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5th Sunday of Great Lent
St Mary of Egypt
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Христос Међу Нама! Christ is in our midst! Cristo esta' entra nosotros! | |
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Homily on St Mary of Egypt
by Metropolitan Anthony of Sourozh
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,
We keep today the memory of Saint Mary of Egypt in the gradual progression from glory to glory which Lent is, and which must lead us step by step to facing the supreme glory of the Divine Love crucified, the sacrificial love of the Holy Trinity.
Saint Mary of Egypt was a sinner, someone whose sin was known to everyone and not to God alone; perhaps she was the only one who was least of all aware of it because sin was her life. And yet, one day, she wanted to go and venerate an icon of the Mother of God in a church. The supreme beauty of womanhood in the Mother of God reached her heart, touched it. But when she came to the gate of this church, a power prevented her from crossing the threshold. The Publican had been able to stand there because his heart was broken; Mary of Egypt had no broken heart, and the entrance of the church was forbidden to her. And she stood there, aware that what she was, was incompatible with the holiness of the Presence, the presence of God, the presence of the Mother of God, the presence of all that is holy on earth and in heaven.
And she was so profoundly shaken by this experience that she left all that had been her life, retired into the desert, and with a life which the service books define as ‘extreme’, fought to conquer her flesh, her soul, her memories - everything that was sin, but also everything that could lead her away from God. And we know how glorious her life was, the kind of person she became.
What lesson can we receive from her life? How often is it that we have knocked at the door of God in the way in which Mary tried to come into His presence? How often have we tried to pray, to be in His presence in silence? How often has our longing been to God, and how often have we felt that between our prayer and Him, between our silence and Him, between our longing and Him there was a barrier which we could not pass. We were crying, praying into an empty sky, we were turning towards icons that were silent; all we could perceive was the Divine absence, and an absence so frightening, because not only could we not reach Him, but we perceived that unless we reached Him, our soul was laid waste, there was within us nothing but emptiness, an emptiness that if it continued, if it became our definitive condition would mean more than death - ultimate separation.
But how often also has God knocked at the door of our heart. You remember the word of the Book of Revelation: I stand at Thy door and I knock... How often has God, in the words of the Gospel, in the events of our life, in the weak promptings of our soul, in a whispering of the Holy Spirit, in all the ways in which God tries to reach us - how often has He knocked at this door, and how often have we made sure that this door does not open. Either didn't we simply care to open it because we were busy with things that mattered to us at that moment more than His interrupting, disturbing presence; and how often did we refuse to open the door because the coming of the Lord to us would have meant the end of things which were precious to us, which mattered to us... And the Lord stood knocking, and the door was shut in His face: exactly in the same way in which every door was shut in the face of the Mother of God and Joseph on the night of the Nativity.
We may not be aware of it with the intensity which should be ours; and yet for each of us, simply, the proof of it is that we are here, and millions of other people at some moment have suddenly perceived the presence of God, have heard His knocking, have let perhaps the door ajar, have listened to what He was saying, had a moment of elation, a moment when suddenly we came to life, and then we shut the door again. We chose our aloneness, we chose to be without Him, and what we imagined to be ‘free’ from Him: we are never free; we are never free not because He enslaves us, not because He hunts us down. We are never free because He is ultimately in the end the only supreme longing of our whole being, because He is the fullness of life, the glory of life, the exultation of life for which we long and which we try to glean right, and left in vain.
Mary of Egypt confronted with the Divine absence, with God’s refusal to allow her into His presence, confronted with a shut door within herself felt that unless the door opened, everything was vain. And she turned away from everything that stood between her and God, and life, and fullness, and exultation.
