HOLY TRINITY ORTHODOX CHURCH JULY 2015

Transcription

1 HOLY TRINITY ORTHODOX CHURCH JULY 2015

2 July 2015 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Charity: Cleaners:??? Greeter:??? 1 Unmercenaries Cosmas & Damian Independence Day 5 5th after Pentecost Divine Liturgy 9:00A.M. Coffee Hour Koles/ Wagner Icon of our Lady of Kazan St. Olga, Princess of Russia Finance Committee meeting 7:00 P.M. 12 6th after Pentecost Divine Liturgy 9:00A.M. Coffee Hour??? St. Vladimir New Martyrs Elizabeth & Barbara Panikhida 4:30 PM 19 7th after Pentecost St. Seraphim of Sarov Divine Liturgy 9:00A.M. Coffee Hour Kokus St. Mary Magdalene 18 th All American Council Atlanta, Georgia Great Martyr Christina 25 GENERAL 26 8th after Pentecost St. Jacob Netsvetov of Alaska Divine Liturgy 9:00 A.M. Coffee Hour George M & George L 27 Greatmartyr & Healer Panteleimon 28 St. Irene Chrysovolantou New Hieromartyr Benjamin of Petrograd August 1 Dormition Fast (8/1 8/14)

3 Monthly Newsletter of HOLY TRINITY ORTHODOX CHURCH 305 Washington Street PO Box 2876 New Britain, CT JULY 2015 ALL-AMERICAN COUNCIL: From Monday, July 20 thru Friday, July 24 representatives from all parishes in the Orthodox Church in America will gather in council in Atlanta, GA. Please keep all the delegates and observers in your prayers especially those from our parish; Fr. David, Clergy delegate and Evelyn Cherpak, Lay delegate. GENERAL : is normally held on the last Saturday of each month (except for lenten periods), following Great Vespers. All regular communicants should make every effort to attend each General Confession. The next General Confession will be held on Saturday, July 25th. The July charity collection is for for IOCC [International Orthodox Christian Charity]. The IOCC is the official international humanitarian organization of the Episcopal Assembly (formerly SCOBA). It s mandate, in the spirit of Christ s love, offers emergency relief and development programs to those in need worldwide, without discrimination, and strengthens the capacity of the Orthodox Church to so respond. 91% of resources go towards emergency relief and development programs. Every dollar you give helps IOCC secure $7 in support from governments, foundations and other sources. The most recent IOCC distributions went to support the Nepal earthquake victims, the survivors of the Balkan flooding and Assyrian exiled children. be available for confession after Saturday Vespers. GOLF DAY: The Men's Club invites you to join them for a round of golf (9 holes) on Sunday, August 23, 2015 at Timberline Golf Club, 330 Southington Road, Berlin, CT. Mark your calendars and keep watch for more information! PARISH COUNCIL: The next meeting of the 2015 Parish Council will be held on Monday evening, August 31st at 7:00 p.m. All council members are asked to make every effort to attend the meeting. Birthdays & Anniversaries in JULY: 5 Timothy Clark Annette Salina Elizabeth Hamisevich Mat. Melanie Rebecca Ahern Elizabeth Bradanini Lucas Karabin Vera Luzietti Fr. David Ann Cook Dimitry & Raissa Shafran Dan & Elizabeth Bradanini Joseph & Alicyn Pulcini Alex & Diane Polzun Francis & Irene Ferrandino Nicholas & Mallory Kokus Adam & Danielle Salina 2000 The collection will be taken on the last Sunday of the month. Please use the envelope provided in your monthly mailing and be generous!! DORMITION FAST: The fast in preparation for the Great and Holy Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos begins on August 1st and ends with the celebration of the Festal Divine Liturgy on August 15th. Fr. David will Archpriest David Koles, Rector 9 Frankie Lane Terryville, CT Phone: frdavid@htocnb.org 1

