The Voice. Parish Newsletter: August 2016 September 2016 Saint Elia the Prophet Orthodox Church A Parish of the Orthodox Church in America

Transcription

1 The Voice Parish Newsletter: August 2016 September 2016 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 Protodeacon Joel Mark Chupp - Attached Office: (330) Parish Council President: Subdeacon Terrence A. Bilas Vice President: Michele Lambo Secretary: Reader Aaron Gray Treasurer: Mr. Tom Ritzman Communications Officer: Reader Joseph Turner Members: Veronica Bilas, Mary Marcin, Sue Ellen Turscak CHOIR DIRECTOR: Subdeacon Terrence Bilas Assistant Directors: Anastasia Bohush, Florence Lambo, Reader Michael Luc CHURCH SCHOOL Coordinator: Popadia Donna Freude Staff: Reader Aaron Gray, Reader Joseph Turner SISTERHOOD OF ST. JULIANA President: Kathy Gray Vice President: Sandy Graham Secretary: Anastasia Bohush Treasurer: Mary Magensky WORKERS - ST. ELIZABETH THE NEW MARTYR Coordinators: Reader Aaron Gray, Veronica Bilas

2 HOURS & EPISTLE READERS: AUG. SEPT. Sunday, August 7 Sunday, September 4 Hours: Reader Joseph Turner Hours: Sandy Graham Epistle:Reader Joseph Turner Epistle: Sandy Graham Sunday, August 14 Sunday, September 11 Hours: Subd. Terrence Bilas Hours: Florence Lambo Epistle: Anastasia Bohush Epistle: Rebeccah Di Puccio Sunday, August 21 Sunday, September 18 Hours: Bud Graham Hours: Sue Ellen Turscak Epistle: Bud Graham Epistle: Sue Ellen Turscak Sunday, August 28 Sunday, September 25 Hours: Reader Aaron Gray Hours Reader Michael Luc Epistle: Reader Aaron Gray Epistle:ReaderMichael 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 Leonora Evancho Bessie Alexandrovich Larissa Freude Anastasia Haymon Joseph Boyle, (Kathy Grays brother) Joseph Boyle (Kathy Gray s father) William Di Puccio, Sr. (father of Bill Di Puccio) Phyllis George (sister of Rose Marie Vronick Connie Pysell Lisa Nastoff See Fr. Don for contact information. Private information such as addresses, will never be published in electronic format. Beginning Sunday, September 4, 2016 through Sunday, May 28, 2017, DORMITION FAST Divine Liturgy will begin at 10:00 am

3 AUGUST DORMITION FAST August 1-14 TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD GOD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST Friday. August 5 6:00 pm Great Vespers and Blessing of Fruit. Presentation by the Sisters from the Convent of St. Elizabeth the New Martyr, Minsk, Belarus Saturday, August 6 *AT THE TRANSFIGURATION MONASTERY in Elwood City, Pa. 9:30 am Procession and Holy Liturgy in the Pavilion Guest Hierarch and Homilist Archbishop Mark, OCA Diocese of Eastern, Pennsylvania Noon Lunch 2:00 pm Showcase of our Youth 2:30 pm Holy Unction and Anointing of Pilgrims 6:00 pm Great Vespers 7 th SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST Tone 6 Afterfeast of the Transfiguration Saturday, August 6 - No Vespers Scheduled Sunday, August 7 9:15 am Hours Reader Joseph Turner 9:30 am Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom Epistle Reader Reader Joseph Turner EPISTLE: Romans 15:1-7 GOSPEL Matt. 9: th SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST Tone 7- Forefeast of the Dormition of the Theotokos Sat. August 13-5:00 pm Great Vespers & Confessions Sunday, August 14 9:15 am Hours Subdeacon Terence Bilas 9:30 am Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom Epistle Reader Anastasia Bohush

4 EPISTLE: 1 Cor. 1:10-18 GOSPEL: 14:14-22 THE DORMITION OF OUR MOST-HOLY LADY THEOTOKOS AND EVER-VIRGIN MARY Monday, August 15 8:00 am Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom. Blessing of Flowers and Herbs EPISTLE: Phil. 2:5-11 GOSPEL: Luke 10: ; 11: th SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST Tone 8 Afterfeast of the Dormition. Saturday, August 20 5:00 pm Great Vespers & Confessions Sunday, August 21 9:15 am Hours Bud Graham 9:30 am Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom Epistle Reader Bud Graham EPISTLE: 1 Cor. 3:9-17 GOSPEL: Matt. 14: th SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST Tone 1 Venerable Moses the Black of Scete Saturday, August 27 5:00 pm Great Vespers and Confessions Sunday, August 28 9:15 am Hours Reader Aaron Gray 9:30 am Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom Epistle Reader Reader Aaron Gray EPISTLE: 1 Cor. 4:9-16 GOSPEL: Matt. 17:14-23 SEPTEMBER 13 1h SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST Tone 2 Holy Prophet and Eye-witness of God, Moses Saturday, Sept. 3-5:00 pm Great Vespers and Confessions Sunday, September 4 9:45 am - Hours Sandy Graham 10:00 am Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom Epistle Reader Sandy Graham

