SS PETER AND PAUL CHURCH

Transcription

1 SS PETER AND PAUL CHURCH 401 Hamilton St Syracuse NY gsthe ENLIGHTENER AMER CA September The Church New Year in the New Vol 40 Church! No 9 / am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. " Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; a and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. ''You are aiready clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. " Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me (Jn 15:1-4). This vine is a symbol of Israel, God's Chosen People, and is described in the prophecies of Isaiah (Ch 5) and Jeremiah (2:21). It is planned and planted in a vineyard with great care, because it is a gift to His Beloved. The vinedresser waited patiently for the vine to bear fruit - that's all He wanted. God's intention for His Beloved Israel was to be the bearer of salvation for the entire human race, to produce that beautiful fruit. St John the Evangelist continues that Jesus, now in the New Testament, calls Himself the True Vine that will bear this good fruit: " / am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing/' (Jn 15:5). The figure of the vine continues in Isaiah's song about the vineyard, which become the model for the Church. Isaiah's vineyard was a "place of power and richness, and he put a wall around it ( the hedge of the Commandments and Law of God)to keep His chosen people in harmony with God's way of life. He also placed a tower in it's midst which represented to the Israelites the ancient Temple where sacrifices were performed. But in the New Testament, when Our Lord plainly related the parable of the good husbandman (Mk 12:1-12) to His people, "they sought to lay hands on Him because they knew He spoke this parable against t/?em"(mk 12:12)! He came to call them back into the vineyard and even to become the ultimate sacrifice, once for all, for His Beloved. His words are true and pure: ''If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink (Jn7:37)and "He that believeth on Me shall never thirst (Jn 6:35). After the planting of the new vineyard (the Church), Christ let it out to husbandmen, as was prophesied. They were to care for and bring forth fruit, awaiting His return. Christ Himself had done everything possible and needful for man's salvation. He even laid the plans for expanding the Church - making it possible for every living soul to be a branch on The VINE. They would the receive salvation and at the same time, be bearers of the fruit of salvation to others (the Gentiles, the Day of Pentecost).

2 The Enlightener September 2018 God's plan has always been for man to live, not die. We are His Beloved. He created us in His own Image and Likeness. But death is one of the consequences of sin. The Fathers of the Church noticed that a person can be dead, but still be walking on the earth. This predicament happens when a person decides to follow their own desires, regardless of God's Commandments or Teachings - "You have no life in you ''(Jn6:53). This is a serious matter. This is exactly what happened to Israel. They began to ignore God's teachings. They used their free will to do as they pleased, ignoring the hedge that God put around His vineyard. As a result, God took the vineyard and gave it to others. He gave it to those who would respect His laws and bear fruit worthy of their calling (vocation) as Christians. We know that seeds when planted do not immediately grow fruit, neither do we. It takes time and requires nurturing and cultivation. In order to bear fruit, we must realize and accept the need to be committed to Christ. We must abide in Him so that He will dwell in us. He will not force us to do this. Love must be given freely or it is not love. I In the Holy Church we are able to participate constantly in the sacramental life, a foretaste here of the life prepared for us in His Kingdom. Sacramental participation further cements our commitment. Each of us can become a new creation by carefully nurturing ourselves with prayer and the study of the Scripture. The receiving the Holy Eucharist is how Christ abides in us. This gift requires our concentration on repentance and renewal (once a year is not sufficient). Our righteousness must exceed the "righteousness" of the Pharisees. Let us not be cut off from the vine as they were. i Let us truly develop our prayer life and make it deeper and more meaningful to us. Let us grow in our faith daily, bolstered by the words of Scripture we read. Let us love God by being His 'Vineyard which His right hand has planted' and assembling every Lord's Day to receive His Body ad Blood. Let us make observing and celebrating the Major Feasts of our Lord and His Holy Mother, the Theotokos, a priority. They are called feasts because they fill us with inexplicable joy as we realize all that has been accomplished for us and for our salvation. This is how we make Christ, Salvation, and Love, even the Church real in our lives, and not just a nice word in our vocabulary. Let us begin this new Church Year and come together often 'in the joy of our Lord'. GREAT VESPERS traces God^s plan of salvation for His People. It enables us to Experience the goodness of the Creator and His creation; Recall the Fall by which we cut ourselves off from our Creator through sinful pride and, ultimately, death; and Publicly proclaim the coming of the Savior, Jesus Christ, who is the Light by which all creation is renewed, refreshed and reconciled to God.

