(Psalm 47:6) BY FR. JOHN MEMORICH

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1 IN THIS ISSUE 1 pastoral message 2 from the president 3 Faces of the parish 4-6 PARISH NEWS 7 PARISH YOUTH UPDATE 8 BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES 9 MONTHLY CALENDAR Stewardship 12 Father gapon: the workingman s priest 14 HEALTH HINT: washing hands SING PRAISES TO OUR GOD, SING PRAISES! SING PRAISES TO OUR KING, SING PRAISES! (Psalm 47:6) BY FR. JOHN MEMORICH As individuals, God blesses each of us with a voice in the hopes that we will use this precious gift to join with the angelic choirs and continually give glory, honor, praise and thanksgiving unto our Lord. Although we are instructed to sing and pray daily, I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth (Psalm 34:1), when we gather together as the community of believers and the people of God, we are encouraged to Praise God in his sanctuary (Psalm 150:1) and to, Sing His praises in the assembly of the faithful (Psalm 149:1). An excellent way of accomplishing this is to join our choir family and give back your time and talents through your singing and love of music. Singing in the choir has many advantages. By attending services and rehearsals you will receive in return: That good feeling that you are offering yourself to God and being a Good Steward with what He has blessed you with. The sense of satisfaction and fulfillment by participating fully in liturgical worship. The knowledge that you are a part of the Church s Music Ministry. The gratification that, as part of the choir, you are helping to make our services beautiful and well pleasing unto God. That benefit of knowing that you are helping others to pray and give glory to God. Good physical health, for singing involves extensive use of the lungs and helps increase their capacity. With guidance from the director in the proper way to sing and the development of your musical voice, he will help you to utilize this gift to the greater glory to God. Singing in the choir provides better understanding of the liturgy, its music, hymnography, and rubrics. The disciplines of attending services and rehearsals can help singers maintain good memory and have better concentration. Singing in the choir awakens a passion for liturgical worship. It increases our appreciation and understanding of the biblical texts and hymns of the Church, as well as the theology that lies therein. Singing bolsters and adds to the beauty and meaning to our relationship with Christ. Remember the Old Russian Proverb: When you sing in the choir, you pray twice! Volume 21 Issue 1 JANUARY 2019

2 from the president I hope your December was warm and full of holiday spirit. Truly a fantastic time of year to celebrate with friends and family both spiritually and temporally. Your church board is making fantastic progress every month. Archangel Michael Orthodox Church 5025 East Mill Road Broadview Heights, OH Office: info@stmichaelscleveland.org Woodside Event Center at St. Michael s Offce: info@woodsideeventcenter.com Metropolitan Tikhon Primate, Orthodox Church in America Bishop Paul Bishop of Chicago & Diocese of the Midwest V. Rev. Fr. John Memorich Rector Home: FrJohn@stmichaelscleveland.org Deacon Daniel Kovalak Ryun Louie Parish Council President Joachim Wyslutsky Choir Director joewysl@gmail.com Stephan Kovalak & Pat Hanchuk Co-Superintendents, Church School Greg Mindala Hall Board President Tim Kormos Bingo Committee Chairman Phil Tesar Archangel Editor Cell: phil@philtesar.com Joan Benny, Helen Gaborick, & Patricia Patrick, labeling I would like to summarize what your church board have worked on these past few months in no specific order. If you have any thoughts or questions on these subjects, please do not hesitate to ask any of your church board members. 1. Sunday School administration and survey 2. Cost Savings Committee 3. Woodside director hiring and transition 4. EPA fine 5. Stewardship/pledge letter to parishioners 6. Better use of technology and social media 7. Highland Cemetery plot sales 8. His Grace Bishop Paul s visit 9. St Michael s Banquet 10. Bingo 11. Transition from old board to new board 12. CMCT (e.g., maintenance) 13. Transparency in communicating church board functions 14. Choir Director permanent hiring budget preparation 16. Scholarship and Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) programs 17. Fundraising ideas 18. Donations to charities 19. Pre-Teen planning 20. Monthly Pastor s report 21. Monthly Financial report 22. Protodeacon Dennis and Matushka Helen Lucak s funeral 23. Church unity efforts 24. Listening to parish voices I hope your new year is full of peace, love and joy. I look forward to working hard this new year to help our great parish flourish in 2019!!! God bless you all. In Christ, Ryun E. Louie /StMichaelsCLE 2 The Archangel

