607-797-1058 or by email at: ortours@gmail.com. Visit the "Orthodox Tours" website for complete details: www.orthodoxtours.com
THE LADIES ALTAR SOCIETY ANNUAL TURKEY SOCIAL SUNDAY NOVEMBER 14, 2010
Once again, the Ladies Altar Society will be holding their annual Basket Raffle and Turkey Social on Sunday November 14.
With this in mind, if anyone would like to contribute or assist with this or if anyone has any questions, please see Nadja or any member of The Ladies Altar Society or see sign-up sheet in Daria Hall.
Thank you for your continued support.
May GOD continue to bless and guide all of you with many more blessed years of good health and happiness.
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PRAYER REQUEST FROM HIS GRACE BISHOP MICHAEL
His Grace, Bishop Michael requests that all parish priests and faithful of the Diocese include in their prayers and Divine Services intercessions for health and strength for the servant of God:
His Grace, Bishop +Nikon Bishop of Boston, New England, and the Albanian Archdiocese
May GOD continue to bless and guide Bishop NIKON with many more blessed years of good health and strength.
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A SINCERE AND HEARTFELT THANK YOU e express our sincere and heartfelt thanks and appreciation to everyone who donated towards the special collection last Sunday for Mr. Joseph Williams, co-worker of Darice Keyes, who is traveling with a small group from Christian Life Center in Bensalem to Haiti from August 25-September 1 to assist with cleaning up and rebuilding following the homes and buildings from the recent earthquake. Let us open our hearts and minds by providing prayerful support and assistance to Joseph and those traveling with him for their good work and for those whom they help. We extend our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to all of you and your families for your continued prayers and support. May GOD continue to bless you and guide you! Thank You!
{PRAYER BEFORE READING HOLY SCRIPTURE} Illumine our hearts, O Master, loveset of mankind, with the pure light of Thy divine knowledge. Open the eyes of our mind to the understanding of Thy gospel teachings. Implant also in us the fear of Thy blessed commandments, that trampling down all carnal desires, we may enter upon a spiritual manner of living, both thinking and doing such things as are well pleasing unto Thee.
For Thou art the Illumination of our souls and bodies, O Christ our God, and unto Thee we ascribe glory, together with Thy Father, who is from everlasting, and Thine all-holy, good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen. Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost The Stone Which the Builders Rejected Matthew 21: 33-42 From The Explanation of the Gospel of St. Matthew by Blessed Theophylact, Archbishop of Ochrid and Bulgaria
33. Hear another parable: There was a certain man, a householder, who planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and dug a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it to husbandmen, and went into a far country.
Yet another parable He brings to them, showing that though they were deemed worthy to receive an immeasurable degree of care for their condition, they did not get better. The man, a householder is the Lord Who in His love for man calls Himself a man. The vineyard is the Jewish people, planted by God in the land of promise. For He says, Bring them in and plant them in Thy holy mountain. [Ex. 15:17] The hedge is the law which prevented them from mixing with the Gentiles; or, it is the holy angels who guarded Israel. The wine-press is the altar; the tower, the temple. The husbandmen are the teachers of the people, the Pharisees and the scribes. The householder, God, went into a far country when He no longer spoke to them in a pillar of cloud. Or, the departure of God into a far country is His long-suffering; for when He is long-suffering and not in hot pursuit of wrongdoers, demanding an account, He appears to be asleep or absent on a far journey.
34-39. And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it. And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another. Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise. But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son. But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize his inheritance. And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him.
The time of the fruit drew near during the years of the prophets. For the servants who were sent are the prophets who were abused in various ways by the husbandmen, that is, the false prophets and false teachers of those times. One they beat, as they did to Micah when Sedek struck him on the jaw [III Kings (I Kings) 22:24]; another they killed, as they did to Zechariah [the father of John the Forerunner] between the temple and the altar; another they stoned, as they did Zechariah, the son of Jodae the high priest [II Chron. 24:21]. Later the Son of God was sent and He appeared in the flesh. He said, They will reverence My Son, not unaware that they would kill Him, but signifying what ought to be. For, He says, they ought to honor the dignity of the Son even if they had killed the servants. But the husbandmen saw Him and said, This is the heir; come, let us kill Him. The Jews, too, said, "This is the Christ," and they crucified Him. They cast Him out of the vineyard, for the Lord was slain outside of the city. But since we would also say that the vineyard is the people, Christ was slain by the Pharisees, the evil husbandmen, outside the vineyard, that is, outside and apart from the will of the guileless people.
40-41. When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen? They say unto Him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons.
When He cometh. When? At the second coming? It seems to have this meaning, but a better meaning is this: the lord of the vineyard is God the Father Who sent His Son Who was slain by them. When He comes, that is, when He looks down on the lawlessness which the Jews committed, then He will miserably destroy them by sending the Roman army. And His vineyard, that is, His people, He will give to other husbandmen, that is, to apostles and teachers. Understand the vineyard to mean also the Divine Scriptures, in which the hedge is the letter, the wine-press that is dug is the depth of the Spirit, and the tower is theology, lofty and exalted. These Scriptures, then, were first possessed by bad husbandmen, the Pharisees; but God has let them out to us who cultivate them well. But they slew the Lord outside the vineyard, that is, outside those things of which Scripture spoke.
42-44. Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the Scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes? [Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: and on whomsoever it shall fall, it will crush him to powder to be scattered.]
The stone means Christ Himself; the builders are the teachers of the Jews who rejected Him as if He were useless, saying, "Thou art a Samaritan and hast a demon." But when He rose from the dead, He was set in place as the head of the corner, that is, He became the head of the Church, joining Jews and Gentiles in one faith. For as the stone which forms the corner of a building makes continuous the walls leading to and from it, so Christ has bound all together in one faith. This corner is marvelous, and is the Lord’s doing. [See Ps.117:22-23] For the Church which connects us and makes us one in faith is the Lord’s doing, and is worthy of all wonder, so well is it built. And in another sense is it marvelous, because the Word of Christ has been confirmed and substantiated by marvels, that is, miracles, so that the composition of the Church is marvelous. The kingdom of God, that is, closeness with God, has been taken from the Jews and given to those who believed. Those who stumble against the Rock of Christ and take offence at Him will not only be crushed at the second coming, but already here in this life they have been scattered like powder by Christ. They have been scattered over all the earth, as we now see the pitiable Jews to be. Understand that he who is crushed to powder to be scattered is dispersed abroad and scattered in diaspora.
**ATTENTION: CONFESSION and ABSOLUTION**
When we are preparing to receive Holy Communion at the Divine Liturgy, we must be mindful that we properly prepare ourselves through prayer and fasting to receive The Precious Body and Blood of Our Lord in Holy Communion. We must also make sure that we come to either Confession or Absolution either following Great Vespers on Saturday Evenings or before the Divine Liturgy on Sunday Mornings. We encourage everyone to come to Vespers on Saturdays as well as to the services during the week. If anyone has any questions with regards to fasting or preparations for Holy Communion, please see or contact Fr. Jason and he will guide you. May GOD continue to bless and guide all of you! +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ A NOTE ON ORTHODOX WORSHIP The Orthodox Church invites everyone to come and participate in the Divine Services. The Orthodox Church does not practice open communion but invites everyone to come and participate in the Divine Liturgy. Hence, only those Orthodox who have properly prepared themselves through prayer, fasting, and absolution/confession can come to receive Holy Communion.
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CONFESSIONS WILL BE HEARD BEFORE AND AFTER EVERY SERVICE OR BY APPOINTMENT! PLEASE CONTACT FR. JASON. IF ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO SCHEDULE A PANAHYDA, BAPTISM, CHRISMATION, WEDDING, OR WOULD LIKE TO HAVE USE OF THE CHURCH or DARIA HALL OR IF THERE IS AN EMERGANCY OR IF SOMEONE IS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL OR NURSING HOME. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SPONSOR THE BULLETIN OR PROVIDE FLOWERS FOR THE CHURCH, PLEASE SEE OR CONTACT FR. JASON AT THE CHURCH OFFICE/RECTORY – (609) 393-1234. THANK YOU!
Altar Candles and Iconostasis Candles are offered In Loving Memory of The Departed Members of the Ladies Altar Society
May GOD continue to grant rest eternal and blessed repose to Thy Handmaidens of God, The Departed Members of the Ladies Altar Society, and may their memory be eternal!
MEMORY ETERNAL! ВЕЧНАЯ ПАМЯТЬ!
TODAY’S WEEKLY MESSENGER IS SPONSORED BY:
ST. VLADIMIR ORTHODOX CHURCH
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*Please refer to the Weekly Bulletin and Church Website for any changes to the calendar*
St. Vladimir Orthodox Church 812 Grand Street Trenton, NJ 08610 (609) 393-1234 www.saintvladimir.com
NO. 86 AUGUST 15, 2010 ________________________AUGUST 15, 2010 NO.86 THE WEEKLY MESSENGER
Published weekly in the interest of the parishioners and friends of Saint Vladimir Orthodox Church, Trenton, NJ, a parish of the Diocese of New York and New Jersey and The Orthodox Church in America
ST. VLADIMIR ORTHODOX CHURCH 812 Grand St. 609-393-1234 Trenton, NJ 08610
Rev. Jason Vansuch, Pastor 812 Grand St. 609-393-1234 Trenton, NJ 08610
__________________________________________________________________________________________ W E L C O M E!
We welcome all to the Divine Liturgy this morning, especially those who are visiting with us at St. Vladimir Orthodox Church. Everyone is invited to Daria Hall following the Divine Liturgy for Christian Fellowship. It is our prayer that your experience this morning was spiritually uplifting and you will return very soon to pray with our parish family.