3 c8o September 2018 Bulletin Board READERS SCHEDULE September 2 Hours: Peter McElvein Epistle: Matt Chupeck September 9^^ Hours: Larissa Fitzgibbons Epistle: Henry Dotterer September 16^^ Hours: Henry Dotterer Epistle: Adam Kantor September 23'^ Hours: Rachel Sahm Epistle: Tim Chupeck September 30'^ Hours: Elena Kantor Epistle: Bill Helwig October 7*^ Hours: Peter Mc Elvein Epistle: Matt Chupeck October 14^^ Hours: Larissa Fitzgibbons Epistle: Henry Dotterer October 21'^ Hours: Henry Dotterer Epistle: Adam Kantor October 28'^ Hours: Rachel Sahm Epistle: Tim Chupeck Want to make a difference? Join the DDB, the Distinguished Diocesan Benefactors and support our diocesan ministries: Mission Parishes, Seminarians, Struggling Parishes or simply to be used "as needed". More info at our Diocesan Website: Save the Date! SPP Annual Chicken BBQ and Bake Sale Sept 30" after Liturgy Major Feasts Nativity of the Theotokos Fri Sept 7 - Vigil Sat Sept 8 - Liturgy Elevation of the Cross Thurs Sept 13 - Vigil Fri-Sept 14 Liturgy Announcing the 1'^ Annual Diocese of NY & NJ BIBLE BOWL Saturday Nov 3'^ 10-2pm Holy Trinity Orthodox Church Yonkers, NY Age groups: Pre-Teen: Ages 9-11 Teens: Ages Adult: Ages 20+ Questions from the Gospel of IVIark (OSB) See Fr John, Larissa, Tatiana, or Tim Food Pantry Donations isare accepted and appreciated all year round COFFEE HOUR HOSTS Sept. Z^'^-Tim&Denise Sept. 9^^-Ellingworth Sept, 16'^-Griggs Sept. 23'"^-Kara/Becky September 30'^-BBQ October 7^^ - Dotterers October 14^^ - Szymaniaks October 21^* - IVlatt & Jactyn October 28^^ - Fitzgibbons Next Parish Council Meeting Sunday Sept 23,2018 Bottle and Can Drive is on-going to benefit our Youth Programs Search the Scriptures 1. Where did Gabriel meet with Zacharias?(Lk 1:8-25) a. In his garden b. While he was sleeping c. In the Temple 2. What was Acquila and Pricilla's occupation? {Acts 18: 1-3) a. They owned a fishing company b. They were tent makers c. Both of the above 3. Who had a dream of a ladder reaching from earth to heaven? (Gen. 28:10-12) a. Jacob b. Mary c. Joseph

