St. Thomas Sunday, April 23 Paschal Antiphons, pp. 215/216, Tropar and Kondak of St. Thomas Sunday, p. 221, Prokimen, Alleluia, p. 222 Schedule at St. Michael s this Week Monday: +Fr. Stephen Dutko, 8 th anniv., 8 AM Tuesday: *Health, Cara Paccio Green, 8 AM Saturday: +Susan Basmajian, 10 th anniv. by Anita Gozdzialski *Confessions, 4 PM, Vespers, 5 PM St. Michael s Parish Bee Fr. James S. Dutko, Pastor, 797-4471 St. Michael s Church Office, 729-0261 Cell: 725-3672, frjimd@stny.rr.com Rectory, 797-4471, Atrium, 729-3112 Fr. Deacon Charles Ellis, 785-1485 www.saintmichaels.info St. Michael s is a family of Orthodox Christians, serving the Lord since 1904. American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese, www.acrod.org Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women, April 30 *Divine Liturgy, 9 AM Church School, 10:30-11:30 AM Coffee Shop, 10:30-11:30 AM Congratulations to the First Holy Confession Class of 2017 This morning, our parish honors two young boys who are part of this year s First Holy Confession Class. They are Alex Eno and Milo Tidick. Both boys are Second Graders and are now candidates to become the newest Altar Boys here at our parish. May Our Lord them and their families with Many Blessed Years Diocesan Priests Will Return to Camp Nazareth This Week Please note that the annual Diocesan Clergy Retreat at Camp Nazareth for all diocesan priests takes place this Tuesday-Friday. If you are in need of a priest in the event of an emergency, kindly call Fr. Ilya Gotlinsky at 797-1058. The Prosfora (Bread for Today s Liturgy) was prepared by Milo and Alex with the assistance of Pani Kathy and her helper, Ella Tidick
Scripture Readings for the week of St. Thomas the Doubter Sunday: Acts 5: 12-20 St. John 20: 19-31 Monday: Acts 3: 19-26 St. John 2: 1-11 Tuesday: Acts 4: 1-10 St. John 3: 16-21 Wednesday: Acts 4: 13-22 St. John 5: 17-24 Thursday: Acts 4: 23-31 St. John 5: 24-30 Friday: Acts 5: 1-11 St. John 5: 30-6:2 Saturday: Acts 5: 21-33 St. John 6: 14-27 Sunday: Acts 6: 1-7 St. Mark 15: 43-16:8 You can Epistle Reading: Acts 5: 12-20 And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon's Porch. Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly. And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them. Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed. Then the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him ( which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with indignation, and laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison. But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, "Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life." Gospel Reading: John 20:19-31 Join us Community Meal Monday Evening, 6 PM Choir Rehearsal Tuesday Evening 6-8 PM Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, "Peace be with you." Now when He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Then Jesus said to them again, "Peace to you As the Father has sent Me, I also send you." And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. "If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained." But Thomas, called Didymus, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said to him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe." And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, "Peace to you" Then He said to Thomas, "Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing." And Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God" Jesus said to him, "Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.
The majesty of the Sanctuary during the Paschal Bright Week was evident with the opening of the Royal Doors and the Deacon Doors throughout all of the week. If you missed the telecast of our Easter Divine Liturgy, you an see it online: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=x8qsgcaqla8
In the Light of Religioius Persecution in Egypt, Patriarch and Pope Will Meet in Cairo This Week By Andrea Tornielli http://www.lastampa.it/2017/04/18/vaticaninsider/eng/the-vatican/patriarch-bartholomew-will-be-in-egypt-withpope-francis-dazcz1suesk5iafvt4aami/pagina.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter The Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew I will be in Cairo on April 28 and 29, upon invitation of the Grand Imam of Al Azhar Mosque, Cheikh Ahmed Mohamed el-tayyib, during the same days of Pope Francis' visits. A significant presence that unites Christians and their witness of unity as a sign for peace in the world, during these difficult times with the winds of war blowing. The Pope of Rome, and the Patriarch of Constantinople will therefore be next to the Pope of the Coptic Church Tawadros, whose Christian community was hit and mortally wounded by the attacks carried by the fundamentalists on Palm Sunday. Pope Francis and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Bartholomew I was invited by el-tayyib to participate to the International Conference on Peace, during which Francis and the Grand Imam are expected to speak. The Orthodox Patriarch had mentioned at the end of Easter Divine Liturgy about the possibility of traveling to Egypt as reported by Alberto Negri on the newspaper Il Sole 24 Ore on 16 April. Bartholomew had disclosed a handwritten letter from the Pope, in which Francis thanked him for his friendship and hoped to see him again soon. So, the Patriarch added, "The opportunity could be very close: I have also been invited by the University of Al Azhar in Cairo and on April 28 I could be with Pope Francis at that same event Sources close to the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople confirmed to Vatican Insider that the decision to accept the invitation has been taken, and that Bartholomew will be in Cairo. The friendship between the bishops of Rome and