3 FACES OF THE PARISH GETTING TO KNOW YOUR FELLOW PARISHIONERS SEMINARIAN MATTHEW McDONALD & FAMILY Through the FOCA (Fellowship of Orthodox Christians in America) Seminarian Support Program, Archangel Michael Parish has adopted the McDonald family, currently at St. Tikhon s Orthodox Theological Seminary. The FOCA works with the administration at our seminaries to identify families who are in financial need. The FOCA connects these families with churches, organizations and individuals who volunteer to commit a set amount of monthly financial support. Depending on the need and as each family s needs are met, the family next on the list is matched with remaining donors. This is one example of the FOCA s commitment to our seminaries and the growth of the Orthodox Church. If you are interested in becoming a donor or learning more about the FOCA, please contact Becky Tesar at bjtesar@ gmail.com or talk to her after church. Hello, Archangel Michael family! My name is Matthew and I m a first-year seminarian at St. Tikhon s. My wife Christine and I have two children, a 10-year old girl, Abigail, and a five-year old boy, Aidan. My wife and I both converted to Orthodoxy 13 years ago shortly after we were married. Before coming to St. Tikhon s, we attended St. Thomas the Apostle in Springfield, MO. While in Missouri, my wife worked as a Special Education teacher for middle school, and I worked as a specialized foster care case manager. Feeling a call to serve the Church, Christine and I decided last year that it was time to go to seminary. At St. Tikhon s, my wife and I stay pretty involved. Christine sings in the mixed choir and takes classes with Benedict Sheehan on advanced music and conducting. I help teach the church school for teenagers. Thank you so much for your support! We are looking for both new and longtime parishioners to volunteer to be featured in our FACES OF THE PARISH section. Our main objective is not only to introduce new families to the parish, but to introduce our longtime members to our new families. Please contact the church office at info@stmichaelscleveland.org to volunteer! from the parish archives... St. Michael s celebrated Christmas on January 7th following the old Julian calendar for many years. We began celebrating Christmas on December 25th in 1982 when the Orthodox Church in America officially changed to the revised Julian calendar. Though many Orthodox in the United States have made the switch, former Soviet Union, Middle Eastern Churches and several European countries tend towards the old calendar. Here in Cleveland, the Ukranian Orthodox and Serbian Orthodox still celebrate on January 7. The one feast day that is celebrated on the same day by all Orthodox Christians is Pascha, or Easter. JANUARY

4 PARISH NEWS PHOTOS FROM THE ANNUAL SUNDAY SCHOOL YOLKA (Musarra Family) Mike, Erin, Rowan, Gianna, Brooke (Kirsh Family) Ted, Kate, Erika, Lindsey, Max, Heidi, Benjamin (Herzak Family) Mickey, Lara, Charlie, Dan, Paula, MJ, Mary PHOTOS FROM THE samaritan s cookie project visit our parish website for more photo galleries and more pictures! 4 The Archangel

5 AROUND THE PARISH THEOPHANY On Sunday, January 6, we will celebrate Theophany with the blessing of water. Please remember to bring something to take Holy Water with you. We do have some water bottles for sale at the candle desk and Bookstore. THANK YOU A number of Thank You s are in order following our 2018 holiday season. Many of you gave in a variety of ways, but we whould like to escpecially thank those who: donated to our St. Herman s House food drive. donated to the Sunday School s collection of baby & child items for Zoe House. baked, packaged or delivered cookies to our shut-ins. called or visited a number of our shut-ins this year. ORTHODOXY 101 CLASSES Orthodoxy 101 classes will continue in January on each Monday night (7th, 14th, 21st & 28th) at 7pm. ADULT EDUCATION Adult Ed classes will be held on Tuesday, January 22nd at 7pm and Thursday, January 24th at 10am in the Lower Level. PARISH NEWS 2019 Book CLub We are excited to announce our meeting dates for 2019, as well as the titles: January 18, The Orchid Theif by Susan Orlean March 15, The 5 People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom May 10, The Witch Elm by Tana French July 19, The President is Missing by James Patterson & Bill Clinton September 20, Marie Curie and Her Daughters: The Private Lives of Science s First Family by Shelly Emling November 15, One Thousand White Women by Jim Fergus TUITION ASSISTANCE APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE The new 2019 TAP application is available now on the church website. Completed applications are due to Larissa Young by January 31st, All you need to turn in right now is the application. Grades and tuition bills are due at a later date. Any questions, please see Larissa Young. BOOKSTORE: GIFT ITEMs GIFTS FOR ALL OCCASSIONS Visit our Bookstore for some great gifts for all occassions! NEW JEWELRY ITEMS! THE PERFECT CHURCH BAG FOR CHILDREN! Buy a bag and receive 10% off books and games to fill it! JUST A FEW ETHNIC TREASURES! PRAYER CUBES and much, much more! BOOK CLUB The first Book Club meeting of 2019 will be held on Friday, January 18. The book to be discussed is The Orchid Theif by Susan Orlean. YEAR-END STATEMENTS The church office will be distributing 2018 giving statements after the first of the year, for you to use for tax purposes. Baptism of Weston Nicholai Wallace Nicholas & Nellie Wislocki, Weston, Marie & Scott Wallace Baptism of Joshua Joseph & Susannah Quidort Neilsen Marie, Susannah, Jeffery & Joshua Neilsen OUTSTANDING 2018 PLEDGE MONEY If you end the 2018 year with a pledge balance, you may still turn in those funds and have them credited to your 2018 pledge. CHOIR REHEARSALS SCHEDULED Choir rehearsals are being held every other Thursday. Upcoming dates include: Thursday, January 10 Thursday, January 24 A GIFT FROM GOD! No Births AS MANY HAVE BEEN BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST! Joshua Joseph & Susannah Quidort Neilsen Baptized on Nov. 24 Weston Nicholai Wallace, Baptized on December 1 God Grant Them Many Years! BLESSED IS THE WAY IN WHICH THOU SHALL WALK TODAY, O SOUL! Dimitry Guseynov (Non Member), Reposed Nov. 30, Buried Dec. 3 John Rusyniak (Non Member), Reposed Dec. 18, Buried Dec. 22 JANUARY