Isn't she for us an example, a call, an image of what could be the life of each of us? But we may say, Yes, this applied to her, she was a prospective saint… Each of us is called to commune with God in such a way, that God and each of us should become one, that each of us should become partaker of the Divine nature, a living member, a brother, a sister, a limb of Christ, a temple of the Holy Spirit, a son and a daughter of the Living God! This is our vocation; but can that be achieved by our own strength? No, it cannot! But it can be achieved by God in us if we only turn to Him with all our mind, all our heart, all our longing, determinably, yes: it is determination, and it is longing, a passionate, desperate longing... And then - and then all things become possible. I have said so often that when Saint Paul asked God for strength to fulfil his mission, the Lord said to him, My grace suffitheth unto thee, My power deploys itself in weakness... And at the end of his life, having fulfilled his vocation, Paul, who knew what he was saying, said, all things are possible unto me in the power of Christ Who sustains me... All things are possible, because God does not call us to more than can be achieved by Him with us and in us.
How much hope, how much inspiration can we find in each of the Saints of God, as frail as we are, and in whom the power, the glory, the victory, the life unfolded itself, deployed itself gloriously.
Let us once more receive inspiration from what we hear, receive inspiration from what we meet face to face in the Gospel, in Holy Communion, in prayer, in the silence in the presence of God. And let us move one step more forward towards the vision of the love of God made manifest in Holy Week, in the last steps of the way of the Cross, in the final victory of crucified Love, and in the victory of the Resurrection of God.
Amen.
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Commemorating Apostle Herodion of the Seventy and those with him, St Celestine Pope of Rome, St Niphon Bishop of Novgorod, Martyr Pausilippus of Heraclea in Thrace, Venerable Rufus the Obedient of the Kiev Far Caves
RESURRECTION TROPARION - TONE 5
Let us, the faithful, praise and worship the Word, co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit, born for our salvation from the Virgin; for He willed to be lifted up on the Cross in the flesh, to endure death, and to raise the dead by His glorious Resurrection.
HOLY FATHER NICHOLAS TROPARION — TONE 4
Truly you were revealed to your flock as a rule of faith, an image of humility and a teacher of abstinence; your humility exalted you; your poverty enriched you. Hierarch Father Nicholas, entreat Christ our God that our souls may be saved.
ST MARY OF EGYPT TROPARION — TONE 8
The image of God was truly preserved in you, O Mother, for you took up the Cross and followed Christ. By so doing, you taught us to disregard the flesh for it passes away; but to care instead for the soul, for it is immortal. Therefore your spirit, O holy Mother Mary, rejoices with the angels.
RESURRECTIONAL KONTAKION—TONE 5
You descended into hell, O my Savior, shattering its gates as Almighty, resurrecting the dead as Creator, and destroying the sting of death. You have delivered Adam from the curse, O Lover of Man, and we cry to You: “O Lord, save us!”
KONTAKION TO THE THEOTOKOS—TONE 6
Steadfast Protectress of Christians and constant Advocate before the Creator; despise not the cry of us sinners, but come speedily to help those who call on You in faith. Hasten to hear our petition and to intercede for us, O Theotokos, for You always protect those who honor You!
HYMN TO THE THEOTOKOS (Instead of “It is Truly Meet…”)
All of creation rejoices in you, O Full of Grace: the assembly of Angels and the race of men. O sanctified temple and spiritual paradise, the glory of virgins, from whom God was incarnate and became a Child – our God before the ages. He made your body into a throne, and your womb He made more spacious than the heavens. All of creation rejoices in you, O Full of Grace. Glory to you!
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~Scripture Readings of the Day~ | |
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READERS:
This Week: Matins: Milan Radanovic Epistle: Aleksandra Saran
Next Week: Matins: All Readers Epistle: Marijana Rocknage
EPISTLE: Hebrews 9:11—14
DEACON: Let us pay attention.
PRIEST: Peace be unto all!
READER: And with your spirit!
DEACON: Wisdom.
READER: The Prokeimenon in the Fifth Tone: You, O Lord, shall protect us and preserve us from this generation forever.
CHOIR: You, O Lord, shall protect us and preserve us from this generation forever.
READER: v: Save me, O Lord, for there is no longer any that is godly.
CHOIR: You, O Lord, shall protect us and preserve us from this generation forever.
