10 Questions about Priests

Transcription

1 353 Saints Peter & Paul UOC 8410 West 131st St. Palos Park, IL Rev. Vasyl Sendeha Rector Parish Council President John Beck Sisterhood of St. Anne Tina Palasti Church School Director Pat Wolsko Church Choir Director George Cepynsky Sr. UOL President Harry Oryhon Ways & Means Committee Rich Ganske Seraphim Group President Vacant 50/50 Club President Michael Gbur Brotherhood of St. Constantine President John Policzszuk 10 Questions about Priests How well do we know who priests are and what do we know about their ministry? Where did it originate from, has it become obsolete? Who can become a servant of God? Finally, do we really need a mediator between God and people like this, if Christ Himself became such a mediator 2000 years ago? We chose ten questions about the priesthood, which are often asked by nonbelievers or those who have doubts. Questions which not every faithful Christian can answer. Fr. Sergius Pravdolubov, a holder of a masters degree in theology, the professor of The Moscow Theological Academy and the rector of the Holy Trinity Church in Troitsa-Golenistchevo village, will answer these questions. 1. Who was the first Orthodox priest? It is unknown. However, the Book of Acts mentions the church presbyters in Ephesus, who were not bishops like Timothy, the disciple of Apostle Paul. In the first centuries of Christianity, there were also

2 chorepiscopus or country bishops. Country bishops and presbyters differed slightly. 2. What is a priest after the order of Melchizedek, and why does this excerpt refer to Christ? Who is Melchizedek? Melchizedek was the king of Salem and was also a priest (Genesis 14:18, Psalms 110:4). His origin is absolutely unknown and unclear. Salem is often considered to be Jerusalem. But it can also be interpreted as an unlocalized region which has unclear and probably Heavenly, origin. This symbolic obscurity of the place and origin is used in relation to the Lord Jesus Christ, Who embodies God, the King and the Priest in one Person. 3. Why do we need priests? Do we need any mediator between God and the people after the coming of Christ, if He is a Mediator Himself? This is what the Protestants proclaim and continue to protest against the institute of priesthood for both the Orthodox and Catholic Christians. However, they forget one thing: Christ could solve this issue and cancel resolutely this cult of priests. He could pass everything to simple people and the heads of the families all over the world. Nevertheless, Christ blessed to remain this ministry, without which Christianity would soon exhaust and fade. God knows better the reasons why we need priests and the Church with the Holy Sacraments. 4. If Christ calls the faithful people part of the royal priesthood, then why are only special people allowed to celebrate The Holy Sacraments? In the words of Holy Martyr Pavel Florensky, this is the argument of the protesting priests. If someone is in danger of dying such as a new born who can die in the hospital then any Orthodox Christian can baptize that person. In this case the short version of Baptism is performed, with water being poured over the child three times while the required prayers are read. The Sacrament of Baptism has taken 2

3 353 Today Saturday Sunday October 22 19th Sunday after Pentecost. Tone two. Hieromartyr Cyprian, Virgin-martyr Justina and Martyr Theoctist of Nicomedia (304). Blessed Andrew, fool-for-christ at Constantinople (911). Venerable Cassian, monk, of Uglich (1504). Martyrs David and Constantine, princes of Argveti, Georgia (740) (Georgia). Blessed Cyprian of Suzdal, fool-for-christ (1622). New Martyr George of Philadelphia in Asia Minor (Mt. Athos) (1794) (Greek). Great-martyr Theodore (Gavra) of Atran in Chaldia of Pontus (1180) 2 Corinthians 11:31-12:9 Luke 6:31-36 Reader of the Hours - open Reader of the Eng. Epist. open Reader of the Ukr. Epist. PM Olenka Vespers at 6:00 pm 20th Sunday after Pentecost. Tone three. Commemoration of the Holy Fathers of the Seventh Ecumenical Council (787). Holy Apostle James, son of Alphaeus (1st c.). Venerable Andronicus and his wife Venerable Athanasia of Egypt (500). Righteous Forefather Abraham (2000 B.C.) and his nephew Righteous Lot. Martyrs Juventius and Maximus at Antioch (4th c.). St. Publia the Confessor of Antioch (360).Venerable Peter of Galatia (9th c.). St. Demetrius, patriarch of Alexandria (231). Hieromartyr Dionysius (Denis, Denys) of Paris, bishop (258) (Celtic & British). Galatians 1:11-19 Luke 7:11-16 Reader of the Hours - Sandra Hladky Reader of the Eng. Epist. Sandra Hladky Reader of the Ukr. Epist. Halyna Kashpar 3

