Commemorating Saint Tarasius the Archbishop of Constantinople

Transcription

1 SUNDAY MARCH ARCH 10, 2019 Forgiveness Sunday Expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise Commemorating Saint Tarasius the Archbishop of Constantinople Welcome Visitors! Dobro nam Došli! MAY YOU BE BLESSED WITH AN EVER DEEPENING AWARENESS OF THE LOVE OF THE CRUCIFIED AND RISEN LORD, JESUS CHRIST! ST. NICHOLAS SERBIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH FR. CHRISTOPHER ROCKNAGE, RECTOR 601 S. Harrisburg Street, Steelton, PA am Matins ~ 10 am Divine Liturgy

2 ST. N. NICHOLAS SERBIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH is a parish of the Eastern Diocese of the Serbian Orthodox Church under the Omophorion of His Grace, Bishop IRINEJ, pastored by Father Christopher Rocknage. OUR VISION: To be a strong and vibrant community, enabling parishioners to live the fullness of the Orthodox Faith in our Lord, Jesus Christ, "as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God." (I Cor. 4:1) OUR MISSION: To teach, assist, and provide the environment for stewards to live the message of our Lord Jesus Christ in their daily lives through worship, witness, outreach, stewardship, service, education and fellowship. Special Hymns RESURRECTION TROPARION TONE 8 You descended from on high, O Merciful One! You accepted the three day burial to free us from our sufferings! O Lord, our Life and Resurrection, glory to You! HOLY FATHER NICHOLAS TROPARION TONE 4 Truly you were revealed to your flock as a rule of faith, an image of humility and a teacher of abstinence; your humility exalted you; your poverty enriched you. Hierarch Father Nicholas, entreat Christ our God that our souls may be saved. HOLY FATHER TARASIUS TROPARION TONE 3 You shone forth as a light of the Spirit, adorned with an exemplary life and clothed in hierarchical vesture. You stilled the turbulence of heresy and became a pillar and foundation of the Church, which praises your struggles, Holy Father Tarasius. LENTEN TRIODION KONTAKION TONE 6 O Master, Teacher of wisdom, Bestower of virtue, Who teaches the thoughtless and protects the poor, strengthen and enlighten my heart! O Word of the Father, let me not restrain my mouth from crying to You: Have mercy on me, a transgressor, O merciful Lord! HYMN TO THE MOTHER OF GOD KONTAKION TONE 6 Steadfast Protectress of Christians and constant Advocate before the Creator; despise not the cry of us sinners, but come speedily to help those who call on You in faith. Hasten to hear our petition and to intercede for us, O Theotokos, for You always protect those who honor You! Readers Matins: Nicholas Ressetar Epistle: Jevgenija Radanovic Next Week: Lenny Tepsich Epistle: Lenny Tepsich

3 Weekly Scripture Readings Sunday March 10 Monday March 11 Tuesday March 12 Wednesday March 13 Epistle: Romans 13: 11 14: 4 Isaiah 1: 1-20 Genesis 1:1-13 Isaiah 1:19-2:3 Genesis 1:14-23 Isaiah 2:3-11 Genesis 1:24-2:3 Gospel: Matthew 6: Proverbs 1:1-20 Proverbs 1:20-33 Proverbs 2: 1-22 Thursday March 14 Friday March 15 Saturday March 16 Sunday March 17 Isaiah 2:11-22 Genesis 2:4-19 Isaiah 3:1-14 Genesis 2:20-3:20 Hebrews 1: 1-12 Hebrews 11:24-26,32-12:2 Proverbs 3:1-18 Proverbs 3: Mark 2: 23-3:5 John 1: HOLY SCRIPTURES MATINS GOSPEL: 8th Resurrection Gospel: John 20:11-18 At that time, Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. Then they said to her, Woman, why are you weeping? She said to them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him. Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking? She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away. Jesus said to her, Mary! She turned and said to Him, Rabboni! (which is to say, Teacher). Jesus said to her, Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God. Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her. CHURCH OFFICE HOURS Normal office hours are Monday thru Friday from 9:00 am until noon. You may call the office during these hours at (717) or come by the office in person. Office hours will be adjusted when services are occurring during those hours.