READER: You, O Lord, shall protect us ...
CHOIR: … and preserve us from this generation forever.
DEACON: Wisdom!
READER: The Reading is from the Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Hebrews
DEACON: Let us attend!
READER: Brethren, Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
PRIEST: Peace be unto you, reader!
READER: And with your spirit! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
READER: I will sing of Your mercies, O Lord, forever; with my mouth I will proclaim Your truth from generation to generation.
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
READER: For You have said: “Mercy will be established forever; My truth will be prepared in the heavens.”
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
АПОСТОЛ: Јеврејима 9:11-14
Ђакон: Пазимо
Свештеник: Мир свима!
Читач: I Духу Твоме!
Ђакон: Премудрост
Читач : ПРОКИМЕН- глас 5 Ти ћеш нас Господе, одбранити и сачувати од рода овога до вјека.
Хор: Ти ћеш нас Господе, одбранити и сачувати од рода овога до вјека.
Читач: Помилуј ме Господе, јер неста Светих, јер је мало вјерних међу синовима човјечијим.
Хор: Ти ћеш нас Господе, одбранити и сачувати од рода овога до вјека.
Читач: Ти ћеш нас, Господе, одбранити
Хор: и сачувати од рода овога до вјека.
Ђакон: Премудрост
Читач: Читање посланице Св. Апостола Павла Јеврејима
Ђакон: Пазимо
Читач: Браћо, Христос пак доће као Првосвештеник будућих добара и уђе једном засвагда у Светињу кроз већу и савршенију скинију, нерукотворену, то јест не од ове творевине, не са крвљу јарчијом ни јунчијом, него са својом крвљу извршивши вјечно искупљење. Јер ако крв јараца и јунаца и пепео од јунице, којом кад се кропе нечисти освећује их да буду тјелесно чисти, колико ли ће више крв Христа, који Духом вјечним принесе себе непорочна Богу, очистити савјест вашу од мртвих дјела, да би служили Богу живоме и истинитоме.
Читач: I Духом Твоме! Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Читач: Пјеваћу увјек милости Господње; од кољена на кољено јавићу истину Твоју устима својим.
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Читач: Јер си рекао: Милост ће бити основана заувјек; на Небесима си утврдио истину Своју.
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
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LITURGY GOSPEL:
Mark 10:32—45, Luke 7:36—50 (St Mary of Egypt)
Now they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was going before them; and they were amazed. And as they followed they were afraid. Then He took the twelve aside again and began to tell them the things that would happen to Him: “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death and deliver Him to the Gentiles; and they will mock Him, and scourge Him, and spit on Him, and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again.” Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him, saying, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask.” And He said to them, “What do you want Me to do for you?” They said to Him, “Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory.” But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” They said to Him, “We are able.” So Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized with you will be baptized; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared.” And when the ten heard it, they began to be greatly displeased with James and John. But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
Then one of the Pharisees asked Him to eat with him. And He went to the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to eat. And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil. Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, “This Man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner.” And Jesus answered and said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” So he said, “Teacher, say it.” “There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?” Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.” And He said to him, “You have rightly judged.” Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.” Then He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” And those who sat at the table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” Then He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”
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ЈЕВАНЂЕЉЕ:
Марко 10:32-45, Лука 7:36-50 (Св. Марије Египћанке)
У вријеме оно, узе Исус дванаесторицу, и поче им казивати шта ће му се догодити: Ево идемо горе у Јерусалим, и Син Човјечији биће предан првосвештеницима и књижевницима, и осудиће га на смрт, и предаће га незнабошцима; И наругаће му се, и шибаће га, и пљуваће га, и убиће га, и трећи дан васкрснуће. И дођоше пред њега Јаков и Јован, синови Зеведејеви, говорећи: Учитељу, хоћемо да нам учиниш што ћемо те молити. А он им рече: Шта хоћете да вам учиним? А они му рекоше: Дај нам да сједнемо један с десне стране теби а други са лијеве, у слави твојој. А Исус им рече: Не знате шта иштете; можете ли пити чашу коју ја пијем, и крстити се крштењем којим се ја крстим? А они му рекоше: Можемо. А Исус им рече: Чашу, дакле, коју ја пијем испићете; и крштењем којим се ја крстим крстићете се; Али да сједнете с десне стране мени и с лијеве није моје да дам, него ће се дати којима је припремљено. И чувши то десеторица почеше се срдити на Јакова и Јована. А Исус дозвавши их рече им: Знате да они који се сматрају владарима народа господаре њима, и великаши њихови владају над њима. Али међу вама да не буде тако; него који хоће да буде међу вама велики, нека вам служи: И који хоће међу вама да буде први, нека буде свима слуга. Јер Син Човјечији није дошао да му служе него да служи, и да даде живот свој у откуп за многе.
