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5th Sunday of Great Lent
Forefeast of Annunciation
St. Mary of Egypt
| | Христос Међу Нама! Christ is in our midst! Cristo esta' entra nosotros! | | |
Homily on St. Mary of Egypt
By St. Tikhon, Patriarch of All Russia
St. Mary was born in Egypt in the second half of the 5th century. She did no wrong while she lived with her parents. But soon she found this life fatiguing, and her parents’ loving efforts to bridle her will seemed unbearable. The young girl possessed natural beauty, which is often the first to tempt to into sin. Mary was no exception. At the age of twelve the girl ran away from her parents to the city of Alexandria; she was driven by irrepressible passions. What happens to a tiny, featherless baby bird when it suddenly imagines it is as strong as other birds and decides to leave the nest, where the mother has lovingly kept and cherished it? It inevitably falls out of the nest and dies. The same happened to Mary. It is not difficult to imagine how easily and with what strength the passions and temptations of the large city seized the young girl, who did not have anyone to instruct her or anything to restrain her, alone among strangers. Mary insatiably yielded to the allurements of city life. Soon, without any shame or fear, she rushed onto the path of evil and became notorious for her brazen unchastity. She spent seventeen years in this filth, gradually descending into the abyss of sin. She seemed to have lost even the merest hope for salvation. But the One Who leaves the ninety-nine sheep to seek one that has gone astray did not leave this sinner. The Grace of God watched the perishing woman, following her at every step, and tried to find any chance for her transformation. What seemed for her the end, the Wisdom of God turned into salvation.
Once Mary saw a crowd of people standing by the sea. Living in never ending pursuit of pleasures, an inveterate partaker in various entertainments, she hastened to the crowd to learn they were on their way to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. As there were many young men in the crowd, Mary took it as an opportunity to sate her passion—she begged them to let her on board. She set off to Jerusalem remaining as sinful as she had been, defiling the sea just as she had defiled the earth. Finally, she arrived in Jerusalem. Here is Golgotha—each piece of the land is imbued with sanctity in this holy city. This should be the place where all passions fade away! However, Mary did not give up her dissolute living even here, she did not cease to ruin both herself and the others. But this was her last sacrifice to hell.
On the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, when myriads of people inundated the Church of Resurrection. Mary, driven by a mere interest, followed them and rushed inside. Something strange happened when she tried to enter the church—she was barred from doing so by an unseen force. At first she took it for a mere accident, but after she saw the others enter the Holy Sepulcher without any barriers while all her attempts remained futile, Mary began thinking it over. The Grace of God found the key to her soul at this very moment. Her conscience, which had been sleeping for so long, finally awoke—it dawned on her that it was not the crowd that barred her from venerating the holy place, but her own sins. She realized how disgusting she was. Mary began recalling all her sins, crying and striking herself on breast in terror.
Mary was crying and weeping bitterly, until she looked up to see an icon of the Theotokos on the wall. She instantly turned to the Mother of God with a fervent prayer, imploring her to let her come into the church and venerate the Holy Cross, promising that she would abandon her dissolute life forever. Full of hope and faith, Mary easily entered the church after the prayer and venerated the Life-Giving Cross. Mary glorified the Holy Virgin for the miracle and, guided by a voice from on high, headed for the Jordan desert.
Her life in the desert was extremely tough at the beginning. Mary had only three loaves of bread when she had come. As she lived in absolute solitude and had no other food but herbs, she suffered from hunger. But she missed the abundance of delicious, sweet food she had savored in Egypt. Here she was suffering and dying from thirst. Her tongue was attuned to repeat the lewd songs that had given her joy then. She recalled the uncontrolled pleasures she had been having. Mary toiled courageously to resist the filthy thoughts and evil inclinations, and repel various tempting images. Sometimes she fell down upon the earth exhausted; weeping, she begged the Holy Theotokos for intercession until she finally rose to her feet, until the heavenly light permeated her soul, instilling quietude. She lived seventeen years in these afflictions and suffering. After this came the time of spiritual peace, but St. Mary spent thirty more years fasting and praying in the desert. Reconciliation with the Lord and her own conscience, full purification of the soul and spiritual transformation ensued after the many years of podvig. Saint Zosimas, who by the Providence of God was to discover St. Mary in the desert, found her in the flesh that scarcely assimilated our hard bodies. Mary could cross the Jordan walking on the water, she ascended to the air when praying, and she was endowed with the gift of clairvoyance and could foresee the future.
