Parish Newsletter: August 2014 September 2014 Saint Elia the Prophet Orthodox Church A Parish of the Orthodox Church in America

Transcription

1 Parish Newsletter: August 2014 September 2014 Saint Elia the Prophet Orthodox Church A Parish of the Orthodox Church in America His Beatitude Tikhon, Archbishop of Washington, Metropolitan of All America & Canada His Grace, Alexander, Bishop, Bulgarian Diocese of Toledo Archpriest Father Don Anthony Freude, Parish Rector Reverend Deacon Joel Mark Chupp Office: (330) Parish Council President: John Bohush IV Vice President: Rev. Deacon Joel Chupp Secretary: Reader Aaron Gray Treasurer: Christopher Kote Members: Tom Ritzman, Assistant to the Treasurer; Barbara Alexander; Barbara Di Puccio; Ted Theodore CHOIR DIRECTOR: Subdeacon Terrence Bilas Assistant Directors: Anastasia Bohush, Florence Lambo CHURCH SCHOOl Coordinator: Popadia Donna Freude Staff: Anastasia Bohush, Dr. Bill Di Puccio Georgia Kote, Michael Luc SISTERHOOD OF ST. JULIANA President: Sandy Graham Vice President: Kathy Gray

2 Secretary: Kim Bardos Treasurer: Mary Magensky HOURS AND EPISTLE READERS AUGUST and SEPTEMBER Sunday, August 3 Sunday, August 31 Hours: Reader Michael Luc Hours: Bud Graham Epistle: Reader Michael Luc Epistle: Bud Graham Sunday, August 10 Sunday, September 7 Hours: Joseph Turner Hours: Sandy Graham Epistle: Joseph Turner Epistle: Sandy Graham Sunday, August 17 Sunday, September 14 Hours: Subd. Terrence Bilas Hours: Joseph Turner Epistle: Anastasia Bohush Epistle: Joseph Turner Sunday, August 24 Sunday, September 21 Hours: Reader Aaron Gray Hours: FlorenceLambo Epistle: Reader Aaron Gray Epistle: Rebecca Di Puccio Sunday, September 28 Hours: Reader Michael Luc Epistle: Reader Michael luc REMEMBER THOSE SERVING THE ARMED FORCES Anthony Freude, son of Fr. Don and Popadia Donna Freude Egor Cravcenco, son of Serghei and Ludmila Cravcenco REMEMBER OUR SICK AND SHUT-INS Mickey Stokich, 102 Wilpark Drive, Akron, Ohio Tom Hagerman, 1390 Rowe Street, Akron, Ohio Leonora Evancho, 1342 Shannon Ave.Barberton, OH Bessie Alexandrovich, 33 Gregory Ave., Akron, Ohio Larissa Freude, 286 E. Woodsdale Ave, Akron, Ohio ChristinaCollins,Bldg3574 Terminal Dr. Ft Hood, TX Anastasia Haymon,1086 Robinson Ave,Barberton,OH Nicholas Dimoff, 2867 Woodbridge Lane, Stow, Ohio Joseph Boyle, (Kathy Grays brother) Joseph Boyle (Kathy Gray s father) Mary Beth Boyle (Kathy Gray s mother) William Di Puccio, Sr. (father of Bill Di Puccio) Protopresbyter Stefan Jarmus (father of Fr. Jarmus) Fr Roman (Braga) Dormition Monastery,MI.

3 PARISH COUNCIL MEETING Wed. Aug. 7 pm SCHEDULE OF DIVINE SERVICES THE DORMION FAST August th SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST Tone 7 Venerable Isaac, Dalmatus and Faustus Saturday, August 2 5:00 pm Great Vespers & Confessions Sunday, August 3 9:15 am Hours Reader Michael Luc 9:30 am Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom Epistle Reader Reader Michael Luc EPISTLE:1 Corinthians 1:10-18 GOSPEL: Matthew 14:14-22 FEAST OF THE HOLY TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD GOD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST Tuesday, August 5 6:00 pm Vesperal Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, Blessing of Fruit EPISTLE 2 Peter 1:10-19 GOSPEL Matthew 17:1-9 Wednesday, August 6 Pilgrimage at Transfiguration Monastery, Elwood City, Pa. 9:30 am Procession and Divine Liturgy 2:30 pm Mystery of Holy Unction 9 th Sunday After Pentecost Tone 8 Afterfeast of the Transfiguration. Martyr Archdeacon Lawrence of Rome Saturday, August 9 5:00 pm - Great Vespers and Confessions Sunday, August 10 9:15 am - Hours Joseph Turner 9:30 am Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom Epistle Reader Joseph Turner

