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Afterfeast of the Nativity of our Lord
Holy Righteous Ones: Joseph the Betrothed, David the King, and James the Brother of the Lord
St. Nicholas Bulletin - January 8, 2023
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Christ is in our midst! Христос међу нама! Cristo está entre nosotros! | |
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Homily on the Synaxis of the Mother of God: On How we should view affliction
by Archimandrite Kirill (Pavlov)
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In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit!
Dear brothers and sisters, today we celebrate the second day of the great feast of the Nativity of Christ. This day is called the day of the Synaxis of the Most Holy Theotokos, because in antiquity, on the second day of the feast of the Nativity of Christ the first Christians gathered in the church in order to glorify the Mother of God, who gave to earth the Savior of the World. She was the cause of our salvation. By her humility, obedience to God’s will, purity, and holy chastity she was vouchsafed to become the Mother of Christ the Son of God. Today the Church glorifies Joseph the Betrothed, the prophet and king David, and James the brother of the Lord, who would later become the first bishop of the Jerusalem Church. The Gospel reading for today quite instructively tells us about the flight of the Holy Family to Egypt. The Evangelist Matthew says, And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son. Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying, In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not. But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life. And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee: And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene (Matt. 2:13–23).
Jesus’s flight into Egypt at the instructions of an angel of the Lord to preserve Him from the death that Herod had devised for Him gives us also an example to follow on the paths of our own lives. We can also encounter in various forms something similar to what happened with our Savior—that is, danger and persecution. When we foresee some danger to our lives or a threat to our health or well being, we should not indiscriminately run headlong into danger. The sacred Law of God and common sense suggest that we take care to preserve our life and well being as gifts of God; they obligate us to keep a distance from foreseen dangers, if this does not go against our moral obligations—for which one should gladly sacrifice everything, even his own life. But when this is not the case, we have to do what our Savior did—not jump into dangers, avoid them as much as possible, without expecting some extraordinary providential divine instrument to come down and from above save us, but rather to make use of what we have at hand. Some say, “I give myself over to God’s will despite the dangers. If it pleases God, then He’ll save me.” Couldn’t the Son of God have had miracles to save Him from Herod? Even here, if He wished He could have provided more than twelve legions of angels in His defense, but instead He used natural means: His mother and the elder flee, like the very lowest of the sons of men, to Egypt and thus He saves Himself. We should also do the same—make use of natural means, and not tempt the Lord with expectations of protection by miracles and signs, which are distributed only in cases of extreme need.And secondly, in beholding the Divine Infant fleeing for safety to Egypt, and contemplating the difficulties bound up with these travels for Him, His mother, and the elderly Joseph, we should apprehend the spirit of courage and patience and drive away the thought that suggests that sorrows and afflictions are no good to us, that they are not natural to us. We should know that whoever desires to work for the Lord and serve Him should, to the contrary, according to the wise Sirach, prepare his soul for temptation (Sir. 2:1). We should know that the true Christian is an ever-ready warrior and podvizhnik, that rest and rewards await him for this—about which the apostle Paul said, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man (1 Cor. 2:1). But where does this wait for him? Not here on earth, but there, in heaven. Here we have the “many tribulations of the righteous” (Ps. 33:20), and in patience possess ye your souls, as says the Savior (Lk. 21:19).
Having all of this in mind, let us also complete our podvig of salvation, directing our gaze towards the Author and Finisher of our faith, the Lord Jesus, Who instead of enjoying the glory that belongs to Him, having endured His flight into Egypt, having despised the shame and thus passed along the entire ladder of humiliation and suffering, sat down at the right hand of the throne in the heights (cf. Heb. 12:2). To Him be glory, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
From: Archimandrite Kirill (Pavlov). Sermons (Holy Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra, 2003).
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Commemorating the Second Day of the Nativity of our Lord, Synaxis of the Most Holy Mother of God, Hieromartyr Euthymius Bishop of Sardis, Venerable Constantine of Synnada, Venerable Evarestus of the Studion Monastery, St Nikodemos the Sanctified of Tismana Romania, Hieromartyr Constantine the Russian of Lavra on Mt Athos, Venerable Isaac II of Optina
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.
