Ambo ST. THEODOSIUS ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL. December 14, th Sunday after Pentecost MARTYRS THYRSYUS, LEUCIS AND CALLINICUS

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1 Ambo ST. THEODOSIUS ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL 733 Starkweather Ave. Cleveland, Ohio Mailing: 733 Starkweather Avenue Cleveland, Ohio T F Archpriest John Zdinak Dean Dn. Daniel Boerio Subdeacon Theodore Lentz Sacristan Reader Julius Kovach Divine Services Eve Sundays & Feast Days 5:00 PM Confessions 6:00 PM Great Vespers Sundays and Feast Days 8:40 AM 3rd and 6th Hour 9:00 AM Divine Liturgy Fr. John Office Hours Tuesday & Wednesday 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM *Articles for publication in the AMBO should be submitted to: AMBO@sttheodosius.org by Wednesday of each week before noon. December 14, th Sunday after Pentecost MARTYRS THYRSYUS, LEUCIS AND CALLINICUS The Hieromartyr Ignatius the GodBearer, was a disciple of the holy Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian, as was also St Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna (February 23). St Ignatius was the second bishop of Antioch, and successor to Bishop Euodius, Apostle of the Seventy (September 7). Tradition suggests that when St Ignatius was a little boy, the Savior hugged him and said: "Unless you turn and become as little children, you shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven" (Mt. 18:3). The saint was called "God-Bearer" (Theophoros), because he bore God in his heart and prayed unceasingly to Him. He also had this name because he was held in the arms of Christ, the incarnate Son of God. St Ignatius was a disciple of the Apostle John the Theologian, together with St Polycarp of Smyrna. As Bishop of Antioch, St Ignatius was zealous and spared no effort to build up the church of St. Theodosius Orthodox Cathedral Ambo - Page 1

2 Christ. To him is attributed the practice of antiphonal singing (by two choirs) during church services. He had seen a vision of the angels in heaven alternately singing praises to God, and divided his church choir to follow this example. In the time of persecution he was a source of strength to the souls of his flock, and was eager to suffer for Christ. In the year 106 the emperor Trajan (98-117), after his victory over the Scythians, ordered everyone to give thanks to the pagan gods, and to put to death any Christians who refused to worship the idols. In the year 107, Trajan happened to pass through Antioch. Here they told him that Bishop Ignatius openly confessed Christ, and taught people to scorn riches, to lead a virtuous life, and preserve their virginity. St Ignatius came voluntarily before the emperor, so as to avert persecution of the Christians in Antioch. St Ignatius rejected the persistent requests of the emperor Trajan to sacrifice to the idols. The emperor then decided to send him to Rome to be thrown to the wild beasts. St Ignatius joyfully accepted the sentence imposed upon him. His readiness for martyrdom was attested to by eyewitnesses, who accompanied St Ignatius from Antioch to Rome. On the way to Rome, the ship sailed from Seleucia stopped at Smyrna, where St Ignatius met with his friend Bishop Polycarp. Clergy and believers from other cities and towns thronged to see St Ignatius. He exhorted everyone not to fear death and not to grieve for him. In his Epistle to the Roman Christians, he asked them to assist him with their prayers, and to pray that God would strengthen him in his impending martyrdom for Christ: "I seek Him Who died for us; I desire Him Who rose for our salvation... In me, desire has been nailed to the cross, and no flame of material longing is left. Only the living water speaks within me, saying, 'Hasten to the Father.'" From Smyrna, St Ignatius went to Troas. Here he heard the happy news of the end of the persecution against Christians in Antioch. From Troas, St Ignatius sailed to Neapolis (in Macedonia) and then to Philippi. On the way to Rome St Ignatius visited several churches, teaching and guiding the Christians there. He also wrote seven epistles: to the churches of Ephesus, Magnesia, Tralles, Rome, Philadelphia, and Smyrna. He also addressed a letter to St Polycarp, who mentions a collection of the letters of St Ignatius in his letter to the Philippians (Ch. 13). St Irenaeus of Lyons quotes from St Ignatius's letter to the Romans (AGAINST HERESIES 5:28:4). All these letters have survived to the present day. The Roman Christians met St Ignatius with great joy and profound sorrow. Some of them hoped to prevent his execution, but St Ignatius implored them not to do this. Kneeling down, he prayed together with the believers for the Church, for love between the brethren, and for an end to the persecution against Christians. On December 20, the day of a pagan festival, they led St Ignatius into the arena, and he turned to the people: "Men of Rome, you know that I am sentenced to death, not because of any crime, but because of my love for God, by Whose love I am embraced. I long to be with Him, and offer myself to him as a pure loaf, made of fine wheat ground fine by the teeth of wild beasts." St. Theodosius Orthodox Cathedral Ambo - Page 2

