Ambo ST. THEODOSIUS ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL. October 18, th Sunday After Pentecost. Holy Apostle and Evangelist Luke

Transcription

1 Ambo ST. THEODOSIUS ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL 733 Starkweather Ave. Cleveland, Ohio Mailing: 733 Starkweather Avenue Cleveland, Ohio 4411 T F October 18, th Sunday After Pentecost Holy Apostle and Evangelist Luke ST JOHN THE ABBOT OF RILA IN BULGARIA (October 19) Archpriest John Zdinak Dean Priest Svetislav Mirolovich Dn. Daniel Boerio Subdeacon Theodore Lentz Reader Julius Kovach Ecclesiarch & Choirmaster Divine Services Eve Sundays & Feast Days 5:00 PM Confessions 6:00 PM Great Vespers Sundays and Feast Days 8:40 AM 3rd and 6th Hour 9:00 AM Divine Liturgy Fr. John Office Hours Tuesday & Wednesday 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM *Articles for publication in the AMBO should be submitted to: AMBO@sttheodosius.org by Wednesday of each week before noon. St. Theodosius Orthodox Cathedral Ambo - Page 1

2 Saint John of Rila the Miracle Worker, who is this country s patron, is treated with reverence by most Bulgarians. He was born in 876 in the village of Skrino, South western Bulgaria. After the death of his parents, John gave away his family s possessions and sought solitude in the monasteries nearby. First he went to Mount Vitosha by present-day Sofia and then to Mount Rila, South western Bulgaria. Several years later he became a monk and after studying the holy Writ, he left the monasteries. Observing a strict fast and spending his days and nights in prayer, the hermit spent almost 40 years in the mountains. Throughout these years he had no roof over his head or any way of warming himself; he ate berries he found in the forest and roots. And although it was his ardent wish to remain anonymous, shepherds and hunters spread his fame far and wide. People came from distant places to obtain his blessing, to be instructed and healed by him and this made him all the more famous. Concerned about his numerous followers, the hermit advised them to build a monastery. In the course of around 10 years, John was the abbot of this brotherhood. When he realized that his days were numbered, Saint John of Rila left the monastery and died in complete isolation at the age of 70 not far from the monastery itself on August 18, 946. On that date, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church marks the saint s assumption. In the 60 s of the 10th century his body was found, untouched by decay. Since that day, his remains have never been buried they are preserved in a sarcophagus, where believers still flock. First they were displayed in the city of Sredetz (the Medieval name of the present Bulgarian capital Sofia), and later in the capital of the Bulgarian Kings from the 12 to the 14th century Turnovgrad, Northern Bulgaria. After the city s fall under Ottoman domination rule at the end of the 15th century, the remains of Saint John were taken to the Rila monastery, where they remain to this day. Bulgaria s Saint John of Rila, Miracle Worker Monastery Bulgaria s biggest monastery, named after Saint John of Rila, the Miracle Worker, also known as Rila Monastery, is one of 9 national landmarks on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The monastery is the most influential spiritual centre in the country and the second biggest on the Balkan Peninsula. Located in the north western part of Mount Rila at an altitude of 1150 m above sea level, near two mountain brooks, amidst magnificent scenery the monastery is only 120 km away from the Bulgarian capital city Sofia. Founded in the 10th century by the monk hermit, who was later named Bulgaria s patron saint, John, and his disciples during the reign of King Petar ( A.D.) the Monastery originated near the cave in which he dwelt. The saint preached incessantly the Orthodox faith, which the Bulgarian nation had adopted a century earlier. Saint John of Rila became the forefather of the first monastic brotherhood in the Bulgarian lands. He was canonized in 946 soon after he passed away. His relics are being kept at the Monastery to this day. St. Theodosius Orthodox Cathedral Ambo - Page 2