NATIVITY TROPARION—TONE 4
Your Nativity, O Christ our God, has shone to the world the light of wisdom! For by it, those who worshipped the stars, were taught by a star to adore You, the Sun of righteousness, and to know You, the Orient from on high. O Lord, glory to You!
RIGHTEOUS ONES TROPARION—TONE 2
Proclaim the wonder, O Joseph, to David, the ancestor of God; you saw a Virgin great with child; you gave glory with the shepherds; you worshipped with the Magi; you received the news from the Angel. Pray to Christ God to save our souls!
NATIVITY KONTAKION - TONE 3
Today the Virgin gives birth to the Transcendent One, and the earth offers a cave to the Unapproachable One. Angels with shepherds glorify Him; the Wise Men journey with the star, since for our sake the eternal God was born as a little Child!
Instead of “It is truly meet,” we sing: TONE 1
Magnify, O my soul, the Most-Pure Virgin Theotokos, more honorable and more glorious than the heavenly hosts.
I behold a strange, most glorious mystery: heaven—the cave; the cherubic throne—the Virgin; the manger—the place where Christ lay—the uncontainable God, Whom we magnify in song.
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~Scripture Readings of the Day~ | |
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READERS:
Nativity: Milan Radanovic Epistle: Natalija Gligorevic, Teddy Sukhernik
This Week: Matins: Nick Ressetar Epistle: Dasha Gencturk
Next Week: Matins: Lenny Tepsich Epistle: Aleksandra Saran
EPISTLE: Colossians 3:12-16
DEACON: Let us pay attention.
PRIEST: Peace be unto all!
READER: And with your spirit!
DEACON: Wisdom.
READER: The Prokeimenon in the Sixth Tone: O Lord, save Your people, and bless Your inheritance!
CHOIR: O Lord, save Your people, and bless Your inheritance!
READER: v: To You, O Lord, will I call. O my God, be not silent to me!
CHOIR: O Lord, save Your people, and bless Your inheritance!
READER: O Lord, save Your people...
CHOIR: ...and bless Your inheritance!
DEACON: Wisdom!
READER: The Reading is from the Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Colossians.
DEACON: Let us attend!
READER: Brothers and Sisters, Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
PRIEST: Peace be unto you, reader!
READER: And with your spirit! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
READER: He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the heavenly God.
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
READER: He will say to the Lord: “My Protector and my Refuge; my God, in Whom I trust.”
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
АПОСТОЛ: Колошанима 3:12-16
Ђакон: Пазимо
Свештеник: Мир свима!
Читач: I Духу Твоме!
Ђакон: Премудрост
Читач : ПРОКИМЕН- глас 6 Спаси, Господе, народ Свој и благослови наследство Своје.
Хор: Спаси, Господе, народ Свој и благослови наследство Своје.
Читач: Теби, Господе Боже мој, вапим: немој ме оставити без одговора.
Хор: Спаси, Господе, народ Свој и благослови наследство Своје.
Читач: Спаси, Господе, народ Свој
Хор: и благослови наследство Своје.
Ђакон: Премудрост
Читач: Читање посланице Светога апостола Павла Колошанима.
Ђакон: Пазимо
Читач: Браћо, обуците се, дакле, као изабраници Божији, свети и љубљени, у милосрђе, доброту, смиреноумље, кротост, дуготрпељивост, подносећи један другога, и опраштајући један другоме ако ко има тужбу на кога; као што Христос опрости вама, тако и ви. А поврх свега тога, обуците се у љубав, која је свеза савршенства. И мир Божији нека влада у срцима вашим, на који сте и позвани у једноме тијелу, и будите захвални. Ријеч Христова нека обитава у вама богато, у свакој мудрости учите и уразумљујте себе: псалмима и славопојима и пјесмама духовним, у благодати пјевајући Господу у срцима својим.
Свештеник: Мир ти читачу!
Читач: I Духом Твоме! Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Читач: Који живи у закону Вишњега, у сјени Свемогућега почива.