4 EPISTLE: Romans 13: 11 14: 4 DEACON: Let us pay attention. PRIEST: Peace be unto all! READER: And with your spirit! DEACON: Wisdom. READER: The Prokeimenon in the Eighth Tone: Pray and make your vows before the Lord, our God! CHOIR: READER: CHOIR: Pray and make your vows before the Lord, our God! v: In Judah God is known; His name is great in Israel. Pray and make your vows before the Lord, our God! READER: Pray and make your vows... CHOIR: DEACON: Wisdom! READER: before the Lord, our God! The Reading is from the Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Romans DEACON: Let us attend! READER: Brethren, do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awaken out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent; the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in rioting and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts. Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him. Who are you to judge another s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand. PRIEST: Peace be unto you, reader! READER: And with your spirit! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia! CHOIR: READER: CHOIR: READER: CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia! It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to Your Name, O Most High. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia! To declare Your mercy in the morning, and Your truth by night. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

5 АПОСТОЛ: Римљанима 13:11-14:4 Ђакон: Пазимо Свештеник: Мир свима! Читач: Ђакон: Читач : Хор: Читач: Хор: Читач: Хор: Ђакон: Читач: Ђакон: Читач: I Духу Твоме! Премудрост ПРОКИМЕН- глас 8 Завјетујте се и испуните завјете Господу Богу нашем. Завјетујте се и испуните завјете Господу Богу нашем. Познат је у Јудеји Бог, у Израиљу је велико име Његово. Завјетујте се и испуните завјете Господу Богу нашем. Завјетујте се и испуните завјете Господу Богу нашем. Премудрост Читање је од посланице Светог апостола Павла до Римљанима Пазимо Браћо, тим прије што знате вријеме, да је већ час да устанемо од сна, јер нам је сада 1 спасење ближе него кад повјеровасмо. Ноћ поодмаче, а дан се приближи. Одбацимо, дакле, дјела таме и обуцимо се у оружје свјетлости. Да ходимо поштено као по дану: не у пировању и пијанству, не у разврату и бестидности, не у свађи и зависти. Него се обуците у Господа Исуса Христа; и старање за тијело не претварајте у похоте. Треба сносити слабе и не саблажњавати браћу. Царство Божије је у Духу Светом, Славослов Богу. А слабога у вјери примајте, без расправљања о мишљењима. Јер један вјерује да смије све јести, а који је слаб једе зеље. Који једе нека не презире онога који не једе; и који не једе нека не осуђује онога који једе, јер га Бог прими. Ко си ти што осуђујеш туђега слугу? Својему господару он стоји или пада. Али ће стајати, јер је Бог моћан да га усправи. Свештеник: Мир свима Читачу! Читач: Хор: Читач: Хор: Читач: Хор: I Духом Твоме! Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа Добро је исповједати се Господу, и пјевати Имену Твоме Вишњи. Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа Објављивати ујутро милост Твоју и истину Твоју током ноћи. Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа

6 LITURGY GOSPEL: Matthew 6: For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. OCCGH partnering with the Bethesda Mission OCCGH is now partnering with the Bethesda Mission to serve a lunch for approximately 20 women and children on the second Saturday of each month. If anybody is interested in participating, or for additional information, please contact Andrea Gunther. Volunteers should plan to be at the center from 10am-1pm on the designated Saturday. Weekly Schedule Monday 3/11 Tuesday 3/12 Wednesday 3/13 Thursday 3/14 Friday 3/15 Saturday 3/16 Clean Monday 6:30 pm Great Canon of St Andrew Confessions Clean Tuesday 6:30 pm Great Canon of St Andrew Confessions Clean Wednesday 12 noon PO Bible Study 6:30 pm Great Canon of St Andrew Confessions Clean Thursday 6:30 pm Great Canon of St Andrew Confessions Clean Friday 5 pm Confessions 6:30 pm Pre-Sanctified w/ blessing of Koljevo & potluck fellowship 2:30 pm PO Choir (York) 5 pm Triumph of Orthodoxy Vespers (Holy Annunciation, York) with Miraculous Icon