Constantinople, successors of the apostles and brothers Peter and Andrew, have always been very friendly. Francis and Bartholomew together went to the Holy Land in May 2014 and together prayed in the Holy Sepulcher. A few days later, the Pope asked for the Patriarch s presence in the Vatican gardens during a prayer for peace in the region. The following November, Francis visited Turkey and participated in the liturgical celebration of St. Andrew in the patriarchal church of Fanar. A year ago, in April 2016, Bartholomew invited Francis for a flash visit to the Greek island of Lesbos, home of a large refugee camp, during what was the Pope s first entirely "ecumenical" journey, since Francis always remained next to the Patriarch of Constantinople and the Orthodox archbishop of Athens Hyeronimos without any specific celebrations or meetings aimed at the Catholic community specifically. The simultaneous presence of the Pope and the Orthodox Patriarch at the meeting in the great Sunni university, just a few days after the attacks that have bloodied the Passover of the Copts in Egypt is thus an eloquent sign of unity and proximity among Christians of different denominations, while it also expresses the will to dialogue together with those Muslims who reject violence and justification of terrorism and massacres in the name of religion. IN the aftermath of the tragic events in Egypt on Sunday, April 12, and then the shooting near the ancient St. Catherine Monastery in the Sinai, an incredible event will take place. On April 28/29 both Pope Francis and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew will be in Cairo at the invitation of the Grand Imam of Al Azhar Mosque, Cheikh Ahmed Mohamed el-tayyib. May these encounters be further steps on the pathway to peace there and throughout the Middle East.---Fr. Jim
ʻBible Answer Manʼ Converts to Orthodoxy Last Sunday, 67-year-old Hank Hanegraaff and his wife entered into Orthodox Christianity at St. Niktarios Greek Orthodox Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. The former Protestant is well known among evangelicals as the Bible Answer Man. Since 1989, Hanegraaff has been answering questions on Christianity, denominations, and the Bible on a nationally syndicated radio broadcast. A champion of evangelical Christianity, he s best known for arguing against cults, heresies, and non-christian religions. His 20 books include titles like Christianity in Crisis, Counterfeit Revival, and The Kingdom of Cults [revised with Walter Martin]. Part of being the Bible Answer Man also includes running the Christian Research Institute (CRI), an apologetics ministry that Hanegraaff has been president of since 1989. This week, Hanegraaff spent some of his airtime answering questions about his decision to leave Protestantism for Orthodoxy. People are posting this notion that somehow or other I ve walked away from the faith and am no longer a Christian, Hanegraaff said on his Tuesday broadcast. Look, my views have been codified in 20 books, and my views have not changed. Hanegraaff and his wife Kathy have been attending the Orthodox church for more than two years, he said on his Monday broadcast. His journey to Orthodoxy began with a trip to China, when I saw Chinese Christians who were deeply in love with the Lord, and I learned that while they may not have had as much intellectual acumen or knowledge as I did, they had life, he said. On the flight back, Hanegraaff wondered if he was even a Christian. I was comparing my ability to communicate truth with their deep and abiding love for the Lord Jesus Christ. He began to study the work of Watchman Nee and the idea of theosis (the Eastern Orthodox teaching on seeking union with God), which led him back to the early Christian church. I ve been impacted by the whole idea of knowing Jesus Christ, experiencing Jesus Christ, and partaking of the graces of Jesus Christ through the Eucharist or the Lord s table, he said. Nothing has changed in my faith. CT reported in 2009 how CRI critiques of Watchman Nee in the 1970s (prior to Hanegraaff s tenure) led other theology watchdogs to label the Chinese Christian s local churches movement a cult, but Hanegraaff acknowledged we were wrong and endorsed the movement s orthodoxy in 2008. (The Local Church sued over the cult label in 2003.) Hanegraaff s move to Orthodoxy took a decade, and has put him and his wife on the same spiritual page, he said Tuesday. I have been typically more skewed toward truth and, quite frankly, Kathy more skewed towards life, he said on air. But today we are on precisely the same page in life and in truth, and we re loving it. Daily we thank God that he has saved us by grace alone through an active faith in our dear Lord Jesus Christ. Hanegraaff s move was welcomed by Rod Dreher, author of The Benedict Option and an Orthodox Christian. What astounding news, he told The Christian Post. Many evangelicals seek the early church; well, here it is, in Orthodoxy. The Eastern Orthodox Church is divided into 14 separate branches; last summer they attempted their first meeting since 787. Not everyone came; some boycotted over items missing from the agenda. (In more than 1,200 years, a lot of issues cropped up; the original list stretched to more than 100 items.) Another historic meeting between Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill also took place last summer, as the leaders of the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches met at an airport in Cuba to discuss record levels of Christian persecution. Meanwhile, Hanegraaff s conversion gives evangelicals one more bridge to Orthodoxy after the loss of two leaders in 2012. Evangelical-friendly Metropolitan Jonah resigned under pressure, and Peter Gillquist, who led around 2,000 Protestants into Eastern Orthodoxy in 1987, passed away.