3 Over the centuries Rila Monastery has known days of glory and decay. One thing is certain though: the site has always enjoyed the favour of the ruling medieval monarchs, who have made generous donations. Around 1335 the local lord Stefan Dragolov, nicknamed Hrelyo, built the initial compound, which consisted of a residential wing, a turret and a single nave church. Unfortunately, only the tower has survived to this day, and has been named after the lord s name, Hrelyo Tower. On the top floor stands a small chapel, named after God s Transfiguration. The chapel is richly decorated with murals and authentic icon paintings of intransient artistic value. The earliest among them date back to the 14th c. and represent three scenes from the life of Saint John of Rila. The oldest preserved icon of the saint also dates back to that time. During the centuries of Ottoman domination Rila Monastery had been set to fire and reduced to ashes, and the monks had been driven away. But in the late 15th century three brothers set to the task of rebuilding the holy site, Joasaphus, David and Teophanous assisted by the Russian monastery on Mount Athos. Russian monarchs and Moldovan chieftains also gave their contribution to the preservation of the monastery as a stronghold of Orthodoxy and Orthodox literary legacy. With the onset of the National Revival Movement, after the second half of the 18th century, the Monastery experienced a period of upsurge. The present-day compound was built in the early 19th century. It is rectangular in shape and spreads over a territory of 8,800 sq.m. The Hrelyo Tower and the Holy Virgin Nativity main church stand in the Monastery s courtyard, whereas the four-winged residential area houses more than 300 monk cells and four smaller chapels. The Monastery s murals and wood carved ceilings are the work of Bulgaria s foremost icon painters and woodcarvers, amongst whom the names of Zacharias, the Icon Painter, Stanislav Dospevski, and Dimitar and Simeon Molerov stand out. The Gospel scenes are dominated by representations of Bulgarian, Russian and Serbian saints. The iconostasis at the main altar is pure tracery gilt woodwork, and has been covered in gold-plate. It is one of the masterpieces of the Samokov School of Master Wood Carvers. Another invaluable work of art kept at the Monastery s Museum is the only one of its kind wood carved crucifix made by monk Raphael in the 18th century. The piece is 81cm x 43cm and contains 104 religious scenes and 650 miniature figurines. It took the artist 12 years to complete, by which time he had gone completely blind. The Rila Monastery is shelter to some 250 manuscripts from the 11th to the 19th century, 9,000 religious incunabula, music scores, etc. The most valuable among those are the Glagolithic Papers from the 10th-11th century, two Gospels on parchment from the 13th century, a psalm-book, the famous 1577 Gospel with a gild-plate by a famous 16th century Sofia goldsmith, and of course, the Written Legacy of the Patron Saint to his followers. The most important thing in life is to have faith and to live by God s laws. Gluttony and greed keep man off God s path, the Legacy reads. The Monastery has always served as a source of eternal comfort for the Bulgarian soul. It has always held services in the Religious Slavic language and the clergy has always preached to the parish in the Bulgarian language. St. Theodosius Orthodox Cathedral Ambo - Page 3