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Читач: Говори Господу: Ти си уточиште моје и бранич мој, Бог мој, у кога се уздам.
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
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LITURGY GOSPEL:
Luke 18: 18-27
Now a certain ruler asked Him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’ ” And he said, “All these things I have kept from my youth.” So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich. And when Jesus saw that he became very sorrowful, He said, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” And those who heard it said, “Who then can be saved?” But He said, “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.”
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ЈЕВАНЂЕЉЕ:
Лука 18: 18-27
У вријеме оно, неки човјек приђе Исусу и упита га: Учитељу благи, шта да учиним па да наслиједим живот вјечни? А Исус му рече: Што ме зовеш благим? Нико није благ осим једнога Бога. Заповијести знаш: Не чини прељубу; не убиј; не укради; не свједочи лажно; поштуј оца својега и матер своју. А он рече: Све сам ово сачувао од младости своје. А када то чу Исус, рече му: Још ти једно недостаје: продај све што имаш и раздај сиромасима; и имаћеш благо на небу; па хајде за мном. А кад он то чу, постаде жалостан; јер бјеше веома богат. А кад га Исус видје да постаде жалостан, рече: Како је тешко онима који имају богатство ући у Царство Божије! Јер лакше је камили проћи кроз иглене уши неголи богатоме ући у Царство Божије. А они који чуше рекоше: Па ко се може спасти? А он рече: Што је људима немогуће Богу је могуће.
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Readings during the Nativity Liturgy
Special Hymns
First Antiphon
Verse: I will give thanks to You, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will make all Your wonders known. In the company of the upright, in the congregation, great are the works of the Lord.
Refrain: Molitvami Bogorodici, Spase, spasi nas!
Verse: They are sought out according to His will. Full of honor and majesty is His work, and His righteousness endures forever.
Refrain: Through the prayers of the Theotokos, O Savior, save us!
Verse: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Refrain: Molitvami Bogorodici, Spase, spasi nas!
Second Antiphon
Verse: Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in His commandments. His descendants will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.
Refrain: Spasi ni, Sine Boži, roždjesja ot Djevi, pojuščija Ti: Aliluja!
Verse: Glory and wealth are in His house, and His righteousness endures forever.
Refrain: Save us, O Son of God, born of the Virgin, who sing unto Thee: Alleluia!
Verse: Light rises in the darkness for the upright; the Lord is merciful, compassionate and righteous.
Refrain: Spasi ni, Sine Boži, roždjesja ot Djevi, pojuščija Ti: Aliluja!
Verse: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Choir: Jedinorodni Sine…
Third Antiphon
Verse: The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand, until I make Your enemies Your footstool!”
NATIVITY TROPARION - TONE 4
Roždestvo tvoje Hriste Bože naš, vozsija mirovi svjet razuma: v nem bo zvjezdam služaščiji zvezdoju učahusja, Tebje klanjatisja solncu pravdi, i Tebje vjedjeti s visoti vostoka, Gospodi slava Tebje.
Verse: The Lord shall send You the scepter of power from Zion: “Rule in the midst of Your enemies!”
NATIVITY TROPARION - TONE 4
Thy Nativity, O Christ our God, has shown to the world the Light of Wisdom! For by it those who worshipped the stars were taught by a Star to adore Thee, the Sun of Righteousness, and to know Thee, the Orient from on High. O Lord, Glory to Thee!
Verse: Authority shall be with You on the day of Your power, in the splendor of Your saints.
NATIVITY TROPARION - TONE 4
Roždestvo tvoje Hriste Bože naš, vozsija mirovi svjet razuma: v nem bo zvjezdam služaščiji zvezdoju učahusja, Tebje klanjatisja solncu pravdi, i Tebje vjedjeti s visoti vostoka, Gospodi slava Tebje.
Entrance Verse instead of “Pridite…”
“Out of the womb before the morning star have I begotten You.” The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind: “You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.”