4 WHEN I WAS SICK YOU CAME TO ME The following parishioners (and friends) are now homebound or in long-term care facilities. If there are any names missing, please inform Fr. David. The regular schedule of visitations is included on the monthly calendar. Parishioners are welcomed and encouraged to make regular visitations to nursing homes and shut-ins. Our loved ones NEED to feel connected to their parish family. Bay Ridge Health Center, Annapolis, MD Jennie Skovich Jerome Home, New Britain Sadie Albino Arbor Rose, New Britain Nona Belomyzy Mary Camarata Monsignor Bojnowski Manor, New Britain Helen Karabin At Home: Jim Dounouk, Michael Horbal, Joseph Kowar, Susan Labas, Stella Liwen, Jennie Pich, Irene Prigodich, Antoinette Rudy and John Steffick. PARISH DIPTYCHS Please remember our departed brothers and sisters in your prayers. Moisey Rostella 54 July Michael Fetzko 75 July Peter Shevchuk 68 July Ruth Lucas 85 July Samuel Sopko 67 July Mary Labas 78 July Child (No name) Ladutko 1 day July Jennie Mandro 30 July Donna Stelman 77 July George Liwen 94 July Nicholas Cherpak 63 July Pauline Gregorowich 77 July Andrew Truhan July Diomid Gel 75 July Child Vladimir Martinchuk 4 July Peter Petrioka 24 July Natalie Mikuno 36 July Mary Garlewsky 57 July Prohor Novosett July Evan Panysh 77 July Walter Tynik 94 July William Aduskevicz July Catherine Rusinovsky 79 July Alexander Stepanec 59 July Paul Lechowicz July Nadia Dwyer 63 July Nicolai Sotirov 54 July Alexander Alexieff 70 July Vera Martinook 73 July Aleksandra Lashenka 87 July Katherine Kolveka 23 July Walter Waskiewicz July Child Anastasia Vilenin 10 days July Child Sophie Panasevich 7 mo July Michael Belomyzy 79 July Alexander Pyzow 87 July Andrew Bogdan 67 July Daria Dalidovich 55 July Paul Kislicki 67 July Melania Hamilla July Anne Hamilla Christien 81 July Helen Roberts 91 July Anthony Moskoluk 66 July Nicholas Romanuk 65 July Mary Zuk 62 July Ajanas Ludko 84 July Alexy (Al) Rudy 92 July Child Alexander Martinchik 1 July Child Alexander Kinon 6 mo July Thaddeus Kostanchuk 77 July Mary Zuk 68 July Elbert Everson 55 July John Horbal 78 July Child Sergei Stankevich 2 mo July Nadezhda Matyschsyk 68 July Anna Colwick 80 July Sophie Comba 75 July Child Vladimir Kasperovich 2 mo July Michael Roman 84 July Child Mary Perut 9 mo July Elena Tabakow 59 July John Colwick, Sr. 76 July Antony Srogi 83 July Sophie? July Nina Cenewicz July Child Paul Zhoyka 7 mo July Wasil Danilevich 63 July Nicholas Steffick 67 July Helen Lechowicz 92 July Child Anna Stankevich 4 mo July Nicholas Trubeev 36 July John Tavorons 59 July Andrew Panasevich 54 July Sophie Novick 89 July George Augustinovich 58 July Olga Makula 65 July Isidore Prigodich July Alexander Gregorowich 75 July Jean Janusonis 62 July Olga (Alice) Wilczek 81 July Anna Lewchik 78 July