4 Saint of the Month Protomartyr and Equal of the Apostles Thekia - September 24'^ The Holy Protomartyr and Equal of the Apostles Thekia was born in the city of Iconium. She was the daughter of rich and illustrious parents, and she was distinguished by extraordinary beauty. At eighteen years of age they betrothed her to an eminent youth. But after she heard the preaching of the holy Apostle Paul about the Savior, Saint Thekia with all her heart came to love the Lord Jesus Christ, and she steadfastly resolved not to enter into marriage, but rather to devote all her life to preaching the Gospel. Saint Thekla's mother was opposed to her daughter's plans and insisted that she marry her betrothed. Saint Thekla's fiance also complained to the prefect of the city about the Apostle Paul, accusing him of turning his bride against him. The prefect locked up Saint Paul in prison. During the night Saint Thekia secretly ran away from her house, and she bribed the prison guards, giving them all her gold ornaments, and so made her way into the prison to the prisoner. For three days she sat at the feet of the Apostle Paul, listening to his fatherly precepts. Thekla's disappearance was discovered, and servants were sent out everywhere looking for her. Finally, they found her in the prison and brought her home by force. At his trial Saint Paul was sentenced to banishment from the city. Again they urged Saint Thekia to consent to the marriage, but she would not change her mind. Neither the tears of her mother, nor her wrath, nor the threats of the prefect could separate Saint Thekia from her love for the Heavenly Bridegroom, the Lord Jesus Christ. Her mother in an insane rage demanded from the judges a death sentence against her unyielding daughter, and Saint Thekia was sentenced to be burned. Without flinching, the holy martyr went into the fire and made the Sign of the Cross over herself. At this moment the Savior appeared to her, blessing her present deed, and inexpressible joy filled her holy soul. The flames of the fire shot up high, but the martyr was surrounded by a light and the flames did not touch her. Thunder boomed, and a strong downpour of rain and hail extinguished the fire. The torturers scattered in fear. Saint Thekia, kept safe by the Lord, left the city and with the help of a certain Christian youth, searched for the Apostle Paul. The holy apostle and his companions, among whom was Saint Barnabas, were hidden in a cave not far from the city, praying fervently, that the Lord would strengthen Saint Thekia in her sufferings. After this. Saint Thekia went with them preaching the Gospel in Antioch. In this city she was pursued by a certain dignitary named Alexander, who was captivated by her beauty. Saint Thekia refused his offer of marriage, and so she was condemned to death for being a Christian. Twice they set loose hungry wild animals upon her, but they would not touch the holy virgin. Instead, they lay down meekly and licked her feet. The Providence of God preserved the holy martyr unharmed through all her torments. With the blessing of the Apostle Paul, Saint Thekia then settled in a desolate region of Isaurian Seleucia and dwelt there for many years, constantly preaching the Word of God and healing the sick through her prayer. Saint Thekia converted many pagans to Christ, and the Church appropriately names her as "Equal- to-the- Apostles." When Saint Thekia was already a ninety-year-old woman, pagan sorcerers became incensed at her for treating the sick for free. They were unable to comprehend that the saint was healing the sick by the power of the grace of Christ and they sent their followers to defile her. When they came near her. Saint Thekia cried out for help to Christ the Savior, and a rock split open and hid the holy virgin, the bride of Christ. Thus did Saint Thekia offer up her holy soul to the Lord. The holy Church glorifies the Protomartyr Thekia as " the glory of women and guide for the suffering, opening up the way through every torment." The Protomartyr Thekia, a prayerful intercessor for ascetics, is also invoked during the proskomedia and the tonsure of women into monasticism. (oca.org)

5 Ss Peter & Paul Church Annual Chicken BBQ & Bake Sale Sunday Sept 30, am - sold out $6 for Vz Chicken $11 for meal (w/ salt potatoes and choice of 2 sides) Eat in or Take-Out Open to the public, bring your friends and family. Activities and a bounce house will be available for all children. Your help is needed and a greatly appreciated. Be on the look-out for sign-up sheets. See Peter Sahm or Tim Chupeck for: Set-up, clean-up, serving, food prep (cutting, chopping), baking for bake sale, delivering meals to our shut-ins, etc.

6 September Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat "The exalted Cross calls all of creation to praise the undefiled passion of Christ. He was exalted on it, killing the one who killed us! Christ has brought us back to hfe. He has adorned us, making us worthy to live in the heavens. We rejoice and exalt His name, magnifying Hisj:^ scension." Hymn 14th/Pentecost 9 15th/Pentecost 16 16th/Pentecost th/Pentecost Council Meeting 30 18th/Pentecost ANNUAL BBQ 6 om 9 am 26 9 am VIGIL Elevation of The Cross 7 VIGIL Nativity of the Theotokos Elevation of the Cross ^Nativity of the Theotokos 15 Workshop: Choir JO I Prof David Drillock. Rah way NJ 'The wicked one, on the watch, carried me off as booty as I lazily slept. He led my mind into error; he plundered my spirit and snatched away the wealth of Thy grace, this arch robber. So raise me up, as I am fallen, and summon me, Savior, Thou who wiliest that all men be saved." Saint Romanos the Melodist