Христос Међу Нама! Christ is in our midst! Cristo esta' entra nosotros! | |
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Homily on the Sunday of Zacchaeus
St. John of San Francisco
Who was Zacchaeus? He was a leader of the publicans —”the chief among publicans.” The customary comparison between the humble publican and the proud Pharisee often blocks the true meaning of these two images in our minds. However, to understand the Gospel correctly, one must picture them clearly. The Pharisees were truly righteous men. If on our lips the name “Pharisee” sounds as condemnation, in the days of Christ and during the first decades of Christianity this was not so. On the contrary, the Apostle Paul triumphantly confesses before the Jews, “I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee” (Acts 23:6). And then, to Christians, to his spiritual children, he writes, “I am of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews, as touching the law, a Pharisee” (Phil. 3:5). And besides the holy Apostle Paul, many Pharisees became Christians: Joseph, Nicodemus, Gamaliel. Pharisees (in ancient Hebrew “perusim,” in Aramaic, “ferisim,” which means “other” — the separated, the different) were zealots of the law of God. They “rested upon the law”; in other words, thought on it constantly, loved it, strove to keep it exactly, preached and interpreted it. And the reason for the Lord’s accusation against the Pharisees is found in that the Lord warns them that their entire labor, their truly virtuous endeavors, are made worthless in the eyes of God, are turned into nothing and they obtain condemnation from the Lord and not blessings, despite their superiority and the righteous deeds they performed, because of their proud self-exaltation, and above all, their judgment of their neighbors, of which the Pharisee of the parable gives a clear example, saying, “Lord, I thank Thee, that I am not as other men” (Lk. 18:11) On the other hand, the publicans were truly sinners, who broke the fundamental commandments of the Lord. Publicans collected taxes from the Hebrews for the Romans. One must remember that the Jews, well conscious of their special position of being divinely chosen, gloried in the fact that they were “Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man” (Jn. 8:33). And now, as a result of well-known historical circumstances, they found themselves under submission; subjects to a proud, coarse, “iron” race of pagan Romans. And the yoke of this submission was being pulled tighter and tighter and was beginning to be felt more and more. The most tangible and obvious sign of the submission and subjugation of the Jews to the Romans was the payment of every imaginable tax and tribute by the Jews to their conquerors. For the Jews, as for all ancient people, paying tribute was mainly a symbol of subjugation. And the Romans, not at all abashed before a conquered people, roughly and decisively demanded of them both customary and additional taxes. Of course the Jews paid with hatred and disgust. Not in vain, desiring to compromise the Lord in the eyes of His people, did the Sadducees ask Him, “Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar?” (Mt. 22:17). They knew that if Christ would say that one should not give tribute to Caesar, it would be easy to accuse Him before the Romans, and if He would say that tribute should be paid, He would hopelessly compromise Himself in the eyes of the people. While the Romans ruled the Jews by means of local kings, such as Herod, Archelaus, Agrippa, and others, the subjugation to Rome, and especially the inescapability of paying taxes, was softened somewhat for the Jews in that they were directly subject and paid tribute to their kings, and only indirectly subject and tributary to Rome. But just immediately before the beginning of Christ the Savior’s preaching, there was a change in the system of governing the Jews. The general census connected with the birth of Christ was the first step towards the establishment of an individual tax upon all Roman subjects in that area. In A.D. 6 or 7, after the displacement of Archelaus, when a personal tax was introduced upon all the residents of Palestine, the Jews responded with the revolts of the Pharisees, Sadducees, and the Jews of Galilee (see Acts 5:37). And only with great difficulty was the High Priest Jazarus able to calm the people. Instead of local kings, Roman procurators were appointed as the rulers of Judea and the neighboring provinces. Then, for a more successful levying of taxes by the Romans, the institution of the publicans was introduced, which had existed in Rome since ancient times. But while in Rome and throughout Italy publicans were recruited from an esteemed warrior class, in Judea the Romans were forced to engage publicans from the moral outcasts, from among Jews that agreed to go over to work for them and force their brothers to pay tribute. The acceptance of such a position was bound up with a most profound moral fall. It was bound not only with national, but, above all, religious betrayal: to become a tool for the subjugation of the divinely chosen people by coarse pagans, one had to deny the hopes of Israel, everything holy to it, its dreams, and — what is more — since the Romans did not take into account the spiritual tribulation of their agents, upon accepting his position a publican had to swear a pagan oath of fidelity to the emperor, and bring pagan sacrifices to his spirit (the genius of the emperor). Of course the publicans served not only Rome’s interests, levying taxes upon their own country men, but pursuing their own greedy goals and becoming wealthy at the expense of their subjugated brothers, they made the yoke of Roman oppression felt even more, and still more difficult to bear. This is who the publicans were. This is why they were surrounded by justifiable hatred and scorn; as betrayers of their people, having betrayed not only their people but