Мољаше га пак један од фарисеја да би обедовао у њега; и ушавши у кућу фарисејеву, седе за трпезу. И гле, жена у граду која беше грешница, дознавши да је Исус за трпезом у кући фарисејевој, донесе мирис у суду од алавастра. И ставши позади код ногу његових плакаше, и стаде квасити ноге његове сузама, и косом главе своје отираше, и целиваше ноге његове, и мазаше мирисом. А кад виде фарисеј који га је позвао, рече у себи: „Да је он пророк, знао би ко и каква га се жена дотиче; јер је грешница.” И одговарајући Исус рече му: „Симоне, имам ти нешто казати.” А он рече: „Учитељу, кажи.” А Исус рече: „Двојица беху дужни једноме повериоцу, један беше дужан пет стотина динара, а други педесет. А кад они не имадоше да му врате, поклони обојици. Кажи, који ће га од њих двојице већма љубити?” А Симон одговарајући рече: „Мислим онај коме више поклони.” А он му рече: „Право си судио.” И окренувши се жени, рече Симону: „Видиш ли ову жену? Уђох ти у кућу, ни воде ми на ноге ниси дао, а она ми сузама обли ноге, и косом главе своје обриса. Целива ми ниси дао; а она, откако уђе, не преста целивати ми ноге. Уљем ниси помазао главу моју, а она мирисом помаза ми ноге. Зато ти кажем: Опраштају јој се греси многи, јер је велику љубав имала; а коме се мало опрашта малу љубав има.” А њој рече: „Опраштају ти се греси.” И стадоше у себи говорити они што сеђаху с њим за трпезом: „Ко је овај што и грехе опрашта?” А жени рече: „Вера твоја спасла те је; иди у миру.”
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~ The Week Ahead: Scriptures and Services ~ | |
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~Prayers for the Faithful~
In Our Prayers
Metropolitan Paul, Archbishop Youhanna, Protinica Ljubica Jockovic, Protopresbyter Rodney Torbic, Popadija Sara Golic, Matushka Barbara Ealy, the child Katie Elizabeth and her parents Mileva and Michael Repasky, the child Metodija and his parents Fr. Dn. Milan and Mira Damljanovic, the child Louise Bare and her parents Zachary & Elizabeth, Shayle York and the newborn Šeren Lily, Kaitlyn Hook and the newborn Bowen William, Cassandra Semic and the newborn Palmer Belle, Mara Bebeau and the child to be born of her, Catherine Lewis and the child to be born of her, Kyranna Baker and the child to be born of her, Michelle Adams, Addy Andy, Lori Bare, Dori & Doug Bert, Jonathan Bertsch, Darlene & Larry Black, Carole Blitva, Stephan and Barbara Blitva, Walter “Bud” Brown, Rebecca Cappetta, Guiliana & Aleksandar Carricato, Irina Chudinova, Susan & Jim Cibort, Leann Cox, Victoria Cox, Art Dils, Tommy & Kara (Blitva) Dorsey, JoAnn Filepas, Anaya Garvin, Christian & Melanie Geib, Michael Geppert III, Nevenka Gojkovic, Dr Andrea Govelovich, Nick & Terry Govelovich, Kata Gruich, George Gutshall, Dan Hazlett, Travis Heilman, Adam Herigan, Edith Herigan, Kay Himes, Nicole Stefan Imschweiler, Susan Jacobs, Slobodan Jovicic, Myong