4 DEPARTED: Elena Dascalescu + 9/12/09 (Lavinia Morris Mother) Charles Vorell + 9/12/09 (John Vorell s Brother) Fr. Michael Conrad + 9/23/09 Nina Novak + 10/02/09 Ill Afflicted & Special Intentions Fr. Anthony Dimitri Fr. Stephen Jula Helen Antonik Dan Arangelovich Jerry Arangelovich Alice Artino Helen Baldner John Baranich Carol Bohurjak John Conrad Eugene Erhardt Tony Eschuk PRAYER REQUESTS Gloria Gindlesperger (Sister-In-Law) Larry Gindlesperger (Brother-In-Law) Phyllis Gindlesperger Julia Grabowski Maria Hanzel Donna Jacak Paul Kappanadze (son of Fr. Jason Kappanadze) Sarah Kersey Dorothy Laskovich Paul Laskovich Shane, Sierra and Taylor McNeilly Brian Nemec (Frank Tkacz s Godson) Walter & Grace Parhamovich (Karen Felon s parents) Natalie Ponomarenko David Roman (Nephew of Margaret Rusynyk) Mary Ann Silberhorn Elsie Sudnick Barbara Thompson (Phyllis Gindlesperger s Sister-In-Law) Donald Tipka Dome Lighters Hannah Ward (God Child of Fr. Andrew Stevens) Harrison Ward (God Child of Fr. Andrew Stevens) Helen Zawisza (Joseph Rusynyk s sister) Julia Zimmerman Denise Zweifel (Sister of Marshall Prock) Grant & Stephanie Dever & Unborn Child (Fr. John s Niece) Anthony & Nikol Gammalo (Nickol Zdinak) & Unborn Child The Catechumens Erik & Gwen Hasselquist & Unborn Child Miki McNally & Unborn Child (Cindy Zdinak s Cousin) Nathan & Chelsea Pozderac & Unborn Child (Cindy Zdinak s Nephew) Donations to offset the cost of lighting the domes can be made for the health of or in memory of your loved ones. Contact the Parish Office if you are interested. For the week of October 18 In memory of Ann Shleva by the Tabeling family. For the weeks of October 18 - November 8 In loving memory of Grandparents, Joseph and Jennie Shutelock Smodich and Mother, Frances Louise Smodich Cline (15th Anniversary) by Mary Lee Cline Erhardt May their memory be Eternal. BIBLE READINGS FOR THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 18 October 18 2 Cor. 11:31-12:9 Luke 8:5-15 October 20 Phil. 2:17-23 Luke 9:23-27 October 23 Phil. 3:8-19 Luke 10:1-5 October 19 Phil. 2:12-16 Luke 9:18-22 October 21 Phil. 2:24-30 October 24 1 Cor. 1:8-11 Luke 9:44-50 Luke 7:2-10 October 22 Phil. 3:1-8 Luke 9:49-56 St. Theodosius Orthodox Cathedral Ambo - Page 4

5 Welcome Visitors Our parish welcomes you and thanks you for joining us at today s Divine Liturgy. While only Orthodox Christians may approach the chalice for Holy Communion, everyone is welcome to partake of the Holy Bread after Liturgy. You are also invited to join us for fellowship in the Parish Hall following Liturgy. COFEE HOUR & GREETERS SCHEDULES Coffee Hour Hosts: Greeters: 10/18/09 Mary Swit & Tammy Ponomarenko Linda Smotzer &Paul Pangrace 10/25/09 Donna Jacak Eileen Bondor 11/01/09 Nick & Kate Zolikoff Phyllis Gindlesperger & Virginia Medvec 11/08/09 Albert Jacob Casey Debby Pinta & Maca Tyler 11/15/09 Cindy Zdinak, Jean Homik Sonia Vorell and Thomas Broslawik and Jennifer Boerio For your convenience, we will have HOMEMADE APRICOT, NUT and POPPYSEED ROLLS for sale at every Sunday s Coffee Hour. The price is $8.00. Homemade rolls are also available at the Ridge Manor Party Center. Please call Sharon Glagola at: FOCA GOD S GIFTS TO US - OUR GIFTS TO GOD Weekly expenses: $ 6, Last week s collection $ 4, Over/Under < $ 2, > Attendance Members 105 Visitors 5 Total 110 will be selling Russian Black Bread TODAY, OCT. 18 at the Parish Hall. All proceeds go to St. Tikhon s Married Seminarian Housing DONATIONS ACCEPTED PLEASE NOTE: Nut Roll baking for Monday, Oct. 19 has been cancelled.. BAKERS NEEDED COOKIES Tuesdays: Oct. 20, Oct. 27, Nov. 3 9:00 AM at Ridge Manor NUT, POPPYSEED & APRICOT ROLLS Mondays: Oct. 26 Nov. 3 and Nov. 9 10:00 AM at Ridge Manor Please call Phyllis Gindlesperger at (216) or Virginia Medvec at (440) if you have any questions or if you would like to volunteer. St. Theodosius Orthodox Cathedral Ambo - Page 5