6 PARISH SAVE THE DATE PARISH NEWS Dec. 31, Good Ole Boys NYE Luncheon...Woodside NYE Celebration Gala Fri. Jan Halos Outing - Get-Air Trampoline Park Thur. Jan Trim Healthy Mama Seminar (Lower Level) Fri. Jan WoodsideLIVE! - Buck Naked Band Sun. Jan th Annual Chili Cookoff (Woodside) Fri. Jan WoodsideLIVE! - LaFlavour Fri. Feb. 1...WoodsideLIVE! - The Soul Men...Halos (Church Lower Level) Sun. Feb Annual Parish Meeting (Woodside) Fri. Feb. 8...WoodsideLIVE! - Jersey Fri. Feb WoodsideLIVE! - The Diamond Project Fri. Feb WoodsideLIVE! - The McCartney Project Sun. Mar Forgiveness Sunday Mon. Mar Great Lent Begins Sun. Apr Palm Sunday Sun. Apr Pascha Each year, our parish collects non-perishable food items to be donated to St. Herman s House. St. Herman s came on Dec. 23 following liturgy to pick up the donations. This photo was taken on Dec. 20 prior to the pickup. SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 2019 Following Liturgy The 5th Annual Parish Chili Cookoff will be held on Sunday, January 20 at Woodside. Come enjoy FREE HOT DOGS and taste all of the chili! Looking to enter the competition? Let the church office know by ing info@stmichaelscleveland.org or calling Traditional Non-Traditional (Chicken, Turkey, Vegetarian) Hot & Spicy Last years s winners include: Emily Gaborick (Traditional), Melissa Tesar (Non-Traditional) and Drew Ramsay (Hot & Spicy)! Who will take home the bragging rights in 2019??? Join Kate Kirsh and her fellow Trim Healthy coach Vickie Henman to learn about a new way of eating that is both healthy and slimming. We are holding a free class in the lower level on Thursday, January 17 from 6-8 PM. Come try some delicious food and learn about the plan that helped Kate lose and maintain a 40 pound weight loss. Vickie will talk about how she helped her husband lose 100 pounds following this plan. We will also include tips on how to do the plan on fasting days. RSVP to Kate by January 14th at katekirsh@gmail.com. 6 The Archangel