Из материце пре Јутарње звезде ја сам те родио; Господ се заклео и неће променити Његов ум. Ти си свештеник заувек, по наређењу Мелкизадек
NATIVITY TROPARION - TONE 4
Roždestvo tvoje Hriste Bože naš, vozsija mirovi svjet razuma: v nem bo zvjezdam služaščiji zvezdoju učahusja, Tebje klanjatisja solncu pravdi, i Tebje vjedjeti s visoti vostoka, Gospodi slava Tebje.
NATIVITY KONTAKION - TONE 3
Today the Virgin gives birth to the Transcendent One, and the earth offers a cave to the Unapproachable One! Angels, with shepherds, glorify Him! The wise men journey with the star! Since for our sake the eternal God was born as a little child.
Instead of the Trisagion:
As many as have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ. Alleluia!
Jelici vo Hrista krstitesja, vo Hrista obljekostesja. Aliluja!
HYMN TO THE MOTHER OF GOD—Tone 1
Magnify, O my soul, the Most-Pure Virgin Theotokos, more honorable and more glorious than the heavenly hosts.
I behold a strange, most glorious mystery: Heaven—the cave; the Cherubic Throne—The Virgin; the manger—the place where Christ lay—the Uncontainable God, Whom we magnify in song!
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Holy Scriptures during the Nativity Liturgy
EPISTLE: Galatians 4:4-7
DEACON: Let us pay attention.
PRIEST: Peace be unto all!
READER: And with your spirit!
DEACON: Wisdom.
READER: The Prokeimenon in the Eighth Tone: Let all the earth worship You and praise You! Let it praise Your Name, O Most High!
CHOIR: Let all the earth worship You and praise You! Let it praise Your Name, O Most High!
READER: v: Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth! Sing of His Name! Give glory to His praise!
CHOIR: Let all the earth worship You and praise You! Let it praise Your Name, O Most High!
READER: Let all the earth worship You and praise You!
CHOIR: Let it praise Your Name, O Most High!
DEACON: Wisdom!
READER: The Reading is from the Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Galatians.
DEACON: Let us attend!
READER: Brethren, when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
Брачо, a кад се наврши време, посла Бог Сина свог Јединородног, који је рођен од жене и покорен закону, да искупи оне који су под законом, да примимо посинаштво. И будући да сте синови, посла Бог Духа Сина свог у срца ваша, који виче: Ава, Оче! Тако већ ниси роб, него син; а ако си син, и наследник си Божји кроз Исуса Христа.
PRIEST: Peace be unto you, reader!
READER: And with your spirit! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
READER: The heavens are telling the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims His handiwork.
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
READER: Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declare knowledge.
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
Liturgy GOSPEL: Matthew 2: 1-12
At that time, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’”
Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.” When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.
ЈЕВАНЂЕЉЕ: Матеј 2: 1-12
А кад се роди Исус у Витлејему јудејском, за времена цара Ирода, а то дођу мудраци с истока у Јерусалим, и кажу: Где је цар јудејски што се родио? Јер смо видели Његову звезду на истоку и дошли смо да Му се поклонимо. Кад то чује цар Ирод, уплаши се, и сав Јерусалим с њим. И сабравши све главаре свештеничке и књижевнике народне, питаше их: Где ће се родити Христос? А они му рекоше: У Витлејему јудејском; јер је тако пророк написао: И ти Витлејеме, земљо Јудина! Ни по чем ниси најмањи у држави Јудиној; јер ће из тебе изићи человођа који ће пасти народ мој Израиља. Онда Ирод тајно дозва мудраце, и испитиваше их кад се појавила звезда. И пославши их у Витлејем, рече: Идите и распитајте добро за дете, па кад га нађете, јавите ми, да и ја идем да му се поклоним.
И они саслушавши цара, пођоше: а то и звезда коју су видели на истоку, иђаше пред њима док не дође и стаде одозго где беше дете. А кад видеше звезду где је стала, обрадоваше се веома великом радости. И ушавши у кућу, видеше дете с Маријом матером Његовом, и падоше и поклонише Му се; па отворише даре своје и дариваше Га: златом, и тамјаном, и смирном. И примивши у сну заповест да се не враћају к Ироду, другим путем отидоше у своју земљу.