St. Mary peacefully reposed on April 1, 522, after partaking the Holy Mysteries of Christ. The life of St. Mary teaches us that there is no sin that could overcome the mercy of God, there is no abyss of dissoluteness that we could not rise from by the grace of God and by taking the path of faith and repentance. What we need is to be attentive to hear the voice of divine grace that calls us to transformation. We should follow the saving thought of abandoning sin and giving up our sinful life wherever and whenever it embraces us. We will obviously not leave for a desert, as St. Mary did (the example of her life is truly wonderful), but we should fight our sins and passions despite everything. May St. Mary of Egypt, through her prayers, help us succeed!
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Commemorating the Venerable Mary of Egypt, Venerable Zachariah the Recluse, St Artemon Bishop of Seleucia, Venerable Zachariah the Ascetic of the Kiev Caves, Martyrs Stephen and Peter of Kazan
RESURRECTION TROPARION - TONE 8
You descended from on high, O Merciful One! You accepted the three day burial to free us from our sufferings! O Lord, our Life and Resurrection, glory to You!
ANNUNCIATION TROPARION — TONE 4
Today is the beginning of our salvation, the revelation of the eternal mystery! The Son of God becomes the Son of the Virgin as Gabriel announces the coming of Grace. Together with him let us cry to the Theotokos: “Rejoice, O Full of Grace, the Lord is with you!”
RESURRECTION KONTAKION — TONE 8
By rising from the tomb, You did raise the dead and resurrect Adam. Eve exults in Your Resurrection, and the world celebrates Your rising from the dead, O Greatly Merciful One!
FOREFEAST KONTAKION — TONE 8
O Virgin Theotokos, you are the beginning of salvation for all of us on earth; for God's servant, the great Archangel Gabriel, was sent from Heaven to stand before you bringing you joy. Therefore we all cry to you: “Rejoice, unwedded Bride.”
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!
| | ~Scripture Readings of the Day~ | | |
READERS:
This Week: Matins: Milan Radanovic Epistle: Aleksandra Saran
Next Week: Matins: Lenny Tepsich Epistle: Dasha Gencturk
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 Eighth Tone: Pray and make your vows before the Lord, our God!
CHOIR: Pray and make your vows before the Lord, our God!
READER: v: In Judah God is known; His name is great in Israel.
CHOIR: Pray and make your vows before the Lord, our God!
READER: Pray and make your vows...
CHOIR: ...before the Lord, our God!
DEACON: Wisdom!
READER: The Reading is from the Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Hebrews
DEACON: Let us attend!
READER: Brothers and Sisters, 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: Come, let us rejoice in the Lord! Let us make a joyful noise to God our Savior!
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
READER: Let us come before His face with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to Him with songs of praise!
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
АПОСТОЛ: Јеврејима 9:11—14
Ђакон: Пазимо
Свештеник: Мир свима!
Читач: I Духу Твоме!
Ђакон: Премудрост
Читач : ПРОКИМЕН- глас 8 Молите се и извршујте завете Господу Богу нашему.
Хор: Молите се и извршујте завете Господу Богу нашему.
Читач: Зна се у Јудеји за Бога, у Израиљу је велико име Његово.
Хор: Молите се и извршујте завете Господу Богу нашему.
Читач: Молите се и извршујте завете
Хор: Господу Богу нашему.
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: Ходите, запевајте Господу, ускликнимо Спаситељу Богу нашему.
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Читач: Изиђимо пред лице Његово с хвалом, у песмама ускликнимо му.
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
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LITURGY GOSPEL: Mark 10:32-45
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.”
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ЈЕВАНЂЕЉЕ: МАРКО 10:32-45
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.