4 EPISTLE: 1 Corinthians 3:9-17 GOSPEL: Matthew 14:22-34 THE DORMITION OF OUR MOST-HOLY LADY THEOTOKOS AND EVER VIRGIN MARY Thursday, August 14 6:00 pm Vesperal Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom. Blessing of Herbs and Flowers Friday, August 15 Pilgrimage at Dormition of the Mother of God Monastery, Rives Junction, Michigan 9:45 am Procession and Divine Liturgy 10 th SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST Tone 1 Afterfeast of the Dormition. Martyr Myron Saturday, August 16 5:00 pm Great Vespers and Confessions Sunday, August 17 9:15 am - Hours Subdeacon Terrence Bilas 9:30 am Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom Epistle Reader Anastasia Bohush EPISTLE: 1 Corinthians 4:9-16 GOSPEL: Matthew 17: th SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST Tone 2 Hieromartyr Eutychius Saturday, August 23 5:00 pm - Great Vespers and Confessions Sunday, August 24 9:15 am - Hours Reader Aaron Gray 9:30 am Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom Epistle Reader Reader Aaron Gray EPISTLE: 1 Corinthians 9:2-12 GOSPEL: Matthew 18:23-35 THE BEHEADING OF THE HOLY GLORIOUS PROPHET, FORERUNNER AND BAPTIST, JOHN Thursday, August 28 6:00 pm Vesperal Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom

5 Friday, August 29 STRICT FAST DAY 12 th SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST Tone 3 The placing of the Cincture of the Most-holy Theotokos Saturday, August 30-5:00 pm Great Vespers & Confessions Sunday, August 31 9:30 am Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom EPISTLE: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 GOSPEL: Matthew 19:16-26 Beginning on Sunday, September 7 Divine Liturgy begins at 10:00 am begin at 10:00 am am0 13 th SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST Tone 4 Forefeast of the Nativity of the Most-holy Theotokos. Sunday Before the Exaltation of the Holy Cross Saturday, Sept. 6-5:00 pm Great Vespers & Confessions Sunday, September 7 9:45 am - Hours Bud Graham am Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom Epistle Reader Bud Graham EPISTLES: Galatians 6: Corinthians 16:13-24 GOSPELS: John 3:13-17 Matthew 21: :00 pm Great Vespers for the Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos 14 th SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST Tone 5 THE UNIVERSAL EXALTATION OF THE PRECIOUS AND LIFE-GIVING CROSS - STRICT FAST DAY Saturday, September 13 5:00 pm Great Vespers and Confessions Sunday, September 14 9:45 am - Hours Sandy Graham am Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom Epistle Reader Sandy Graham

6 EPISTLE: 1 Corinthians 1:18-24 GOSPEL: John 19:6-11, 13-20, 25-28, th SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST Tone 6 Sunday and Leavetaking of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross Saturday, September 20 5:00 pm Great Vespers and Confessions Sunday, September 21 9:45 am - Hours Florence Lambo am Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom Epistle Reader Rebeccah Di Puccio EPISTLES: Galatians 2: Corinthians 4:6-15 GOSPELS: Mark 8:34-9:1 Matthew 22: th SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST Tone 7 Venerable Chariton the Confessor, Abbot of Palestine Saturday, September 27 5:00 pm Great Vespers and Confessions Sunday, September 28 9:45 am - Hours Reader Michael Luc 10,00 am Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom Epistle Reader Reader Michael Luc EPISTLE: 2 Corinthians 6:1-10 GOSPEL: Luke 5:1-11 FEAST OF THE PROTECTION OF OUR MOST-HOLY LADY THEOTOKOS AND EVER-VIRGIN MARY Tuesday, September 30 6:00 pm Vesperal Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom DORMITION FAST The Dormition Fast begins on Friday, August 1, the Feast of the Procession of the Honorable Wood of the Life-giving Cross of Our Lord, and continues through the Eve of the Dormition, Thursday, August 14. ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN WOMEN TEA Sunday, September 7: 2-4 pm St. Thomas Church