May the Lord bless you with many years of good health and happiness. __________________________________________________________________________________________
THE SCHEDULE OF WEEKLY SERVICES and ACTIVITIES SUNDAY AUGUST 15, 2010 THE FEAST OF THE DORMITION OF THE MOST-HOLY THEOTOKOS THE HOURS – 8:40 AM DIVINE LITURGY– 9:00 AM Fellowship in Daria Hall Following Liturgy! COFFEE HOUR HOST: Vera P and Ladies Altar Society Panahyda for Departed Members of the Ladies Altar Society and Members of the Stavisky Family following Divine Liturgy!
SATURDAY AUGUST 21, 2010 PANAHYDA FOR MARY SCHIELKE – 5:00 PM GREAT VESPERS – 6:00 PM Confession and Absolution following Vespers
SUNDAY AUGUST 22, 2010 THE HOURS – 8:40 AM DIVINE LITURGY– 9:00 AM
PARISH PICNIC/EXTENDED COFFEE HOUR IN DARIA HALL and ON CHURCH PROPERTY FOLLOWING LITURGY!!
* * * * * PRAYERFUL REMEMBRANCE * * * * *
PLEASE REMEMBER TO KEEP IN OUR DAILY PRAYERS For the continued good health of Thy Servants:
All of our beloved parishioners and family members who are in hospitals, nursing homes, or homebound.
Those who are celebrating their birthdays/anniversaries this month:
Metropolitan THEODOSIUS Metropolitan HERMAN Bishop NIKOLAI Archpriest John (Perich) Archpriest Joseph (Chupek) Archpriest John (Chupek) Archpriest William Archpriest John (Bruchok) Archpriest Sergei (Glagolev) Archpriest Paul and his family Archpriest Michael (M.) Archpriest Thomas (Edwards) Archpriest Vincent (Sevarino) Archpriest Paul and Matushka Mary Archpriest Daniel and Matushka Tamara Archpriest Sergius and Matushka Faith Priest Ivan and his family Archpriest Stephen and Prifteresha Margot (Siniari) Archimandrite Athanasy Prdn. Michael and Mat. Leslie and Elizabeth Prdn. John and Mat. Barbara and Michael
VANSUCH FAMILY and FRIENDS Edwina Mat. Paraskeva Mary Stephanie Margaret Jack Catherine John Mary Irene Inna Nicholas Marie Chegnon (Mary Demeo’s daughter) Millia James (Siefert) Nicholas Alexandra (Keysock) George Reader Bartholomew (Lovell) Elizabeth Steven Robert Ivan/Marina and family Robert Mary, Leo, Adam Eve James (Kelly) Xenia Sheri Paul (Chernay) Karen Seraphima Jeanie
FRIENDS & PARISHIONERS OF ST. VLADIMIR Rida Davis Mary Lorchak Olga Toth Eileen Yadlosky Zera Kiristos Manna John Stefero Jamie Glatt Olga Kluchkowska Dorothy Lovchuk Lydia Loginow Ann Walczak Charlotte (relative of Sergius & Melody Stavisky) Tyler Connelly (nephew of Joyce Beer) Robert Beer Mary Pindar Helena (friend of parish) Ann Kush Harry Varava Arlene (niece of Martha Lutz) Theodore Yadlosky Al Kush Dolores Gavin Richard Varhula David Sichik Jr. Michael Suchernick Assia (Zinna’s friend) Michael (Mat. Leslie’s father) Elizabeth Sohler Katherine Kisseljow Pter Lorchak Bruce Funk (contractor) Tatiana (friend of Anne Cheslock) Patricia (Joyce Beer’s sister)
Members of The Temple OCF Adrian (Weidmann) and the child to be born of her Christine (Nass) and the child to be born of her Jen and the child to be born of her (Family Friends of Fr. Jason and Mat. Katia) Mimi and the child to be born of her
Kenneth, Justin, Craig, Peter, Nadine, Don, Robert, Steven, Andrew, and Latoya Lynne and those serving in the Armed Forces in Iraq, Afghanistan, and throughout the world.
MANY YEARS! МНОГАЯ ЛЕТА!
For the repose of the souls of Thy Servants who have departed this life:
All of those parishioners and pastors of This Holy House who have departed this life. Especially for Thy Servants:
Archpriest Eugene Vansuch Departed Members of the Ladies Altar Society
MEMORY ETERNAL! ВЕЧНАЯ ПАМЯТЬ!
HYMNS FOR THE DIVINE LITURGY Troparion for Resurrection – Tone 3 Let the heavens rejoice! Let the earth be glad! For the Lord has shown strength with His arm. He has trampled down death by death. He has become the first born of the dead. He has delivered us from the depths of hell, and has granted to the world// great mercy.
Troparion for Feast of Dormition — Tone 1 In giving birth Thou didst preserve Thy virginity. In falling asleep Thou didst not forsake the world, O Theotokos. Thou was translated to life O Mother of Life,// and by Thy prayers Thou dost deliver our souls from death.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Kontakion for Resurrection – Tone 3 On this day Thou didst arise from the tomb, O Merciful One, leading us from the gates of death. On this day Adam exults as Eve rejoices; with the Prophets and Patriarchs// they unceasingly praise the divine majesty of Thy power.
Now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Kontakion for The Feast of Dormition – Tone 2 Neither the tomb, nor death, could hold the Theotokos, who is constant in prayer and our firm hope in her intercessions. For being the Mother of Life,// she was translated to life by the One Who dwelt in her virginal womb.
PROKEMEINON Tone 3 Sing praises to our God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises!
v: Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy!
THE SECOND PROKEIMEON My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
ALLELUIA VERSES In Thee, O Lord, have I hoped; let me never be put to shame!
Be a God of protection for me, a house of refuge in order to save me!
Arise, O Lord, into Thy resting place: Thou and the Ark of Thy sanctification!
THE HYMN TO THE THEOTOKOS {Feast of Dormition} The Angels, as they looked upon the Dormition of the Virgin, were struck with wonder, seeing how the Virgin went up from earth to heaven.
The limits of nature are overcome in you, O Pure Virgin: for birthgiving remains virginal, and life is united to death; a virgin after childbearing and alive after death, you ever save your inheritance, O Theotokos.
THE COMMUNION HYMN Praise the Lord from the heavens! Praise Him in the highest! I will receive the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord.Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
**FLOWERS FOR THIS WEEK** In front of the Icon of The Theotokos, In front of the Icon of Christ, and on the Tetrapod, are offered by
IN LOVING MEMORY OF THE DEPARTED MEMBERS OF THE LADIES ALTAR SOCIETY
May GOD continue to grant rest eternal and blessed repose to Thy Handmaidens of God, The Departed Altar Society Members, and may their memory be eternal!
In Loving Memory of The Departed Members of the Ladies Altar Socity, on the occasion of the Anniversary of their falling asleep in The Lord.
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Some food for thought: “The soul that really loves God and Christ, though it may do ten thousand righteousnesses, esteems itself as having wrought nothing, by reason of its insatiable aspiration after God. Though it should exhaust the body with fastings, with watchings, its attitude towards the virtues is as if it had not yet even begun to labour for them.” St. Macarius the Great
ST. VLADIMIR’S ANNUAL ETHNIC PARISH PICNIC SUNDAY AUGUST 22, 2010 IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE DIVINE LITURGY IN DARIA HALL
At the August Monthly Meeting of the Parish Council, based upon the recommendation of the Chairpersons, it was decided that we will have a limited parish picnic this year due to the fact that many of our beloved parishioners will be away as well as not enough people signed up to help out. So with that in mind, we will be having the following items as part of our menu as well as much more:
Hot Dogs Hamburgers Meatballs Salads Fruit Corn on the Cob Desserts Coffee, Tea, Soda, Iced Tea, Water, and Juice
If anyone would like to bring a special pot-luck plate, salad, dessert or anything else delicious from your kitchen to share with your parish family….please bring it The more the merrier!!
Come and enjoy an afternoon of Good Food, Christian Fellowship, and Lots of Fun with your parish family!
For more information, please see or contact Mat. Fran or Ray George!
EPISTLE LESSON FOR TODAY
1 CORINTHIANS 15:1-11 BRETHREN:
I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time. For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. Therefore, whether it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.
GOSPEL LESSON FOR TODAY
MATTHEW 19:16-26
Let us Attend!
Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?” So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.” He said to Him, “Which ones?” Jesus said, “ ‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
============================================================================ = = = Scriptural Readings for the Week = = = Monday 2 Cor. 8:7-15 Mark 3:6-12 Tuesday 2 Cor. 8:16-9:5 Mark 3:13-19 Wednesday 2 Cor. 9:12-10:7 Mark 3:20-27 Thursday 2 Cor. 10:7-18 Mark 3:28-35 Friday 2 Cor. 11:5-21 Mark 4:1-9 Saturday 1 Cor. 2:6-9 Matt. 22:15-22 Sunday 1 Cor. 16:13-24 Matt. 21:33-42 = =========================================================================== Metropolitan Jonah expresses concern over Russian crisis, asks faithful to offer assistance through IOCC SYOSSET, NY [OCA] -- In light of Russia's record breaking heat wave -- eight weeks of unprecedented high temperatures have resulted in over 500 massive fires nationwide, poor air quality, and the death of thousands, especially in western Russia -- His Beatitude, Metropolitan Jonah shared the concern of the Holy Synod of Bishops, clergy, and faithful of the Orthodox Church in America in an August 13, 2010 letter addressed to His Holiness, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus.
"I write to convey our sincere concern for the great suffering that the land and people of Russia are currently undergoing," wrote Metropolitan Jonah. "Together with Your Holiness and the Russian Orthodox Church, we lament the loss of lives, livelihood and property. God's mysterious ways are often beyond our human capacity to comprehend. We join our prayers to yours in the pleas to Our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ will provide the rains and winds that are necessary to quell the heat and to bring about the weather that will make recovery possible." Metropolitan Jonah also informed Patriarch Kirill that he would be "asking the priests and parishes of the Orthodox Church in America to offer special prayers for God's mercies and for the relief of the afflicted and suffering. "I am also asking that members of the Orthodox Church in America offer financial assistance through the International Orthodox Christian Charities [IOCC], which will convey our donations to the appropriate Church partners and Church programs in Russia," Metropolitan Jonah added.