5 EPISTLE: 1 Cor. 9:2-12 GOSPEL: Matt. 18:23-35 FEAST OF THE NATIVITY OF THE MOST-HOLY LADY THEOTOKOS AND EVER-VIRGIN MARY. Wednesday, September 7 6:00 pm Vesperal Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom EPISTLE: Phil 2:5-11 GOSPEL: Luke 10:38-42; 11: th SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST Tone 3 Sunday before the Elevation of the Holy Cross Saturday, September 10 5:00 pm Great Vespers and Confessions Sunday, September 11 9:45 am - Hours Florence Lambo 10:00 am Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom Epistle Reader Rebecca Di Puccio EPISTLE: Galatians 6:11-18 GOSPEL: John 3:13-17 UNIVERSAL EXALTATION OF THE PRECIOUS AND LIFE-GIVING CROSS Tuesday, September 13-6:00 pm Vesperal Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom Wednesday, September 14 Strict Fast Day 13 th SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST Tone 4 Afterfeast and Sunday After the Exaltation of the Holy Cross Saturday, Sept. 17-5:00 pm Great Vespers & Confessions Sunday, September 18 9:45 am - Hours Sue Ellen Turscak 10:00 am Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom Epistle Reader Sue Ellen Turscak EPISTLE: Galatians 2:16-20 GOSPEL: Mark 8:24-9:1 14 th SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST Tone 5 Saturday, Sept. 24-5:00 pm Great Vespers & Confessions Sunday, September 25 9:45 am - Hours Reader Michael Luc 10:00 am Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom Epistle Reader Reader Michael Luc

6 EPISTLE: 2 Cor. 1:21-2:4 GOSPEL: Luke 5:1-11 VISITORS FROM THE SISTERHOOD OF ST. ELIZABETH THE NEW MARTYR MINSK, BELARUS We will have Sisters Anastasia and Maria from the Convent of St. Elizabeth in Belarus visiting us on Friday evening August 5 th, Great Vespers will be celebrated at 6 pm, followed by a Presentation given by the Sisters who are touring the country. The Sisterhood of St. Elizabeth takes care of children and adults with mental and physical disabilities in boarding homes and patients of the National Psychiatric Hospital. The Sisters offer love and spiritual help to the sick and work hard to improve the living conditions for the children suffering from Down s syndrome, birth traumas and cerebral palsy. They also help ex-prisoners, drug and alcoholic addicts at rehabilitation center established for this purpose. The Sisterhood of St. Elizabeth was founded in 1996 and was named in honor of the Holy Martyr and Grand Princess Saint Elizabeth. The Sisters ask us to take this special opportunity to support their beautiful work and mission. They have brought with them beautiful

7 religious handcrafts made in the workshops of the Convent ST. ELIA S WORKERS OF ST. ELIZABETH THE NEW MARTYR Saint Elia the Prophet Orthodox Church, Akron, Ohio STUFF THE CRIB The Community Pregnancy Center of Barberton will be delivering a CRIB to us at St. Elia to fill with needed items with needed items for infants and toddlers up to 4T. The Workers of St. Elizabeth the New Martyr of our Parish Family has taken on this project for this year and are asking everyone to participate as you are able. The following is a list of items that are needed: Infant and toddler clothing up to 4 T. Diapers newborn to size 6 Formula- Similac Advance or Similac Isomil (12.4 oz. powder) Baby Food and aby Cereals Layette items brand new items for newborns: onesies, sleepers, clothing, receiving blankets, crib sheets, pacifiers, bibs, baby wash and baby shampoo Handmade (crocheted or knit) blankets or hats Car seats (new) infant or toddler

8 Cribs, mattresses, bassinets, pack n plays, strollers, high chairs, etc. 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.