7 ЈЕВАНЂЕЉЕ: Матеј 6: И рече Господ, ако опростите људима сагрјешења њихова, опростиће и вама Отац ваш небески. Ако ли не опростите људима сагрјешења њихова, ни Отац ваш неће опростити вама сагрјешења ваша. А кад постите, не будите суморни као лицемјери: јер они натмуре лица своја да се покажу људима како посте. Заиста вам кажем: примили су плату своју. А ти када постиш, намажи главу своју, и лице своје умиј, Да те не виде људи гдје постиш, него Отац твој који је у тајности; и Отац твој који види тајно, узвратиће теби јавно. Не сабирајте себи блага на земљи, гдје мољац и рђа квари, и гдје лопови поткопавају и краду; Него сабирајте себи блага на небу, гдје ни мољац ни рђа не квари, и гдје лопови не поткопавају и не краду. Јер гдје је благо ваше, ондје ће бити и срце ваше. March Charity St George Orthodox Military Association, Las Cruces, NM St. George Orthodox Military Association (SGOMA) is a pan-orthodox organization established in 2009 to support all Orthodox Christian men and women in US military service. Among SGOMA s goals are; facilitating Orthodox Christians practice of the faith during their service no matter where they are stationed; promoting a larger, broader Orthodox Christian chaplaincy in all service branches; and assuring Orthodox Christian servicemen and women have access to resources and information of the faith. SGOMA is in the process of developing several new programs including increasing recognition and support from parishes, providing Orthodox service books and survival packages for military members, developing podcasts to be aired via Ancient Faith Radio ( developing home catechetical study programs for military families, and establishing an Orthodox Pen Pal program for those serving in the military. This is an import ministry for a special group of Orthodox Christians who are serving our country. The link to the website: Page PLEASE SEND ALL BULLETIN REQUESTS TO THE CHURCH OFFICE AT office@stnicholassteelton.org. You may also call at (717) BULLETIN DEADLINE: WEDNESDAY AT 11AM.

8 In Our Prayers Metropolitan Paul, Archbishop Youhanna, Protopresbyter Srboljub and Protinica Ljubica Jockovic, Priest Ioan Comanescu, the child Katie Elizabeth and her parents Mileva and Michael Repasky, the child Metodija and his parents Milan and Mira Damljanovic, the child Danijela and her parents Mark and Jennifer Belo, Kristin Goodling and the newborn Isla Grace, the newborn Luka Ponorac, the newborn Nathaniel Dušan Rocknage, the newborn Mya Rose Petrovich, newborn Bo Hudson Paddock, the newborn Carter Roxann, the newborn Adeline Jane and Peter George Meadow, the newborn John Nicholas Hernjak, the newborn Mila Ann Livingston, Cassandra Semic and the child to be born of her, Bethany Peterson and the child to be born of her, Heidi Abraham, Olga Atty, Dori Bert, Jonathan Bertsch, Carole Blitva, Stephan and Barbara Blitva, Milica Christ, Tori Cox, Orlando Donato, Tommy and Kara (Blitva) Dorsey, Alex Filepas, Daniel Garcia, Michael Geppert III, Dr Andrea Govelovich, Terry Govelovich, Philip Gruich, Basil Havalchak, Adam Herigan, Edith Herigan, Georgianne Herigan, Rick & Lynn Hoffman, Anastasia Jacobs, Susan Jacobs, Zora Jurkovic, Spencer Klinge, Olga Klipa, Dorothy Tootsie Krnjaich, Peter Lalic, Goran Lazarevic, Chloe Lewis, Dianne Martin, Jean Martin, Jack McFall, Annabelle McLaughlin, Marija Miljkovic, Bozidar (Bob) Mrgich, Peter Mrgich, Lila Packer, Daniel Paddock, Peggy Radanovic, Kelly Rajkovic, Rebecca Reynolds, George Rocknage, Stanley Semic, Steven Semic, Benjamin Shaffer, Tracey Stanovich, Tim Stefan, Leonard Tepsich, Leroy Tepsich Jr, Ljubomir Lou and Biserka Helen Vasity, Madison Vorkapich, Pero Vujasinovich, Kristina Vukalo, Steve Vulich, Paula Werner, Draga Worman Those Who Need Special Care HOMELAND CENTER: Mary Yanich; JEWISH COMMUNITY: Camille Kormushoff; MANOR CARE: William Trayer; MASONIC HOME ELIZABETHTOWN: Ann Lubic, Jim Mihailoff; Seattle, WA: Catherine Shank; RS: Cedo Lukic Those Who Are Currently Deployed Nicholas Chung Our College Students Linsay Barry, Kaitlin Christ, Alex Filepas, Stefan Gligorevic, Bojan Lazarevic, Tomislav Lojpur, Nikolas Lukic, Andrea Matovich, Igor Pejcic, Ioanna Radanovic, Kyranna Radanovic, Inna Reznitchenko, Maxim Reznitchenko, Joshua Swartz, Philip Werner Our Dearly Departed Loved Ones: Dr Ramon Murphy, Nathan Zapcic, Lillian Berkich, Mary Amy Filepas, Milica Petrovich Please continue to pray for all of those currently being persecuted for Christ's sake in Kosovo, Metohija, Palestine, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Iran, Kenya, Nigeria, Libya, Pakistan, Egypt, the Sudan, China, North Korea, for all of our brothers and sisters in Christ suffering throughout the world, that they might be comforted with the Joy of our Lord, for all of those suffering in the war in the Ukraine, for all our men and women who are serving in the Middle East and around the world, that the peace of our Lord may come upon them, and for all of those who are in need in our local community. LET US PRAY TO THE LORD!