4 place. Only after the child has recovered, a priest will anoint the child with the Holy Chrism in church. According to the life stories of saints, up until the 10th century a layman with a blessing of the priest could take the Holy Communion from only in case of emergency, and he give the Communion to another person. However, the Church, in which the Holy Spirit lives, took a decision to stop this practice and to forbid it in the next millennium. To be continued in the next Bulletin Bible & Faith Study Group Next Bible Study group meeting is Wednesday October 25 at 6:30 pm. If you are interested in joining the study, please see Fr. Vasyl Pinot's Palette Social Event Join us for the afternoon of fun and fellowship. Pinot s Pallet painting class at the Church Hall on Sunday December 3, 2017 at 2:00 pm. Not a fundraising event. Fee only to cover the cost of the Pinot s Palette workshop - $35.00 per person. Special discount for the Church Group. For more info see PM Olenka Sisterhood of St. Anne We have to start making extra pierogis to stuck up for the Christmas Season: Next Pierogy Working days are: TODAY make cheese balls Monday October 16 8:00am make Cheese and plum pierogies Tuesday October 17 8:00am make Pot & SK balls Wednesday October 18 8:00am make Pot & SK pierogis WE NEED VOLUNTEERS! We can t continue to do the work without enough volunteers. 4

5 Parish Council 353 Parish Council meeting is TODAY after the Coffee Hour. Representatives form parish organizations must be present. Building Fund Donations Masur Family in memory of Howard Brooks $ Sunday School Teachers Corner Recap of last Sunday s Lesson Last Sunday, 10/08/17, the students in Miss Karen s class learned of the Parable Jesus told of the Wise & Foolish builders. The children then played a game to demonstrate the difference between the two. The Wise Builder: Plans ahead, looks at the surroundings, checks the land and soil. He takes notes as he talks to other people who live in the area to get their input on the best place to build his home. He listens to what he is told and acts accordingly. As a result he found a large flat stone area to build his house upon. The foundation was strong and weathered the storms and stood the test of time. The Foolish Builder: Sure, he heard what people in the area told him about where to build, but he didn t take notes or follow through on the guidance he was given. He heard but didn t listen. He only wanted to build his house as he saw fit. He located a large flat area that appeared perfect for his needs and built his house upon it. He thought that was good enough. However, once the first big rains of the season came the foundation slowly washed away. The sandy ground beneath his home was not strong enough to support his belief that his home would be safe & secure. What does this mean? Our faith as Christians can be easily washed away unless it is firmly embedded in a solid & strong foundation. That is the real point of this lesson. We just can t say we are Christians, go to church & then not do what God wants us to do the rest of the week. We need the strength our Orthodox foundation gives us to stand up against life s problems and challenges, always remembering that The Word of God is our rock, the solid foundation that we stand upon! Blessings, Ms. Karen 5