3 After this the lions were released and tore him to pieces, leaving only his heart and a few bones. Tradition says that on his way to execution, St Ignatius unceasingly repeated the name of Jesus Christ. When they asked him why he was doing this, St Ignatius answered that this Name was written in his heart, and that he confessed with his lips Him Whom he always carried within. When the saint was devoured by the lions, his heart was not touched. When they cut open the heart, the pagans saw an inscription in gold letters: "Jesus Christ." After his execution St Ignatius appeared to many of the faithful in their sleep to comfort them, and some saw him at prayer for the city of Rome. Hearing of the saint's great courage, Trajan thought well of him and stopped the persecution against the Christians. The relics of St Ignatius were transferred to Antioch (January 29), and on February 1, 637 were returned to Rome and placed in the church of San Clemente. DEPARTED: Patriarch Alexei + 12/05/08 Henry Grabowski + 11/06/08 ILL-AFFLICTED: Archpriest Pavel Soucek and Mat. Paula Helen Antonik Jerry Arangelovich Alice Artino Helen Baldner Carol Bohurjak Martha Bondor Mary Chrewan John Clements John Conrad Joseph Gammalo Julia Grabowski Robert Guido Maria Hanzel Annaliese Jacak Donna Jacak Tom Jacobson PRAYER REQUESTS Sarah Kersey Jason Kleps (cousin of Maca Tyler. Jason is in Kirkuk, Iraq) Marian Kluchnik Mary Ann Kovach Dorothy Laskovich John Matson Alan Meyer Olga Michailuk Dan O Donnell Walter & Grace Parhamovich (Karen Felon s parents) David Roman (nephew of Margaret Rusynyk) Julia Sankovic (Child) Mary Ann Silberhorn Elsie Sudnick Nina Sudnick Pauline Timm Sonia Vorell Larry Walter Harrison Ward (Child) Helen Zawisza (Joe Rusynyk s sister) Nicholas Zolikoff Russell Carleton & Tanya Klimova & Unborn Child Nikol Nanicevic & Gianni & Unborn Child (Friend of Nikol Zdinak) CONGRATULATIONS TO: Cara Ann Gartman & Newborn Elijah James, born on September 12. William & Suzanne Frazier & Newborn Olivia Pearl Frazier, born on October 14. CATECUMINS: Michael & Michelle Scott, Leonora Felon s co-worker. Daniel McNeilly and children ANNOUNCEMENTS VESPERAL LITURGY WILL BE ON WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 31-5:00 PM Dues payments are no longer accepted at the Bookstore. Payments can be made at Ridge Manor or Parish Office Thank you. HELP SUPPORT OUR CATHEDRAL Children s hand painted banks will be on display at coffee hour. $10.00 each. Please see Carol Machaskee. St. Theodosius Orthodox Cathedral Ambo - Page 3 GOD S GIFTS TO US - OUR GIFTS TO GOD Weekly expenses: $6, Last week s collection: $3, Over/Under < $2,787.00>