Sook Kim, Spencer Klinge, Dorothy Krnjaich, Henry Laichak, Peter Lalic, Dragan Lalovic, Stella Wren Lappas, Jovan Lemajic, Dick Livingston, Maggie Livingston, Boro Lojpur, Stephen Lundingrin, Penny MacDonald, Dianne & Jim Martin, Rowan Martin, Jack McFall, Marija Miljkovic, Peter Mrgich, George Myers, Katherine Nation, Patty Navarro, Bosiljka Ninkovic, Lila Packer, Daniel Paddock, Vid & Marica Pejcic, Hope Pesner, Kobe Petrovich, Sue Petrovich, Tracy Petrovich, Christopher Radanovic, Linda Rodgers, Logan Roszkowski, Chloe Ruff, Jane Rush, Greg Selman, Michael Schaffner, Maryann Seiders, Steven Semic, Benjamin Shaffer, Tessa Shaffer, John Sheaffer, Branko Smitran, Zorka Starcevich, Tim Stefan, Stevan and Mary Stojic, Patricia & Joseph Sypniewski, Leonard Tepsich, Leroy Tepsich Jr, Savka Trivun, Edie & Michael “Bo” Venesevich, Michael Vishnesky, Rita Vorkapich, Kristina Vukalo, Steve Vulich, Paula Werner, Draga Worman, Beverly Yanich, Tosh Yanich, Dewey Yetter, Mila “Millie” Yezdimir, Marija Zabrodnaya, Jason Zeigler, Ashley Ziobrowski, Demetrios & Eleni Ziogas, Miriam “Mim” Codan Ziolkowski
Those Who Need Special Care
HOMELAND: Draga Donato; MASONIC HOME ELIZABETHTOWN: Ray Foltz; RS: Cedo Lukic
Those to be Baptized
Sloane, Berkeley & Palmer Semic, Barrett Scott, Divna & Danica Mitrovic, Nora & Maeve Van Huysen, Sloane & Šeren York
Our College Students
Sophia Adams, Cameron Barber, Michael Geppert, Anastasija Gligorevic, Cayden Healy, Matthew Hoover, Kalei Howard, Faith Kingsbury, Sophia Mummert, Kobe Petrovich, Christina Radanovic, Ioanna Radanovic, Madison Vorkapich, Anastasija Vukalo
Our Dearly Departed Loved Ones
Goran Stekovic, Louis ’Chuck’ Belic, Florence Ivanoff, Sofija Wuselich, Dr Stevan ‘Rick’ Zivic, Radenko Kuzmanovic, Nathan Rush, Slavko Djordjic, Slobodan Saran, George Radanovic, Edward Hojnicki, Meilka “Sandy” Marijan
~Condolences Offered~
We offer our heartfelt condolences to the family of Meilka “Sandy” Marijan after falling asleep in the Lord early Friday morning. May her soul dwell with the righteous, be numbered among the just, and may her memory be eternal! Vjechnaja Pamjat!
Orthodox Funeral Service will be served on
Tuesday, April 23, 2024 at 11:00am
followed by interment at Churchville Cemetery.
Viewing at the Church will begin at 9:30am.
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~Vigils Offered~
PHILIP WERNER Offered lovingly in celebration of his 27th birthday (April 16). May God bless you with many more years of good health and much happiness! Ziveli! Mnogaja Ljeta! Love Mom and Dad.
CAMERON BARBER Offered in joyful celebration of her birthday (April 21). May God grant you blessings and joy for many more years. Mnogaja Ljeta! Love Baba and Pap Pap.
DIANNE & SLATER MARTIN Offered in joyous celebration of their Wedding Anniversary (April 26) by Kat Gruich & family. Many Years! Mnogaja Ljeta!