7 Speakers: Elizabeth Bartz Chames, Nicolette Koozer, Zoe McClish Re-Tracing the Steps of St. Paul Saint Elia Orthodox Church presents Saturday, September Saint Elia Church Hall 64 W. Wilbeth Rd. Akron, OH Doors open - 5:30 PM Dinner 6:00 PM Racing Begins 7:00 PM Tickets are $15 each and include: Snacks Chicken Parmesan Dinner Salad bread dessert coffee beer & pop B.Y.O.B For Tickets, information, and to reserve tables, please call Anastasia Bohush John Bohush or Terry Bilas anastasiabohush3@yahoo.com

8 St. Elia s Night at the Races Order Form Name (Person or Company): Tickets Horse Race Sponsorship Ad in Race Program Full Page Ad and Sponsorship How Many Cost Total X $15 each X $10 Each X $25 each X $25 (half)/ $50 (full) X $70 Total for all: Horse Name(s): Race Sponsor company/ in memory of: *If purchasing ad for program, please attach information or to Anastasia at anastasiabohush3@yahoo.com *If you wish to be seated with another party, please specify below. Return order form with check payable to Saint Elia Church to: Anastasia Bohush th St. SW, Barberton, OH 44203

9 August 6 th FEAST OF THE HOLY TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD The Transfiguration of Christ is one of the central events recorded in the Gospels. When our Lord was recognized by His apostles as the Christ the Messiah the Son of the Living God, He told them: He must go up to Jerusalem and suffer many things and be killed and on the third day be raised. (Matt. 16) The announcement of Christ s approaching passion and death upset the disciples. And then, after correcting them, the Lord took Peter, James and John up to the high mountain, by tradition, Mt. Tabor, and was transfigured before them and His face shown like the sun and His garments became white as snow and behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elia talking with them. The event of the Transfiguration teaches us that God fulfills His promise to man. But the fulfillment is greater than any man could possibly realize. The Savior who was sent is not just a messenger but the Son of God in human flesh. The mystery of the Transfiguration teaches us that the fullness of the Godhead is found in Jesus and that the DWELLING PLACE OF GOD IS WITH MAN. In the Transfiguration, the apostles see the glory of the kingdom of God present in majesty and in the person of Jesus the Christ. They see this before the Crucifixion so that in the Resurrection that might know Who He is Who suffered for them, and WHAT it is that this Jesus Who is both God and Man has prepared for those who love Him and His Heavenly Father. The glory of God has appeared in Jesus. This Feast is celebrated on August 6. Grapes and other fruits are blessed on this day

10 August 15 th FEAST OF THE DORMITION OF THE THEOTOKOS The Feast of the Dormition or the death, resurrection and ascension of the Theotokos the Mother of God and ever-virgin Mary is celebrated on August 15 and is preceded by a two week fast from August 1 st through the 14 th. This feast is also called the Assumption. While the title Dormition (falling asleep) refers to Mary s death, the term of Assumption refers to her resurrection as she is assumed by God into the heavenly Kingdom of Christ. The tradition of the Church is that Mary died as all people die, since she bore the same mortal body that every person has who comes into the world. The Orthodox Church teaches, however, that she had no personal sins, but that she needed to be saved by Christ as all human persons are saved from the trial, sufferings and the death in this world; and that having truly died she was raised up by her Son as the Mother of Life. She participates in the ETERNAL LIFE OF PARADISE. Blessing of Flowers The events that surround the death of the Theotokos are handed down to us from the early church. We are told that when Mary fell asleep in the Lord, the Apostles placed her in a tomb. Thomas, not present for the burial, came later and asked to see Mary one last time. When the Apostles arrived at the tomb, they found flowers were present where she laid. As a reminder of this event, flowers and herbs are blessed on this day. The blessed flowers are seen now as a sign of God s Presence in this world.

11 THE CHURCH NEW YEAR September 1st The First Ecumenical Council, held in Nicea, 325 AD, decreed that the Church s year should begin on September 1 st. For the Jews, the month of September was the beginning of the civil year (see Exodus 12:2), the month of the gathering of fruits (the harvest), and the bringing to God of sacrifices of thanksgiving. It was at the time of this feast that the Lord Jesus went into the synagogue in Nazareth, opened the Book of the Prophet Isaiah and read the words: The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good tidings to the afflicted. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound, to proclaim the year of the Lord s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God. (Isaiah 61:1-2; see also Luke 4:16-21) The month of September is also noted in the history of Christianity because it was during September that Constantine the Great was victorious over Maxentius, the enemy of the Christian Faith. Following this victory, freedom to confess the Christian Faith was granted throughout the whole Roman Empire. For a long time the civil new year and the Church new year coincided on September 1 st, but the civil new year was later changed to January 1 st. TROPARION O Lord, Maker of the universe, Who alone has power over seasons and times, bless this year with Your bounty, preserve our country in safety, and keep Your people in peace. Save us through the prayers of the Mother of God.