IOCC already has initiated contact with its partners in the Russian Orthodox Church to formulate an appropriate response to this latest humanitarian crisis which, in addition to the loss of life, has already destroyed approximately one-third of Russia's wheat crop, forcing the country to suspend its wheat exports.
OCA faithful are encouraged to send financial assistance to the IOCC International Emergency Response Fund, which will provide immediate relief and long-term and other support to those in need through emergency aid and recovery assistance. To make a gift, please visit www.iocc.org, call toll free at 1-877-803-IOCC (4622), or mail a check or money order payable to IOCC, PO Box 630225, Baltimore, MD 21263-0225.
[IOCC, founded in 1992 as the official humanitarian aid agency of the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas [SCOBA], has implemented over $330 million in relief and development programs in 33 countries around the world. IOCC has been providing emergency relief to Russia since the organization's first airlift in 1992. Since that time, IOCC has implemented more than $60 million in aid projects throughout the Russian Federation.]
ST. VLADIMIR ORTHODOX CHURCH WEEKLY FINANCIAL REPORT AUGUST 8, 2010
CANDLES -- $124.50 COFFEE HOUR -- -0- (First Sunday of each Month) COLLECTION PLATE -- $72.00 ENVELOPES Weekly -- $640.00 Parish Dues -- $290.00 Feast Day -- $111.00 Flowers -- -0- ARCHPRIEST EUGENE VANSUCH -0- IMPROVEMENT FUND PROSPHORA -- $11.00 MISCELLANEOUS -- $190.00 DONATION TO CHURCH FOR ST. VLADIMIR BANQUET - $30.00 GENERAL DONATION TO CHURCH - $60.00 DONATION TO CHURCH FOR RE-POINTING PROJECT – $100.00
TOTAL INCOME – $1438.50
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The minutes from the Monthly Parish Council Meetings as well as the Financial Reports as well as the Things-to-do List/Maintenance Projects are located in the ORANGE BINDER in the church Basement. These are posted for the benefit of the parishioners. If you have any questions or concerns, please see Fr. Jason, Ludwig Koerte, or any member of the Parish Council. Always remember, EVERYONE is invited and encouraged to come to the monthly meetings of the Parish Council.
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We extend our heartfelt thanks and sincere appreciation to all of you for your generosity and prayerful support for St. Vladimir Orthodox Church! May GOD continue to bless and guide all of you and your families!
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NEWS FOR ST. VLADIMIR ORTHODOX CHURCH
1. ANNOUNCEMENTS IN THE WEEKLY BULLETIN If anyone would like to have an announcement or recognition of some sort in the weekly bulletin or would like to have an announcement made on Sunday Morning, please get it to Fr. Jason by Thursday Afternoon and he will make sure it is placed in the weekly bulletin. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to see or contact Fr. Jason at the Rectory/Church Office– (609) 393-1234 or on his cell phone (609) 851-3811. You may also contact Father via his email address: jvansuch@hotmail.com. Thank You very much for your cooperation! May God continue to bless you and guide you.
2. PARISH COUNCIL NEWS The Monthly meetings of the Parish Council will be held on the second Tuesday of every month at 7:00 PM. The September monthly meeting will be held on TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 21 at 7:00 pm in the meeting room of the Church Hall. We express our sincere and heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Ludwig Koerte and to all members of the Parish Council and parishioners who come to the meetings. We look forward to seeing all of you at these meeting as we discuss the life of our parish. If anyone would like to discuss something at the council meeting, please see or contact Fr. Jason and Ludwig Koerte ahead of time. Also, if any parish council member is unable to attend the Monthly Parish Council Meeting, kindly let Fr. Jason and Ludwig Koerte know ahead of time so that proper arrangements may be made. May GOD continue to bless and guide all of us as we continue the work of the Church in building up the Body of Christ here at St. Vladimir. Thank You!
3. ON SUNDAY AUGUST 29, WE WILL SING MANY YEARS AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR BELOVED PARISHIONERS WHO CELEBRATE THEIR BIRTHDAYS IN AUGUST:
4. UPDATE ON ST. VLADIMIR ORTHODOX CHURCH RE-POINTING PROJECT We just wanted to provide you with an update on Mr. Bruce Funk (contractor) and the Re-Pointing Project. As some of us may know, Bruce had to undergo surgery on his foot a few weeks ago to correct a problem that he had been battling for some time. Fr. Jason spoke with Bruce two weeks ago and he sounds good and is at home recuperating. His doctors feel that he is healing well and coming along okay. Last week, Bruce went back to the surgeon to have the stitches removed. After speaking with his doctor, Bruce feels that he will be able to come back to work the week of August 16 (which is a Monday). We ask that you please continue to keep Bruce in your thoughts and prayers. We look forward to having Bruce fully recovered and back with us soon and that GOD will continue to grant him good health!
Also, we would like to express our sincere and heartfelt thanks and appreciation to everyone who has donated towards the Re-pointing Project for our church. We appreciate your continued support and generosity for St. Vladimir Orthodox Church. Your continued support enables us to preserve the structural integrity of our beloved church as well to prevent further damage to the interior beauty and iconography. To this date we have $11,100.00 collected! Thank You for your continued! Your continued generosity and support is greatly appreciated! May GOD Bless You!
5. PANAHYDA FOR MARY SCHIELKE On Saturday August 21 at 5:00 PM, we will be serving a Panahyda for Thy departed Handmaiden of God, Mary Schielke. This Panahyda is requested by Mr. Stanley Winowicz and Mrs. Stephanie Winowicz for the well-being and good health of Mary’s Family. Following the Panahyda, we will celebrate Great Vespers at 6:00 PM. Please continue to keep Mary in your thoughts and prayers that God will continue to grant her rest eternal and blessed repose. Also, please continue to keep Mary’s family in your thoughts and prayers.
6. CHAIRPERSON’S MINISTRIES MEETING – SUNDAY AUGUST 29 On Sunday August 29, we will have an organizational meeting of the chairpersons for the following Ministries: Choir, Church School, Senior “R” Club, Ladies Altar Society, Coffee Hour, and Mission Outreach to set up a calendar of services, events, meetings, etc. for the upcoming year: September 2010 – August 2011. All Chairpersons are asked to bring a list of their activities with them so we can plug them into the calendar. This way we can work together in providing a list and schedule of services and activities for the upcoming year and provide this for our parishioners. If anyone is unable to attend the meeting, please see or contact Fr. Jason. We welcome everyone to come and provide your thoughts and ideas as we all work together in building up The Body of Christ here at St. Vladimir’s.
PRAYERS by: Author Unknown, Source Unknown Life without purpose is barren indeed There can't be a harvest unless you plant seed There can't be attainment unless there's a goal And man's but a robot unless there's a soul. If we send no ships out, no ships will come in, And unless there's a contest, nobody can win. For games can't be won unless they are played, And prayers can't be answered unless they are prayed. So whatever is wrong with your life today You'll find a solution if you kneel down and pray. Not just for pleasure, enjoyment and health, Not just for honors and prestige and wealth. But pray for a purpose to make life worth living And pray for the joy of unselfish giving. For great is your gladness and rich your reward, When you make your life's purpose the choice of the Lord. Amen.
THE LATEST NEWS FROM THE DIOCESE OF NEW YORK and NEW JERSEY 1) Clergy Conference and Open Forums for Diocese of NY&NJ A Clergy Conference for all diocesan priests, and three separate "Open Forums" in each deanery to discuss the OCA (draft) Strategic Plan, have been scheduled. These gatherings were blessed by His Grace, Bishop +Michael, in consultation with the Council of Presbyters. The clergy conference will take place in Clifton NJ from August 31 to September 1 of this year. Fr. Jason will be attending the Clergy Conference and has been appointed Clergy Sacristan for the Divine Service held during the Conference. The deanery forums have been scheduled to permit maximum participation of clergy and laity, with His Grace and the diocesan representative on the Strategic Planning Committee present to answer questions, listen to discussions, and respond to feedback as the Strategic Plan (a "work in progress") is further developed. The Open Forum for The NJ Deanery will take place on Tuesday Sept. 14 at Ss Peter and Paul Orthodox Church in South River beginning with a 3 PM Clergy Meeting followed by Vespers, Meal and The Clergy/Laity Open Forum at 7:00 PM. If anyone is interested in attending this Open Forum, please see or contact Fr. Jason so that arrangements can be made.
2) The Strategic Plan Working Draft for The Orthodox Church in America The Strategic Plan Working Draft (Orthodox Church in America) has been released and published on the official OCA website. His Grace, Bishop Michael, strongly encourages all clergy and faithful of the diocese to read and review the document in preparation for upcoming clergy/laity discussions in each deanery (“focus groups”) leading up to the Diocesan Assembly at the Cathedral of the Holy Virgin Protection in New York City on Tuesday, 9 November 2010. Comments and questions regarding the Strategic Plan document are encouraged and welcomed as this “work-in-progress” moves forward through careful review and analysis. Those wishing to offer input on the Working Draft are encouraged to send comments and observations to ocastratplan@oca.org. Hard copies of the draft will be made available for sharing at the parish level, while an upcoming issue of The Orthodox Church magazine will be devoted to the plan. Copies of the Strategic Plan will be made available Next Sunday on the table in the back of church. We will be discussing this at the Parish Council Meetings as well as have parish discussions on this prior to the Open Forum on Sept. 14.