7 parish youth UPDATE Let everything take second place to our care of our children, our bringing them up to the discipline and instruction of the Lord. If from the beginning we teach them to love true wisdom, they will have great wealth and glory than riches can provide. St. John Chrysostom halos (formerly pre-teen) update Our Pre-Teens and their parents gathered en masse (17 kids and 13 adults) for a Christmas Celebration at Mike and Mary Herzak s home in early December. It is so heart-warming to see such a large turnout of children and adults for fellowship! Our group broke bread together, then proceeded to work on items for our parish shut-ins. The kids then tried their hand at crafting and singing. Naturally story time included a retelling of the Nativity story followed by a fun gift game. January s event promises to bring leaps of joy as the gang heads out to Get Air trampoline park in Middleburg Heights. Looking ahead, we ve already sent a Save the Date message for Friday, February 1, for our next event. Stay tuned for those details but otherwise mark your calendar as all events will be held the first Friday of the month. Friends are always welcome to join us! Our group welcomes kids and guests from toddlers up to age 9. Finally, we are excited to reveal the group s new name based on the results of a Facebook parent poll: the Halos, quite apropos for our own little cherubs. Check out our private Facebook group entitled Archangel Michael Halos or ask director Sarah Mindala for more information. SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS Thank you to our Sunday School for a fun Yolka! All of the plays were great and everyone enjoyed the visit and gifts from Santa! Sunday School starts promptly at 9:00 am on Sunday morning. We appreciate your timeliness SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS Pre-K...Maryann Deyling & Monica Visocky K / 1st...Mat. Catrina Kovalak 2nd...Kathleen Kovalak 3rd... Liz Herberth 4th... Stephen Kovalak 5th... Pat Hanchuk 6th...Mary Herzak 7th, 8th 9th...Dn. Dan Kovalak 10th, 11th, 12th... Tim Klembara Church School Co-Superintendents Stephen Kovalak & Pat Hanchuk As is our parish tradition, the 2nd Graders will make their first confession on Palm Sunday, April 21, JANUARY

8 JANUARY BIRTHDAYS 1... Anna Hayes 1... Realm Team 2... Nina Kovalak 2... Susan Rigby 2... Bill Zubenko 2... Carol Milla 4... Jared Hahn 6... Catrina Kovalak 6... Joachim Wyslutsky 7... Patricia Gaborick 7... Justin Kormos 9... Rosemary Antel 9... Helen Gaborick 9...Dave Harpley 9... Daniel Hornik 9... David Hornik 9... Elizabeth Miklos James Kormos Isaac Foster John Sabo Steven Visocky Nikolas Ulinskas Sandy Turk Alex Foster Heidi Kirsh Thomas Herberth Maureen Naymik Laurie Cook Olivia Louie Mike Musarra Andrew Ropchock Paige Merrill Joanna Farragher Kristy Herzak Johnny Memorich Joseph Sutyak Cheryl Andrews Elizabeth Pfeiffer Andrew Kovalak Hope Nestor Philip Quidort Nicky Memorich Jerry Yurch Daniel Henry Raymond Kogler JANUARY ANNIVERSARIES January 1 Fritz & Katina Radwanski January 10 Joseph & Helen Sekerak January 13 Thomas & Charity Hanchuk January 18 Michael & Lora Strongosky **If you or a loved one are not listed on the Birthday or Anniversary lists, please contact Phil in the Church Office at or info@stmichaelscleveland.org ST. JAMES PRAYER LIST JANUARY WITH CHILD Dan & Kristy Herzak, Steven & Kristina (Dimitrijevs) McNees Dakota & Sarah (Rigby) Page, Eric & Sofia (Memorich) Smyczek, Phil & Natalie Tesar Alex Abraham Robert Andrews Jamie Arrango Ella Baciak Ann Bakich Terri Baranich Jennine Basham Adriana Belt Joan Benny Mary Benyo Josh Bertemes Cyndi Betancourt Kathy Billings Leon Borsuk Alex Boyd Janet Choma-Boyle Michael Brodie Andrew Buswell Andre Carter David Cehlar Paul Choma Joanne Curtis Eve Dimitrijevs Walter Dimitrijevs Angela Delemitas Stano Faragas John Gaborick Mary Ann Gaydos Ted Geletka Robert Glosik HEALTH Allan M. Hamula Luke Hanchuk Lori Kall Martin & Anne Kallay Mat. Laryssa Hutnyan Kathy Jacob Daniel Hornik Leisa Howey Robert Kane Karen Keefer Karen Kirsh Marilyn Kirsh Joseph Kocab Judy Kormos Marianne Kormos Sam Kuchta Karl Kuhlenschmidt Mike Kurnick Annette Lapso Donald Lazar Dr. Jim Lazor Helen Lembke Denise LoVullo Michael Lucak Robert Lucak David Macko Juliana Matusiak Lori McIntee John Mehalik SERVING IN ARMED FORCES Jon Farragher, Jacob Stankiewicz MEMORY ETERNAL Sandy Mehalik John Memorich John Michalczyk Carol Milla Larry Murphey Mark Nestor Kathy Nestor Kristina Polcen Gust Poulos Danny Range Scott Rasey Bob Rawlins Helen Ropchock Jeffery Schlekie Christia Schutt Brenda Seitz Mat. Suzanne Senyo Don Singel Lindsay Smith Elizabeth Spiwak Rueben & Jane Strohs George Strongosky Barbara Supra Elizabeth Sutyak Melissa Tomberlin Donna Waters John Wheller Mary Jo Weihrouch PRAY FOR ONE ANOTHER THAT YOU MAY BE HEALED St. James 5:16 8 The Archangel