a divinely-chosen one, God’s tool in the world, the only people through which rebirth and salvation could come to mankind. Everything said above pertains to Zacchaeus in the highest degree, because he was not a run-of-the-mill publican, but a chief among publicans — an architelonis. Without a doubt he had done everything: brought pagan sacrifices and sworn a pagan oath, mercilessly forced taxes from his brothers, increasing them to his own advantage. And he became, as the Gospel witnesses, a rich man. Of course Zacchaeus understood clearly that the hopes of Israel were lost to him. Everything foretold by the prophets, beloved from childhood, that at which every believing Old Testament soul trembled joyfully, was not for him. He was a traitor, a betrayer, a cast-off. He had no part in Israel. And now rumors reached him that the Holy One of Israel, the Messiah announced by the prophets, has already appeared in the world, and together with a small group of disciples is walking the fields of Galilee and Judea, preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom and working great miracles. Joyous hopes are ignited with trembling in believing hearts. How will Zacchaeus react to this? For him personally, the coming of the Messiah is a catastrophe. The rule of Rome must come to an end, and the triumphant Israel will, of course, take revenge for the losses suffered because of him, for the offences and oppressions that were his fault. But even if this is not so, for the Messiah, as the prophet witnessed, comes as a righteous one, bringing salvation as a meek one (cf. Zech. 9:9), the triumph of the Messiah must bring to him, to Zacchaeus, only the greatest shame and the loss of all the wealth and of the position he acquired at the frightening price of his treachery before God, his own people, and all the hopes of Israel. But maybe this is not so just yet. Perhaps the new preacher is not really the Messiah. Not everyone believes in Him. The greatest foes of the publicans and of him, Zacchaeus himself, the Pharisees and Sadducees, do not believe in Him. Perhaps all this is just the idle talk of the populace. Then one can calmly continue living as one has until now. But Zacchaeus does not want to be confirmed in such thoughts. He wants to see Jesus, to know, to really know, Who is He? And Zacchaeus wants the preacher passing by truly to be Christ the Messiah. He wants to say with the prophet, “O, if Thou wouldst rend the heavens and come down!” (Is. 64:1); let this be so, even it results in a ruinous catastrophe for him, Zacchaeus. In his soul, it seems, there are depths that even he has not sensed until now; there is in him a burning, flaming, consuming, completely selfless love for the “Expectation of the nations,” for the image of the humble Messiah described by the prophets, who “hath borne our griefs and carried our sorrows” (Is. 53-4). And at the arrival of an opportunity to see Him, Zacchaeus does not think of himself. In the triumph of the Messiah, for him personally, for Zacchaeus, there is catastrophe and ruin. But he does not think of this. He wants to glimpse, at least from the corner of his eye, Him of Whom Moses and the prophets foretold. And now Christ passes by. He is surrounded by the crowd. Zacchaeus cannot see Him, as he is short of stature. But the thirst, the completely unselfish, selfless to the utmost, thirst of Zacchaeus to see Christ at least from afar, is so limitless, so unsurpassable, that he, a wealthy man, burdened by his position, an officer of the Roman Empire, amid an unfriendly crowd that hates and scorns him, not paying attention to anything, swallowed up only by the burning desire to see Christ, breaks all convention for this, all outward decorum, and climbs a tree — a sycamore, growing along the path. And the eyes of a great sinner — a leader of traitors and betrayers — meets the eyes of the Holy One of Israel, Christ the Messiah, the Son of God. Jesus sees that which is incomprehensible to a disinterested or unfriendly glance. Selflessly loving the image of the Messiah, Zacchaeus could immediately recognize in the passing Galilean Teacher, Christ the Lord; and the Lord, filled with Divine and human love, saw this in Zacchaeus, peering at him from the branches of the sycamore, the depths of the soul that were unknown, until now, even to Zacchaeus himself. The Lord saw that the burning love for the Holy One of Israel, in the heart of this traitor, not at all blemished by any sort of self-interest, could revive and renew him. The Divine voice sounded, “Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must abide at thy house” (Lk. 19:5). And moral rebirth, salvation, and renewal came to Zacchaeus and his entire house. The Son of Man truly came to seek and to save the lost. O Lord, O Lord, we too, as Zacchaeus once, have betrayed Thee and Thy work, have deprived ourselves of our part in Israel, have betrayed our hope! But, if even to our shame and those like us, let Thy kingdom come! Even if, as we deserve according to our sins, Thy coming will bring us ruin and condemnation, come, O Lord, come quickly! But grant us, at least from afar, to see the triumph of Thy righteousness, even if we cannot be participants in it. And have mercy on us beyond hope, as once Thou didst have mercy on Zacchaeus! St. Clement of Rome tells us that Zacchaeus, as a result, became a companion of the holy Apostle Peter, and, together with the holy First-Among-the-Apostles, preached in Rome, where during Nero’s reign he accepted a martyr’s death for Christ. In a Christian manner, with the greatest good he repaid the Romans for the greatest evil perpetrated upon him by them. To the proud capital of the Romans that had once tempted and subjugated him, forcing him to deny all that was holy to his soul, he came, liberated and reborn by the grace of our Lord Who loveth mankind; and brought Rome not curses, but the good news, giving his very life for it. Amen.