12 September 8 th FEAST OF THE NATIVITY OF THE THEOTOKOS The Birth of the Mother of God is commemorated on September 8 th. The record of the Birth of Mary is not found in the Canonical Scriptures or Bible as we know it today, but the event is of importance for us men and for our salvation. Thus the Church lists Mary s birth as a Major Feast. The traditional teachings which are celebrated in the festal hymns of this feast is that JOACHIM and ANNA, the parents of Mary, were a pious Jewish couple who were among the small but faithful remnant who were awaiting the promised Messiah. Old and childless, they prayed earnestly to the Lord for a child, since among Jews barrenness was a sign of God s disfavor. In answer to their prayers and as a reward for their unwavering fidelity to God, they were blessed with a child who was destined to become the Mother of the Messiah, the Christ. That the birth of Mary is important, then, for us men and for our salvation is obvious. There had to be one born of human flesh and blood who would be spiritually capable of being the Mother of the Christ, and she herself had to be born into the world of persons who were spiritually capable of being her parents. This Feast honors the Birth of Mary, praising her and her righteous parents. However, it is also a celebration of the very first preparation of the salvation of the world. For the one who is to be the Mother of God is being prepared on Earth by God Himself: Mary, the child of Joachim and Anna, who will give birth to Jesus who grants the world GREAT MERCY!

13 September 14 th FEAST OF THE EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS On September 14 th, the Church celebrates the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross of our Lord. This Cross Feast commemorates two historical events: one of these was the discovery of the True Cross on which our Lord was crucified; and the other was the solemn return of the same Cross to its place in Jerusalem after it had been stolen and taken by the ancient Persians. The Cross of Christ was found by the Empress St. Helen in the year 329. When she went to oversee the construction of a new Church on the site of the suffering, death and resurrection of Christ, the site of the Cross was discovered. However, three crosses were unearthed. The Cross on which Jesus was crucified was identified when it was pressed to the body of a deceased person who then rose from the dead. At this point Christians began to joyfully kiss the WOOD on which our Lord died. Indeed, so many faithful began to press forward to approach the Cross that the Patriarch of Jerusalem decided to stand on a raised site and lift up the Cross for all to see. The people bowed low before it, proclaiming at the same time, Lord have mercy! It was from that Elevation and Exaltation of the Cross that the Feastday received its name. This Holy day is a day of fasting and prayer, recalling that the Cross is the only sign that is worthy of allegiance, and that our salvation comes not by victories of any earthly sort, but from the only true and lasting victory of the Crucifixion of Christ, and in denying ourselves to follow Him.

14 SWEET BASIL OUR CHURCH FLOWER Do you know the official flower of Ohio? Every state has an official flower. The Orthodox Church also has an official flower called Sweet Basil. Basil is a fragrant plant of the mint family and is used as an herb. Why have we adopted this flower as the official flower of our Church? What does this particular flower have to do with our Faith? The Basil flower became special to the Church more than 1600 years ago. Saint Helen, the mother of the Emperor Constantine, in the year 329, had journeyed to the Holy Land to rebuild many of the precious Christian shrines that laid in ruins for many years. She built many churches and shrines, which include the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the Church of the Nativity, the Church of the Ascension, and a Tower and chapel on Mt. Sinai for the monks who lived there. While she remained in Jerusalem, she searched diligently for the area known as Golgotha in the hope of finding the true Cross of Jesus Christ. After many weeks of searching, a beautiful flower was found growing in an area that was both lonely and abandoned. No other plant was growing in the area, and Saint Helen ordered her soldiers to dig deep into the earth at the exact spot where this unusual flower was growing. It was here that they found the Cross upon which Jesus was crucified. Since that day, the Basil flower has become the official flower, so to speak, of Orthodoxy. It is often used on many Feast Days of the Church. During the Epiphany Season, a sprinkler can be made either from fresh or dried Basil and used for the blessing of homes. On the third Sunday of Great Lent and on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, celebrated on September 14 th, the Cross is placed in the center of the Church surrounded by flowers and especially by the SWEET BASIL flower. The name BASIL means KING and the very fragrant Sweet Basil plant received its name from our Lord Jesus Who is the King of Glory, whose Kingdom is not of this world, but of the world of Eternity. When our Lord was crucified on the Cross, the inscription written above his head read: JESUS OF NAZARETH, KING OF THE JEWS. On the Cross today, the inscription often reads The King of Glory.