5 Arthur Pobrezny July fully into the Orthodox ethos and way of life; and labored to bring Episcopalians into the saving enclosure of the Orthodox Church. He was an Orthodox apostle of universal significance. NEWEST AMERICA ORTHODOX SAINTS St. Mardarije of Libertyville Archmandrite Mardarije (Uskoković) was Administrator of the Serbian Orthodox Church presence in North America, , initially under the omoforion of the Russian Orthodox Church. As of 1922, the Serbian Orthodox Church established a diocese of the U.S.A and Canada, with St. Nikolaj Velimirović as first Bishop. Archimandrite Mardarije resumed his role as administrator in 1923, and became Bishop in He led the Serbian Orthodox Church in Canada and the USA with piety and dignity, through difficult times, until his death at the age of 46 in For his exemplary life, leadership and spiritual gifts left to us in North America, he has been added to the calendar of Serbian Orthodox Saints, as St. Mardarije of Libertyville, commemorated every December 12th. St. Sebastian (Dabovich) of Jackson Born to Serbian immigrants in San Francisco in 1863, Archimandrite Sebastian Dabovich has the distinction of being the first person born in the United States of America to be ordained as an Orthodox priest, and also the first native-born American to be tonsured as an Orthodox monk. His greatest distinction, however, lies in the tremendous apostolic, pastoral, and literary work that he accomplished during the forty-eight years of his priestly ministry. Known as the Father of Serbian Orthodoxy in America, he was responsible for the founding of several of the first Serbian churches in the New World. This, however, was only one part of his life s work, for he tirelessly and zealously sought to spread the Orthodox Faith to all peoples, wherever he was called. He organized parish communities of Orthodox Christians of varied ethnic backgrounds; took part in the work of St. Alexis Toth of Wilkes-Barre to bring former Uniates more As part of his missionary labors, Fr. Sebastian compiled one of the first English translations of the Divine Liturgy, and wrote and published, from his own meager means, some of the first English-language books of Orthodox catechism. Besides bearing witness to his missionary and pastoral zeal, Fr. Sebastian s books also testify to his ardent love for Jesus Christ and His Church, to the depth of his knowledge of the Orthodox Faith, to his careful adherence to the teachings of the Church, to his literary and poetic gifts, and to his profound sense of spiritual beauty. A large portion of the books consists of sermons that he gave in the Russian Orthodox cathedral in San Francisco and in mission parishes on various feast days. These sermons reveal him as an inspired preacher whose words could soar to the heights and at the same time strike deeply the hearts of his listeners. By Hieromonk Damascene, August St. Jacob Netsvetov Our righteous Father Jacob Netsvetov, Enlightener of Alaska, was a native of the Aleutian Islands who became a priest of the Orthodox Church and continued the missionary work of St. Innocent among his and other Alaskan people. His feast day is celebrated on the day of his repose, July 26. Father Jacob was born in 1802 on Atka Island, part of the Aleutian Island chain in Alaska. His father, Yegor Vasil'evich Netsvetov, was Russian from Tobolsk, Russia, and his mother, Maria Alekscevna, was an Aleut from Atka Island. Jacob was the eldest of four children who survived infancy. Although not well off, Yegor and Maria did all they could to provide for their children and prepare them to live their lives. Jacob chose a life with the Church and enrolled in the Irkutsk Theological Seminary. On October 1, 1825, Jacob was tonsured a sub-deacon. He married Anna Simeonovna, a Russian woman perhaps of a Creole background as was he, and then in 1826 he graduated from the seminary with certificates in history and theology. With graduation he was ordained a deacon on October 31, 1826 and assigned to the Holy 3

6 Trinity-St. Peter Church in Irkutsk. Two years later, Archbishop Michael ordained Jacob to the holy priesthood on March 4, Archbishop Michael had earlier ordained John Veniaminov (St. Innocent) to the priesthood. With his elevation to the priesthood, Father Jacob began to yearn to return to his native Alaska to preach the Word of God. Upon departing, Archbishop Michael gave Father Jacob two antimensia, one for use in the new church that Father Jacob planned to built on Atka, and the other for use in Father Jacob's missionary travels. After a molieben, Father Jacob and his party set off for Alaska on May 1, The travelers included Father Jacob, Anna his wife, and his father Yegor who had been tonsured reader for the new Atka Church. This journey, which was always hard, took over year to complete, which was completed on June 15, Father Jacob's new parish was a challenge. The Atka "parish" covered most of the islands and land surrounding the Bering Sea: Amchitka, Attu, Copper, Bering, and Kurile Islands. But, he was to meet the challenge as clothed in his priestly garments; he actively pursued his sacred ministry. To his parishioners, his love for God and them was evident in everything he did as he made his appearances while enduring the harsh weather, illness, hunger, and exhaustion. For him life was Christ. Being bi-lingual and bi-cultural, Father Jacob was uniquely able to care for the souls of his community. Since St. Nicholas Church was not yet available, Father Jacob built a large tent in which to hold his services, and after the church was completed he took the tent with him on his missionary travels. By the end of 1829, six months after arriving at Akta Father Jacob had recorded 16 baptisms, 442 chrismations, 53 marriages, and eight funerals. With the completion of the church on Atka, Father Jacob turned to education of the children, teaching them to read and write both Russian and Unangan Aleut. Initially the Russian-American Company helped support the school, but in 1841 the school was re-organized as a parish school. Many of his students would prove to be distinguished Aleut leaders. He corresponded with St Innocent on linguistics and translation matters. He worked on an adequate Unangan- Aleut alphabet and translations of the Holy Scriptures and other church publications. In addition to praises from St. Innocent he began to receive awards for his services. In time he was elevated to Archpriest and received the Order of St. Anna. Father Jacob's life was not without its personal sufferings and 1837 were to bring successively the death of his beloved wife Anna in March 1836, the destruction by fire of his home in July 1836, and the death of his father, Yegor, in After considering the message of these misfortunes, he petitioned his bishop to return to Irkutsk so that he could enter a monastic life. A year later he request was granted contingent on the arrival of his replacement. But none came. Soon Bishop Innocent arrived and invited Father Jacob to accompany him on a trip to Kamchatka. During the voyage Bishop Innocent seemed to have accomplished three things with Father Jacob: with the healing salve of the Holy Spirit provided words of comfort, dissuaded Father Jacob from entering a monastery, and revealed to the saintly priest the Savior's true plan for his life that was for him to preach Christ to those deep in the Alaskan interior. On December 30, 1844, St. Innocent appointed him head of the new Kvikhpak Mission to bring the light of Christ to the people along the Yukon River. With two young Creole assistants, Innokentii Shayashnikov and Konstantin Lukin, and his nephew Vasili Netsvetov, Father Jacob established his headquarters in the Yup'ik Eskimo village of Ikogmiute. From there, now known as Russian Mission, he traveled to the settlements for hundreds of miles along the Yukon and Kuskokwim Rivers, visiting the inhabitants of settlements along the way. For the next twenty years he learned new languages, met new people and cultures, invented another alphabet, and built more churches and communities. At the invitation of the native leaders he traveled as far as the Innoko River baptizing hundreds from many, and often formerly hostile, tribes. He continued even as his health deteriorated. Yet the devil's presence came to stir up spurious and slanderous charges against him in To clear the air his Bishop Peter called him to Sitka where he was cleared of all the charges. As his health and mammography worsened he remained in Sitka serving at the Tlingit chapel until his death on July 26, He was 60 years old. During his last missionary travels in the Kuskokwim/Yukon delta region he is remembered for baptizing 1,320 people and for distinguishing himself as the evangelizer of the Yupik Eskimo and Athabascan peoples. Commitment June 18, 2015 by Abbot Tryphon Throughout the New Testament we read of the importance of struggle, where focus on the acquisition of a humble and contrite heart is paramount to what it means to be a Christian. The Lord Jesus Christ tells us that if we are to be worthy of Him, we must be willing to take up our cross and follow Him. We are to be a people whose true homeland is Christ s Kingdom, and as His people, we are called to a life of holiness. Our world places a great deal of em- 4

