Albanian Orthodox Archdiocese in America ~ http://www.aoaa.org SS Peter and Paul Albanian Orthodox Church 9230 Old Bustleton Avenue ~ Philadelphia, PA 19115 ~ Church Phone: 215-676-3311 Pastor: Father Stephen Siniari ~ Phone: 609-385-3757 ~ Email: frsiniari@gmail.com "Day and night declare to us a resurrection. The night sinks to sleep, and the day arises; the day again departs, and the night comes on. Let us behold the fruits of the earth, how the sowing of grain takes place. The sower goes forth, and casts it into the ground; and the seed being thus scattered, though dry and naked when it fell upon the earth, is gradually dissolved. Then out of its dissolution the mighty power of the providence of the Lord raises it up again, and from one seed many arise and bring forth fruit... Having then this hope, let our souls be bound to Him who is faithful in His promises, and just in His judgments. He who has commanded us not to lie, shall much more Himself not lie... The apostles have preached the Gospel to us from the Lord Jesus Christ; Jesus Christ has done so from God. FATHER STEPHEN S MESSAGE TO THE FAITHFUL Day and Night Declare... Christ therefore was sent forth by God, and the apostles by Christ. Both these appointments, then, were made in an orderly way, according to the will of God. Having therefore received their orders, and being fully assured by the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, and established in the word of God, with full assurance of the Holy Ghost, they went forth proclaiming that the kingdom of God was at hand." St. Clement of Rome, (First Clement, 24, 27, 42) I Clement is a letter that was sent from the Church in Rome to the Church in Corinth around A.D. 95-96. Although St. Clement is not mentioned by name in the letter, early tradition is unanimous in assigning it to Clement. There is now no serious scholarly challenge to this attribution. St. Irenaios of Lyons, writing in the latter half of the second century, tells us that Clement was the third bishop of Rome and that he personally knew Saints Peter and Paul. He has also been connected with the Clement mentioned in Phil. 4:3. This letter, therefore, stands as a bridge between the apostolic and postapostolic ages. Special Announcements from Fr. Stephen Father Stephen may be reached at 609-385-3757, Monday - Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM or by email: frsiniari@gmail.com. Please remember that all confessions and consultations on Sunday mornings shall take place from 9 AM to 10 AM before the Divine Liturgy. Thank you.! PAGE 1
Events and Announcements LITURGICAL SCHEDULE ~ MARCH/APRIL/MAY 2012 + Annunciation - Sunday - March 25 - Divine Liturgy, 10 AM + Pre-Sanctified - Wednesday - March 28-7 PM + Pre-Sanctified - Wednesday - April 4-7 PM (last one) + Lazarus Saturday - April 7 - Divine Liturgy, 9 AM + Entry of Our Lord into Jerusalem & Blessing of Palms - Sunday - April 8 - Divine Liturgy, 10 AM + Holy Wednesday (Holy Unction) - April 11-7 PM + Holy Thursday (Twelve Passion Gospels) - April 12-7 PM + Holy Friday (Vespers, Taking Down from Cross) - April 13-3 PM; (Lamentations at Tomb) - 7 PM + Holy Saturday (Vesperal Liturgy of St Basil) - April 14-9 AM; Orthros/Pashkal Canon/ Liturgy - 11 PM + Pascha Sunday (Agape Vespers; Gospel in Many Languages) - April 15 - Noon + Holy Ascension Thursday - May 24 - Divine Liturgy, 9 AM SCHEDULE OF OTHER SERVICES Bible Study - Resumes April 18 - Every Wednesday - 7 PM - 8:30 PM in the Church Hall - Led by Fr. Dn. Gregory CHURCH NEWS AND REMINDERS Membership Dues 2012 are $125 - Can be paid at any time to our treasurer, James Schaeffer. Coffee Hour - The Coffee Hour sign up sheet is located upstairs in the Church Hall by the door to the kitchen. Please write your name, email address and phone number by the date you sign up for. Questions, see Linda Biando. Special Services If you are planning to have a special service in the Church, please be considerate and notify either Father Stephen or the Church Committee one week in advance. When you are planning for a Baptism, Wedding, Funeral, or any other Prayer Service in the Church, please speak with Father Stephen in advance to determine if there is any way you can contribute to help the Church in helping others. Thank you. Please note: if the services of the Church Choir are required, please notify the Choir Director, Christina Murianka, as soon as possible. No Smoking/No Cell Phones Please remember that SS Peter & Paul has a no smoking policy in the building and that ringers on cell phones should be off during the Divine Liturgy. Church Council Meeting - Monday, April 2, 7 PM. All Parishioners are welcome to attend. PLEDGES & DONATIONS Support of the New Chancery - SS Peter & Paul has pledged $5,000 to support the new Chancery for the Archdiocese. We are asking for pledges from our parishioners and friends, to be