| | ~ The Week Ahead: Scriptures and Services ~ | | |
~Prayers for the Faithful~
In Our Prayers
Metropolitan Paul, Archbishop Youhanna, Protinica Ljubica Jockovic, Protopresbyter Rade Merick, Protopresbyter Rodney Torbic, V. Rev. Protostavrofor Ilija Balach, V. Rev. Protostavrofor Joseph Fester, Father Gabriel Rochelle, Protinica Ana Stepanov, 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, the child Penelope and her parents, Alex and Michelle Dowd, Catherine Lewis and the newborn Caleb Ereno, Jessica Crowe and the newborn Maverick Archer, Emma Howell and the child to be born of her, Bethany Peterson and the child to be born of her, Mileva Repasky and the child to be born of her, Louise, Tony & infant of God Zayne, Michelle Adams, Addy Andy, Kevin Appleby, Lori Bare, Elijah Barnett, Christina Berchock, Dori & Doug Bert, Jonathan Bertsch, Carole Blitva, Stephan and Barbara Blitva, Walter “Bud” Brown, Guiliana & Aleksandar Carricato, Maria Chigrintseva, Susan & Jim Cibort, Leann Cox, Victoria Cox, Tommy & Kara (Blitva) Dorsey, Edward Dry, JoAnn Filepas, Anaya Garvin, Eric Garvin, Christian & Melanie Geib, Michael Geppert III, 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, Tony Kepp, Myong Sook Kim, Caryn Kiraly, Dorothy Krnjaich, Dragica Kuzmanovic, Henry Laichak, Peter Lalic, Dragan Lalovic, Stella Wren Lappas, Sue Leis, Jovan Lemajic, Dick Livingston, Maggie Livingston, John Luksic, Stephen Lundingrin, Penny MacDonald, Dianne & Jim Martin, Jean & Paul Martin, Rowan Martin, Jack McFall, George Milakovic, Slavka Miljevic, Marija Miljkovic, Daria Milletics, Rosanda Mitrovic, Diane & Slobodan Momic, George Myers, Patty Navarro, Bosiljka Ninkovic, Jenny Moore Oliver, Lila Packer, Daniel Paddock, Vid & Marica Pejcic, Hope Pesner, Kobe Petrovich, Duke & Sue Petrovich, Tracy Petrovich, Milena Pilipovic, Christopher Radanovic, Marilynn “Chi Chi” Rapasky, Logan Roszkowski, Chloe Ruff, Michael Schaffner, Maryann Seiders, Greg Selman, Steven Semic, Benjamin Shaffer, Tessa Shaffer, John Sheaffer, Milan Shumkaroff, Branko Smitran, Zorka Starcevich, Tim Stefan, Michael Stepanovich, Stevan & Mary Stojic, Patricia & Joseph Sypniewski, Linda Szeerba, Leonard Tepsich, Leroy Tepsich Jr, Savka Trivun, Edie & Michael “Bo” Venesevich, Michael Vishnesky, Rita Vorkapich, Kristina Vukalo, Steve Vulich, Paula Werner, Draga Worman, Tosh Yanich, Dewey Yetter, Mila “Millie” Yezdimir, Marija Zabrodnaya, Jason Zeigler, Ashley Ziobrowski, Miriam “Mim” Codan Ziolkowski, the unworthy presbyter Christopher Rocknage
Those Who Need Special Care
ECUMENICAL (COUNTRY MEADOWS) Jane Rush, HOMELAND: Draga Donato; MASONIC HOME: Ray Foltz; RS: Cedo Lukic
Those to be Baptized
Caleb Ereno Lewis, Barrett Scott, Nora & Maeve Van Huysen, Sloane & Šeren York
Our College Students
Sophia Adams, Cameron Barber, Kyle Barber, Michael Geppert, Anastasija Gligorevic, Natalija Gligorevic, Cayden Healy, Matthew Hoover, Kalei Howard, Faith Kingsbury, Sophia Mummert, Kobe Petrovich, Christina Radanovic, Luis Antonio Radanovic, Madison Vorkapich, Anastasija Vukalo
Our Seminary Students
Elizabeth Bare
Our Dearly Departed Loved Ones
Archbishop Anastasios, Peter Mrgich, Katherine Radoicich, Vladimir Djordjic, Vasil Mihailoff, Fyodor Kochnev, Donald Semic, Alexandra “Soni” Dimond Martorano, Julian Naumenko, Eleni Ziogas, Miloš Balać
~Vigils Offered~
GAVIN PETERSON Offered in joyful celebration of our precious Gavin’s birthday (April 2). May God grant him many blessings with his beautiful family now and always. Much love from his Babi and Djedo in heaven and the whole family. Many Years! Mnogaja Ljeta!
PAUL KESSLER & NICK GOVELOVICH Offered for my Kumovi this Godparents Sunday, by Dave Milletics. Mnogaja Ljeta! Many Years!
PETE & ARLENE BARRBER Offered on this glorious godparents Sundy. Your prayers, support, love and the teaching of the Orthodox faith is something we cherish. We love you, Tracy, Nicole, Pete, Joe, Trenton, Kobe, Vaciona, Mya, TJ, Parker & Lucas Petrovich. Mnogaja Ljeta! Many Years!