9 Parastos to be Offered VJECNAJA PAMJAT! MEMORY ETERNAL! GEORGE KRNJAIC Offered today after Liturgy, by his family, in loving memory of his 6 month repose. Vigils Offered LOU VASITY Offered with great joy and in celebration of his 99th birthday. May God grant you many more years. Mnogaja Ljeta! With much love from your fellow SSS Marinkovich singers. PEGGY & SAM RADANOVIC Offered prayerfully by Arlene & Pete for improvement in health and God s blessings and loving care during Peggy s recovery. MICHAEL GEPPERT Offered prayerfully by Mom & Dad for improvement in health and God s blessings and loving care during his recovery. DAN PADDOCK Offered by the Reigel, Hewitt & Mrgich family, for God s blessings during Dan s ongoing recovery and that He will return Dan to good health. DR RAMON MURPHY Offered in loving memory for newly departed Ramon who reposed in the Lord last Monday. We pray for his peaceful repose and that his family may be comforted by precious memories of him. Ramon was a widely recognized, popular pediatrician in the greater New York City area and the husband of our good friend and Kuma, Dr. Lila Kalinich. Ramon "fought the good fight, finished the race and kept the faith." May the Lord count him among the righteous. Given by the Yanich and Matich family. Memory Eternal! Vjecnaja Pamjat! MARY KAUFFMAN Offered in loving memory for Mary who reposed in the Lord 21 years ago (March 8). Given with love by daughter Dr Linda Wolf and grandson Matthew Wolf. Vjecnaja Pamjat! Memory Eternal! GEORGE LUBIC Offered in love and remembrance of his repose (30 years March 10), daughters Rinnie, Jill and families. Vjecnaja Pamjat! Memory Eternal! VERONICA KRNJAICH Offered in loving memory of my beloved mother s repose (36 years March 12). I pray for her heavenly repose and eternal life. Sadly missed and always in my prayers and heart, by daughter Tootsie. Vjecnaja Pamjat! Memory Eternal! GEORGE KRNJAIC Offered today in loving memory of his 6 month repose (Sept 17), by his family. Vjecnaja Pamjat! Memory Eternal! Bulletin Board WELCOME TO ST. NICHOLAS! We warmly welcome all visitors to our St. Nicholas Community this week, and invite and encourage you to join us in the hall after Divine Liturgy for fellowship.

10 RITE OF FORGIVENESS Directly after the Liturgy, we will offer the rite of forgiveness to one another as a beginning to the Holy Lenten season. Our sins affect the world around us, especially those in our parish. Thus, even if we don t know someone well, we still need to ask forgiveness of them. This is not an optional beginning to Lent but one that is necessary so that we might begin the Lenten season in love, holding no offense with anyone. GREAT LENT BEGINS TOMORROW Let us begin the Fast with Joy! This afternoon, we will begin the prayers for Great Lent with Forgiveness Vespers at 3 pm. You will notice that as we are asking forgiveness of one another, the choir will be singing Paschal Hymns. It is a beautiful reminder that God is with us always and forever! PAN-ORTHODOX CHOIR REHEARSAL Fr. Chris invites all singers to participate in the Pan-Orthodox Choir for the Triumph of Orthodoxy Vespers Service. Next rehearsal is on Saturday, March 16 at 2:30pm at Holy Annunciation in York. Vespers is on Saturday, March 16 at 5pm in York. TRIUMPH OF ORTHODOXY On Saturday, March 16th at 5 pm, the Orthodox Council of Churches of South Central PA will concelebrate the Triumph of Orthodoxy Vespers service at Holy Annunciation in York. SUNDAY OF ORTHODOXY PROCESSION The celebration of the Triumph of Orthodoxy will continue during liturgy next week. Please bring an icon from home to carry during our procession at the end of liturgy. SAINT NICHOLAS SENIORS The next Seniors meeting will be March 19 at 12 noon in the Church Social Hall. This will be a posno luncheon and we are asking for posno desserts. Please let Sue Petrovich know if you can bring a posno dessert. Thanks and looking forward to seeing you! VISITATION REQUESTS Just a reminder: Fr. Chris is willing to visit anyone who requests. If you would like to schedule a visit to talk with Fr. Chris, please do so directly with him either through phone or . If you are able to come to office hours, this is another way to reach Fr. Chris. This also includes visits to those who are shut-in and would like to receive Holy Confession and Holy Communion LENTEN RETREAT: The Arena The Battle of Lent Did you know? The DEADLINE is approaching! If you are not receiving envelopes and wish to OR If you are receiving envelopes and no longer wish to receive them OR you need to make an address change, you must inform the office or Andrea Gunther by March 17! We will be hosting the Annual Lenten Retreat on Saturday, April 6th as a part of our Kumovi Weekend. This year, Fr. Theodore Paraskevopoulos, rector of Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Toronto, ON, CA will be our featured speaker.