DARLENE & LARRY BLACK Offered with love by the Barber, Geib & McLaughlin Families for God’s Blessings during their recovery. We pray that He will bless them with good health. Our Love & Prayers are with them.
TOOTSIE KRNJAICH Offering vigils and prayers for our Kuma Tootsie. May God’s blessings be with her during her rehab period. From her Godchildren, Kat and families.
MICHAEL GEPPERT Offered prayerfully by Mom & Dad for improvement in health and God’s blessings and loving care during his recovery.
†STEVO STEVE YANICH Offered in loving memory of our father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great grandfather (29 years—April 19) with prayers for his peaceful repose. May “Pop” rest in our Lord’s unending Light and everlasting Life. Given by Beba, Stephani, Bobbi, Bill, Greg, Wendy, Brandon, Jazmin, Curran, Kaitlyn, Tim, Sonora, Ashtyn, Baylor, Endora & Bowen. Vjecnaja Pamjat! Memory Eternal!
†ANNIE KRNJAIC Offered in loving memory of her repose (19 years—April 22). May her Memory be Eternal! Vjecnaja Pamjat! Sadly missed! With love from her family.
†LUKA VUJASINOVICH Offered in memory of our beloved Tata, Djedo, Pramdjedo, Pram-Pramdjedo (40 years ago on Holy Friday—April 20). May God grant him peace in His Heavenly Kingdom. Vjecnaja Pamjat! Memory Eternal! Forever in our hearts, Zorica and the whole family.
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Please continue to pray for all of those currently being persecuted for Christ's sake in Kosovo, Metohija, Montenegro, Ethiopia, Somalia, Eritrea, Morocco, China, North Korea, for all of our brothers and sisters in Christ suffering throughout the world, especially in Ukraine and Russia, Israel and Palestine, that they might be comforted with the Joy of our Lord, and for those who are unjustly persecuted that they may be strengthened by the love of Christ which knows no division.
LET US PRAY TO THE LORD!
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Stewardship Offering Information
Date 4/14/2024
Collection: $4,177.00
Date 4/7/2024
Collection: $8,165.00
Date 3/31/2024
Collection: $3,434.00
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April Birthdays
Doni Cashman (April 3), Fr Dcn Bojan Gligorevic (April 9), Sandy Marijan (April 10), Shirley Hathaway (April 11), Sue Petrovich (April 12), Andrew Imschweiler (April 12), Parker Brosius (April 13), Philip Werner (April 16), Ava Carricato (April 17), Marina Radanovic (April 18), Jessica Barry (April 18), Elizabeth Bare (April 19), Nicholas Govelovich (April 20), Cameron Barber (April 21), Evan Filepas (April 22), Grant Govelovich (April 22), Sladjana Jovic (April 24), Olga Gaydebouroff (April 25), Dragan Lalovic (April 25), Fr Christopher (April 26), Barrett Bernardi (April 26), Logan Livingston (April 26), Angie Bagley (April 27), Luis Radanovic (April 30)
April Anniversaries
Jelena & Justin Bowser (April 21), Russ & Amy Hewitt (April 27)
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CIRCLE OF SERBIAN SISTERS (KSS) MEETING (TODAY)
There will be a KSS meeting today, April 21 in the Church Library, after Liturgy. All members are urged to attend.
FREE WILL LUNCHEON (NEXT WEEK)
The Choir will be hosting a free will luncheon on April 28, to benefit the church mortgage fund. Please stay and help support the Choir and our Church.
SENIORS FUNDRAISER (SUB AND PRETZEL SANDWICH SALE)
Only 2 more weeks until Pascha! But only 1 more week to order your meat filled sub or pretzel sandwich!! Pick up is Friday, May 10. Order by signing up on the sheet in the lobby (by April 28) or you can call Nick Govelovich 717-561-1590 or 717-433-4767 (no later than May 1). Please share with those who may not have email.