paid off within the next 2 years. Please see Jim Schaeffer to make your pledge. Please do not send your donation/pledge to the Archdiocese, but give it to our Church, so we can fulfill our commitment to the Archdiocese. Thank you for your continued generosity! Pledges for our New Lift - The projected total cost will be $70,000. We have received pledges totaling $11,000 thus far. We ask that you prayerfully consider a pledge or donation (which can be fulfilled over a 2 year period) towards completion of the Lift Project which will benefit many in our community for years to come. Contact our Parish Treasurer, James Schaeffer, or any member of the Parish Board to make your pledge and support the community of SS Peter & Paul. Thank you for your generosity! Pictures of the progress will be posted on our website soon. Now is the perfect time to make your pledge for this much needed addition to our Church! Please be generous and pledge as soon as possible. Thank you for your generosity! Pictures of the Blessing of the Lift and its first riders can be found on Page 6.! PAGE 2
Events and Announcements (Continued) THE JOY OF GIVING Ladies Society Lenten Luncheon appreciation - A most sincere thank you to all who volunteered their time, efforts and services and to all those who participated in this year s Lenten Luncheon. Easter Flowers Donation - Please donate generously to defray the cost of Pascha flowers. For your convenience, an envelope for your donation is being included with this Bulletin. For Internet Folk, if you do not pick up your envelope in Church, it will be mailed to you. FUTURE EVENTS AT SS PETER & PAUL Collection Sundays - May God bless you for your generosity! 1st Sunday of each month - Collection for the Poor 2nd Sunday - IOCC (International Orthodox Christian Charities) 3rd Sunday - Pastoral Fund Other Donations: Church Library Pop Tab Collections for Ronald McDonald House Wine: Altar wine: Manischewitz Concord Grape (please do not donate any other brand of concord grape) Oil: Virgin Olive Oil SS Peter & Paul Annual Spring Clean Up/Fix Up Day - Scheduled for Saturday, March 31, 9 AM. Rain Date: Saturday, April 7. If you are at all able, please reserve this time to come and help beautify our Church for Pascha. Thank you! SS Peter & Paul Community Paschal Meal (Pot Luck Pascha) - Sunday, April 15 - after Agape Vespers - If you can, bring food and we will all share the Pascha meal together. EVENTS OF INTEREST AT OTHER LOCATIONS 2012 Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure with Albanians & Friends for the Cure - Sunday, Mother s Day, May 13 - A Letter from Donna Dimitri Greetings Family and Friends, It s hard to believe, but Mother s Day 2012 is fast approaching. Once again, we are forming a team, and will embark on our 11th year of supporting the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Philadelphia. The Race (Walk) will be held on Sunday, May 13, 2012. This year, we have a new team name: Albanians & Friends for the Cure. As always, we would very much like you to join jus for this very worthwhile event. We will rally up at 7:00 AM at St John Chrysostom Albanian Orthodox Church (located at 17th & Vine Streets) and take a team photo. The walkers will then meander over to the Art Museum and have the opportunity to stroll around the exhibits: the runners will run over so they can line up for the race! After a stop at the Wawa tent, the walkers will begin our walk (usually finishing around 10:00 AM). Then it s back to the Church for a bathroom break, and home for the rest of your Mother s Day activities. It would be terrific if you d be able to join us. If so, please go to the link below (there is a clickable link on SS Peter & Paul s website) and register for our team online. (I will pick up your shirt and number on the Friday before the race and have them ready for you on Sunday morning -- there s no need to pay the postage.) As in the past, you should be able to park in the lot across the street from the Church. http://rfcphl.convio.net/site/tr/race/general?team_id=45923&pg=team&fr_id=1070 If you are unable to join us Sunday morning, please consider making a donation under our team name by going to the link above. Donations can also be mailed to: Race for the Cure, c/o Donna Dimitri, 1901 Beverly Road, Burlington, NJ 08016. Please make the check payable to: Philadelphia Affiliate of SGK. Feel free to contact me with any questions at 609-685-1651. And, as always, thank you for your past and future support! To view the team page for Albanians & Friends for the Cure, go to: http://rfcphl.convio.net/site/tr?team_id=45923&pg=team&fr_id=1070&et=r_i2mdambmjvjlker wscww&s_tafid=39093! PAGE 3