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~ The Week Ahead: Scriptures and Services ~ | |
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~Prayers for the Faithful~
In Our Prayers
Newly Illumined Christian CJ Holland, Ethan & Lauren Bebeau, their parents and sponsors, Metropolitan Paul, Archbishop Youhanna, Protopresbyter Srboljub and 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 Danijela and her parents Mark and Jennifer Belo, Melissa Thomason and the child newly born of her, Clare Jurkovic and the child newly born of her, Lauren Spangler and the child newly born of her, Bethany Peterson and the child to be born of her, Michelle Adams, Addy Andy, Lori Bare, Louise Bare, Dori Bert, Jonathan Bertsch, Darlene & Larry Black, Carole Blitva, Stephan and Barbara Blitva, Walter “Bud” Brown, Guiliana & Aleksandar Carricato, Leann Cox, Joseph Derk, Art Dils, Draga Donato, Tommy and Kara (Blitva) Dorsey, Anaya Garvin, Christian & Melanie Geib, Michael Geppert III, Dr Andrea Govelovich, Nick & Terry Govelovich, Kata Gruich, George Gutshall, Dan Hazlett, Basil Havalchak, Travis Heilman, Adam Herigan, Edith Herigan, Nicole Stefan Imschweiler, Susan Jacobs, Tijana Jaksic, Slobodan Jovicic, Spencer Klinge, Ljuban Kosovac, Dorothy Krnjaich, Henry Laichak, Peter Lalic, Dragan Lalovic, Stella Wren Lappas, Catherine Lewis, Dick Livingston, Maggie Livingston, Stephen Lundingrin, Dianne & Jim Martin, Rowan Martin, Jack McFall, Annabelle McLaughlin, John J Milakovic, Marija Miljkovic, Daria Milletics, Infant of God Ryan Leigh Moffitt, Dave Morris, Peter Mrgich, George Myers, Patty Navarro, Bosiljka Ninkovic, Eva Orr, Lila Packer, Daniel Paddock, Ljubomir Pejanovic, Vid & Marica Pejcic, Hope Pesner, Tracy Petrovich, Logan Roszkowski, Greg Selman, Michael Schaffner, Michael Semic, Steven Semic, Benjamin Shaffer, Tessa Shaffer, John Sheaffer, Pat Shoemaker, Branko Smitran, Tim Stefan, Patricia & Joseph Sypniewski, Leonard Tepsich, Leroy Tepsich Jr, Edie & Michael “Bo” Venesevich, Rita Vorkapich, Kristina Vukalo, Steve Vulich, Paula Werner, Draga Worman, Dewey Yetter, Mileva “Millie” Yezdimir, Marija Zabrodnaya, Demetrios & Eleni Ziogas, Miriam “Mim” Codan Ziolkowski
Those Who Need Special Care
COUNTRY MEADOWS MECHANICSBURG: Florence Ivanoff; MASONIC HOME ELIZABETHTOWN: Ray Foltz; RS: Cedo Lukic; SPRING CREEK: Chuck Belic
Those to be Baptized
Sloane Ivey & Berkeley Blythe Semic, Emilia Renee Peterson, Barrett Scott, Divna and Danica Mitrovic, Nora Katherine & Maeve Noelle Van Huysen, Sloane York, Logan Michael Livingston, Bennett Noah Spangler
Our College Students
Anastasija Gligorevic, Cayden Healy, Matthew Hoover, Kalei Howard, Sophia Mummert, Kobe Petrovich, Christina Radanovic, Ioanna Radanovic, Kyranna Radanovic, Madison Vorkapich
Our Dearly Departed Loved Ones
Matushka Anna Hopko, Nenad ‘Nesho’ Pantelich, Mark Gruin, Slobodanka Balaban, Mihailo Novakovic, Ljubica Tajkovic, Jo-An Tracey Stanovich, William Yovanovich, Eva Stimac, Ljubisa Stankovic, Natalija Mandic
~Vigils Offered~
MAXIM REZNITCHENKO Offered in congratulations for graduating from North Michigan University with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Chemistry. Best wishes for an exciting and rewarding career, from Mom Tatyanna, Dad Vadim and sister Inna Reznitchenko. May God bless and help you in your life journey.