++++++++++++++++++++++ AVAILABLE DATES FOR HOSTING COFFEE HOUR As we know, each week, we are blessed to have coffee hour following the Divine Liturgy. This is made possible by our beloved parishioners who offer, as part of their Christian Stewardship, delicious foods for our parish family to enjoy together in Christian Fellowship (Agape) as a continuation of The Divine Liturgy. So far this year, almost every week has been filled. However, we still have some weeks that need to be filled. If you are interested in hosting a coffee hour, please see Mat. Katia and/or the schedule on the wall near the kitchen in Daria Hall. If anyone has any questions about coffee hour, please see or contact Nancy Letzo or Ann Kush and they will be able to assist you. The following dates still need coffee hour hosts: September 5 September 12 October 10 October 17 October 24 November 7 November 14 November 21 December 5 December 19
Thank you for your continued support and efforts! May GOD continue to bless and guide all of you! ++++++++++++++++++++++
**ST. VLADIMIR EDUCATION CORNER**
As we continue with our spiritual journey, it is very important that we feed and nourish our souls with the food that God provides for us through the Divine Services of the Church, through The Holy Icons, through Holy Scripture, through the Lives of Saints, through prayer, fasting, almsgiving, through receiving Holy Communion, and through living and proclaiming Christ to all. With this in mind, each week we will have an article in the weekly bulletin about a specific topic that has been asked about or brought up by our parishioners. These articles will be under the section: “ST. VLADIMIR EDUCATION CORNER”
ST. VLADIMIR EDUCATION CORNER: THE VIRTUES: HONESTY The wise man who has knowledge lives according to the truth through a totally honest life. Honesty means first of all, to speak the truth and never to. "bear false witness." (Exodus 20:16)
There are six things which the Lord hates, seven which are an abomination to Him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to do evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and a man who sows discord among brothers. (Proverbs 6:16-19; Cf 11:1, 12:17, 17:4, 21:28, 25:14, 18)
This basic scriptural teaching is also that of the apostles. For we pray to God that you may not do what is wrong...but that you may do what is honest...for we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. (2 Corinthians 13:7-8)
Honesty also means to act truly and openly, without pretense, or the presentation of a false image of oneself. It means, in a word, not to be a hypocrite. Above all things, Christ the Lord hated and condemned hypocrisy, lying and deceit. He accused the devil himself, first and foremost, of being a deceiver and liar, pretending to be other than he is, presenting himself and his teaching as totally other than the falsehood and wickedness that they actually are. (Cf. John 8:44-47) This is the way of all the false prophets, and of the antichrist himself.
For many deceivers have gone out into the world, men who will not acknowledge the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh; such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist. (2 John 7) Take heed that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name saying "I am the Christ," and they will lead you astray. (...)and many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. (…) For false Christs and false prophets will arise and show great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. (Matthew 24:4,11,24)
In His fierce condemnation of the evil of the scribes, pharisees and lawyers, Christ was most violent against their hypocrisy. Of all the evils of men, the most vile in the sight of the Lord is undoubtedly hypocrisy.
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you cleanse the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside you are full of extortion and rapacity. You blind Pharisee! first cleanse the in- side of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead men's bones and all impurity. So you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but within are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. (Matthew 23: 25-28)
The spiritual person is not a hypocrite. He shows himself honestly for what he is, and does not pretend to be what he is not. He reveals himself to all exactly as he actually is. He does not say or do anything that would lead people to have a false impression of him or of anyone or anything. He is utterly honest and pure in all that he things, says and does, knowing that God sees all and judges with righteousness all those who "walk in integrity." (Cf. Psalm 26:1,11)
The Feast of the Dormition of the Most-Holy Theotokos Commemorated on August 15
Hymns for the Feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God Troparion (Tone 1) In giving birth Thou didst preserve Thy virginity, In falling asleep Thou didst not forsake the world, O Theotokos. Thou wast translated to life, O Mother of Life, And by Thy prayers, Thou didst deliver our souls from death.
Kontakion (Tone 2) Neither the tomb, nor death could hold the Theotokos, Who is constant in prayer and our firm hope in her intercessions. For being the Mother of Life, She was translated to life by the One who dwelt in her virginal womb.
We Magnify Thee, O Most-Pure Theotokos, Mother of Christ our God! And we praise Thy All-Glorious Dormition!
THE SPECIAL MONTHLY CHARITY COLLECTION SPECIAL COLLECTION FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST THE RESCUE MISSION OF TRENTON The Rescue Mission of Trenton, New Jersey, is the agency in the City of Trenton that serves the truly needy men and women who have no place to turn for shelter, food, and clothing. The Mission provides a safe, clean, warm refuge for the homeless, the hungry, the transient, and the addicted.
The Mission provides services and counseling to encourage individuals to reach their greatest potential. The Mission creates an environment where one can live with dignity, build self-esteem, experience love, responsibility, and hope.
For more information about THE RESCUE MISSION OF TRENTON please visit their website at: www.rescuemissionoftrenton.org/
Please take a moment to reflect upon what God has given you, and to discern how you might be able to return to God a portion of the blessings you have received. For more information about The Rescue Mission of Trenton, please refer to the Flyer on the table in the back of church as well as see the flyer in today’s bulletin. This collection will take place on SUNDAY AUGUST 29!!
As we continue to fulfill the work of Our Lord by building up the Body of Christ here at St. Vladimir, let us open our hearts and minds by providing support and assistance to the church and to the social services for their good work and for those whom they help and assist by giving back a portion of the blessings God has given us!
We extend our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to all of you and your families for your continued prayers and support.
May GOD continue to bless you and guide you! Thank You!
If anyone has any questions or concerns, please see or contact Fr. Jason!
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER
SUNDAY AUGUST 15, 2010 THE FEAST OF THE DORMITION OF THE MOST-HOLY THEOTOKOS HOURS – 8:40 am DIVINE LITURGY Followed by The Blessing of Flowers and Herbs – 9:00 am Panahyda following Liturgy for the Departed Members of the Ladies Altar Society
On this Particular Feast, in the Orthodox Church, it is customary for the faithful to bring flowers and herbs to church so they can be blessed. For those who would like to have their flowers and/or herbs blessed, please bring them with you when you come for Liturgy place them on the Blessing Table up front on the left.
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SUNDAY AUGUST 22, 2010 THE HOURS – 8:40 AM DIVINE LITURGY – 9:00 AM PARISH PICNIC/EXTENDED COFFEE HOUR IN DARIA HALL and ON CHURCH PROPERTY FOLLOWING LITURGY!!
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SATURDAY AUGUST 28, 2010 EVE OF THE FEAST OF THE BEHEADING OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST Panahyda for those who lost their lives in the field of battle – 5:00 PM GREAT VESPERS with LITIYA – 6:00 PM
SUNDAY AUGUST 29, 2010 {STRICT FAST DAY} THE FEAST OF THE BEHEADING OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST 8:40 AM – THE HOURS 9:00 AM – DIVINE LITURGY Fellowship in Daria Hall following Liturgy! Chairperson’s Meeting during Coffee Hour!
The Beheading of St John the Baptist, a Feast day established by the Church, is also a strict fast day because of the grief of Christians at the violent death of the saint. In some Orthodox Traditions, pious people will not eat food from a flat plate, will not use a knife, will not use platters or even eat food that is round in shape on this day. They would use bowls. On this Feast, the Church also makes remembrance of Orthodox soldiers killed on the field of battle, as established in 1769 at the time of Russia's war with the Turks and the Poles.
THE LADIES ALTAR SOCIETY ANNUAL TURKEY SOCIAL SUNDAY NOVEMBER 14, 2010
Once again, the Ladies Altar Society will be holding their annual Basket Raffle and Turkey Social on Sunday November 14.
With this in mind, if anyone would like to contribute or assist with this or if anyone has any questions, please see Nadja or any member of The Ladies Altar Society or see sign-up sheet in Daria Hall.
Thank you for your continued support.
May GOD continue to bless and guide all of you with many more blessed years of good health and happiness.
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SPECIAL COLLECTION: TODAY!!
TODAY, we will have a special collection for Mr. Joseph Williams, co-worker of Darice Keyes. Joseph is travelling with a small group from Christian Life Center in Bensalem to Haiti from August 25-September 1 to assist with cleaning up and rebuilding following the earthquake. Besides Joseph, who will be assisting with the construction team, there is also a group of medical relief workers who are also travelling to Haiti to provide assistance.
As part of our Christian Love and responsibility, we will be holding a special collection for Joseph to help him with the financial support needed for his trip.
Let us open our hearts and minds by providing prayerful support and assistance to Joseph and those travelling with him for their good work and for those whom they help and assist by giving back a portion of the blessings God has given us.
We extend our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to all of you and your families for your continued prayers and support.
May GOD continue to bless you and guide you! Thank You!
If anyone has any questions or concerns, please see or contact Darice!
Orthodox Pilgrimage to The Holy Land The faithful of the Diocese of New York and New Jersey are invited to join in an Orthodox Pilgrimage to the Holy Land (Israel, Jordan, and Sinai) led by Archbishop +Seraphim of Ottawa and Canada. This 17 day pilgrimage will include visits to the holy sites of Jerusalem, Bethlehem, multiple cities in Galilee, monasteries in the Judean Desert and Sinai Peninsula, along with historical sightseeing of important archeological parks in Israel and Jordan. This pilgrimage is scheduled to commence in late October of this year. For information, contact Fr. Ilya Gotlinsky at 1-607-797-1058 or by email at: ortours@gmail.com. Visit the "Orthodox Tours" website for complete details: www.orthodoxtours.com
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SAVE THE DATE: SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 18, 2010 ANNUAL ST. VLADIMIR CHURCH FLEA MARKET *Look for more details to come over the next few weeks*
{PRAYER BEFORE READING HOLY SCRIPTURE} Illumine our hearts, O Master, loveset of mankind, with the pure light of Thy divine knowledge. Open the eyes of our mind to the understanding of Thy gospel teachings. Implant also in us the fear of Thy blessed commandments, that trampling down all carnal desires, we may enter upon a spiritual manner of living, both thinking and doing such things as are well pleasing unto Thee.