GUARDING THE TOMB OF CHRIST
Sign up for the guarding of Christ’s Tomb from the Burial Vespers until the Resurrection Service. This is a noble and prayerful way to participate in Christ’s death and burial, so we may also participate in His Glorious Resurrection. Email Father Chris at fr.chris@stnicholassteelton.org or call the parish house at 717.939.0251 to schedule your time.
EASTER LILIES & PASCHA ITEMS
If you would like to purchase an Easter Lily to help decorate the Lord’s Tomb on Great & Holy Friday, please contact Daria in the church office. Cost is $10.00. Also contact Daria if you would like to make donations for red candles, wine, incense, rose oil or olive oil. If you would like the item for the health of someone or in memory of someone, please have your request/money in by April 28 for it to appear in the Pascha bulletin.
RED COLORED EGGS
All Kolo Srpskih Sestara members are asked to donate RED COLORED EGGS (only red please) for distribution on Pascha (after the midnight service). They will be collected in the church lobby before Liturgy on Pascha (Saturday evening), or they may be left in the kitchen refrigerator on Friday or Saturday prior to services. Anyone is welcome to donate, you do not have to be a member of the Kolo Sestara to donate!
SOTAYA PB & COCONUT CHOCOLATE COVERED EGGS FUNDRAISER
SOTAYA is once again selling chocolate covered eggs for Easter. The eggs POSNO (vegan) or REGULAR will be $3 each and can be coated in your choice of white, dark, or milk chocolate. The sale starts TODAY, March 31 and ends Sunday, April 28. To order contact Sladjana at 717-538-2073 or Angie at 717-813-5128.
MOTHER’S CLUB ANNUAL EGG HUNT
The Mother’s Club is requesting donations of candy filled, money filled or coupon filled plastic eggs for the Easter Egg hunt on Easter Sunday (May 5) after Agape Vespers. Please bring eggs in no later than Palm Sunday (April 28). There is a box in the last Sunday School bay for you to place them in. There are also some empty eggs for you to take, if you want to just fill them up and bring back next week. Thank you!
MOTHERS CLUB KIOSK UPDATE
We now have Pascha cards, egg wraps, Tears of the Theotokos prayer bracelets, candles, incense and charcoal available at the Mothers Club Gift Shoppe in the lobby.
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CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
Office hours are Monday thru Friday from 9 am until noon. You may call the office during these hours at (717) 939-3872 or come by the office in person. Office hours will be adjusted when services are occurring during those hours.
BULLETIN DEADLINE
Bulletin Deadline is Wednesday at 11 am
Please send all bulletin requests to the church office at office@stnicholassteelton.org
You may also call at (717) 939-3872
SERBIAN-AMERICAN CLUB 2024 SCHOLARSHIP
The Serbian-American Club is once again offering a scholarship to a graduating high school senior continuing their education. The guidelines and application can be found on the Tutors stand in the Narthex and below. Application deadline is May 1, 2024. The Club is accepting additional scholarship donations which will be added to the amount already collected for the scholarship. If you are interested in donating, see Chris Radanovic.
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April Charity
Bethesda Women and Children's Shelter
A House of Refuge
For over 34 years Bethesda Women and Children’s Mission has offered a place of healing, change, and hope for women in need of addiction recovery, safety and stability, a new start in life, and place where they can call home.
A House of Change
A Christ-Centered facility, we offer hope to those searching for their purpose and their place in this world, by offering an array of programs and services geared toward reconciliation, renewal and change. Our initial Discipleship and Recovery program is at least ONE YEAR long, and upon completion, women have the option to move to into our Transitional Living Program before moving out on their own.
A House of Healing
We have found that a long-termed recovery program is successful when each individual is permitted to rest, reflect, renew, and re-enter. Time to heal, encouragement for others, and new experiences assist in offering new life to those that come through our doors.