9 ARCHANGEL MICHAEL ORTHODOX CHURCH MONTHLY CALENDAR, JANUARY 2019 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY New Year s Day CIRCUMCISION OF CHRIST ST. SERAPHIM 6:30pm Halos at Get- Air Trampoline Park 7pm - Vigil THEOPHANY ST. THEODOSIUS 9am Sunday School 10am Festal Divine Liturgy w/blessing of Holy Water SYNAXIS OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST 7pm Orthodoxy 101 HIEROMARTYR PHILIP 9:30am Samaritans ST. GREGORY, BISHOP OF NYSSA 7pm Choir Rehearsal 5pm Vespers am Sunday School ST. ANTHONY THE 10am Divine Liturgy GREAT 7pm Orthodoxy 101 7pm Board of Trustees 7pm Book Club 7:30pm WoodsideLIVE Buck Naked Band 5pm Vespers am Sunday School MLK DAY APOSTLE TIMOTHY VEN. XENIA OF ST. 10am Divine Liturgy PETERSBURG Chili Cook-Off at 10am Adult Ed Woodside 7:30pm WoodsideLIVE 5pm - Vespers 7pm Orthodoxy 101 7pm Adult Ed LaFlavour 7pm Choir Rehearsal am Sunday School ST. EPHRAIM OF FEAST OF THE THREE 10am Divine Liturgy SYRIA HIERARCHS 7pm Orthodoxy 101 JANUARY JANUARY

10 An Unusual Feast with a Unique Link to the Past The Orthodox Church celebrates numerous major and minor feast days throughout the liturgical year, but on January 16 we commemorate a rather obscure feast: The Veneration of the Precious Chains of the Holy and All-Glorious Apostle Peter. In the Book of Acts, chapter 12, we read the remarkable story of how the Apostle Peter was miraculously rescued from a prison cell by an angel of the Lord. Guided and protected by this heavenly intercessor, Peter s chains immediately fell off of his hands and he was able to escape undetected from captivity to freedom. Through the years, these very same chains which bound Peter were carefully preserved and passed down as a type of holy relic. Much like the Cross of Christ, it is somewhat interesting to note that this instrument of oppression was viewed in a very special way by members of the Early Church. Not only did they evoke a constant remembrance of this miracle, but the chains proved to be miraculous in and of themselves; healing those who approached them with faith. Many ill-afflicted people who venerated them were cured of their infirmities sometimes even simply by their touch. Tradition has it that the fourth century Patriarch of Jerusalem, Juvenaly, made a gift of these chains to the Empress Eudocia. She is said to have divided them in half, sending a portion of them to the great Church of the Apostles in Constantinople and the rest to her daughter, Eudoxia, in Rome. When the Church of St. Peter was built there in the fifth century, this portion of the sacred chain was enshrined within the temple. STEWARDSHIP 2019 pledge cards received (as of Dec. 20, 2018) Paula & Nathan Allen Cheryl Andrews Jeffrey Andrews Rosemary Andrews John & Rosemary Antel Christine Arkutik Helen Arkutik Mary Arkutik Marie Bartlett Joan Benny Michael & Patricia Bittner Dan & Therese Bohurjak Gregory Bohurjak Michael & Sandra Bohurjak Alexander Boyd Elena Boyd Natalie Boyd Lisa Burton Andrew Buswell Marianne Buswell Richard Chamberlin Steven & Janelle Chamberlin George Chernesky Lois & Leonard Colagrossi John & Laurie Cook Mrs. Maryann Deyling Len & Darlene Dimitrijevs Walter Dimitrijevs Kristen Dotson Andrea Dwenger Marge Dzmura George & Joanna Farragher Jane Fedonhk Raymond & Barbara Fetcenko Fran Foster Julianne & Glenn Foster Helen Gaborick W. John & Patricia Gaborick Gregory Gaydos Mary Ann Gaydos Michael Gaydos Nicholas & Jessica Gaydos Nicole Gaydos Stephen & Lynsay Gaydos Tim & Paula Gaydos Tina Geffert Sharon Glagola George Glosik Ethan Hahn Jared Hahn Greg & Heather Hanchuk Pat Hanchuk Anna & Andrew Hayes Cindy & Daniel Henry Thomas & Elizabeth Herberth Dan & Kristy Herzak Michael & Mary Herzak Ruth Ann Herzak Linda Hilbert Matthew & Christina Hollabaugh Robert Horbaly George & Sandra Hornfeck Jessica Hudeck tickets are just $15! come see some of the area s best tribute bands! JAN 18 JAN 25 FEB 1 THE BUCK NAKED BAND TRIBUTE TO MODERN COUNTRY LAFLAVOUR ALL THE HITS FROM THE 70 S TO TODAY! THE SOUL MEN A BLUES BROTHERS TRIBUTE all shows at 7:30pm - FOR TICKETS and a complete lineup, VISIT 10 The Archangel