11 HELP A LOCAL FAMILY Our friends & neighbors from St. John's Lutheran Church work with an organization called Family Promise to house and feed homeless families for a week four times per year. Family Promise helps the family search for employment and secure permanent housing. Recently, a guest family was found a house but needs furnishings. This family consists of Mom, Dad, Grandmom and 2 children (4 & 7). Please see what you can do to help this family make a home. Ideas: pots, pans, furniture, lamps, gift cards to Target, Walmart, Aldi's. See Terry Govelovich. ANNUAL EASTER WALNUT ROLL SALE Orders are now being taken for the church s annual Easter Walnut Roll sale. The price per roll is $18, and quantities are limited. Pickup date is Wednesday, April 17, from 3 pm 6 pm in the social hall. Order forms are available at the Tutors Desk or you may call Patty Hernjak at ( ) or her at pahernjak@gmail.com LENTEN LENDING LIBRARY Please feel free to use the Lenten Lending Library. We are grateful for all donations of used and new books. Inventory will change weekly, so visit often. As always, many thanks for your continued support and have a blessed Lenten Season! GIFT STORE UPDATE New Items Pascha Cards and Egg Wraps are now available and on display in the lobby. Check out the Ancient Faith website or catalog at the showcase, and see Terry Govelovich if you would like to order any items not in stock. Available Now Incense and charcoal for home use, ceramic incense storage containers and burners, beautiful blank note cards, car visor clips, bookmarks, tapestry pouches, bracelets, prayer ropes, Orthodox Study Bibles, and children s books written and signed by our very own, Jane Svitchan. Orthodox Study Bibles are regularly priced at $50, but here they are $38. NEW CHURCH DIRECTORY We have recently mailed out information regarding the Church Directory we are putting together in-house. It will contain the current information we have on file for your family. Please return any changes as soon as possible so that the correct information will be printed in the directory. If you do not receive anything from us in the coming week, and want to be included in the directory, please contact Daria Milletics in the church office. Weekly Offering Date Collections Attendance 3/3/2019 $3, /24/2019 $2,