For Thou art the Illumination of our souls and bodies, O Christ our God, and unto Thee we ascribe glory, together with Thy Father, who is from everlasting, and Thine all-holy, good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost If Thou Wilt Be Perfect Matthew 19: 16-26 From The Explanation of the Gospel of St. Matthew by Blessed Theophylact, Archbishop of Ochrid and Bulgaria
16. And, behold, one came and said unto Him, Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And He said unto him, Why callest thou Me good? There is none good but One, that is, God.
The man did not come testing Christ, but desiring to learn and thirsting for eternal life. He approached Christ as if Christ were a mere man. That is why the Lord says, Why callest thou Me good? There is none good but One, that is, God. This means, "If you call Me good thinking I am one of the teachers, you speak wrongly, for no man is essentially good; both because we are changeable and easily turned away from good, and because, by comparison with God’s goodness, human goodness is counted as wickedness."
17-19. But if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. He saith unto Him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother, and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
The Lord directs the enquirer to the commandments of the law, so that the Jews could not say that He despised the law. What happened then?
20. The young man saith unto Him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?
Some accuse him of boasting and arrogance. How could he have achieved love for neighbor if he were rich? For no one who loves his neighbor as himself is wealthier than his neighbor. Others understand it thus: suppose, he says, that I have kept all these things—what do I still lack?
21-22. Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect go and sell what thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow Me. But when the man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
Everything, He says, which you say you have accomplished, you have done by fulfilling only the letter of the law, as do the Jews. But if thou wilt be perfect, that is, if you wish to be My disciple and a Christian, then go and sell all that you have, and give everything all at once, keeping nothing back with which to give alms continuously. He did not say, "give repeatedly to the poor," but give once and for all and be stripped of your wealth. Since there are some who give alms but lead a life full of every kind of filth, He adds, and come and follow Me, that is, possess every other virtue as well. The young man, however, was sorrowful, for though he desired eternal life and the soil of his heart was deep and fertile, the thorns of wealth were choking him. For it says, he had great possessions. He who has few possessions is not similarly restrained by them, for the bond of many possessions is more tyrannical. Because the Lord was conversing with a rich man, He said, "Do you love wealth? Know that you will have treasure in heaven."
23-24. Then said Jesus unto His disciples, Verily I say unto you, That it is hard for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
As long as a man is rich and he has in excess while others do not have even the necessities, he can in no way enter the kingdom of heaven. But when all riches have been shed, then he is not rich and so he can enter. For it is just as impossible for a man with wealth to enter the kingdom of heaven as it is for a camel to go through the eye of a needle. See how Christ first said it was difficult to enter, but here that it is completely impossible. Some say that camel is not the animal, but the thick cable used by sailors to cast their anchors.
25-26. When His disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible: but with God all things are possible.
The disciples, being compassionate, did not ask this question for their own sake, for they were poor, but for all men. The Lord therefore teaches us not to gauge salvation by human weakness, but by God’s power. If one only begins to cease from greed, he will advance to reducing his excess, and from there he will proceed to eliminating even his necessities, and thus he will be prospered along the way by God acting in collaboration with him.
**ATTENTION:
CONFESSION and ABSOLUTION**
When
we are preparing to receive Holy Communion at the Divine Liturgy, we must be
mindful that we properly prepare ourselves through prayer and fasting to
receive
The
Precious Body and Blood of Our Lord in Holy Communion. We must also make sure
that we come to either Confession or Absolution either following Great Vespers
on Saturday Evenings or before the Divine Liturgy on Sunday Mornings.We encourage everyone to come to
Vespers on Saturdays as well as to the services during the week. If anyone has
any questions with regards to fasting or preparations for Holy Communion,
please see or contact Fr. Jason and he will guide you.
The
Orthodox Church invites everyone to come and participate in the Divine
Services.
The
Orthodox Church does not practice open communion but invites everyone to come
and participate in the Divine Liturgy. Hence, only those Orthodox who have
properly prepared themselves through prayer, fasting, and absolution/confession
can come to receive Holy Communion.
============================
CONFESSIONS WILL
BE HEARD BEFORE AND AFTER
EVERY SERVICE OR
BY APPOINTMENT! PLEASE CONTACT FR. JASON. IF ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO SCHEDULE A PANAHYDA, BAPTISM, CHRISMATION,
WEDDING,
OR WOULD LIKE TO HAVE USE OF THE CHURCH
or DARIA HALL OR IF THERE IS AN EMERGANCY OR
IF SOMEONE IS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL OR
NURSING HOME.IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO
SPONSOR THE BULLETIN OR PROVIDE FLOWERS FOR THE CHURCH, PLEASE SEE OR CONTACT
FR. JASON
AT THE CHURCH
OFFICE/RECTORY – (609) 393-1234.THANK YOU!
9th SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST — Tone 8. The Dormition of the Righteous
Anna, mother of the Most-holy Theotokos. Holy Women Olympias
(Olympiada)—(408-410) the Deaconess, of Constantinople, and the Virgin Eupraxia
of Tabenna (413). Ven. Makáry, Abbot of Zheltovódsk and Unzha (1444).
Commemoration of the Holy 165 Fathers of the Fifth Ecumenical Council (553).
We
welcome all to the Divine Liturgy this morning, especially those who are
visiting with us at St. Vladimir Orthodox Church. Everyone is invited to Daria
Hall following the Divine Liturgy for Christian Fellowship. It is our prayer
that your experience this morning was spiritually uplifting and you will return
very soon to pray with our parish family.
May the Lord bless you with many years of good health and happiness.
Fellowship in Daria Hall Following Liturgy!COFFEE HOUR HOST:
Nancy Letzo
The Service for The Blessing
of Vehicles following Liturgy!
Ladies Altar Society Pickle
Sale during coffee hour:
$9.00/gallon$.75 each (large)$.50
each (small)
MONDAY
JULY 26, 2010
THE FEAST OF ST. JACOB OF
ALASKA
AKATHIST TO ST. JACOB – 9:30
AM
INVESTMENT COMMITTEE MEETING
– 6:30 PM
TUESDAY
JULY 27, 2010
THE FEAST OF ST. PANTELEIMON
AKATHIST TO ST. PANTELEIMON (In
front of his Icon/Relics) – 9:30 AM
SATURDAY
JULY 31, 2010
MOLEBEN TO ST. PARASKEVA (In
front of her Icon/Relics) – 4:30 PM
GREAT VESPERS – 6:00 PM
Confession and Absolution
following Vespers
SUNDAY
AUGUST 1, 2010
FEAST OF THE PRECIOUS CROSS OF OUR LORD
THE BEGINNING OF THE DORMITION FAST (August 1-15)
THE HOURS – 8:40 AM
DIVINE LITURGY with the Service for The
Lesser Blessing of Water– 9:00 AM
Fellowship in Daria Hall Following Liturgy!COFFEE HOUR HOST:
Church School Meeting during
Coffee Hour!
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PRAYERFUL REMEMBRANCE * * * * *
PLEASE REMEMBER TO
KEEP IN OUR DAILY PRAYERS
For the continued
good health of Thy Servants:
All of our beloved parishioners and family members who are
in hospitals, nursing homes, or homebound.
Those who are celebrating their birthdays/anniversaries
this month:
Paul KavchokFr. PaulVictoria CheffChris KasmerHerman MeyerNina
LaushellJoyce Beer
Alex GodunZinna KusnirikRay
GeorgeMarie PatrenkoPeter LorchakJohn Steffero
Reader
Anthony and Ann Kasmer (July 16 - 50th Wedding Anniversary)
Metropolitan THEODOSIUS
Metropolitan HERMAN
Bishop NIKOLAI
Archpriest John (Perich)
Archpriest Joseph (Chupek)
Archpriest John (Chupek)
Archpriest William
Archpriest John (Bruchok)
Archpriest Sergei (Glagolev)
Archpriest Paul and his
family
Archpriest Michael (M.)
Archpriest Thomas(Edwards)
Archpriest
Vincent (Sevarino)
Archpriest Paul and Matushka Mary
Archpriest Daniel and Matushka Tamara
Archpriest Sergius and Matushka
Faith
Priest Ivan and his family
Archpriest Stephen and Prifteresha
Margot (Siniari)
Archimandrite Athanasy
Prdn. Michael and Mat. Leslie
and Elizabeth
Prdn. John and Mat. Barbara and
Michael
VANSUCH FAMILY and FRIENDS
Edwina
Mat. Paraskeva
Mary
Stephanie
Margaret
Jack
Catherine
John
MaryIrene
InnaNicholas
Marie Chegnon (Mary
Demeo’s daughter)
Millia
James (Siefert)
Nicholas
Alexandra (Keysock)
George
Reader Bartholomew (Lovell)
Elizabeth
Steven
Robert
Ivan/Marina and family
Robert
Mary, Leo, Adam
Eve
James (Kelly)
Xenia
Sheri
Paul (Chernay)
Karen
Seraphima
Jeanie
Members of The Temple OCF
FRIENDS/PARISHIONERS OF ST. VLADIMIR
Rida Davis
Mary Lorchak
Olga Toth
Eileen Yadlosky
Zera Kiristos Manna
John Stefero
Jamie Glatt
Olga Kluchkowska
Dorothy Lovchuk
Lydia Loginow
Ann Walczak
Charlotte (relative of Sergius & Melody Stavisky)
Tyler Connelly (nephew of Joyce Beer)
Robert Beer
Mary Pindar
Helena (friend of parish)
Ann Kush
Harry Varava
Arlene (niece of Martha Lutz)
Ted Yadlosky
Al Kush
Richard Varhula
David Sichik, Jr.