11 CONTINUED FROM PG. 10 John & Darlene Hudeck Harvey & Nancy Jackson Mike & Erma Kalinich Kathryn Kallay Martin & Anne Kallay Ted & Kathleen Kirsh Sandy Klein Noah & Jennifer Klembara Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Klich Dorothy Kochan Raymond Kogler Robert Kogler Dan Kormos Malorie Kormos Matthew & Kendra Kormos Michael & Kathleen Kormos Nick & Dawn Kormos Stephen Kormos Timothy Kormos Margaret Kostura Robert & Kathy Kovalak Stephan & Kristen Kovalak Karen Kowalchik Helen Ksenyak Irene Kuchta Donald Lazar Ashley Longa Mr. Andrew Longa Ryun & Denise Louie Maribeth Lucak Mr. & Mrs. Bob Lucak Lisa Lyon Bob Macko David Macko Mickey Macko Jeanette Marinchak James & Barbara Mates Daniel & Sandy Mehalik Haley Mehalik Hannah Mehalik Jacob Mehalik Jim & Jean Mehalik Jim & Lisa Mehalik William & Pauline Mehalik Alex & Sally Meklus Fr. John & Jani Memorich Marina Memorich Paige & Thomas Merrill Carol Milla Greg & Sarah Mindala John & Kathy Mindala Nancy Misichko Ronnie Misichko Martha Musil Patty & Gregory Muzic James & Maureen Naymik Mike & Tanya Niezgoda Mary Jane Patrick Patricia Patrick Michael Petrisin David & Joy Pfeiffer Elizabeth Pfeiffer Vivian & Carlos Plaza Rick & Monica Polcen Irene Pollock Mary Quidort Philip Quidort Fritz & Catherine Radwanski Deborah & Andrew Ramsay Samantha Ramsay Stephen Ramsay Bob & Naomi Reilly David & Susan Rigby Matthew & Ann Roach Ralph Robinson Mr. & Mrs. John Sabo Daniel & Olga Sabula Suzanne & Dennis Schlekie Christia Schutt Joseph & Helen Sekerak Gerald & Beverly Severns Joan Shirak Johnny & Pat Sima Nicholas & Jackie Sipko George & Ann Strongosky Steve Strongosky Brian Supina Joseph & Elizabeth Supina Rachael Supina Barbara Supra Becky Tesar Donna Tesar Melissa Tesar Phil & Natalie Tesar Mr. & Mrs. David Thomas Cindy Toncic David Turk Gregory & Sandy Turk Nicholas Turk Martin & Sandra Uhrina Edward & Karen Visocky Visocky Family Margaret Voloschuk Scott & Marie Wallace Jeff & Belinda Weaver Julie & Eric Weis Sarah & Chris Weizer John Wheller STEWARDSHIP 2019 pledge campaign AS OF ThURSDAY, DEC. 20 $229,867 pledged 178 pledge units If you have questions, you may contact Stewardship Committee Chairman, Bob Kovalak, at or Phillip & Judi Wienclaw Laura Wtulich Michael Wtulich Shirley Yerega Ryan & Larissa Young Kimberly Zacharyasz Bill Zubenko As you can see, as of December 20, we are 33 pledge units shy of our 2018 total, and $21,082 short. If you have not yet turned in your card, it is extremly important to do so FINANCIAL UPDATE (as of December 19, 2018) TOTAL PLEDGE UNITS FOR AMOUNT PLEDGED...$250, AMOUNT RECEIVED...$244, PLEDGE BALANCE...$20, (Total pledge units are those members who turned in a pledge card for Amount received includes donors who have exceeded their pledge.) GIVERS WITH NO PLEDGE NON-PLEDGE GIFTS...$21, (Givers with no pledge are those members who did not turn in a Pledge Card for the 2018 year, but have given some donation in 2018 that was counted as a pledge.) NOTES 124 of the 211 pledge units have been fulfilled for this year, and 55 of those 124 have donated above and beyond their pledge amount. 87 pledge units have not yet been fulfilled in JANUARY

