CHRIST THE SAVIOUR ORTHODOX CHURCH A PARISH OF THE OCA DIOCESE OF EASTERN PA HIS GRACE, BISHOP TIKHON OF PHILADELPHIA 5501 OLD LOCUST LANE, HARRISBURG, PA 17109 OFFICE: 717-652-1825 HALL: 717-652-5877 FAX: 717-652-0446 WEB: WWW.CHRISTTHESAVIOURHBG.ORG EMAIL: CTSOCAHBG@AOL.COM REV. STEPHEN VERNAK, PASTOR EMAIL: SVERNAK@HOTMAIL.COM V. REV. DANIEL D. RESSETAR, PASTOR EMERITUS V. REV. DR. MICHAEL G. KOVACH, ASSOCIATE Celebrating 47 years of Proclaiming the Truth of Orthodox Christianity SUNDAY JANUARY 2, 2011 32 nd SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST Tone 7. Sunday Before the Theophany. Forefeast of Theophany. St. Sylvester, Pope of Rome. Respose of Ven. Seraphim, Wonderworker of Sarov. Ven. Sylvester of the Kiev Caves. Righteous Juliana of Lazarevsk. Hieromartyr Theogenes, Bishop of Parium on the Hellespont. Epistle: 2 Timothy 4:5-8 Gospel: Mark 1:1-8 Gal 5:22-6:2 Luke 6:17-23 UPCOMING SERVICES AND EVENTS: Jan 2, Sun: Adult Ed 8:30am; Divine Liturgy -9:30am; Church School -11am; Fellowship -11:15am Hour Readers: (3 rd ) Joseph Russian (6 th ) Leavitt Keener Altar Servers All welcome Jan 5, Wed: Theophany Eve (Strict Fast) Royal Hours -9am; Vesperal Divine Liturgy -10:30am; Bible Study (33 N 2 nd St) noon; Holy Supper 5pm (potluck, signup sheet in vestibule); Great Compline with Blessing of Waters -7pm Jan 6, Thu: Theophany Divine Liturgy -9:30am; Vespers (St. John) -7pm Jan 7, Fri: St. John the Baptist Divine Liturgy -9:30am Jan 8, Sat: Vespers & Confession -6:30pm Jan 9, Sun: Adult Ed -8:30am; Divine Liturgy w. Bishop Tikhon 9:30am; Church School 11am; Men s Club Breakfast 11:15am; Pan-Orthodox Blessing of the Susquehanna (City Island) 1:30pm Hour Readers: (3 rd ) Nicholas Ressetar (6 th ) Chet Lubecki Altar Servers All welcome AncientFaithRadio.com - 24 hour Orthodox Internet Radio Orthodox Radio on 720 AM Radio every Sunday at 8 am OrthodoxyinAmerica.org (Traveling or Going on Vacation?) check it out! WELCOME TO OUR VISITORS!!! Please join us for fellowship in the church hall and sign our guest book in the vestibule. If you are interested in becoming a part of our community please ask to speak to Fr. Stephen. Please note: Only those faithful who are Orthodox Christians and have properly prepared themselves by fasting (from midnight), prayer, and recent confession; and who were present for the reading of the Epistle and Gospel, should approach to receive the Eucharist.