KUMOVI PETROVICH FAMILY Offered with love & thanksgiving for all of our Petrovich Kumovi. Given by Kuma Arlene & Kum Pete. Mnogaja Ljeta! Many Years!
KUMOVI YANDRIC FAMILY Offered with love & thanksgiving for all of our Yandric Kumovi. Given by Kuma Arlene & Kum Pete. Mnogaja Ljeta! Many Years!
BILL WENNER, JACK MCFALL, JAZMIN CRUZ, KAITLYN WENNER HOOK, TIM HOOK Offered in honor of our dear Godchildren and in joyful celebration of Kumovi Sunday with love from Kuma Beba, Kum Donnie (Jaz), Kum Greg (Kait) and Kum Johnny (Tim). Mnogaja Ljeta! Many Years!
DR DANILO YANICH & EMILY YANICH Offered with love & thanksgiving for Kum Donnie and Kuma Emily by Goddaughter Sonora Viola Mae Cruz. Mnogaja Ljeta! Many Years!
KAITLYN WENNER HOOK & BRIAN FITHIAN Offered with love & thanksgiving for Kuma Kait and Kum Brian by Goddaughter Ashtyn Isadora Cruz. Mnogaja Ljeta! Many Years!
JOYCE MATICH & TOSH YANICH Offered in celebration and honor of my Godparents/Kumovi with prayers for their good health & well-being. Given with love by Brandon Mumma. Mnogaja Ljeta! Many Years!
JOHN & CINDY SEMIC & STEPHANIE DEMURO Offered in honor of our Kum and Kumas with love from Tosha and Emily. Mnogaja Ljeta! Many Years!
ANGIE SEMIC BAGLEY & BILL FITHIAN Offered in honor of our Godparents with love from Braydon & Victoria Fithian. Mnogaja Ljeta! Many Years!
BRANDON MUMMA & LAUREN WENNER Offered in celebration and honor of my Godparents/Kumovi with prayers for their good health & well-being. Offered with love by Baylor Thompson Hook. Mnogaja Ljeta! Many Years!
TIMOTHY HOOK & BELINDA EDSALL Offered in joyful celebration of my Godparents/Kumovi with prayers for their good health and well-being, given by Endora Wolf. Mnogaja Ljeta! Many Years!
JAZMIN WOLF & ANDREA WOLFINGER Offered in celebration and honor of my Godparents/Kumas with prayers for their good health & well-being. Offered with love by Bowen William Hook. Mnogaja Ljeta! Many Years!
DR BEVERLY YANICH & DR DANILO YANICH Offered in celebration and honor of my Godparents/Kumovi with prayers for their continued good health and well-being. Offered with love by Jazmin Wolf. Mnogaja Ljeta! Many Years!
DR BEVERLY YANICH & GREGORY YANICH Offered in celebration and honor of my Godparents/Kumovi with prayers for their good health and well-being. Offered with love by Kaitlyn Wenner Hook. Mnogaja Ljeta! Many Years!
JOHN SEMIC (MR KUMICH) & DR BEVERLY YANICH Offered in celebration and honor of my Godparents/Kumovi with prayers for their good health and well-being. Offered with love by Tim Hook. Mnogaja Ljeta! Many Years!
DR BEVERLY YANICH & †BOB YANICH Offered in celebration and honor of my Godparents/Kumovi with prayers for her high spirits, good health and well-being and his peaceful repose with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Given with love by Bill Wenner.
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.
†SUG & †JANIE TEPSICH Offered in loving memory of our dear friends’ repose (15 years—April 3) & (4 years—April 8), by Kat Gruich and family. Vjecnaja Pamjat! Memory Eternal!
†MILUTIN EMIL & MILA MILLIE YEZDIMIR Offered in loving memory of my dear †Kum Emil and in honor of my dear Kuma Millie with love and respect from Joyce Matich. Vjecnaja Pamjat, Kum Emil! Mnogaja Ljeta, Kuma Millie!
†CHARLES & †OLGA BOJANIC Offered in loving memory of my Godparents, by Daria Milletics. Vjecnaja Pamjat! Memory Eternal!
†MEGAN BOLTON Offered in loving memory of our Godchild, by Dave & Daria Milletics. Vjecnaja Pamjat! Memory Eternal!
†DONALD SEMIC, †GEORGIANNE HERIGAN & †BILL HERIGAN Offered in memory of our Godparents/Kumovi with prayers that they rest in the peaceful remembrance of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Given with love by Stephani Yanich, Bobbie Wenner & Gregory Yanich. Vjecnaja Pamjat! Memory Eternal!