Registration Now Open For 2017 Young Women's Encounter Registration is now open ONLINE for the Fourth Annual Diocesan Young Women's Encounter which will take place from Sunday, June 25th to Wednesday, June 28, 2017 at Sts Peter and Paul Church in Windber, PA which is open to young women in our Diocese ages 12-18. Click Here to Register NOW This engaging experience includes spiritual discussions and special events. Explore the work of women in the Church, develop and strengthen friendships with other Orthodox young women. During the YWE, we will highligh ways young women can live our Orthodox Faith and serve the Church with their own unique gifts This year discussions & activities will relate to Proverbs 3:5, "Trust in God with all your heart, and do not exalt your own wisdom." Space is limited to the first thirty respondents, so participants are urged to register as soon as possible. Please mail completed registration forms to: Young Women's Encounter 19 W. Park Ave., Morgantown, WV 26501. All parishes of the Diocese are urged to underwrite the $100.00 participation fee for their young women in recognition of all the ways that these young women serve their parishes. Questions about the event may be directed to Pani Eleni Stagon at acrodywe@gmail.com or by calling 304-296-4319. Be Sure to Register for This Year s Camp Nazareth Family Camp 2017 Our Diocese is pleased to announce its fifth annual Family Camp at Camp Nazareth this year in conjunction with Family Day. The event is exactly what it sounds like. Families camping together in the Camp cabins and participating in a weekend of services, games, discussions, activities and challenges that are all designed to help families deepen their relationship with God and with one another. This year s theme Your Family s Sacred Story. Jesus and His family fled to Egypt. Noah and his family entered the ark. Abraham and his family left their home. Lot and his family fled Sodom. Stories of faith and God s mercy are part of every family s Sacred Story. Come learn about families of great faith in the Scriptures and be inspired. Share your own Sacred Story and help other families be inspired. Family Camp is scheduled for Friday, June 9 Sunday, June 11, 2017. Each year we have a wonderful time together and we are looking forward to being together again this year. A variety of events and activities have been planned that will allow families to learn, have fun and pray together, and simply be together in the peaceful environment of the Camp. With the newly renovated and expanded cabins, together with the new High and Low Ropes Course the Camp has even more to offer our families this year. Don t miss out on this opportunity for you and your family. Space is limited to the first 10 families, so register soon. Click Here To Register On-line. Registration closes after Friday, June 2. 40 th Reunion Weekend Set at Camp Nazareth, May 20 The first annual Camp Nazareth Alumni Day to be held on Saturday, May 20, 2017 on the grounds of the Camp. All former Campers, Staff, Volunteers and Clergy alumni, and their families, are invited to attend the event. This includes the alumni from the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Pittsburgh and the Episcopal Diocese of Northwest Pennsylvania, both long-time user groups of the Camp. This first Alumni Day will include prayer services, fellowship time, dancing performances, a barbeque lunch, tours, presentations, of course a Camp craft, slideshows, a special Remember When segment of the day, and a whole lot more as we continue to celebrate Camp Nazareth s 40th Anniversary Alumni will have the opportunity to see their old Camp friends, share their fond memories of Camp, and meet other members of the Camp Nazareth family. The event is free of charge for Camp alumni and their families. Donations will be accepted during the online registration process or at the door. Click Here to register online. Registration Deadline is Sunday, May 14.
Paschal Memories at St. Michael s, 2017 On the night of the Resurrection, the sorrow of the Tomb in transformed to the Light of the Resurrection. The Icon of the Body of the Lord will remain on the Altar though the entire Paschal season as again and again we will proclaim: Christ is Risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and to those in the tombs, bestowing life. Christ is Risen Indeed He is Risen A special Paschal joy this Tuesday was the celebration of the Easter Liturgy for residents and guests of the Hilltop Nursing and Rehab Center. May Our Lord bless all who assisted with the Liturgy in any way by your presence and your prayer response to the Liturgy This is the Day of the Resurrection Let us rejoice and be glad in it