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13 Stewardship Reflection The Sunday of Forgiveness Today's Gospel reflects on Forgiveness and our preparation for Great Lent. God tells us that we must forgive men for their trespasses, if we expect our Heavenly Father to forgive us for our trespasses. Jesus also reflects upon our treasures, how we use them and prepare for Salvation through Stewardship. The key is to focus on the Heavenly in your daily life so that when you come before the dread Judgment Seat of Christ, you will be placed on the right hand and inherit the Kingdom prepared for you. We must lay up our treasures in Heaven, where neither moth nor rust consume. Every aspect of how we use our Time, Talents and Treasures will determine where God places us on Judgment Day. "For where your treasure is, your heart will be also." During Great Lent, pray and ask God to guide you so that your focus will be on the Heavenly and not the earthly... determine how you can help your Church. Whether it is volunteering to prepare the Church for Pascha, hosting a coffee fellowship after the Divine Liturgy or feeding the homeless - God asks us to do all that we can as good and faithful Stewards. Turn not away Thy face from Thy servant for I am afflicted! Hear me speedily. Attend to my soul and deliver it! Forgiveness Sunday Vespers Старатељска Порука Недеља Опраштања Данашње Јеванђеље нас поучава о Опроштању и о припрема за Велики Пост. Господ нам говори да треба да опростимо свима који су нам наудили, јер ако очекијемо да нам Господ опрости наше грехове и ми морамо другима да опростимо. Господ Исус такође говори о нашем благу или богаству, како да га користимо и да се припремамо за Спасење кроз Старатељство. Главна поента је наш фокус на оно Небеско у нашем свакидашњем животу, да када, дођемо пред Страшни Суд Господњи, будемо послати на десну страну (рај) и наследимо Царство Небеско. Морамо да се трудимо да сакупимо благо на Небесима, где мољац или рђа не једу и кваре. Како и са ког аспекта користимо наше Време, Таленат и Новац ће да одлучи где ће нас Бог послати на дан Страшног суда. Јер где је благо наше ту је и срце наше". Кроз Велики Пост, молимо се и тражимо од Бога да нас води и да обратимо пажњу више на Небеско него на земаљско... да одлучимо како можемо да помогнемо нашој Цркви.Било да је то волонтирање да се Црква припреми за велики празник Васкрсења Христова, припрема кафе после Свете Литургије или пак помогање бескућника и беспомоћних - Бог од нас тражи да учинимо колико можемо као добри и верни Старатељи. Не окрени лице Своје од мене слуге свога због грехова мојих. Брзо услиши ме. Помози души мојој и спаси је. Вечерње на Недељу Опраштања

14 Synaxarion The Expulsion Of Adam and Eve From Paradise Verses Let the world mourn bitterly along with ages past; As, by sweet eating, it hath fallen along with those who had fallen. As we begin the Great Fast, the Church reminds us of Adam s expulsion from Paradise. God commanded Adam to fast (Gen. 2:16), but he did not obey. Because of their disobedience, Adam and Eve were cast out of Eden and lost the life of blessedness, knowledge of God, and communion with Him, for which they were created. Both they and their descendants became heirs of death and corruption. Let us consider the benefits of fasting, the consequences of disobedience, and recall our fallen state. Today we are invited to cleanse ourselves of evil through fasting and obedience to God. Our fasting should not be a negative thing, a mere abstention from certain foods. It is an opportunity to free ourselves from the sinful desires and urges of our fallen nature, and to nourish our souls with prayer, repentance, to participate in church services, and partake of the life-giving Mysteries of Christ. At Forgiveness Vespers we sing: Let us begin the time of fasting in light, preparing ourselves for spiritual efforts. Let us purify our soul, let us purify our body. As we abstain from food, let us abstain from all passion and enjoy the virtues of the spirit... Forgiveness Sunday Fr. Alexander Schmemmann In the Orthodox Church, the last Sunday before Great Lent the day on which, at Vespers, Lent is liturgically announced and inaugurated is called Forgiveness Sunday. On the morning of that Sunday, at the Divine Liturgy, we hear the words of Christ: "If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses..." (Mark 6:14-15) Then after Vespers after hearing the announcement of Lent in the Great Prokeimenon: "Turn not away Thy face from Thy child for I am afflicted! Hear me speedily! Draw near unto my soul and deliver it!", after making our entrance into Lenten worship, with its special melodies, with the prayer of St. Ephraim the Syrian, with its prostrations we ask forgiveness from each other, we perform the rite of forgiveness and reconciliation. And as we approach each other with words of reconciliation, the choir intones the Paschal hymns, filling the church with the anticipation of Paschal joy. What is the meaning of this rite? Why is it that the Church wants us to begin the Lenten season with forgiveness and reconciliation? These questions are in order because for too many people Lent means primarily, and almost exclusively, a change of diet, the compliance with ecclesiastical regulations concerning fasting. They understand fasting as an end in itself, as a "good deed" required by God and carrying in itself its merit and its reward. But, the Church spares no effort in revealing to us that fasting is but a means, one