9 This Feast is celebrated on August 6. Grapes and other fruits are blessed on this day. 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

10 day. The blessed flowers are seen now as a sign of God s Presence in this world. September 1st THE CHURCH NEW YEAR 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

11 people in peace. Save us through the prayers of the Mother of God. 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

12 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! 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 some 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

13 from the only true and lasting victory of the Crucifixion of Christ, and in denying ourselves to follow Him. 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,

14 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. Monastery Pilgrimage <><><><><<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>< TRANSFIGURATION MONASTERY ELWOOD CITY, PA. Annual Pilgrimage and Patronal Feast Saturday, August 6 th 9:30 am Procession and Holy Liturgy in outdoor Pavilion Chapel Guest Homilist: Archbishop Mark: OCA Diocese of Eastern Pa. Noon: Lunch 2:00 pm Showcase of or Youth 2:30 pm Holy Unction and Anointing ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BLESSING OF GRAPES AND FRUIT In celebration of the Transfiguration of our Lord, as is customary, grapes and fruit will be blessed on Friday, August 5 th, following the Vespers AND on Sunday, August 7 th, following the Divine Liturgy. Please bring your grapes and fruit for blessing and place them on the side table. Church School Our Church School classes are held on Sunday mornings following the Divine Liturgy. Due to the scheduling of other events: Parish 70 th Anniversary Celebration on October 2 nd. and

15 Night at the Races on Oct.22 nd, the classrooms would need to be dismantled and then set up again. Therefore, Church School classes for will begin on October 30 and end on May classes. Monastery Pilgrimage <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> DORMITION OF THE MOTHER OF GOD ORTHODOX MONASTERY RIVES JUNCTION, MICHIGAN 28 th Annual Pilgrimage, August 14 and 15, 2015 Sunday, August 14 th 5:00 pm Light Supper 6:30 pm Vigil of the Feast with Lamentations Monday, August 15 th 9:45 am Procession to the Pavilion 10:00 am Hierarchical Divine Liturgy Host Hierarch His Eminence Archbishop Nathaniel Guest of Honor: His Grace, Bishop Paul, Bishop of the Midwest Diocese, OCA 12:45 pm Lunch 2:30 pm Mystery of Holy Unction 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

16 (approx. 1 mile), turn right. The monastery is located on the left side of the road. Saint Elia Orthodox Church presents Saturday, October 22, 2016 Saint Elia Church Hall 64 W. Wilbeth Rd. Akron, OH Doors open - 5:30 PM Dinner 6:00 PM Racing Begins 6:45 PM Dinner Tickets are $15 each and include: Spaghetti Dinner Salad bread dessert coffee beer pop water - snacks B.Y.O.B HORSES AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE/NAME - $10.00 EACH CALL OR ANASTASIA FOR TICKETS OR INFORMATION anastasiabohush3@yahoo.com

17 Night at the Races How can you help? *Buy tickets: invite your friends out for a great night! Dinner, beer/pop, snacks are included! A full table of 8 can be purchased for $120. *Buy Horses: purchase a horse for $10. You name the horse and if it wins during its race, you receive a trophy and a cash prize! *Place an Ad: Know a local business? Ask them to place an ad in our program. Personal ads for well wishes may also be placed. $25 half page/$50 full page. *Sponsor a Race: Sponsor one of the 10 races for $25. Your name or business name will be in the program and mentioned at beginning of the race. *Donate a basket: See Mary Marcin if you are willing to donate a basket for the basket raffle.

18 AMAZON SMILE Amazon gives Support St. Elia whenever you shop! Step 1: Go to Step 2: Search and select St. Prophet Elia Macedono- Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox Church as your preferred charity. There are several St. Elia churches listed. We are the only one in Akron. Amazon will donate a percentage (.5%) of your purchases to St. Elia whenever you complete a transaction MEMBERSHIP PLEDGE CARDS Please fill out your membership pledge card for 2016 This form shall be used to document membership in accordance with section 5 of the Bylaws of St. Elia the Prophet Orthodox Church. It will be maintained on file in the Church office. Membership numbers established by completed forms shall be used to establish voting eligibility, meeting quorums, and membership totals for both internal and external (Diocesan/OCA) uses on a yearly basis. Contact information will be used to maintain communication for Church purposes. Please fill out the forms and give to Fr. Don. TROYCA TRIPLE CANDLE During the proclamation of the Holy Gospel, the Triple Candle, symbolizing the Holy Trinity, is held in the middle of the Church facing the Altar. If you would like to volunteer and be honored to do so, please sign the list so that each week someone will take on this honor and share in this responsibility <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN WOMEN TEA Sunday, September 25: 2-4 pm St. Thomas Eastern Orthodox Church 555 S. Cleveland-Massillon Road, Fairlawn, Ohio Installation of Officers Presentation of the Orthodox Woman of the Year Award