7 phasis on being comfortable, and we tend to avoid anything that does not bring pleasure. If being open about our Christian faith invites ridicule, we remain silent. If keeping the fasting rules of the Church prevents us from enjoying evenings out with our friends, we ignore the fast. If voicing disapproval when hearing our Christian faith being trashed, makes us appear less cool, we choose to go the route of the politically correct. Is it any wonder we are therefore unprepared to stand firm when faced with real trials that come our way, having avoided the very things that would transform us into strong, committed Christians? If we embrace Christianity with dedication of heart and mind, we will receive the power to live in this world, filled as it is, with temptations and disappointments, yet remaining true to our vocation as a holy people. Committing ourselves to being full time Christians, empowers us to live our lives in such a way that we give glory and witness to the very Christ Whom we worship. If, however, we avoid struggle, and choose to keep our Christian faith sidelined, while rejecting real commitment, we will ultimately have become Christian in name only. For those who, out of laziness or personal selfishness, choose to relegate fasting, private prayer, and even church attendance, as something done only when we feel in the mood, we will stand before the Throne of God, in the end, with a darkened heart that can not withstand the power of God, and eternity will be for us, a lake of fire. commitment/ Parish Council Meeting Members in Attendance: Fr. David Koles, Gladys Labas, Dan Belonick, Marion Bichun, Dan Bradanini, Sarah Clark, Rosemary Delaney, Chris Dresko, Al Hromi, and Juliana Veek. Meeting Called to Order at 7:02PM and began with Christ is Risen. Pastor s Report: Father thanked everyone for a very successful Holy Week and Pascha especially the Choir Director and members. It appeared that many parishes across Connecticut experienced a lower attendance this year, but were still able to experience the joy of the feast. Dan Bradanini asked if the deanery would be looking into how the times of services impact attendance. Father David noted that the timing of the Holy Thursday morning service at Holy Trinity seems to present the greatest challenge for our parish to attend. Father will continue to brainstorm ideas to encourage more attendance, including the youngest members of our church. Now we are looking ahead to May which includes our feast day and parish picnic. All Saints Parish in Hartford will be closing down for the day of our parish feast and picnic and making a collective trip to New Britain to participate with us in full. Likewise, we will be participating in their celebration on the first weekend in June. (As noted in the parish newsletter.) Warden s Report: Gladys Labas asked for assistance from the council to update the master list of parish contacts for services. (Plumbers, contractors, etc.) Also, the Bichun Scholarship application deadline is Friday, May 1, The committee has received 2 applications and they will be reviewing them on Sunday, May 3, Financial Report: Al Hromi presented March figures, which have not been audited: March Income: $19, March Expense: $14, Income/Expense: $ 4, Year-to-date: $ 4, The council will take the report as information and vote next month, once audited. Gladys reported for Chris Adams on how our investments have been consistently improving by six percent and we are doing well. The finance committee will be meeting this week. Chris Adams will report on specific figures next month. Secretary s Report: Dan Bradanini presented amendments to March 29, 2015 minutes: Chris Adams HAD (removing the word is from the sentence) The spelling of Bradainini Dan Bradanini moved to accept the March 29, 2015 minutes with changes, Marion Bichun seconded. Motion carried, with Chris Dresko abstaining. Dan Bradanini presented amendments to March 28, 2015 special parish meeting minutes: Cenaxo is the correct spelling of the name of the company completing the repairs The spelling of Bradainini Marion moved to accept the March 28, 2015 minutes with changes, Chris Dresko seconded. Motion carried unanimously. Finance Committee: The committee will meet this coming Thursday and we will 5