15 among many, towards a higher goal: the spiritual renewal of man, his return to God, true repentance and, therefore, true reconciliation. The Church spares no effort in warning us against a hypocritical and pharisaic fasting, against the reduction of religion to mere external obligations. As a Lenten hymn says: In vain do you rejoice in no eating, O soul! For you abstain from food, But from passions you are not purified. If you persevere in sin, you will perform a useless fast. Now, forgiveness stands at the very center of Christian faith and of Christian life because Christianity itself is, above all, the religion of forgiveness. God forgives us, and His forgiveness is in Christ, His Son, Whom He sends to us, so that by sharing in His humanity we may share in His love and be truly reconciled with God. Indeed, Christianity has no other content but love. And it is primarily the renewal of that love, a return to it, a growth in it, that we seek in Great Lent, in fasting and prayer, in the entire spirit and the entire effort of that season. Thus, truly forgiveness is both the beginning of, and the proper condition for the Lenten season. One may ask, however: Why should I perform this rite when I have no "enemies"? Why should I ask forgiveness from people who have done nothing to me, and whom I hardly know? To ask these questions, is to misunderstand the Orthodox teaching concerning forgiveness. It is true, that open enmity, personal hatred, real animosity may be absent from our life, though if we experience them, it may be easier for us to repent, for these feelings openly contradict Divine commandments. But, the Church reveals to us that there are much subtler ways of offending Divine Love. These are indifference, selfishness, lack of interest in other people, of any real concern for them -- in short, that wall which we usually erect around ourselves, thinking that by being "polite" and "friendly" we fulfill God s commandments. The rite of forgiveness is so important precisely because it makes us realize be it only for one minute that our entire relationship to other men is wrong, makes us experience that encounter of one child of God with another, of one person created by God with another, makes us feel that mutual "recognition" which is so terribly lacking in our cold and dehumanized world. On that unique evening, listening to the joyful Paschal hymns we are called to make a spiritual discovery: to taste of another mode of life and relationship with people, of life whose essence is love. We can discover that always and everywhere Christ, the Divine Love Himself, stands in the midst of us, transforming our mutual alienation into brotherhood. As I advance towards the other, as the other comes to me we begin to realize that it is Christ Who brings us together by His love for both of us. And because we make this discovery and because this discovery is that of the Kingdom of God itself: the Kingdom of Peace and Love, of reconciliation with God and, in Him, with all that exists we hear the hymns of that Feast, which once a year, "opens to us the doors of Paradise." We know why we shall fast and pray, what we shall seek during the long Lenten pilgrimage. Forgiveness Sunday: the day on which we acquire the power to make our fasting true fasting; our effort true effort; our reconciliation with God true reconciliation.

16 ST. TARASIUS OF CONSTANTINOPLE Saint Tarasius, Patriarch of Constantinople was of illustrious lineage. He was born and raised in Constantinople, where he received a fine education. He was rapidly promoted at the court of the emperor Constantine VI Porphyrogenitos ( ) and Constantine s mother, the holy Empress Irene (August 7), and the saint attained the rank of senator. During these times the Church was agitated by the turmoil of the Iconoclast disturbances. The holy Patriarch Paul (August 30) although he had formerly supported Iconoclasm, later repented and resigned his office. He withdrew to a monastery, where he took the schema. When the holy Empress Irene and her son the emperor came to him, Saint Paul told them that the most worthy successor to him would be Saint Tarasius (who at this time was still a layman). Tarasius refused for a long time, not considering himself worthy of such high office, but he then gave in to the common accord on the condition, that an Ecumenical Council be convened to address the Iconoclast heresy. Proceeding through all the clerical ranks in a short while, Saint Tarasius was elevated to the patriarchal throne in the year 784. In the year 787 the Seventh Ecumenical Council was convened in the city of Nicea, with Patriarch Tarasius presiding, and 367 bishops attending. The veneration of holy icons was confirmed at the council. Those bishops who repented of their iconoclasm, were again received by the Church. Saint Tarasius wisely governed the Church for twenty-two years. He led a strict ascetic life. He spent all his money on God-pleasing ends, feeding and giving comfort to the aged, to the impoverished, to widows and orphans, and on Holy Pascha he set out a meal for them, and he served them himself. The holy Patriarch fearlessly denounced the emperor Constantine Porphyrigenitos when he slandered his spouse, the empress Maria, the granddaughter of Saint Philaretos the Merciful (December 1), so that he could send Maria to a monastery, thus freeing him to marry his own kinswoman. Saint Tarasius resolutely refused to dissolve the marriage of the emperor, for which the saint fell into disgrace. Soon, however, Constantine was deposed by his own mother, the Empress Irene. Saint Tarasius died in the year 806. Before his death, devils examined his life from the time of his youth, and they tried to get the saint to admit to sins that he had not committed. I am innocent of that of which you accuse me, replied the saint, and you falsely slander me. You have no power over me at all. Mourned by the Church, the saint was buried in a monastery he built on the Bosphorus. Many miracles took place at his tomb.

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