†DR LINDA WOLF Offered in loving memory of Kuma †Linda with prayers that she rests in love, peace and joy by her Kuma Beba Yanich & the family. Vjecnaja Pamjat! Memory Eternal!
†DANICA DOROTHY SEMIC, †MILAN MIKE SEMIC & THE HONORABLE †BRANKO BOB YANICH Offered in loving memory of †Kuma Dot, †Kum Mike and their Godson/my brother †Bob with prayers for their peaceful repose and eternal memory by Goddaughter/sister Beba Yanich. Vjecnaja Pamjat! Memory Eternal!
†ADAM & †ELEANOR SEMIC & OLGA SEMIC MILLER Offered in loving memory of †Kum Archie and †Kuma Eleanor and in honor of Kuma Olga by Donnie & Tosh Yanich. Vjecnaja Pamjat, Kum Archie & Kuma Lo! Mnogaja Ljeta, Kuma Olga!
†VERA RADANOVIC Offered in loving memory of her repose 10 years ago on Holy Saturday (April 11) by Dave, Daria, Jason & Sarah Milletics. Vjecnaja Pamjat! Memory Eternal!
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Please continue to pray for all of those currently being persecuted for Christ's sake in Kosovo, Metohija, Montenegro, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gaza, West Bank, Syria, Lebanon, Libya, Iraq, Iran, Israel, Egypt, the Sudan, China, North Korea, for all of our brothers and sisters in Christ suffering throughout the world, especially in Ukraine, that they might be comforted with the Joy of our Lord, and for all of those suffering from the pandemic, for those who minister, and for those who are unjustly persecuted that they may be strengthened by the love of Christ which knows no race.
We also pray for the Orthodox clergy in Alaska, that the Lord might grant them more than enough to feed their families.
LET US PRAY TO THE LORD!
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Stewardship Offering Information
Date 3/30/2025
Collection: $3,593.00
Date 3/23/2025
Collection: $1,924.00
Date 3/16/2025
Collection: $3,400.00
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April Birthdays
Doni Cashman (April 3), Fr Dcn Bojan Gligorevic (April 9), 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), Caleb Lewis (April 28), Luis Radanovic (April 30)
April Anniversaries
Jelena & Justin Bowser (April 21), Russ & Amy Hewitt (April 27)
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WELCOME PETER BOUTENEFF, D.Phil
We extend a warm welcome to our retreat presenter, Peter Bouteneff, Professor of Systematic Theology, Kulik Professor of Sacred Arts and the Director of the Institute of Sacred Arts at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary. We thank God for his work offering an inspiring retreat, and will continue praying for his family and him during the remainder of the Great Fast.
ST NICHOLAS SENIOR MEETING (CANCELED)
We will be canceling our meeting this week, due to the nutroll project. Our next meeting is scheduled for May 13.
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 11 for it to appear in the Pascha bulletin.
RED COLORED EGGS
All KSS/Mothers Club 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 April 19), or they may be left in the kitchen refrigerator (far left top shelf) on Friday or Saturday prior to services. Anyone is welcome to donate, you do not have to be a member of the KSS/Mothers Club to donate!
SOTAYA PB & COCONUT CHOCOLATE COVERED EGGS FUNDRAISER
SOTAYA is once again selling chocolate covered eggs for Easter. The eggs come posno/vegan (dark or white chocolate only) or regular (coated with choice of milk, dark or white chocolate). The sale ends Sunday, April 13. The price is the same as last year, $3 per egg. To order contact Sladjana at 717-538-2073.
ANNUAL EGG HUNT (DONATIONS NEEDED)
The KSS/Mothers Club is requesting donations of candy filled, money filled or coupon filled plastic eggs for the Easter Egg hunt on Easter Sunday (April 20), after Agape Vespers. You could also just donate bags of candy since we have many empty eggs. Please bring eggs or candy in no later than Palm Sunday (April 13). You can place your donation in the bin on the stage in the hall. Thank you!
SOTAYA GIFT CARD FUNDRAISER
Thinking of a gift for someone, a special occasion, birthday or a reward for yourself? Gift cards are a good choice! And there is no need to go to the store, SOTAYA is selling Texas Roadhouse and Darden Restaurant Group cards (which includes Olive Garden, Longhorn, Cheddar’s, Yard House, Bahama Breeze and Seasons 52) at a face value of $50. Just see any SOTAYA member or Sladjana for a purchase. Thanks for your support!