Michael Suchernick
Assia (Zinna’s friend)
Michael (Mat. Leslie’s father)
Elizabeth Sohler
Peter Lorchak
Tatiana (friend of Anne Cheslock)
Patricia (Joyce Beer’s sister)
Adrian (Weidmann)
and the child to be born of her
Christine (Nass) and
the child to be born of her
Jen and the child to be born of her
(Family Friends of Fr. Jason and Mat. Katia)
Mimi and the child to be born of her
Kenneth, Justin, Craig, Peter,
Nadine, Don, Robert, Steven, Andrew, and Latoya Lynne and those serving in the
Armed Forces in Iraq, Afghanistan, and throughout the world.
MANY YEARS!МНОГАЯЛЕТА!
For the repose of
the souls of Thy Servants who have departed this life:
All of those parishioners and pastors of This Holy House who
have departed this life.Especially for Thy Servants:
Archpriest Eugene Vansuch
MEMORY
ETERNAL!ВЕЧНАЯПАМЯТЬ!
HYMNS FOR THE DIVINE LITURGY
Troparionfor Resurrection – Tone 8
Thou didst descend from on high, O Merciful
One!
Thou didst accept the three day burial to free
us from our sufferings!//
O Lord, our Life and Resurrection, glory
to Thee!
Troparionfor St. Vladimir — Tone 4
Holy Prince
Vladimir, you were like a merchant in search of fine pearls. By sending
servants to Constantinople for the Orthodox Faith, you found Christ, the
priceless pearl. He appointed you to be another Paul, washing away in baptism
your physical and spiritual blindness. We celebrate your memory, asking you to
pray for all Orthodox Christians and for us, your spiritual children.
Troparionfor Righteous Anna — Tone 4
Divinely-wise Anna, you carried in your womb the pure
Mother of God who gave life to our Life. Therefore, you are now carried
joyfully to the inheritance of heaven, to the abode of those who rejoice
in glory,//where you seek forgiveness of sins for those who faithfully
honor you, ever-blessed one.
Glory to the Father, and to the
Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Kontakionfor Resurrection – Tone 8
By rising from the tomb, Thou hast raised the
dead and resurrected Adam.
Eve exults in Thy Resurrection,//and
the world celebrates Thy rising from the dead, O greatly Merciful One!
Now and ever and unto ages of
ages. Amen.
Steadfast
ProtectressTone
6(Hymn to the Theotokos)
Steadfast Protectress of
Christians, constant advocate before the Creator.Despise not the entreating cry of us sinners, but in Thy
Goodness come speedily to help us who call on Thee in faith!Hasten to hear our petition and to
intercede for us, O Theotokos!! For Thou dost always protect those who honor
Thee!
PROKEMEINONTone 8
Pray and make your vows before the Lord, our God!
v: In
Judah God is known; His name is great in Israel.
ALLELUIA VERSES
Come, let us rejoice in the
Lord! Let us make a joyful noise to God our
Savior!
Let us come before His face with
thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to Him with songs of praise!
THE HYMN TO THE THEOTOKOS
It is truly meet to bless
You, O Theotokos, ever blessed and most pure and the Mother of our God.More honorable than the Cherubim and
more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim.Without defilement, You gave birth to God the Word, true
Theotokos, we magnify You!
THE COMMUNION HYMN
Praise the Lord from the heavens! Praise Him in the highest!
Alleluia!Alleluia!Alleluia!
1. The Schedule of Services for August and August Issue of The
Enlightener are located on the table in back of church and on the table in
Daria Hall. Please pick up your New Church Directory located on the table in
the back of church!
2. On-Going Collections: Dress for Success and St. Vladimir
Non-Perishable Food Bank/Paper Goods and other collections.
3. TRAINED CPR/FIRST AIDE: Please see Darice Keyes!As well as on-going collection for
Emergency Water Supply. Please bring your water bottles to church and place
them in the Container in the Church Basement!Also, if you would like to assist with Fire Evacuation,
please see Darice.
4. Don’t forget to check out our parish website: www.saintvladimir.com!!
5. Please refer to the Table near the Candle Desk for more information
about upcoming events within the life of our church, the diocese, and many
other events
Kursk Root Icon
to Visit for St. Tikhon's Monastery for Feast-Day
With the blessing of Metropolitan
Hilarion, the Kursk Root Icon of the Most-Holy Theotokos will visit us on the
eve of August 12th until after Divine Liturgy on August 13th (for the Patronal
Feast Day of the Monastery of St. Tikhon of Zadonsk.) The Monastery Brotherhood
invites all to come and to be with them, pray with them for Vigil and Liturgy, and
be inspired and blessed by the truly miraculous presence of our Most-Holy Lady
Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary.Fr. Jason is planning on going for the Festive Celebration.If anyone is interested going, please
see Fr. Jason!
EPISTLE LESSON FOR
TODAY
1 CORINTHIANS 3:9-17
BRETHREN:
For we
are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building.According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master
builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one
take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that
which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw,each one’s work will become clear; for
the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will
test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built
on it endures, he will receive a
reward.If anyone’s work is
burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through
fire.
Do you
not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him.
For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.
GOSPEL LESSON FOR TODAY
MATTHEW 14:22-34
Let us Attend!
Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and
go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away.And when He had sent the multitudes
away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He
was alone there.But the boat was
now in the middle of the sea,tossed by the waves, for the wind was
contrary.
Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them,
walking on the sea.And when the
disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a
ghost!” And they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying,
“Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it
is You, command me to come to You on the water.”
So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the
boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.But when he saw that the wind was boisterous,he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying,
“Lord, save me!”
And
immediately Jesus stretched out His
hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you
doubt?”And when they got into the
boat, the wind ceased.
Then those who were in the boat came andworshiped
Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.”When they had crossed over, they came to the land ofGennesaret.
“The growth of fear is the beginning of love, but a
complete state of purity is the foundation of all divine knowledge.”
“He who has perfectly united his feelings to God is mystically led by
Him to an understanding of His words. But without union one cannot speak about
God.”
“Purity makes a theologian (i.e. one who knows God), who of himself
grasps the teachings of the Trinity. (The Ladder of Divine Ascent, Step 30)”
(August 1-15) – THE
DORMITION FAST – (August 1-15)
The Dormition Fast begins NEXT SUNDAY (August1) and
concludes on Sunday August 15 with the celebration of the Divine Liturgy for
the Feast of the Dormition! As a reminder, we should make every effort to
refrain from meat and dairy products during this Fasting period as well as make
an extra effort to come to the services that are offered during the week.Also, as a reminder, when hosting
coffee hour, we ought to refrain from using meat and dairy products in our
foods and beverages as we will be observing the Fasting Guidelines during this
Fasting Period in preparation for the Feast of the Dorimition of the Most-Holy
Theotokos!If anyone as any
questions or concerns about fasting or preparing foods/beverages for coffee
hour, please do not hesitate to see or contact Fr. Jason.May GOD bless you and have a blessed
and prayerful Dormition Fast!
ST. VLADIMIR ORTHODOX CHURCH WEEKLY FINANCIAL REPORT
JULY 18, 2010
CANDLES--$230.00
COFFEE HOUR---0- (First Sunday
of each Month)
COLLECTION PLATE--$277.00
ENVELOPES
Weekly--$1996.00
Parish Dues---0-
Feast
Day---0-
Flowers---0-
ARCHPRIEST EUGENE VANSUCH--
IMPROVEMENT FUND
PROSPHORA--$18.00
MISCELLANEOUS--$3545.00
DONATION TO CHURCH FOR RE-POINTING PROJECT - $550.00
DONATION TO CHURCH FOR ST. VLADIMIR PATRONAL FEAST
BANQUET - $20.00
DONATION TO CHURCH FOR GLASS CABINET – $100.00
DONATION TO CHURCH– $2875.00
TOTAL INCOME – $6066.00
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The
minutes from the Monthly Parish Council Meetings as well as the Financial
Reports as well as the
Things-to-do
List/Maintenance Projects are located in the ORANGE BINDER in the church
Basement.
These
are posted for the benefit of the parishioners.
If
you have any questions or concerns, please see Fr. Jason, Ludwig Koerte, or any
member of the Parish Council.
Always
remember, EVERYONE is invited and encouraged to come to the monthly meetings of
the Parish Council.
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We extend our
heartfelt thanks and sincere appreciation to all of you for your generosity and
prayerful support for St. Vladimir Orthodox Church! May GOD continue to bless
and guide all of you and your families!
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NEWS FOR ST. VLADIMIR ORTHODOX CHURCH
1.ANNOUNCEMENTS
IN THE WEEKLY BULLETIN
If
anyone would like to have an announcement or recognition of some sort in the
weekly bulletin or would like to have an announcement made on Sunday Morning,
please get it to Fr. Jason by Thursday Afternoon and he will make sure it is placed in
the weekly bulletin.If you have
any questions, please do not hesitate to see or contact Fr. Jason at the
Rectory/Church Office– (609) 393-1234 or on his cell phone (609) 851-3811.You may also contact Father via his
email address: jvansuch@hotmail.com.
Thank You very much for your cooperation!May God continue to bless you and guide you.
2.PARISH COUNCIL NEWS
The
Monthly meetings of the Parish Council will be held on the second Tuesday of
every month at 7:00 PM. The August monthly meeting will be held on TUESDAY
AUGUST 10 at 7:00 pm in the meeting room of the Church Hall. We express our
sincere and heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Ludwig Koerte and to all
members of the Parish Council and parishioners who come to the meetings. We
look forward to seeing all of you at these meeting as we discuss the life of
our parish. If anyone would like to discuss something at the council meeting,
please see or contact Fr. Jason and Ludwig Koerte ahead of time. Also, if any
parish council member is unable to attend the Monthly Parish Council Meeting,
kindly let Fr. Jason and Ludwig Koerte know ahead of time so that proper
arrangements may be made. May GOD continue to bless and guide all of us as we
continue the work of the Church in building up the Body of Christ here at St.