15 Monastery Pilgrimage <><><><><<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>< ORTHODOX MONASTERY OF THE TRANSFIGURATION ELWOOD CITY, PA. Annual Pilgrimage and Patronal Feast August 5 and 6, 2014 Tuesday, August 5 th 6:00 pm Vigil Service, followed by supper Wednesday, August 6 th 9:30 am Procession & Hierarchical Holy Liturgy in outdoor Pavilion Chapel His Eminence Archbishop Nathaniel Romanian Episcopate, OCA and His Grace, Bishop Melchisedek Archdiocese of Pittsburgh & Western Pa. and His Grace, Bishop Michael Diocese of New York and New Jersey, OCA Noon: Lunch 2:30 pm Sacrament of Holy Unction and Anointing of Pilgrims

16 Monastery Pilgrimage <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> DORMITION OF THE MOTHER OF GOD ORTHODOX MONASTERY RIVES JUNCTION, MICHIGAN 27 th Annual Pilgrimage, August 14 and 15, 2014 Thursday, August 14 th 5:00 pm Light Supper 6:30 pm Vigil of the Feast, Procession with Lamentations Friday, August 15 th 9:00 am Akathist, 3 rd and 6 th Hours 10:00 am Hierarchical Divine Liturgy Presiding Hierarch: Archbishop Nathaniel Romanian Episcopate, OCA Guest Homilist: Rev. Dr. Silviu Bunta 12:45 pm Lunch 2:30 pm Mystery of Holy Unction 5:30 pm Vespers Directions: 194 to exit 138 Rt 127 North. Go 7 ½ miles, take Berry Rd./Rives Jct. Exit; turn left (If exiting from 127 South, turn right). At stop sign (approx. 1 mile), turn right. The monastery is located on the left side of the road.

17 WORKERS OF ST. ELIZABETH THE NEW MARTYR Saint Elia the Prophet Orthodox Church, Akron, Ohio It s getting close to that time of year when children are getting ready to go back to school. Unfortunately, many students and their families are unable to afford even the basic essentials to insure success in school. Each year the Workers of Saint Elizabeth the New Martyr collects donated items and takes them to the Community Pregnancy Center located in Barberton. The center distributes the items to needy students. If you are able to do so, please purchase one or more of the items listed below and check off the items on the list located in the parish hall. Items should be placed in the container, located in the church vestibule, on or prior to August 10 th. May God bless you for your generosity. * 10 Pack #2 pencils * large pink erasers * Pencil Pouch * Washable Markers * 24 ct Crayola crayons * dry erase markers * Glue sticks * 1 inch three ring binders * Elmer s white glue * Colored pencils * Spiral notebooks * Graph paper * Yellow Highlighters * Packs of wipes. * Boxes of tissue * Clorox Wipes * Baby Wipes * I pack red pencils * 12 inch ruler with cm * Children s Scissors * Box of tissue * Backpacks

18 Is Islam one of the monotheistic religions, worthy of respect, or a socio-military-cultural-religious ideology dedicated to ruling the world? Archimandrite Daniel Byantoro Orthodox missionary priest since 1988 to Indonesia, the most populous Moslem country in the world. Schedule 9:30 AM Doors Open *Continental Breakfast* 9:50 AM Opening Prayer 10 AM Presentation #1 Concise View of Islam 11:10 AM Presentation #2 Action Plan, as an Individual and a Group 12:10 PM Q & A 12:30 PM Closing Prayer *Lunch will not be provided* Saturday, September 20, 2014 Saint Elia Orthodox Church 64 West Wilbeth Rd Akron, OH Please RSVP to: John Bober: jbobermd@gmail.com Nikki Bober: nlbober@gmail.com A voluntary freewill offering will be accepted to support Father Daniel. For further information about Father Daniel