A House of Hope
In addition to internal programming, we utilize local social, medical, and educational services to help each new person to set attainable goals during their stay. Some women, after completing our programming either return to the workforce or continue their education at our local college. Many of our graduates remain in contact through calls, mentoring, or volunteering of their time.
https://www.bethesdamission.org/our-ministries/womens-mission/
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Stewardship Reflection
Fifth Sunday of Great Lent St. Mary of Egypt
4/21/24
Today, on the fifth Sunday of Great Lent, we commemorate St. Mary of Egypt. St. Mary had lived a life of debauchery and on many occasions. sold her body for necessities such as food and travel. She departed her land and upon arriving in the Holy City, followed the crowd that was thronging towards the Church of the Resurrection, it being the day of the Exaltation of the Cross. But, when she reached the threshold of the Church, an invisible force prevented her entering in spite of repeated efforts on her part, although the other pilgrims were able to go in without hindrance. Left alone in a corner of the Narthex, she began to realize that it was the impurity of her life that was preventing her approaching the holy Wood. She burst into tears and smote her breast and, seeing an icon of the Mother of God, made this prayer to her: "O Sovereign Lady, who didst bear God in the flesh, I know that I should not dare to look upon thine icon, thou who are pure in soul and body, because, debauched as I am, I must fill thee with disgust. But, as the God born of thee became man in order to call sinners to repentance, come to my aid! Allow me to go into the church and prostrate before His Cross. And, as soon as I have seen the Cross, I promise that I will renounce the world and all pleasures, and follow the path of salvation that thou willest to show me." She felt herself suddenly freed from the power that had held her and was able to enter the Church. There she fervently venerated the Holy Cross and then, returning to the icon of the Mother of God, declared herself ready to follow the path that the Virgin would show her. A voice replied to her from on high: "If you cross the Jordan, you will find rest."
As we reflect upon St. Mary's life, we can also consider 1 Corinthians 6:20 "you were bought at a price, therefore honor God with your bodies, and your Spirit, for they are His." When we think about the unfortunate way that St. Mary used her body...but through repentance was saved and the fact that our Salvation was bought with a price - Christ's body being sacrificed on the Cross for our sins... we must ask and think about honoring God with our bodies and spirit with a focus on our Talents. Are there specific tasks that we can complete to help our Church? Does our profession provide the opportunity to assist our parish? Can we extend the daily labor that we do to include God's house? Whether a painter, doctor, carpenter, lawyer, gardener, accountant or any other skills - can we provide them as Stewardship to our Church?
We are called to honor and love God, to provide for and support His Church.
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Synaxarion Reading for the Fifth Sunday of Lent
On this day, the Fifth Sunday of Great Lent, it was ordained
that we make remembrance of our Godly Mother Mary of Egypt.
Verses
Spirit rose up, flesh melted away erewhile; hide, O earth, the worn bones of Mary’s body.
Once, during the Honorable Fast, the priest-monk Zosimus withdrew into the wilderness. He caught sight of a withered woman named Mary; her hair was white as snow. Mary then told Zosimus that she was born in Egypt and at the age of 12 began to live a life of debauchery in Alexandria for 17 years. One day, she went to Jerusalem to enter the church to venerate the Honorable Cross. However, some invisible force restrained her. In great fear, she gazed upon the icon of the Theotokos in the vestibule and prayed that she be allowed to enter the church, all the while confessing her sinfulness. She was then permitted to enter the church. Having venerated the Cross she again entered the vestibule and, before the icon, gave thanks to the Mother of God. At that very moment she heard a voice saying: “If you cross the Jordan, you will find glorious rest!” Mary left for the wilderness and remained there for 47 years in repentance. She bade Zosimus to come back in one year with Holy Communion, which he did. The following year, on Holy Thursday, April 1, 522, Zosimus discovered Mary’s lifeless body, and buried her. Thus, the Lord glorifies penitent sinners. The Church exalts and exemplifies Mary to the faithful in Great Lent as an incentive for repentance that brings entry into the Heavenly Kingdom. Through her intercessions, O Christ God, have mercy upon us. Amen.
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