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Commemorating St Euthymios Patriarch of Trnovo, Martyrs Innas, Pinnas and Rimmas disciples of the Apostle Andrew in Scythia, Martyrs Bassus, Eusebius, Euthychius and Basileides at Nicomedia, New Martyr Zachariah, St Euthymius the Confessor, Venerable Euthymius the Great, Venerable Euthymius the Schemamonk, St Laurence Recluse of the Kiev Far Caves, Venerable Euthymius of Syanzhemsk Vologda
RESURRECTION TROPARION—TONE 7
By Your Cross You destroyed death. To the thief You opened Paradise. For the Myrrhbearers You changed weeping into joy. And You commanded Your disciples, O Christ God, to proclaim that You are risen, granting the world great mercy.
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.
RESURRECTION KONTAKION—TONE 7
The dominion of death can no longer hold mankind captive, for Christ descended, shattering and destroying its powers. Hell is bound, while the Prophets rejoice and cry: “The Savior has come to those in faith; enter, you faithful, into the Resurrection!”
THEOTOKOS KONTAKION—TONE 6
Steadfast Protectress of Christians, constant Advocate before the Creator, do not despise the cry of us sinners, but in your goodness come speedily to help us 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!
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~Scripture Readings of the Day~ | |
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READERS:
This Week: Matins: No Matins Epistle: Rdr Nicholas Govelovich
Next Week: Matins: No Matins Epistle: Rdr Stefan Gligorevic
EPISTLE: 1 Timothy 4:9-15
DEACON: Let us pay attention.
PRIEST: Peace be unto all!
READER: And with your spirit!
DEACON: Wisdom.
READER: The Prokeimenon in the Seventh Tone: The Lord shall give strength to His people. The Lord shall bless His people with peace.
CHOIR: The Lord shall give strength to His people. The Lord shall bless His people with peace.
READER: v: Offer to the Lord, O you sons of God! Offer young rams to the Lord!
CHOIR: The Lord shall give strength to His people. The Lord shall bless His people with peace.
READER: The Lord shall give strength to His people.
CHOIR: The Lord shall bless His people with peace.
DEACON: Wisdom!
READER: The Reading is from the Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to Timothy.
DEACON: Let us attend!
READER: Timothy my son, this is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance. For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe. These things command and teach. Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all.
PRIEST: Peace be unto you, reader!
READER: And with your spirit! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
READER: It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to Your Name, O Most High.
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
READER: To declare Your mercy in the morning, and Your truth by night.
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
АПОСТОЛ: 1 Тимотеју 4:9-15
Ђакон: Пазимо
Свештеник: Мир свима!
Читач: I Духу Твоме!
Ђакон: Премудрост
Читач : ПРОКИМЕН- глас 7 Господ ће дати силу народу Своме; Господ ће благословити народ Свој миром.
Хор: Господ ће дати силу народу Своме; Господ ће благословити народ Свој миром.
Читач: Принесите Господу, синови Божји, принесите му младе овнове.
Хор: Господ ће дати силу народу Своме; Господ ће благословити народ Свој миром.
Читач: Господ ће дати силу народу Своме;
Хор: Господ ће благословити народ Свој миром.
Ђакон: Премудрост
Читац: Читање из прве посланице Св. Апостола Павла Тимотеју
Ђакон: Пазимо
Читач: Чедо Тимотеје, ово је истинита ријеч и достојна свакога примања; јер за то се и трудимо и бивамо срамоћени, јер се надамо у Бога живога, који је спаситељ свију људи, особито вјерних. Ово заповиједај и учи. Нико да не презире твоју младост, али буди образац вјернима у ријечи, у живљењу, у љубави, у духу, у вјери, у чистоти. Докле не дођем пази на читање, утјешавање и учење. Не занемаруј благодатни дар у теби који ти је дат кроз пророчанство полагањем руку старјешина на тебе. Ово проучавај, у овоме стој, да се напредак твој покаже у свему. Пази на себе и на науку, истрај у томе; јер чинећи ово, спасићеш и себе и оне који те слушају.