EVENTS OF INTEREST AT OTHER LOCATIONS (Continued) The First Annual Elegant Evening of Wine Tasting & Food Pairing - Friday, April 20 at 7 PM (6 PM Vespers Optional) - Sponsored by the Greater Philadelphia Committee of IOCC, featuring music & silent auction. Proceeds will benefit IOCC s emergency relief and development worldwide. Location: Annunciation/Evangelismos Greek Orthodox Church at Elkins Park, 7921 Old York Rd, Elkins Park PA 19027. Cost: $75/Couple or $40/Individual. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Deadline: For Sponsorships & registration: April 14, 2012. Register Online at: www.iocc.org/philadelphia or mail your payment to: Dan Knezovich, 175 Strafford Ave, Suite 1, PMB 111, Wayne PA 19087. Phone: 610-687-6738 Email: KnezDan151@gmail.com MISCELLANEOUS Website: http://sspeterpaulphila.org E-mails: New Bulletins are available online by Saturday 8 PM. If you would like to be kept up-to-date by e-mail or to be removed from our paper mailing list, please send Alicia an e-mail at: aliciaj17@mac.com SS Peter & Paul Church Store - Open Sundays at 9:30 AM (1/2 hour before Divine Liturgy) Items available: SS Peter & Paul 90th Year Celebration DVD ($15); Divine Liturgy Books, Icons; Crosses (Baptismal, lapel pins, Georgian style, orthodox); Prayerbooks (English); Censors; CDs and cassettes; Religious Books. Also available: In Their Own Tongue, a documentary chronicling the Albanian Archdiocese in America Daily Bread - A daily email containing scripture readings for the day and the commemorated saints. To add your name (or the name of anyone who would enjoy getting it) please forward the email address to the Church email address: sspeterpaul2@verizon.net Weekly Devotional Lights - Envelopes are available at the Church Store counter for special prayers to be said during the week in conjunction with the burning of the Seven-Day Votive Light hanging above the Royal Doors. Suggested offering: $10, which will go towards building up our Pastoral Fund with the ultimate goal of supporting a full time priest. Announcements/News about Parishioners - If you have any items to include in next month s Bulletin, please see Alicia or call her at 215-530-0118 or email: aliciaj17@mac.com. The deadline for the next Bulletin is Sunday, April 22. Thank you! Parishioners will be able to pick up the March Bulletin at the Church on Sunday 4/29/12. Bulletins will be mailed to any Parishioners unable to attend. Please remember to let Alicia know the names of our members who are ill or in need of prayer so that they can be included in our Bulletins. ***Please note: You cannot arbitrarily be removed from the Prayer List. You must let Alicia know to remove your name. Thank you. Thank You to all members of the Parish who have helped out or volunteered in any way with their time and efforts, and a very special thank you to anyone whose name was inadvertently omitted from the Bulletin. GENERAL INTEREST Change your Electricity Provider & Benefit Our Church - Switch through this website (http://www.sspeterpaul.streampowerup.biz) & SS Peter & Paul will receive $4/month for each person who switches and Sophia Demas will receive $1/month which she will donate to our Church. If you do not have access to the internet, just bring your electric bill to Church and you ll be able to get signed up. More information and a direct link is on our website. Go to: Current Announcements. Kyriacos C. Markides New Book: Inner River: A Pilgrimage to the Heart of Christian Spirituality - has just been published in soft cover by Image Books, a division of Random House. Mr. Markides is the author of The Mountain of Silence. Available wherever books and ebooks are sold. Ancient Faith Radio 24 hour a day internet Orthodox radio station: http://ancientfaithradio.com Make a Purchase through Amazon and Help St George Cathedral in South Boston - Go to the Cathedral website: www.saintgeorgecathedral.com and scroll down to Shop Amazon on the left side.! PAGE 4
Parishioner s Corner A Very Happy Birthday is wished to the following parishioners and friends who are celebrating April Birthdays: Stuart Barenbaum, Belinda Mentzer, Sally O Brien, Rose Shaloka, Sharon Spause, Margaret Vesho May God grant them all many, many years! Anyone with Email Access (who is not currently receiving email Bulletin notifications from Alicia) - please email Alicia at aliciaj17@mac.com so that you can be put on the list to receive a pdf version of the Bulletin and no paper Bulletin. Please help us conserve paper and expenses! Thank you! Donate An Item a Month Campaign - We are still in need of the following items: small paper plates, paper towels, paper coffee cups. Your continued help is truly appreciated! No styrofoam, please! A sincere Thank You to all parishioners who so kindly donated any requested items. Volunteers Needed for Clean Up after Coffee Hour - The sponsoring of Coffee Hour has worked out wonderfully (a big Thank You! to all those who have volunteered to sponsor), but now we are in need of volunteers to help with the clean up after Coffee Hour. If you