12 Father Gapon The Workingman s Priest BY TIMOTHY HANCHUK Father Georgy Apollonovich Gapon was not only a priest, but a champion of the Russian working class when the 20th-century was young. The young, energetic priest was seen as a beacon of hope by many of St. Petersburg s urban poor, but his efforts to help them ultimately cost him his life. Gapon was born on 5 February 1870 in Beliki, Poltava Oblast. This small village now rests in Ukraine, but back then it was part of the Russian Empire. His father, Apollon Fedorovich Gapon was a Cossack who had some formal education. At the time of Georgy s birth, he served as an elected village elder and clerk. Gapon s mother was an illiterate peasant who was quite devout and actively raised her son in the Church. When he reached his twenties, Gapon got married and then was ordained a priest in Poltava. He and his matushka quickly had two children, but complications during the second birth led to her death in With his local bishop s permission, Father Gapon and his two young children moved to St. Petersburg so he could further his education at the St. Petersburg Academy. During his first year of study, he became involved in missionary work for the church through the Society for Religious and Moral Enlightenment in the Spirit of the Orthodox Church. As part of this, he was assigned to conduct religious lectures and discussions in factory shops, mess halls, and lodging houses (what we would refer to as tenements). In 1900, he also began to teach religious classes at the St. Olga children s orphanage. These activities brought him into regular contact with the urban proletariat and he saw firsthand how factory workers and their families struggled to survive. Trying to help these impoverished people would have a profound effect on him for the rest of his brief life. In 1903, Father Gapon organized the Assembly of Russian Factory and Mill Workers of St. Petersburg. This was accomplished with the financial support of Colonel Motojiro Akashi of the Imperial Japanese Army and also the St. Petersburg police department and the Okhrana (secret police). The group s stated purpose was to, as Gapon himself put it, foster among the workers a sober, Christian view of life and to instill the principle of mutual aid, thereby helping to improve the lives and working conditions of laborers without violent disruption of law and order... Clearly, this was a strictly conservative group that supported the government and the tsar, and was only open to Orthodox members. Membership grew rapidly during 1904 and it began to serve as a type of union for St. Petersburg workers. However, Russia s more radical groups opposed it, seeing it as a police union in cooperation with the government. And while it s true that Gapon was in full cooperation with the police, it must be remembered that he was doing this as a means to help realize a positive change for the working classes. In December 1904, workers at the Putilov Ironworks in St. Petersburg went on strike in support of Assembly members who had been fired. Sympathy strikes in other parts of the city quickly sprang-up, and by January had spread so much that St. Petersburg was effectively shutdown. There was no electricity throughout the city, no newspapers, and public areas were declared closed. Fr. Gapon decided to act on behalf of the workers by using the Assembly to organize a march on the Winter Palace for the purpose of petitioning Tsar Nicholas II for a redress of workers grievances. This march was neither revolutionary, nor rebellious, and contained no political demands - it was simply a way for workers to seek help from the tsar whom they saw as their little father. Gapon even sent a copy of the petition to the Minister of the Interior along with notification of the Assembly s intentions to march. On Sunday, 9 January 1905, thousands of workers, dressed in their Sunday best, gathered at six assembly points on the outskirts of St. Petersburg. Their intention was to march through the city and have their groups converge near the Winter Palace in order to present their petition. They carried icons and portraits of the Tsar, and sang hymns and patriotic songs, especially Боже, Царя храни! Estimates of the number of participants vary greatly, but the number could have easily approached 50,000 people. In response to the planned march, government ministers had placed thousands of troops at key places throughout the city to maintain order, although there was not expected to be any need for force. However, as the columns of marchers appeared, events took a turn for the worse. In a manner similar to the tragedy at Kent State in 1970, some soldiers lost their cool and either began to fire into the air, or even directly at the marchers. Pandemonium broke out as people rushed to flee the gunfire. At the Narva Gate, the column led by Fr. Gapon himself came under fire and 40 marchers around him were shot dead. All told, somewhere between a few hundred and a few thousand people were killed during this infamous event known as Bloody Sunday. As for Fr. Gapon, he was pulled away from the gunfire by an acquaintance named Pinhas Rutenberg. Rutenberg was a shop manager at the Putilov plant, and although a member of the Socialist Revolutionary Party, had helped Gapon a number of times with Assembly work at the factory. Rutenberg accompanied Gapon as he fled Russia, and through him, Gapon met prominent revolutionaries such as Georgy Plekhanov, Vladimir Lenin, and Peter Kropotkin. It was at this time, perhaps, that Gapon came to realize the extent of Rutenberg s involvement with the Socialist Revolutionaries. In late 1905, Fr. Gapon returned to Russia and resumed his contact with the Okhrana. With Rutenberg also back in Russia, Gapon approached him and revealed his own contacts with the police. Gapon urged Rutenberg to become a police informant as well, reasoning that undermining the S.R. Party would be helpful to the government. Unfortunately, Gapon s trust in Rutenberg was repaid with betrayal. Rutenberg reported Gapon s offer to the S.R. Party leadership and a plot against him was put in motion. On 26 March 1906, Fr. Gapon arrived at a rented cottage outside St. Petersburg to meet with Rutenberg, ostensibly to further discuss working with the police. After Gapon repeated his offer to Rutenberg, three S.R. Party members entered and murdered Fr. Gapon by hanging him from a doorway. A sad end for a priest who wanted nothing more than to minister to the downtrodden workers of St. Petersburg. Note: all dates follow the Julian calendar. 12 The Archangel