6 STEWARDSHIP - ENVELOPES Please use your assigned church envelopes to ensure that each parishioner receives their proper credit for all donations. If you do not have an assigned envelope number, please see the Treasurer, Mary Lee Erhardt. Thank You. STS. PETER AND PAUL RUSSIAN Orthodox Church will be selling Entertainment Books for the Lakewood Art Club. $30.00 each. Please contact George or Dolly Manzuk at Parish Council News PARISH COUNCIL MEETING Tuesday, October 20 6:00 Ridge Manor DID YOU KNOW? If you are a member of St. Theodosius Cathedral and purchase a cemetery plot for yourself at our cemetery, the $ Perpetual Care fee is waived. This applies to the members and their dependent children only. Adult children must be members on their own. (Member is defined as: One who pays their yearly dues, or from year 2008 forward, makes a yearly pledge.) FOCA DINNER & A MOVIE Thursday, October 29 6:00 PM at Hoggies in Valley View Everyone is WELCOME!! Contact Darrell Felon at FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING Wednesday, November 4 4:30 Manor 3RD BOYS NIGHT OUT The 3rd Boys Night Out will be on Sunday, Nov. 8, at 5:00PM Additional information to follow......contact Dan Morris to sign up! St. Theodosius Orthodox Cathedral Ambo - Page 6

7 St. Theodosius Orthodox Cathedral Ambo - Page 7 2. Although repair to the three rose windows has only to find that they have no money to help us. We have checked with the Historic Preservation Society pews, and the subsequent restoration of the iconography! to repair the plaster damage that we can see from the You will notice that the projects listed above do not begin contractor. The details of the repairs are yet to be received from each our front steps ranging from $1000 to $ Several bids have been received for the repair to repellant netting needs to be replaced; projected cost $10, To keep birds from nesting on our church, the needed; costs estimates are $3800 for this work. painting of large windows behind the altar are also been funded by recent donations, similar calking and ined. repair costs are unknown until the dome is carefully exam- just to bring in a crane to examine the problem; complete tral dome. The repair costs will begin with a $6900 charge 1. A water leak has been noticed in the large cen- of the following situations: that it is important that the parish community be advised maintenance issues needed by the Cathedral. Because of the extensive costs of these repairs, the Council thought The Parish Council has recently been advised of several

8 Sunday, October 18 HOLY APOSTLE AND EVANGELIST LUKE 9:00 AM Divine Liturgy 6:00 PM How To Matthew, N. Royalton Weekly Schedule SPECIAL OCTOBER COLLECTION YOUTH ACTIVITIES Thursday, October 22 St. Abercius Equal-To-The-Apostles Bishop Of Hieropolis 11:00 AM Faith Manor Monday, October 19 Prophet Joel Relics Ven. John Of Rila BL. Cleopatra Friday, October 23 Holy Apostle Jacob (James) Brother Of The Lord Tuesday, October 20 Greatmartyr Artemius Righteous Child Artemy Ven. Matrona Of Chios 9:00 AM Cookie Manor 6:00 PM Parish Council Ridge Manor Wednesday, October 21 Ven. Hilarion The Great Ven. Visarion, Sarai And Sophronia Saturday, October 24 Memorial (Demetrius) Saturday Martyr Arethas & Companions BL. Elesbaan 4:30 PM Church School 6:00 PM Great Vespers Sunday, October 25 Martyrs Marcian And Martyrius, The Notaries St. Tabitha 9:00 AM Divine Liturgy 6:00 PM How To Matthew, N. Royalton St. Theodosius Orthodox Cathedral 733 Starkweather Avenue Cleveland, Ohio St. Theodosius Orthodox Cathedral Ambo - Page 8