4 Welcome Visitors Our parish welcomes you and thanks you for joining us at today s Divine Liturgy. While only Orthodox Christians may approach the chalice for Holy Communion, everyone is welcome to partake of the Holy Bread after Liturgy. COFEE HOUR & GREETERS SCHEDULES Coffee Hour Hosts: Greeters: 12/14/08 Mat. Jeanne Homik Linda Smotzer/Virginia Medvec 12/21/08 Maca Tyler/Judy Schwind Debbi Pinta/Maria Broslawik 12/28/08 Nick & Kate Zolikoff To be announced/linda Smotzer 01/04/09 Joyce Tabeling To be announced. 01/11/09 Mary Swit/Tammy Ponomarenko To be announced. Dome Lighters Donations to offset the cost of lighting the domes can be made for the health of or in memory of your loved ones. Contact the Parish Office if you are interested. December 14 - December 20: In memory of Stephen Demko by the Diane Demko ANNUAL COOKIE WALK SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20 9:00AM - 1:00PM RIDGE MANOR BANQUET CENTER Our Parish Bakers made over 20 varieties of HOMEMADE COOKIES, NUT, POPPYSEED AND APRICOT ROLLS. KOLACHE ~ OUR SPECIALTY!! (PET TREATS!) For your convenience, we will have HOMEMADE APRICOT, NUT and POPPYSEED ROLLS for sale at every Sunday s Coffee Hour. The price is $8.00. Homemade rolls are also available at the Ridge Manor Party Center. Please call Sharon Glagola at TO OUR CHURCH FAMILY Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Thank you for your prayers over the past year for our cousin Jason Kleps. You may recall that he was injured last September while serving in Kirkuk, Iraq. He recovered from those injuries and finished his tour of duty. Jason is now back in the United States! He is currently stationed at Fort Drum in New York. We know that he is home safely because of all the prayers sent up from the St Theodosius parish. Thank you also to Father John for remembering Jason at every Divine Liturgy. We are thankful to be a part of this caring and supportive community. Damian, Maca, Ana, Aleksandra & Natalija Tyler ANNUAL COOKIE WALK - COOKIE DELIVERY Cookies can be dropped off at RIDGE MANOR starting at 3:30 PM on Friday, December 19. We appreciate volunteers who would like to help with setup. All volunteers should arrive by 8:00 AM on Saturday, December 20th. Cookie sale starts at 9:00! All volunteers ~ please enter at the kitchen door upon arrival. Thank You! St. Theodosius Orthodox Cathedral Ambo - Page 4 Church School resumes Saturday, January 10, 2009 Parents please see Maca Tyler to sign up for providing one Saturday night light meal.

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6 Sunday, December 14 Martyrs Thyrsyus, Leucis and Callinicus 9:00 AM Divine Liturgy 5:00 PM Greater Cleveland Inter-Orthodox Council Christmas Holy Trinity Monday, December 15 Hieromart. Eleutherius Ven. Paul Of Latros 11:00 AM Henry Grabowski Memorial Tuesday, December 16 Prophet Haggai Bl. Empress Theophano (Theophania) Wednesday, December 17 Holy Prophet Daniel 3 Holy Youths: Ananias, Azarias & Misael Thursday, December 18 Martyr Sebastian and His Companions At Rome 11:00 AM Faith Manor Weekly Schedule SPECIAL COLLECTION DECEMBER 2008 THE WALL Friday, December 19 Martyr Boniface and Righteous Aglaida 3:30PM Set up for Cookie Ridge Manor Saturday, December 20 Saturday before Nativity Hieromartyr Ignatius The God-Bearer Rep. St. John, Kronstadt 9:00 Cookie Sale 6:00 PM Great Vespers Sunday, December 21 Sunday Before Nativity Virgin Martyr Juliana And Her Companions 9:00 AM Divine Liturgy 1:00 PM Cathedral Open House 3:00 PM Cathedral Christmas Concert St. Theodosius Orthodox Cathedral 733 Starkweather Avenue Cleveland, Ohio St. Theodosius Orthodox Cathedral Ambo - Page 6