KRISTINA CARRICATO Offered in celebration of her birthday (Jan 3). May God bless you with many years in good health, happiness, and success. Mnogaja Ljeta! Offered by your loving family.
SONORA VIOLA MAE CRUZ Offered on the 2nd day of Christ’s Nativity and the Synaxis of the Theotokos, we give glory to God for the gift of Sonora who was baptized 12 years ago today, when we honor and glorify the Holy Theotokos. We pray for the health and well-being of Sonora, her family & Godparents Emily Fithian & Dr Danilo Yanich. Hristos se Rodi! Christ is Born!
BRANDON MUMMA Offered on Stefandan (Jan 9) as we celebrate the 41st anniversary of his baptism and honor his Godparents, Joyce Matich & Tosh Yanich. Given with love by the family. Hristos se Rodi ! Christ is Born!
MILLIE, PETE, VASIL, TOOTSIE, FLORENCE, BLONDIE Offered to Christ and the Blessed Theotokos in your honor and for your good health, by the St Nicholas Seniors.
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.
DARLENE BLACK Offered with love by the Barber & Geib Families for God’s Blessings during her recovery. We pray that He will bless her with good health. Our Love & Prayers are with her.
MICHAEL GEPPERT Offered prayerfully by Mom & Dad for improvement in health and God’s blessings and loving care during his recovery.
†KRITZIE & †EDDIE MARIJAN Offered in loving memory of my parents during the Feast of the Nativity by Sandy. Vjecnaja Pamjat! Memory Eternal!
†MILES BODLOVICH Offered in loving memory of our beloved Milos during the Feast of the Nativity. We love you and miss you so very much, Joyce & family. Vjecnaja Pamjat! Memory Eternal!
†MILES BODLOVICH Offered in loving memory of my dear cousin during the Feast of the Nativity by Sandy. Vjecnaja Pamjat! Memory Eternal!
†SIMO & †VERONICA KRNJAICH Offered in memory of my beloved parents, on the glorious day of the birth of our Lord. May they rest peacefully in our Lord’s mercy and grace. Always in my prayers and heart, sadly missed by daughter Tootsie. Vjecnaja Pamjat! Memory Eternal!
†REPOSED STARCEVICH, VUJASINOVICH, DJACIC, SREMAC & KOTUR FAMILIES Offered as we celebrate the Birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (BOZIC). We lovingly remember and pray for our dear Milos (Mico), Milan (Braco) and all reposed members of our families, with love by Zorka and family. Vjecnaja Pamjat! Memory Eternal!
†RADE, †ANA, †MILAN, †EVELYN, †PETAR, †JELENA, †STEVO, †LUJBICA, †NIKOLA, †MILKA, †DRAGAN, †MARIJA, †DANILO, †DANICA, †ZARKO, †PETAR, †BRANKO, †DARINKA, †NEVENKA, †NIKOLA, †DAVID & †LINDA Offered as we celebrate the Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we cherish memories of our departed family members and pray the Christ Child shelters them tenderly in a place of brightness, verdure, peace and everlasting life. Given with love by the Yanich & Matich family. Hristos se Rodi! Christ is Born!
†MILE, †ANDJELIJA, & †PAVLE MRAOVIC Offered as we celebrate the Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we pray for the peaceful repose of our grandparents and uncle in a place of Everlasting Life. Given by Beba, Steph, Bobbi, Bill, Greg, Wendy, Brandon, Jazi, Curran, Kait, Tim, Sonora, Ashtyn, Baylor & Endora. Hristos se Rodi! Christ is Born!
†STEVO STEVE YANICH Offered on the feast day of Sveti Stefan as we remember “Pop” on his birthday anniversary and name day. We cherish our memories of him and pray for his peaceful repose and everlasting life. Given with love and respect by the family. Hristos se Rodi! Christ is Born!