SPECIAL THANKS TO GOD
Many thanks to the church school children for the Valentine Day Card. I thank you for your thoughtfulness and I love you too! ~ Tootsie Krnjaich
To my church family, I thank you with God’s blessings and my love for the lovely bouquet of flowers you sent me for my 91st birthday. I love you too! I send a heartfelt thank you to all who remembered by 91st birthday. Thank you for the beautiful flowers, gifts, cards and especially for your prayers. ~ Tootsie Krnjaich
To my godchildren and Kata, I thank you for the family birthday party, flowers, gifts, cards and prayers. ~ Tootsie Krnjaich
Special thank you to Rev Dn Bojan Gligorevic for his prayers and for bringing me holy communion. ~ Tootsie Krnjaich
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PLEASE HELP - BETHESDA MISSION WOMEN’S SHELTER OUTREACH
On the second Saturday of every month, volunteers from our four Orthodox churches prepare and serve lunch for shelter residents. We also help with various projects and activities that assist with shelter operations. If anyone would like to volunteer or learn more about this important program, please contact Andrea Gunther.
2025 ORGANIZATIONAL DUES
To pay your 2025 dues (or if you still owe 2024 dues) please see Daria Milletics for KSS/Mothers Club, Jovanka Shaffer for Seniors, Jason Milletics for Choir and Protinica Andreja for Serb Club.
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
Please send all Bulletin Requests to the Church Office at office@stnicholassteelton.org
You may also call (717) 939-3872
SHADELAND COLLECTION
The operation of our St. Sava Shadeland Camp has been subsidized by the Diocesan Endowment for the Future. This endowment was based upon the royalties we received from natural gas and oil wells and is now depleted. Currently, we no longer have any reliable income from these wells. Camp fees have been kept artificially low due to these royalties. This means that there is a deficit of $150,000 to run the camp each year. Additionally, there are approximately $225,000 in repairs and maintenance that will be necessary in the next 3 years. The Diocese is asking for donations to offset the operating costs. These donations may be given directly to the Diocese, to our local church here at St. Nicholas, by renting Shadeland Camp for your event, or purchasing a hunting license, thus increasing annual revenue.
Checks can be made payable to St. Nicholas Church with Shadeland in the memo and given to our Church, or go to easterndiocese.org to donate directly to the Diocese.
FOOD SURPLUS FOR SHADELAND
There is a table in the hall with a variety of food items. Please take what you can use, donating whatever you can. And check back regularly, as stock will be rotating frequently! All proceeds will go to support our St. Sava Shadeland Camp.
SERBIAN-AMERICAN CLUB 2025 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. Application deadline is May 1, 2025. 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.
ST. NINA GEORGIAN MONASTERY in MARYLAND—SCHISMATIC
The former abbess of the St. Nina, Aemiliane, has been deposed from her position and stripped of her rank of igumena. The monastery is currently fallen into schism. All Orthodox Christians are to refrain from going to this monastery. Please pray for their repentance.
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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
4/6/25
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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Synaxarion Reading for the Feast of the Holy Annunciation
We celebrate the Annunciation
of our Most Holy Lady Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary.
Verses
The Angel announced to the Virgin
The great Son of the Father’s great Counsel.
The Angel said, “Rejoice,” to Mary on the twenty-fifth.
God, Who is merciful and loves mankind, is ever solicitous about the race of men. When, as a loving Father, He saw the work of His hands enslaved to the Devil and under his tyranny, subject to the passions and to idolatry, He resolved to send His Only-Begotten Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ, to deliver mankind from the clutches of the Devil. Since He wanted to escape the notice not only of Satan, but also of the Heavenly Powers themselves, He entrusted the Mystery to one of the Archangels, the glorious Gabriel, and in His OEconomy He brought it about that the Holy Virgin was purified by the Holy Spirit, for she was worthy of such a favor. When the Angel came to the city of Nazareth, he said to her: “Rejoice, O Full of Grace, the Lord is with thee.” She asked: “How shall this be?” He replied: “The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee.” And she said: “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.” At the same time as she and the Archangel spoke, she conceived preternaturally in her immaculate womb the Son and Word of God, His enhypostatic Wisdom and Power, by the overshadowing of God and the coming of the Holy Spirit. Thereafter, the Mysteries of God the Word were accomplished by His OEconomy, for our salvation and redemption. By her holy intercessions, O God, have mercy upon us and save us, for Thou art good and lovest mankind. Amen.
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