PARISH PRAYER LIST: Please remember the following persons during your daily morning and evening prayers. Names will be listed for 2 weeks unless requested. Submit names to the office by Wednesday for inclusion. Ailing: Cherie Pyle; Jeffrey Eckerd, Arthur McLaughlin & Frank Trimble (friends of Gloria Maliniak); Alice Kelly (Kathy Kuchwara's cousin); Jay Newcomb (Courtney's brother-in-law); Ann Marie and Joe Keating (Carl Polansky s friends); Brian Gingrich Jr. (infant grandson of J. Wevodau's friend); Eva Kunz (Mike Zart s Aunt); Zack Voras (Mantle family friend); Nancy I. Sheaffer (sister of John R. Barns); Frank Priggins (Christine s father); Diane Broskey (Libby Hancher s niece); Mattie Martin; Joseph Graham (Tatiana's father-in-law); Keturah Faust (J. Barns and L. Shuga s friend); Naomi Hershey and Carrie Faust (friends of the Cole's); Matthew Kocsis; Marlene Kalenak (Anna Doray's niece); Van Milbrand (friend & co-worker of Larry Smith); Nicholas Essis; Pauline Lapinsky, Susan Strenski, and John Fatich (Janet Kuzupas siblings); Christine Demchak (Suzanne s sister); M. Olga Kovach Health and well-being: Jacob Fedetz, Alyssa Fedetz, David Altieri and Walt O'shinski (grandson, daughter-in-law, nephew and brother-in-law of Dotty Fedetz); Deb Reigle (friend of Ann Cole); Harvey Knupp (Dan & Donna Bretz's friend); John Varkala (Lydia Mantles friend); Elizabeth Betty Pellegrini; Irene Priggins & Addison Wechter, her parents Judy & Greg (Christine Priggins sister & mother); Joe Demchak; Karen Crawford (Debbie Hisiro s co-worker); Justin McGarrity (Hancher & Zart family friend); Tom and Bernadine Antolick (Mary Ellen Osuch s sister and brother-in-law); Archpriest Alexander Atty [Active Duty] Steven Heberle (Jean Dotsey s nephew); [OCMC Missionary] Christina Semon; [Catechumen] Jonathan Dunnavent [Expectant Mothers] Nino Sensor, M. Anna Vernak; Elise Mosser; Christina Yerke and the children to be born of them. Newly Departed from This Life: Bill Brousseau (husband of Evelyn Krempasky s cousin) - Dec 20; Barbara Cornwell (Kathy Kuchwara's friend) - Dec 12; Walter Strank (cousin of George Krempasky & Katherine Pilc) - Dec 10; Nellie Stine (John R. Barns aunt) - Dec 7; Kathy Lazor - Dec 4; Anniversaries of Those Departed: Helen Bushko, sister of Dorothy Fedetz, Jan 2-13 th ; Loretta Lennon, niece of Katharine Newhouse, Jan 3-5 th ; Marlene Demchak, Suzanne s sisterin-law, Jan 4 3 rd ; Eleanor Thomas, mother of Eleanor Herman, Jan 4 7 th ; Watson Edward Ealy, Jan 5-12 th ; Helen Zuzulock, mother of Kathleen Z. Pankiw, Jan 5-11 th ; Florence Miller (Paul Miller s mother) Jan 5-3 rd ; Fr. Dn. Mark Colby, friend of the Newhouse s, Jan 5 3 rd ; Samuel Evans, Jan 6-70 th ; Andrew Matyuf, brother of Dorothy Fedetz, Jan 6-8 th ; John Popp, father of Janice Zuro, Jan 7-6 th ; Tecla Tessie Kuchta, mother of Bill Kuchta, Jan 7-5 th ; Brenda Hatrak, daughter-in-law of Fr. Michael Hatrak, Jan 8-9 th ; Peter Maliniak, husband of Gloria Maliniak, Jan 8-23 rd ; Olga A. Saakova, Jan 8-16 th ; Candle Offerings: For information on how to purchase commemoration candles, please go to the candle desk or speak with one of the vestrymen. Seven beeswax candles (on Altar table) are offered in Memory of V. Rev. Nicholas Fedetz, Andy Matyuf & Michael Bushko, brothers & brother-in-law of Dotty Fedetz Many Years: Names will be accepted for each week. Please submit to ctsocahbg@aol.com by the preceding Wednesday for inclusion in the Sunday bulletin Newly Baptized and Chrismated: Phoebe Firestine (Jan 1) Birthdays: Matthew Sysak Jan 5; Basil Kuchta - Jan 7; Nicholas Hojnicki Jan 7; Ammanuel Ghebremichael Jan 8
PARISH NEWS AND EVENTS: House Blessings 2011: Following the Great Feast of Theophany, Fr. Stephen will be blessing homes, which will be arranged with those who sign-up in the vestibule, call 652-1825 or email: svernak@hotmail.com. Please have a candle, bowl of water, and list of living & departed members of your family ready for this visit. If possible, all members of the family should be present, and the TV, radio & cell phones turned off. Pan-Orthodox Great Blessing of the Susquehanna River: Sunday, January 9 th at 1:30pm on City Island, Bishop TIKHON will be presiding at the Great Blessing of the Susquehanna River with fellow clergy from throughout Central PA. Dress warmly & please bring a friend. Men s