8 have a full report at the next Parish Council Meeting. soon. Building and Grounds: Dan Bradanini had a conversation with the company working on the on the roof. They need to redo the caulking because they used the wrong color, even after explicit instruction. Dan Bradanini also mentioned that the company will be taking better care of the church grounds and how they park their equipment during and between work sessions. Gladys Labas asked about the interior damage from the leaking roof and if there was anything that could be done before the roof is repaired, seeing how the plaster is deteriorating where the water damage occurred and pieces falling from the ceiling. Chris Dresko asked if there were any guarantees on the work from Baker that would have covered the church from having to pay a second time to have them fix such extensive work. Dan Bradanini explained that that was not part of the contract with Baker they were told how to beautify the interior and they were not charged with examining the potential leak problems. Going forward these kinds of projects will have to be properly investigated before work is begun to make the best use of the Bissland Fund. Gladys Labas reported for George Matyczyk on the cemetery: Plans for the water line and the tree removal is on hold until George recovers from surgery The cemetery grounds have been fertilized and crab grass preventer has been spread Looking forward, the roads will need some repair work Old Business: Online Donations Project Juliana Veek created a template for the counters to start capturing data in a more complete and uniform manner. She shared the template for feedback. The template includes a field to track which parishioners are contributing via mail or online, and will help her see if the parish is trending toward web-based donations over time. Parish Picnic Dan Belonick had a productive meeting with the Sunday School Parents to brainstorm ideas, materials and assistance suggestions for a kid-friendly event. Gladys Labas will be reaching out to the community to encourage their participation. Dan Belonick will share the spreadsheet from last year s picnic for people to sign up to provide food and supplies. The event will take place from 1pm and continue right into vespers, with everyone helping to clean up to transition in to the service, in an effort to encourage the most parish and community participation. Scanning/document project Gladys Labas will follow up with Evelyn via so we can begin work on centralizing our parish s important information and deciding what materials need to be moved and/or scanned. Gladys Labas followed up with Baker Liturgical Art to get the binder with the color chips and the specifications for the lighting fixtures. She will be getting the information from them New Business: Marion Bichun gave Al Hromi money from the Bread and Pierogi sales and the post-pascha flower sale. Also she submitted the bill for reimbursement for the purchase of the Pascha flowers. June Charity: Al Hromi suggested Ss. Cyril and Methodius Church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a very active parish that desperately needs to make repairs to their very old building. July Charity: IOCC victims in Nepal as suggested by Dan Bradanini. Chris Dresko pointed out how the church s front doors do not latch with the current handle, and how they will blow open on a windy day. Dan Bradanini will look into a solution. Marion Bichun asked if her grandson, as a part of a required element for the St. George Orthodox Boy Scout Award, could put a box in the back of the church for food donations. Gladys Labas added that our young parishioners assistance with the parish picnic would also count for their public service, and she offered to write letters verifying their public service work. Chris Dresko asked if we could offer the option for parishioners to receive their monthly newsletter via . (As long as we are not receiving some kind of bulk discounted printing rate.) Father David agreed that ing is a possibility and will not impact the printing bill. Dan Belonick added that the newsletter is posted on the website. Next meeting: Monday, June 1, :00PM Chris Dresko motioned for adjournment at 8:15PM, Juliana Veek seconded. The meeting concluded with The Angel Cried. Submitted by, Sarah Clark A Reminder.... from Buildings & Maintenance Please remember the image pictured here when locking the chains gate to our parking lot. This will preserve the locks by putting the tension on the hook and not the lock. Thanks! 6