Свештеник: Мир ти читачу!
Читач: I Духом Твоме! Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Читач: Лепо је хвалити Господа, и певати имену Твоме, Вишњи.
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Читач: Јављати јутром милост Твоју и истину Твоју сваке ноћи.
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
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LITURGY GOSPEL:
Luke 19:1-10
At that time, Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature. So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, “Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully. But when they saw it, they all complained, saying, “He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner.” Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
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ЈЕВАНЂЕЉЕ:
Лука 19:1-10
У вријеме оно, Исус ушавши у Јерихон, пролажаше кроз њега. И гле, човјек звани именом Закхеј, и он бјеше старјешина цариника, и бјеше богат. И тражаше да види Исуса ко је он; и не могаше од народа, јер бјеше малога раста. И он потрчавши напријед, попе се на дивљу смокву да га види; јер је поред ње требало да прође. А кад Исус дође на оно мјесто, погледавши горе, видје га и рече му: Закхеју, сиђи брзо; јер ми данас ваља бити у дому твоме. И сиђе брзо; и прими га радујући се. И сви који видјеше негодоваху, говорећи како уђе да гостује код грјешнога човјека. А Закхеј стаде и рече Господу: Господе, ево пола имања свога даћу сиромасима, и ако кога нечим оштетих, вратићу четвороструко. А Исус му рече: Данас дође спасење дому овоме; јер и ово је син Авраамов. Јер Син Човјечији дође да потражи и спасе изгубљено.
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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, V. Rev. Protostavrofor Ilija Balach, V. Rev. Protostavrofor Joseph Fester, 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, Kaitlyn Hook and the newborn Bowen William, Catherine Lewis and the newborn Caleb Ereno, Mara Bebeau and the newborn Jacob, Emma Howell and the child to be born of her, Bethany Peterson and the child to be born of her, Louise, Tony & infant of God Zayne, Michelle Adams, Addy Andy, 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, Boro Lojpur, John Luksic, Stephen Lundingrin, Penny MacDonald, Dianne & Jim Martin, Jean & Paul Martin, Rowan Martin, Jack McFall, George Milakovic, 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, 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, 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, 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 Who Are Currently Deployed
Christopher Baker
Those to be Baptized
Bowen William Hook, 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
Peter Mrgich, Katherine Radoicich, Vladimir Djordjic, Vasil Mihailoff, Fyodor Kochnev, Donald Semic, Soni Dimond Martorano, Julian Naumenko, Eleni Ziogas
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~Vigils Offered~
SLOANE YORK Offered in joyful celebration of my precious Great-Granddaughter’s 4th birthday (Feb 2). May the Lord grant you Many Blessings for Many Years! Mnogaja Ljeta! Given with love by Stara Baba Kata and the whole family.
MAUVE VAN HUYSEN Offered in joyful celebration of my precious Great-Granddaughter’s 3rd birthday (Feb 8). May the Lord grant you Many Blessings for Many Years! Mnogaja Ljeta! Given with love by Stara Baba Kata and the whole family.
CHRISTOPHER BAKER Offered by Chris & Jevi Radanovic during his deployment. Praying for all of our Christ loving soldiers, families and their service to our country.
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.
†STEVE VUJASINOVICH In loving memory of our Stevie’s repose (4 years—Feb 3). May God grant him eternal peace in his heavenly kingdom. Forever in our hearts, with love from your family. 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, Palestine, 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 1/26/2025
Collection: $3,906.00
Date 1/19/2025
Collection: $4,975.00
Date 1/12/2025
Collection: $9,485.00
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February Birthdays
Chris Baker (Feb 1), Bowen Hook (Feb 1), Sloane York (Feb 2), Lincoln Grey Moore (Feb 5), Pete & Joe Petrovich (Feb 6), Jasmine Jacobs (Feb 6), Rod Vorkapich (Feb 8), Maeve Van Huysen (Feb 8), Sladjana Gligorevic (Feb 9), Parker Rae Petrovich (Feb 10), Ruby Cangialosi (Feb 12), Isla Goodling (Feb 13), Waad Jacobs (Feb 15), Blake Bazdar (Feb 16), Susan Jacobs (Feb 18), Zach Bare (Feb 20), John Semic (Feb 21), Anaya Garvin (Feb 21), Emily Fithian (Feb 22), Ethan Imschweiler (Feb 22), Janet Krnjaic (Feb 24), Michael York (Feb 24), Natasha Milanovich (Feb 26), Steve Cashman (Feb 27), Emma Howell (Feb 28), Alan Radanovic (Feb 28), Mike Sunajko
February Anniversaries
Dean & Karen Stefan (Feb 6), Ferris & Jody Atty (Feb 28)
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2025 ANNUAL ASSEMBLY (TODAY)
Our Annual Assembly will be gathered TODAY, Sunday, February 2, 2025 after Liturgy. All Stewards in good standing are expected to attend. A steward in good standing is one who receives the Holy Mysteries of Confession and Communion regularly, has filled out a commitment card, and has offered their Time, Talents and Treasures in the previous year.