PEOPLE OF UKRAINE Praying for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation for all who are suffering, wounded, imprisoned, grieving, hungry or displaced because of the war in Ukraine. Praying for soldiers who courageously protect their land from enemy invasion. Praying for all believers to find comfort, peace, wisdom and strength in Our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ and share their source of strength with others. Praying for all countries, organizations, communities and individuals helping Ukraine in many ways. Praying for victory over the enemy and peace on our land. Praying for all those who have lost their lives that the Lord our God may look upon them with mercy, and give them rest where there is neither sickness, nor sorrow, nor sighing but life everlasting.
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Please continue to pray for all of those currently being persecuted for Christ's sake in Kosovo, Metohija, Montenegro, Palestine, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, 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.
LET US PRAY TO THE LORD!
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Stewardship Offering Information
Date 1/1/2023
Collection: $1,510.00
Date 12/25/2022
Collection: $2,525.00
Date 12/19/2022
Collection: $760.00
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January Birthdays
Kristina Carricato (Jan 3), Brad Livingston (Jan 4), Betty Matovich (Jan 5), Chris Krnjaic (Jan 5), Voni Brown (Jan 6), Jody Atty (Jan 7), Fred Book (Jan 7), Ellen Long (Jan 8), Lauren Spangler (Jan 9), Jason Milletics (Jan 11), William Hernjak (Jan 12), JoAnn Filepas (Jan 13), Tracy Petrovich (Jan 13), Bill Wenner (Jan 15), Stacey Stanovich (Jan 15), Nicole Stefan Imschweiler (Jan 15), Christina Radanovic (Jan 15), Tatyana Reznitchenko (Jan 16), Sylvia Stefan (Jan 18), Nina Radanovic (Jan 19), Makrina Rocknage (Jan 19), Kristina Vukalo (Jan 20), Rita Vorkapich (Jan 22), Protinica Andreja (Jan 24), Kobe Petrovich (Jan 24), Andjelija Lojpur (Jan 27), Sophia Mummert (Jan 28), Jane Svitchan (Jan 29), Maxim Reznitchenko (Jan 29), Ashtyn Isadora Cruz (Jan 30)
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PASTORAL EMERGENCIES THIS WEEK
In case of a pastoral emergency, please call Proto Ilija Balach at 425.736.3016 as Fr. Chris will be away.
FEAST OF PROTOMARTYR AND APOSTLE STEPHEN
We will celebrate the Feast of Holy Apostle Stephen on Monday, January 9 with Festal Liturgy beginning at 9:30 am
ST NICHOLAS SENIORS MEETING
The next Seniors meeting/luncheon will be January 10th at Leeds Restaurant, Eisenhower Blvd, starting around 11:30 am. This will be our Christmas luncheon. If you plan to participate in the grab bag gift exchange, please bring a wrapped $15 gift. This will also be our election of officers. Hope to see you there. We plan to have a short music presentation by Lenny Tepsich.
GREETERS TEAM
Hello! Welcome to St. Nick’s! If you can say this with a smile, you are a born GREETER. Have you ever felt uncomfortable upon entering a place where no one knows you? It is not a great feeling. St. Nick’s is asking you to be a steward willing to share your warm welcome to all those who enter our beautiful church for the first or the five hundredth time. Please let Daria or Terry know that you can be that steward once every 6 weeks.
KSS 2023 DUES AND SENIORS 2023 DUES
Jovanka Shaffer and JoAnn Filepas will be seated in the church hall after Liturgy on Sundays to collect 2023 dues. Dues remain at $5 for the year.
MOTHERS CLUB 2023 DUES AND SERB CLUB 2023 DUES
Please see Nikki Lewis to pay your 2023 Mother’s Club Dues and Popadija Andreja to pay your 2023 Serb Club Dues.
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CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
Office hours are Monday thru Friday from 9am until noon. You may call the office during these hours at (717-939-3972) 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 office@stnicholassteelton.org. You may also call the office at (717-939-3872).