can help with the clean up after Coffee Hour, please volunteer. Please see Fr. Stephen or Nataliya for details on how you can help. Thank you! Good Company & Good Food: Help Build Up our Pastoral Fund - A new tradition has started -- serving a hot meal on most Sundays to build up our Pastoral Fund. If you have any ideas or are interested in participating or sponsoring a particular Sunday, please talk to Jim Schaeffer or Letitia Desloges. Your help and support is needed to get this project up and run- Gregory Vrato, Sr., is at the John Neumann Nursing Home, Room 726, at the intersection of Haldeman & Tomlinson Road (make a right on Tomlinson and the parking lot is immediately on your right). Visitors are welcome anytime from noon to 8 PM Please continue to keep Gregory in your prayers. May God grant him good health! Let Us Keep Them in our Prayers Please continue to pray for the full and speedy recovery of: Gregory Vrato, Sr., Matthew Murianka, Joyce Dorsey, Mary Palmerick, John Palmerick, Thimi Daka, Sophie Bacon, Margot Craig, Eteri Okropiridze, Mary Ann Clark, Alexandra Pana, Nicholas Desloges, Martha Murianka, Anthony Sarris, Jeannie Rifkin, Nick Zeo, His Grace Bishop Nikon, Christina Murianka, Eurania (Elaine) Quirias, Lester Speero, Lester Paul Speero, George Speero, Alfred Manze God knows the names and ages of all who need His love and mercy... Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen! Krishti U Ngjall! Vertete U Ngjall! (Albanian) Christos Anesti! Alithos Anesti! (Greek) Khristos Voskrese! Voistinu Voskrese! (Russian) Hristus A Inviat! Adeverat A Inviat! (Romanian) Christus Ist Auferstanden! Wahrhaf Auferstanden! (German) Kriste Aghsdga! Cheshmaritad Aghsdga! (Georgian) Cristo Ha Resucitado! En Verdad, Está Resucitado! (Spanish) Le Christ Est Resurrecté! En Verite, Il Est Resurrecté! (French)! PAGE 5
Blessing of Our New Church Lift - Sunday, March 18! PAGE 6
April 1 April 6 April 7 April 8 April 9 April 11 April 12 April 13 April 14 April 15 April 16 April 22 April 23 April 25 April 28 April 29 April 30 HOLY DAYS AND NAME DAYS IN APRIL - St Mary of Egypt - St Methodius, Enlightener of the Slavs - Lazarus Saturday; Repose of St Tikhon, Patriarch of Moscow - Entrance into Jerusalem; Palm Sunday - St Vadim, Monk Martyr of Persia - Holy Wednesday - Holy Thursday - Holy Friday - Holy Saturday; St Martin, Confessor, Pope of Rome - Pascha - Feast of Feasts - Virgin Martyrs Agape, Irene & Chionia - St Thomas Sunday; Apostles Nathaniel, Luke & Clement - Holy Greatmartyr, Victorybearer, Wonderworker George - Holy Apostle and Evangelist Mark - St Jason & St Sosipater - Holy Myrrhbearing Women - Holy Apostle James, Brother of St John; St Ignatius Brianchaninov APOSTLE JAMES THE BROTHER OF ST JOHN THE THEOLOGIAN (Commemorated on April 30) The Holy Apostle James, the son of Zebedee, was the brother of St John the Theologian, and one of the Twelve Apostles. He and his brother, St John, were called to be Apostles by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who called them the "Sons of Thunder" (Mark 3:17). It was this James, with John and Peter, who witnessed the Raising of the Daughter of Jairus, the Lord's Transfiguration on Mount Tabor, and His agony in the Garden of Gethsemane. St James, after the Descent of the Holy Spirit, preached in Spain and in other lands, and then he returned to Jerusalem. He openly and boldly preached Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world, and he denounced the Pharisees and the Scribes with the words of Holy Scripture, reproaching them for their malice of heart and unbelief. The Jews could not prevail against St James, and so they hired the sorcerer Hermogenes to dispute with the apostle and refute his arguments that Christ was the promised Messiah Who had come into the world. The sorcerer sent to the apostle his pupil Philip, who was converted to belief in Christ. Then Germogenes himself became persuaded of the power of God, he burned his books of magic, accepted holy Baptism and became a true follower of Christ. The Jews persuaded Herod Agrippa (40-44) to arrest the Apostle James and sentence him to death (Acts 12:1-2). Eusebius provides some of the details of the saint's execution (CHURCH HISTORY II, 9). St James calmly heard the death sentence and continued to bear witness to Christ. One of the false witnesses, whose name was Josiah, was struck by the courage of St James. He came to believe in Jesus Christ as the Messiah. When they led the apostle forth to execution, Josiah fell at his feet, repenting of his sin and asking forgiveness. The apostle embraced him, gave him a kiss and said, "Peace and forgiveness to you." Then Josiah confessed his faith in Christ before everyone, and he was beheaded with St James in the year 44 at Jerusalem. St James was the first of the Apostles to die as a martyr. Reading & Icon Courtesy of OCA Website! PAGE 7