HOUSE BLESSING 2025 POSTPONED
Due to ongoing recovery, Father Christopher will be postponing house blessings until he is able to walk unassisted. Notification will be given once this is possible. If you would like to be put on the list for House Blessing notification, please let Daria know (call 717-939-3872 or email office@stnicholassteelton.org). Thank you for understanding.
KSS MEATLOAF DINNER SALE (ORDER DEADLINE TODAY)
Our annual Kolo Meatloaf Dinner sale is scheduled for Sunday, February 9 after liturgy. Order forms are available at the tutors’ stand, or by calling the Church office. Cost is $8.00/dinner. All orders are due TODAY Sunday, February 2nd.
SENIORS MEETING
The next meeting/luncheon for the St Nicholas Seniors will be Tuesday, Feb 11 at Ruby Tuesday’s, at 12 noon. Hope to see you there!
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!
LENTEN RETREAT—APRIL 5
Our parishioners have early access to sign up for the Lenten Retreat on April 5. There will be onsite childcare available and lunch will be provided. Starting in March, registration will open up to all other parishes. Space is first come, first served, so please reserve your space today!
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.
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FEBRUARY CALENDAR UPDATE
The following Services are being Cancelled during the month of February 2025:
- Vespers for Saturday, February 1 is cancelled.
- Matins for Sunday, February 2 is cancelled. Liturgy will begin at 9:30am. The Annual Assembly will take place after Liturgy.
- Matins for Sunday, February 9 is cancelled. Liturgy will begin at 9:30am.
- Liturgy for Wednesday, February 12 (Feast of the 3 Great Hierarchs) is cancelled.
- Festal Vespers for Friday, February 14 is cancelled. Liturgy for the Feast of the Meeting of our Lord will begin at 9 am on Saturday, February 15.
PLEASE HELP - BETHESDA MISSION WOMEN’S SHELTER OUTREACH
On the second Saturday of every month (the next one is this Saturday, February 8th), volunteers from our four Orthodox churches prepare and serve lunch for shelter residents. This week Christ the Savior Church is hosting. 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.
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
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February Charity
St Sava School of Theology -- Libertyville IL
St. Sava School of Theology is named in memory of St. Sava, the first archbishop, teacher and enlightener of the Serbian people. On January 26th we celebrated St. Sava’s Day and it is fitting that we also offer support to the theological seminary in the US named for him. The main mission and goal of the school is to provide religious education and train candidates for the Holy Priesthood in the Serbian Orthodox Church specifically as well as interested Orthodox Christian individuals of other ethnic jurisdictions. St. Sava School is the educational center for individuals committed to serving the Serbian Orthodox Church and her people in a multi-lingual environment. The school presently offers study leading to the Bachelor of Divinity Degree. Graduate level programs of study are also being developed at the School and in conjunction with other institutions. Funding is provided by an annual budget proposed by the School and adopted and implemented by the Central Council of the Serbian Orthodox Church in the US and Canada. Financial support is sought from all the Serbian Orthodox Dioceses and church congregations. More information about the School’s programs, plans and course of study may be found at the diocesan website at the following link: http://www.serborth.org/education.html
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KSS/MOTHERS CLUB ANNUAL
MEATLOAF FUNDRAISER
PRE-ORDERS ONLY - DUE TODAY!!!!
ORDER FORMS WILL BE
AT THE TUTOR DESK
Order Deadline is February 2, 2025
Pickup is February 9, 2025
Following Divine Liturgy
Cost $8.00 per dinner
Menu includes
Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes & Gravy, Stuffing, Corn, Apple Sauce & Roll
Please turn your order forms into the Church Office
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WHERE ARE YOU, ADAM?
Orthodox Movie on monastic life is being shown at the Annville Theater on Sunday, February, 23, 2025 at 3:00pm. After the movie, all are welcome for fellowship and a Q&A session at Holy Resurrection Serbian Orthodox Church in Lebanon, PA. Tickets are available for $15.00 payable to Holy Resurrection Church.
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