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January Charity
The International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC)
IOCC is a humanitarian aid agency of Orthodox Christians. Established in 1992 by the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA), it works in cooperation with the Orthodox Church and on behalf of Orthodox Christians. In carrying out its mission, offering emergency relief and development programs to those in need worldwide, without discrimination, and strengthening the capacity of the Orthodox Church to so respond, IOCC applies the highest profession standards and renders itself fully accountable to the public and its donors. Since its inception, IOCC has administered more than $580 million in humanitarian relief, sustainable development and self-help programs worldwide.
Approximately 92% of all money donated directly helps those facing dire situations and every dollar given helps secure $7 in support from various sources. All assistance is provided solely on the basis of need and benefits orphans, refugees and displaced persons, the elderly, school children, families and people with disabilities. Over the course of their history, IOCC has been able to assist people in 50 countries with priority currently in the Balkans (Bosnia, Herzegovina, Kosovo, Serbia, Montenegro), Cameroon, Ethiopia, Georgia, Greece, Haiti, Iraq, Jerusalem, West Bank and Gaza, Jordan, Lebanon, Romania, Syria, Uganda, and the United States. Since the need for help is great, IOCC continually works to expand its programs to other areas. Visit www.iocc.org for additional information.
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MOTHERS CLUB CHRISTMAS PARTY
Last Day to RSVP!!
Sunday, January 15th at Gilligan’s on Eisenhower Blvd at 12 noon
Whether you are a mother, godmother, stepmother or grandmother, please join us for food and fun, and of course our traditional polyanna/white elephant gift exchange.
Please RSVP to Angie Vorkapich by Sunday, January 8th
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Synaxarion
Sunday, January 8
Sunday after the Nativity of our Lord, Jesus Christ
On the Sunday after the Birth of Christ, we commemorate the Holy and Righteous Joseph the Betrothed, James the Brother of God, and David the Prophet and King. Verses To Joseph. I honor Joseph the betrothed of the Virgin, As her sole elected guardian. To James. You were not only a carpenter's child, but the brother of the Lord, Who built all things by His word, blessed one. To David. Who will I declare, as a witness before the Lord, David being found of His own heart? David the Prophet and King was the son of Jesse. He was taught the Law of the Lord by the Prophet Nathan from Gibeah, who prophesied for forty years, which was 999 years before the advent of Christ. Nathan foreknew that David wanted to transgress the Law of the Lord, and commit adultery with Bathsheba. As he made haste to go and tell him of his future sin, he was hindered in this by the envious devil in the following manner. By the road he found a dead man who had been murdered lying naked, and he remained there to bury him. During that time, David committed the sin. Knowing this, Nathan returned to his home weeping and in sorrow. When David killed Uriah, the husband of Bathsheba, the Lord sent the Prophet Nathan to him in order to rebuke him. David repented and wept much for these two sins, and after he grew very old he died and was buried with his fathers. Regarding Joseph the Betrothed and his son James the Brother of God, everyone knows, as we learn of them in the divine Scriptures. Their Synaxis takes place in the Great Church, and in the apostolic Temple of the Holy Apostle James the Brother of God, within the revered home of the Most Holy Theotokos in Chalkoprateia.
Apolytikion in the Second Tone
Proclaim the wonder, O Joseph, to David, the ancestor of God: you saw a Virgin great with Child, you gave glory with the shepherds, you venerated with the Magi, you received the news from the angel. Pray to Christ God to save our souls.
Kontakion in the Third Tone
Today godly David is filled with joy; Joseph and James offer praise. The glorious crown of their kinship with Christ fills them with great joy. They sing praises to the One ineffably born on earth, and they cry out: O Compassionate One, save those who honor You.
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Nativity
Service Schedule
Friday, January 6
Eve of the Nativity / Бадња Дан
Royal Hours 8:30am
Baptismal Vesperal Liturgy 9:30am
Badnjak Service 7:30pm
Christmas Vigil 8:00pm
Saturday, January 7
Божић / Nativity of our Lord
Festal Liturgy 10am
Sunday, January 8
Synaxis of the Theotokos/Sunday after the Nativity
Matins 8:30am
Liturgy 9:30am
Monday, January 9
Feast of Protomartyr and Apostle, Stephen
Festal Liturgy 9:30am
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