13 Group tickets available in three price levels $31 per ticket $67 per ticket $114 per ticket Purchase Online using the link you will be able to select your seat and desired number of tickets A PERCENTAGE OF EACH TICKET SOLD WILL BENEFIT ST. VLADIMIR S CAMP & RETREAT CENTER for more information or with any questions, contact becky tesar at gmail.com or at playhouse square s keybank state theater sunday, august 18, :30 pm performance TICKETS MAKE A GREAT HOLIDAY GIFT! A FUNDRAISER FOR ST. VLADIMIR S CAMP & RETREAT CENTER JANUARY

14 HEALTH HINT 130 january hand washing BY KRISTEN DOTSON, RN HAND WASHING Keeping hands clean through improved hand hygiene is one of the most important steps we can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. Many diseases and conditions are spread by not washing hands with soap and clean, running water. If clean, running water is not accessible, as is common in many parts of the world, use soap and available water. If soap and water are unavailable, use an alcoholbased hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol to clean hands. When should you wash your hands? Before, during, and after preparing food Before eating food Before and after caring for someone who is sick Before and after treating a cut or wound After using the toilet After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste After handling pet food or pet treats After touching garbage How should you wash your hands? Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap. Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Be sure to lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails. Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the Happy Birthday song from beginning to end twice. Rinse your hands well under clean, running water. Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them. How do you use hand sanitizers? Apply the product to the palm of one hand (read the label to learn the correct amount). Rub your hands together. Rub the product over all surfaces of your hands and fingers until your hands are dry. Have a Healthy New Year!! CHURCH INFORMATION Moving or have Contact Info Updates? Please contact the church office to update your address and or phone number (info@ stmichaelscleveland.org) or Candles / Prayers / Flowers Contact the church office if you would like order candles, flowers or have prayers in church in honor or memory of your loved ones. Flowers are $55 for a bouquet, and candles range from $3 to $30, depending on what you would like. Direct Payment from Your Bank If you wish to have your financial institution send your donation directly to the church, you can contact your bank and set up Archangel Michael Orthodox Church as a Direct Payment recipient. Often times, this can easily be done through online banking. You can then set the frequency and amount of your donation, and the bank sends a check directly to the church on your behalf. Church Envelopes Please contact the Church Office if you want to: (a) receive envelopes weekly or monthly; (b) stop envelopes; (c) correct information on the envelope (including the title, e.g., from Mrs. to Mr. & Mrs.). Vesperal Liturgies All vesperal liturgies will start at 7:00 pm. 14 The Archangel

15 State License # Dennis M. Schlekie Owner / Master Plumber Phone: (440) Fax: (440) Ken Mar Industrial Parkway Broadview Hts.Ohio Dennis@ApprovedPlumbing.com Theodore J. Ted Kirsh Funeral Director, Parishioner 7501 Ridge Road Parma, Ohio tkirsh@buschcares.com Professional Vision Services including Contact Lenses and Glasses 7305 Broadview Road Seven Hills OH (216) JANUARY

16 JANUARY LECTIONARY WALL CALENDAR The 2019 Lectionary Wall Calendars will be distributed early in Once again, Yurch Funeral Home has graciously donated the Saint Tikhon s Monastery 2019 Lectionary Wall Calendars for our parishioners. They will be available in the Lower Level of the church in the coming weeks. Please take yours (and any others you can deliver) to help us save on postage. THANK YOU! 16 The Archangel