Vladimir.Thank You!
3.ON SUNDAY JULY 25,
WE WILL SING HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND MANY YEARS TO OUR
BELOVED PARISHIONERS WHO CELEBRATE THEIR BIRTHDAYS IN JULY:
Paul
Kavchok (July 2)Fr. Jason Vansuch (July 8)Victoria Cheff (July 10)Chris Kasmer (July 10)
Reader
Anthony and Ann Kasmer (July 16 - 50th Wedding Anniversary) Fr. Paul
Shafran (July 2)
John Steffero (July 2)Zinna Kusnirik (July 31)
4. ST. VLADIMIR ORTHODOX CHURCH RE-POINTING PROJECT
We would like to express our sincere and heartfelt thanks
and appreciation to everyone who has donated towards the Re-pointing Project
for our church. We appreciate your continued support and generosity for St.
Vladimir Orthodox Church.Your
continued support enables us to preserve the structural integrity of our
beloved church as well to prevent further damage to the interior beauty and
iconography. To this date we have $11,000.00 collected! Thank You for your
continued!
May GOD continue to
bless and guide all of you
with many more
blessed years of good health and happiness!
Ethiopian, Eritrean,
Italian, German, and many others!!
Face-PaintingMusic
Children’s Corner
with games and prizes
Please see the Sign-Up
Sheets on the table in the back of church more details!!
Bring your favorite dish for all to
share and enjoy!!
If anyone would like
to make a financial donation, please see Ray George!
Come and enjoy an
afternoon of Good Food, Christian Fellowship,
and Lots of Fun with
your parish family!
For more information,
please see or contact Mat. Fran or Ray George!
THE LATEST NEWS
FROM THE DIOCESE OF NEW YORK and NEW JERSEY
1) Newly Established Council of Presbyters for
Diocese of NY&NJ
The newly appointed Council of Presbyters [CP] of the Diocese of New York and
New Jersey gathered with His Grace, Bishop Michael, at the diocesan center in
Bronxville NY on July 8, 2010. In a meeting that lasted nearly five
hours, the bishop and assembled priests discussed a host of issues affecting
the life of diocese. Some of the topics that were discussed consist of the
following: Annual Matushki Gathering, Annual Clergy Retreat, Annual Church
School Gathering, Annual Parish Council Conferences, Annual Altar Server’s
Retreat, Annual Parish Life Conference and much more!
Intended to be a consultative body to the Diocesan
Bishop, the CP is comprised of twelve priests representing longevity in
pastoral vocation, breadth of pastoral experience, and contemporary pastoral
ministry at the parish level. During the meaningful discussions,
deliberations, future planning and concluding with a fellowship meal, a spirit
of congeniality and brotherly affection among the participants, as co-laborers
in Christ’s vineyard, gathered around the hierarch was clearly evident.
Information highlighting this historic meeting will be available soon in a
release from the Office of Communications.
2) The Strategic Plan Working Draft for The Orthodox Church in America
The Strategic Plan Working Draft (Orthodox Church in
America) has been released and published on the official OCA website. His
Grace, Bishop Michael, strongly encourages all clergy and faithful of the
diocese to read and review the document in preparation for upcoming
clergy/laity discussions in each deanery (“focus groups”) leading up to the
Diocesan Assembly at the Cathedral of the Holy Virgin Protection in New York
City on Tuesday, 9 November 2010.
Comments and questions regarding the Strategic Plan document are encouraged and
welcomed as this “work-in-progress” moves forward through careful review and
analysis. Those wishing to offer input on the Working Draft are encouraged to
send comments and observations to ocastratplan@oca.org. Hard copies of the
draft will be made available for sharing at the parish level, while an upcoming
issue of The Orthodox Church magazine
will be devoted to the plan.
Copies of the Strategic Plan will be made available Next Sunday on the table in
the back of church.
3) The Spiritual Court of The Diocese of New York
and New Jersey
The Diocesan Council has approved and His Grace Bishop
Michael has blessed instructions and guidacne regarding the establishment of The Spiritual Court of The Diocese of New York and
New Jersey.The Spiritual Court
consists of four (4) Clergy: The Chancellor and the Three (3) Deans plus two
layman.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
**ST. VLADIMIR
EDUCATION CORNER**
As we continue with our spiritual journey, it is very
important that we feed and nourish our souls with the food that God provides
for us through the Divine Services of the Church, through The Holy Icons,
through Holy Scripture, through the Lives of Saints, through prayer, fasting,
almsgiving, through receiving Holy Communion, and through living and
proclaiming Christ to all.
With this in mind, each week we will have an article in the
weekly bulletin about a specific topic that has been asked about or brought up
by our parishioners.These
articles will be under the section:
“ST. VLADIMIR
EDUCATION CORNER”!
If you would like to have learn information about any aspect
of The Orthodox Faith, please let Father know and he will research and provide
the information for you and for everyone.Also, you may put your thoughts or questions in the Box in the Daria
Hall marked: ‘QUESTIONS FOR FATHER JASON’!!
THE VIRTUES: KNOWLEDGE
Faith and hope go together with knowledge. They are built on
knowledge and lead to knowledge. For what is "not seen" is believed
and hoped on the basis of what is seen. And the understanding of what is seen
depends on belief and hope in what is not seen. One's belief and hope in the
ability to know, to trust his senses, his mind and the revelation of his God,
are the foundations of all knowledge.
Man was created to know God; not only to believe in Him and to hope in
Him, but to know Him and so to love Him and to serve Him. Knowledge of God is
the aim and goal of man's life, the purpose of his creation by God.
And this is eternal life, that they know Thee, the only
true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent.
0 Righteous Father, the world has not known Thee; and these know that
Thou hast sent me. I made known to them Thy name, and I will make it known,
that the love with which Thou has loved me may be in them, and I in them. (John
17.3, 25-26)
Faith, given as a gift by God, results in the knowledge of
God. The Lord desires that man would "know the truth," and so become
free from all blindness, ignorance and sin. (John 8:32) This is the central teaching of the Lord Jesus
Christ, of the law and the prophets of the Old Testament and of the apostles
and teachers of the Church.
That men might know wisdom and instruction, understand words
of insight, receive instruction in wise dealing, righteousness, justice and
equity, that prudence may be given to the simple, knowledge and discretion to
the youth ... The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise
wisdom and instruction. (Proverbs 1:1-7)
In all of his letters, the Apostle Paul prays that the
faithful would "be filled with the knowledge of Christ's will in all
spiritual wisdom and understanding, to lead a life worthy of the Lord, fully
pleasing to Him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the
knowledge of God" since "God our Savior desires all men to be saved
and to come to the knowledge of the truth." (Colossians 1:8-9, 1
Timothy 2:4)
In all of his writings, the apostle insists as well that the faithful
have "all the riches of knowledge of God's mystery of Christ in whom are
hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge," and that the "spiritual
man" has "the mind of the Lord... the mind of Christ." (Colossians
2:2-3; 1 Corinthians 2:6-16)
The Apostle John gives the same doctrine as Saint Paul when he claims
that the "Spirit of Truth" whom Christ has given in order to
"teach you all things" and to "guide you into all the truth"
(John 14:26, 16:13), is truly living in
the midst of the believers.
... you have been anointed by the Holy One and you know
all things. I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because
you know it, and know that no lie is of the truth. Who is the liar but he who
denies that Jesus is the Christ?
I write this to you about those who would deceive you; but the
anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need that
any one should teach you; as His anointing teaches you about everything, and is
true, and is no lie, just as it has taught you, abide in Him. (I John 2: 20-29)
This teaching of Saint John is in fulfillment of the
prophecy of Isaiah, quoted directly by Jesus Himself, that in the Messianic Age
of the new covenant church, "...they shall all be taught by God." (John
6:45; Isaiah 54:13)
In the spiritual tradition of the Church, the knowledge of God and His
truth is the main goal of life. "For what meaning would there be for
creation," asks Saint Athanasius the Great (4th c.), "if man should not know God?" (On
the Incarnation, Book 1) Knowledge of God,
indeed knowledge itself, according to the scriptures and the saints, is not
mere "knowledge about," the abstract knowledge of information and
rational propositions, devoid of living experience. Knowledge is primarily and
essentially an existential union, a cleaving together of the spiritual man and
the object of his knowledge. Saint Gregory of Nyssa (4th c.) has said, "The Lord does not say that it is
blessed to know something about God, but rather to possess God in
oneself." (On the Beatitudes, Sermon 6) The possession of God within the mind and heart is
the true knowledge of God. It comes through faith and repentance in the life of
the Church It comes essentially through the gracious purification from all
sinful passions.
The listing of knowledge among the virtues of man is
critically important because in the present time there exists the widespread
conviction that man is condemned to ignorance in the areas of religion and
spiritual life. While most people would grant that knowledge is possible in the
realm of natural sciences, they would deny genuine knowledge in the realm of
the Spirit. They would say that one can know the things of this physical world
'but cannot know the mysteries of God, and God Himself. Thus religion becomes a
matter of personal choice and subjective taste, devoid of any pretension to
objective truth and genuine knowledge. As we have seen, this is precisely not
the teaching of the Scriptures and the saints.
The Feast of the
Dormition of
the Righteous Anna
Commemorated
on July 25
Saint
Anna was the daughter of the priest Matthan and his wife Mary. She was of the
tribe of Levi and the lineage of Aaron. According to Tradition, she died
peacefully in Jerusalem at age 79, before the Annunciation to the Most Holy
Theotokos.