Club Breakfast: Sunday, January 9 th following Divine Liturgy & prior to the Blessing of the Susquehanna on City Island, the Men s Club will host a breakfast of ham, sausage, scrambled eggs, pancakes, potatoes, OJ & coffee. The cost is $6.00 for adults and children under 12 are free. Please sign up in vestibule to help us in our preparations. Harrisburg O Club: The January meeting will be hosted by Evelyn Onufer at her home on Thursday, January 13 th at 6pm. There will be a pot-luck dinner prior to the meeting, if you would like to bring an item please contact John Dotsey 717-566-0395 St. Vladimir Seminary (Crestwood, NY) Male Octet will be singing the responses at Vespers on Saturday, January 15 th at 6pm. Please come to be uplifted by their singing, and spend some time in fellowship with the future clergy and lay leaders of our Church. Book Club: You can purchase The Gurus, the young man, and Elder Piasios for $17 in the church office. Discussion is Jan 16, 2011 at 3pm at the Lubecki residence (Lebanon). St. Mary s Altar Guild: The Altar Guild is sponsoring a Pot-luck dinner & social for all the women of the parish on Monday, January 24 th at 6:30 in the church basement. A sign up sheet will be provided a later date in the vestibule. Save the Date: Men s Club Annual Super Bowl Party, Sunday, February 6 th. More information will be available at a later date. Donation: A copy of the Myrrh-streaming Iveron Icon of the Mother of God (which visited our parish in November), was recently donated to our parish "in gratitude for the restoration of health for Gregory Pollard" by the Somple Family. Many of our parishioners and their friends have shared stories of how the Mother of God interceded on their behalf, and how God granted them a consolation or healing after venerating or being anointed with myrrh when the icon visited. Glory to God for His mercy and His love! Recycle your Christmas Cards: The sisters at Holy Transfiguration Monastery (Ellwood City) use recycled religious greeting cards to make laminated books for children. We will have a box on the umbrella stand for the next three weeks. Simply cut your cards in half and deposit the printed part in the box. Thank you. Fellowship Hour Schedule: Parishioners are asked to help by bringing at least 60 servings of baked goods and to serve them during their assigned fellowship hour. Please check the dates below and mark your calendar accordingly. The complete list through next May 2011 is available at the parish hall. If you are unable to be at church on your scheduled date contact Nadzia Schilling at 652-2759. January 9: Maryanne Hadginske Barb Somple January 16: Alice Mallick Denise Zullo January 23: Nadzia Schilling Lori Pawlush Last week s liturgy attendance: 112
EVENTS AROUND OUR ORTHODOX COMMUNITY Pan-Orthodox Christian Singles: Happy 2011 Welcome Party, Saturday, January 8 th from 7pm to Midnight in Great Falls, VA. This event is open to adults 21 years of age and older. For more information please see the flyer in the candle stand. 74 th Annual Novogodny Ball: Sponsored by St. Stephen s OCF, Chapter #82 of the FOCA will take place on Sunday, Jan 16 th, 2011 at the Radisson Hotel Philadelphia Northeast. Please see the flyer in the candle stand, email novogodnyball@verizon.net or contact Lisa Lelo at 215-248- 0158 for more information. Youth Winter Retreat 2011: The Annual Young Adult Winter Retreat will be held February 4-6 at Fatima Renewal Center in Dalton, PA. This retreat is open to student s grades 7 12. For more please see the flyer in the candle stand or email Kim Metz at retreat@ocayouth.org 2010 College Conference: Orthodox Christian Fellowship has announced that registration for the 2010 College Conference is now open at www.ocf.net/programs. This year's conference is being held at the Antiochian Village (Bolivar, PA). A limited number of scholarships are available and offered on a first come-first served basis. For more information and to register online please visit: www.ocf.net/programs
SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR SUNDAY JANUARY 2, 2011 2 Timothy 4:5-8 (Epistle, Sunday Before) Brethren, 5 be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. 6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. Galation 5:22-6:2 (Epistle, Saint) Brethren, 22 the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. 6:1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. 2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Mark 1:1-8 (Gospel, Sunday Before) At that time, Jesus taught His Disciples, But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. 2 As it is written in the Prophets: "Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You. 3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the LORD; Make His paths straight.' 4 John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. 5 Then all the land of Judea, and those from Jerusalem, went out to him and were all baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins. 6 Now John was clothed with camel's hair and with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And he preached, saying, "There comes One after me who is mightier than I, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to stoop down and loose. 8 I indeed baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit. Luke 6:17-23 (Saint) At that time, Jesus came down with them and stood on a level place with a crowd of His disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem, and from the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear Him and be healed of their diseases, 18 as well as those who were tormented with unclean spirits. And they were healed. 19 And the whole multitude sought to touch Him, for power went out from Him and healed them all. 20 Then He lifted up His eyes toward His disciples, and said: Blessed are you poor, For yours is the kingdom of God. 21 Blessed are you who hunger now, For you shall be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, For you shall laugh. 22 Blessed are you when men hate you, And when they exclude you, And revile you, and cast out your name as evil, For the Son of Man's sake. 23 Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For indeed your reward is great in heaven, For in like manner their fathers did to the prophets. GLORY TO THEE O LORD, GLORY TO THEE!
THE PROLOGUE OF OHRID: THE DAILY LIVES OF THE SAINTS AND REFLECTIONS BY ST. NIKOLAI OF ZICHA AND SOUTH CANAAN http://www.westsrbdio.org/prolog/my.html SAINT SYLVESTER, BISHOP OF ROME Sylvester was born in Rome and from his early youth was learned in worldly wisdom and in the Faith of Christ. He always conducted his life according to the Gospel commandments. He benefited much from the instruction of Timothy the priest whose death for the Faith Sylvester himself witnessed and, observing the example of the heroic sacrifice of his teacher, was imbued with such a spirit throughout his entire life. At age thirty, he became the Bishop of Rome. He amended the customs of Christians. For example, he dispensed the fast on Saturdays, which was practiced by many Christians up to that time, and ordered that fasting be observed only on Holy and Great Saturday as well as on those Saturdays that fall within the fasting seasons. By his prayers and miracles Sylvester assisted in bringing Emperor Constantine and his mother Helena into the True Faith. They were later baptized. He participated with the Empress Helena in finding the Honorable Cross. He governed the Church of God for twenty years. His earthly life ended honorably and he was translated into the heavenly Kingdom. THE VENERABLE SERAPHIM OF SAROV Seraphim was one of the greatest Russian ascetics, discerners and miracle-workers. He was born in 1759 A.D and died in 1833 A.D. Seraphim was distinguished by great humility. When the entire world praised him, he referred to himself as "the wretched Seraphim." REFLECTION How do you respond to those who say that Christ the Miracle-worker cannot fit in our logic? Simply reply: You fit into His logic. In His logic, all eternity fits and all the nobleness of time and, then, if you wish, a place will be found even for you. If a barrel cannot fit into a thimble, you can fit a thimble into a barrel. Blessed Clement of Alexandria says; "Philosophers are children until they become men though Christ. For truth is never thinking only." Christ came to correct man and, therefore, men's logic. He is our Logos and our Logic. That is why we must direct our reason toward Him and not Him toward our reason. He is the corrector of our reason. The sun is not regulated according to our clock, but our clock is regulated according to the sun.