6 Seven Day Vigil Candles For the health of my mother Polina in Ukraine on her Birthday on the Feast of Pokrova by Halyna Kashpar For the health of my father Pavlo in Ukraine by Halyna Kashpa For the health of Ana, Viorel, Dumitry, Mihail, Denis, Olia, Vasile, Oxana, Ciprian, Andreea, Victor, Nadina, Cristina, Valeriu, Elena, Voctor, Nicolae, Srgiu, Efim, Ana, Emily, Ghreorghi, Ira by Valeriu For the health of Terese Masur by Mark Masur For the health of Markian Masur by Mark Masur For the health of Alec and Hannah Masur by Mark Masur For the health and God s blessings of Family Members by Alvine & Mike Gbur Fir the health of daughter Roxana by Leela Cepynsky For the health of Paul & Dorothy Seliga by Paul & Dorothy Seliga God s blessings for our expecting mothers Olga, Elena, Alina, Asta, Aimee & Olenka by Fr. Vasyl For the health and quick recovery of Fr. David by Fr. Vasyl For the health of Fr. Vasyl Dovhan by Fr. Vasyl In memory of Mary Seliga and Florence Bednarz by Paul & Dorothy Seliga In memory of Vasile, Ion, Olea, Ion, Volinta, Vera, Stefan, Lilia & Vasile by Valeriu Prayer Corner for the Month of Ocotber We ask all of you to remember in your prayers the following individuals, who are in need of God's healing and grace: Ethel Smith, Michael P, Stephanie Luchyn, Catherine Hladky, Andrew Hladky, Wally and Ann Podlecki, Valentina Schacht, Susan Hendrixson, Rayan, Dean Manson, Vera Beggs, Pavlo & Polina, Barbara Patronik, Elias, Roxana, Irene, Katheryna Czerniak, Lilian Cepynsky, Josephine Hobert, Anthony Bendy, Katie Bruce, Maria Omelian, Patti Faye, Toni Marie Klavin, Hazel Gardiner, Michael Kimak, Chloe Mckinney, Yuriy Zmysly, Paul Jr & Dorothy Seliga, Wolodymer Kashpar, Nick Kapusta, Priest Vasyl Dovhan, Priest David Clooney, Frankie, Zachary, Alexander, Paul, Dolores. If there is anyone who is in need of prayers, and you want to add them to the prayer corner, please notify Fr. Vasyl. If you would like me to visit with the Sacraments of the Holy Confession and Eucharist, please call the rectory to set up an appointment. I will gladly visit everyone Fr. Vasyl 6

7 Church Humor 353 Ask and You Shall Receive Pastor Andrew and his council president, Sven Johnson ended up in a heated argument over a seemingly minor detail. I suggest we go home and pray to God to grant us peaceful hearts, said Pastor Andrew as Sven stormed past him into the church yard. After worship the next Sunday morning, Sven greeted Pastor Andrew warmly. I took your advice, he said. I went home and said a prayer. Great! said Pastor Andrew. So did I! I prayed that God would grant us both peaceful hearts and a fresh start. That s not what I prayed, said Sven. I asked God to help me put up with you. Lecture in the neighborhood Salt of the Earth: An Orthodox Christian Approach to Peacemaking by Jim Forest of Dorothy Day University At: Holy Apostles Greek Orthodox Church (2501 S. Wolf Rd. Westchester, IL 60154) Thursday, Oct. 26, PM Preceded by Vespers at 6PM Open to all. Light refreshments will be served. Jim Forest is international secretary of the Orthodox Peace Fellowship (incommunion.org) and the author of many books, including Loving Our Enemies: Reflections on the Hardest Commandment, Praying With Icons, Ladder of the Beatitudes, and Confession: Doorway to Forgiveness. His several children s books include Saint Nicholas and the Nine Golden Coins, Saint George and the Dragon and Silent as a Stone. He lives in Holland and is a Reader in the parish of St. Nicholas of Myra Russian Orthodox Church in Amsterdam. For more information : -an-alphabet-of-his-own-design/ Memorial Panahyda Today: In memory of Alice Tychonia on the 40th day of passing. Requested by Masur Family 7

8 Coffee Hour Schedule We kindly remind to provider and set aside snacks/food/ drinks for our children who attend Sunday School. Today -- Andrea Manson & Janet Milton October Megan & John Hryn October PANCAKE FLIP Sr. UOL November 5 -- Pat Ciapinski and Karoline Ciapinski-O Neill November ANNUAL TURKEY SHOOT & DINNER November Mary Lamantia & family November PM Olenka & Lisa Sklaryk If you would like to volunteer for the Coffee Hour or need to change your scheduled date, please see Dr. Harry Oryhon call or harrymolars@aol.com Parish Family Thanksgiving Dinner Join Our Parish Family for Annual Turkey Shoot Dinner & visit of His Eminence Archbishop Daniel on Sunday November 12 Adult $ Students $8.00. Kids under 10 Free. Turkey Shoot Raffle for a chance to win 25 gift cards Please make your reservations with Noreen Neswick. Save the Date Saturday October 28 - Family Fun night - Free event sponsored by Sr. UOL Sunday November 12, Parish Family Thanksgiving Dinner and Visit of His Grace Archbishop Daniel. Blessing of the remodeling of the Church Temple. Sunday December 3, Pinot s Palette - Paint & Socialize at 2:00pm Church Hall. Interested see PM Olenka Sunday December 10, Bake with Larry at 1:00pm exclusive baking class to create the best you ever tasted Crème brûlée. 8