During the
reign of St Justinian the Emperor (527-565), a church was built in her honor at
Deutera. Emperor Justinian II (685-695; 705-711) restored her church, since St
Anna had appeared to his pregnant wife. It was at this time that her body and
maphorion (veil) were transferred to Constantinople.
St Anna is
also commemorated on September 9.
IMPORTANT DATES TO
REMEMBER
THE BLESSING OF
VEHICLES
Feast of the Prophet
Elias (Elijah)
After
his ministry on earth, the Prophet Elias (Elijah) was taken up to heaven in a
fiery chariot. He is therefore known as the patron saint of vehicles, reminding
us that we must struggle to manifest holiness in our lives, especially when we
travel.
To honor and celebrate
this great Feast and Holy Prophet, on TODAY, following the Divine Liturgy, we
will serve the customary service for the blessing of vehicles.
Just as we
have our homes blessed each year,
everyone is encouraged
to bring their vehicles for this special service and have them blessed with
Holy Water.
SUNDAY
JULY 25, 2010
8:40
AM – THE
THIRD and SIXTH HOURS
9:00
AM – DIVINE
LITURGY followed by
THE
SERVICE FOR THE BLESSING OF VEHICLES
Fellowship
following Services in Daria Hall!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
SUNDAY
AUGUST 1, 2010
8:40
AM – THE
THIRD and SIXTH HOURS
9:00
AM – DIVINE
LITURGY
Fellowship
following Liturgy in Daria Hall!
CHURCH
SCHOOL MEETING DURING COFFEE HOUR!!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
THURSDAY
AUGUST 5, 2010
EVE
OF THE FEAST OF THE TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD
GREAT VESPERS with LITIYA – 7:00 pm
Followed
by The Blessing of Fruits and Vegetables
FRIDAY
AUGUST 6, 2010
THE
FEAST OF THE TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD
HOURS
– 9:10 am
DIVINE
LITURGY Followed by
The
Blessing of Fruits and Vegetables – 9:30 am
On
this Particular Feast, in the Orthodox Church, it is customary for the faithful
to bring fruits and vegetables to church so they can be blessed.For those who would like to have their
fruits and/or vegetables blessed, please bring them in a basket with you when
you come for Vespers or Liturgy place them on the Blessing Table up front on
the left.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
THE DORMITION FAST
BEGINS ON AUGUST 1 and ENDS ON AUGUST 15 WITH THE CELEBRATION OF THE DIVINE
LITURGY
THE SPECIAL
MONTHLY CHARITY COLLECTION
SPECIAL
COLLECTION FOR THE MONTH OF JULY
THE ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN MISSION CENTER
The Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC) is the
official international mission agency of the Standing Conference of Canonical
Orthodox in the Americas and is located in St. Augustine, Florida.
Consonant with the Great Commission of our Lord Jesus
Christ (Matthew 28:19-20), the vision of the Orthodox Christian Mission Center
is to encourage, support and facilitate the establishment and development of
self-supporting, Eucharistic Orthodox Christian communities worldwide, thus
incorporating the person into the fullness of the life in Christ through
preaching, teaching, baptizing, and ministering to those who are in need.
Therefore,
OCMC supports the development of indigenous leaders and strengthens the
infrastructures of churches, especially in, though not limited to, countries
where Christianity is a minority, thus creating vibrant, Eucharistic Orthodox
Christian communities throughout the world.
For more
information about THE ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN MISSION CENTER please visit their
website at: www.ocmc.org!
Please take a moment to reflect upon what God
has given you, and to discern how you might be able to return to God a portion
of the blessings you have received. For more information about OCMC, please
refer to the Flyer on the bulletin board in the back of Daria Hall. You may also
want to speak with our OCMC Ambassador – Mr. Anthony Bradley!
This collection will take place on TODAY!!
As we continue to fulfill the work of Our Lord
by building up the Body of Christ here at St. Vladimir, let us open our hearts
and minds by providing support and assistance to the church and to the social
services for their good work and for those whom they help and assist.
We extend our heartfelt thanks and appreciation
to all of you and your families for your continued prayers and support.
May
GOD continue to bless you and guide you!Thank You!
If anyone has any questions or concerns, please
see or contact
Fr.
Jason!
{PRAYER BEFORE READING
HOLY SCRIPTURE}
Illumine
our hearts, O Master, loveset of mankind, with the pure light of Thy divine
knowledge.Open the eyes of our
mind to the understanding of Thy gospel teachings.Implant also in us the fear of Thy blessed commandments,
that trampling down all carnal desires, we may enter upon a spiritual manner of
living, both thinking and doing such things as are well pleasing unto Thee.
For Thou art the Illumination of our souls and
bodies, O Christ our God, and unto Thee we ascribe glory, together with Thy
Father, who is from everlasting, and Thine all-holy, good, and life-creating
Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Ninth Sunday after Pentecost Jesus Walking on the Water
Matthew 14:22-34
From The Explanation of the Gospel
of St. Matthew
by Blessed Theophylact, Archbishop
of Ochrid and Bulgaria
22. And straightway Jesus constrained His disciples to
get into a boat, and to go before Him unto the other side, while He sent the
multitudes away.
By
saying constrained, Matthew suggests how
inseparable the disciples were from Jesus, for they wanted to be with Him at
all times. He sends the multitudes away, not wishing to draw them after Him
lest He appear to vaunt in His powers.
23-24. And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went
up onto a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, He was there
alone. But the boat was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the
wind was contrary.
He
went up on the mountain to show that we should pray in an undistracted manner;
everything He did was for our sake as He Himself had no need of prayer. He
prayed on into the evening, teaching us not to cease praying after a short
time, and also to pray especially at night, for it is very quiet then. He
permits the disciples to be caught in a storm, so that they might learn to
endure trials bravely and know His power. The boat was out in the very middle
of the sea so that their fear would be greater.
25-27. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went
unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the
sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.
But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Take courage; it is I; be not
afraid.
He
did not appear immediately to them to calm the storm, but at the fourth watch,
[that is, as the night was coming to its end], teaching us not to ask for a
swift solution to our misfortunes but to endure them bravely. The night was
divided into four parts by soldiers who stood guard in shifts, each
"watch" lasting three hours. So then, sometime after the ninth hour
of the night, the Lord appeared to them as God, walking on the water. But they
thought it was a phantom, so extraordinary and strange was the sight. For they
did not recognize Him by figure, because it was night and because of fear. He
first strengthens their resolve by saying: "It is I
Who can do all things; take courage."
28. And Peter answered Him and said, Lord, if it be Thou,
bid me come unto Thee on the water.
As
Peter had the most fervent love for Christ, he desires immediately, before the
others, to be near Him. For he believes not only that Jesus Himself walks on
the water, but that He will grant this to him as well. Peter did not say,
"Bid me to walk," but rather to come unto Thee.
The former would have been ostentation; the latter is love for Christ.
29-30. And He said, Come. And when Peter was come down
out of the boat, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the
mighty wind, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, Lord,
save me.
The
Lord laid the sea down beneath Peter's feet, revealing His power. See how Peter
prevailed over that which was greater, the sea, but was afraid of the lesser
peril, the wind; such is the weakness of human nature. And it was as soon as he
became afraid that he began to sink. When his faith weakened, then he went down.
The Lord did this so that Peter would not become puffed up, and to console the
other disciples who perhaps envied him. Whereupon Christ also showed how much
greater He was than Peter.
31-33. And immediately Jesus stretched forth His hand,
and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, of what didst thou
doubt? And when they were come into the boat, the wind ceased. Then they that
were in the boat came and worshipped Him, saying, Of a truth Thou art the Son
of God.
Showing
that the cause of his sinking was not the wind but faintheartedness, Christ
does not rebuke the wind, but the fainthearted Peter. This is why He raised him
up and set him on the water, but allowed the wind to blow. Peter did not doubt
in everything, but in part. Inasmuch as he was afraid, he showed lack of faith;
but by crying out, Lord, save me, he was healed of
his unbelief. This is why he hears the words, O thou of
little faith, and not "O thou of no faith." Those in the boat
were also delivered from fear, for the wind ceased.
And then indeed, recognizing Jesus by these things, they confessed His
divinity. For it is not an attribute of man to walk on the sea, but of God, as
David says, In the sea are Thy byways, and Thy paths in
many waters [Ps. 76:19]. The spiritual meaning of the miracle is this:
the boat is the earth; the waves, man's life troubled by evil spirits; the
night, ignorance. In the fourth watch, that is, at the end of the ages, Christ
appeared. The first watch was the covenant with Abraham; the second, the law of
Moses; the third, the prophets; and the fourth, the coming of Christ. For He
saved those who were drowning when He came and was with us so that we might
know and worship Him as God. See also how Peter's later denial, return, and
repentance were prefigured by what happened to him here on the sea. Just as
there he says boldly, "I will not deny Thee", so here he says, Bid me come unto Thee on the water. And just as then he
was permitted to deny, so now he was permitted to sink. Here the Lord gives His
hand to him and does not let Him drown, and there, by Peter's repentance,
Christ drew him out of the abyss of denial.
34-36. And when they had crossed over, they came to the
land of Gennesaret. And when the men of that place had knowledge of Him, they
sent out into all that country round about, and brought unto Him all that were
diseased; and besought Him that they might only touch the hem of His garment:
and as many as touched were made perfectly whole.
Jesus
stayed for some time in Gennesaret, and the people recognized Him not only by
sight but by the signs which He worked, and they showed fervent faith. So much
so that they even desired to touch the hem of His garment, and indeed, when
they did so, they were healed. You also, O reader, touch the edge of Christ's
garment, which is the end of His sojourning in the flesh. For if you believe
that He ascended, you will be saved. The garment means His flesh, and its hem,
the end of His life on earth.
Orthodoxy in America
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