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The Samaritan Woman
5th Sunday of Pascha
| | Христос Васкрсе! Χριστοσ Ανεστη! Christ is Risen! Cristo ha Resucitado! Al' Massiah Qa'am! | | |
Homily on the Sunday of the Samaritan Woman
Holy Hieromartyr Thaddeus (Uspensky)
As the holy Apostles prepared themselves for fifty days after the Resurrection of Christ to receive the promised Holy Spirit, so the holy Church, through its feasts, wants to unlock the thirst for the gifts of the Holy Spirit, Whom we pray to be sent down upon us on the feast of Pentecost.
The Church first remembers the Apostles and the Myrrh-Bearing Women, who saw Christ after the Resurrection and who heard the promise from His own mouth: Receive ye the Holy Spirit (Jn. 20:22), and then prepared to receive Him by prayers and supplications in the Zion Upper Room (Acts 1:14). Then the holy Church recalls the healing of the Paralytic at the Sheep’s Pool, foretelling how by the Divine Baptism of water and of the Spirit (Jn. 3:5), “now Christ cleanses the innumerable multitude,” whereas “of old the angel descended to the sheep's pool, healing one man every year.”[1]
The feast of Mid-Pentecost recalls how on the Old Testament feast of Mid-Pentecost Christ aroused a spiritual thirst in the Jews; that is, a thirst for faith in their coming Messiah, for communion with Him, and the grace of the Holy Spirit given by Him. If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink (Jn. 7:37), He said about all of this. The Sunday of the Samaritan Woman again recalls how from ordinary water, the Lord raised the Samaritan Woman’s thoughts to the comprehension of the water of life, and from bodily to spiritual thirst, that is, to the thirst for hearing His word, to the thirst for the grace of the Holy Spirit, Who arouses spiritual thirst in people. Finally, on the last Sunday before Pentecost, we remember the healing of the man born blind at the Pool of Siloam, which signified enlightenment by the grace of the Holy Spirit, Who is sent into the world by Christ and is “the spiritual eyes of the blind.”
But do the sons and daughters of the holy Church heed its calls? Is spiritual thirst aroused in their souls, a thirst for the gifts of the Holy Spirit, Who reveals fountains of living water for the soul? Are not the majority of the sons and daughters of the Church like the Samaritan Woman before her encounter with Christ, whose soul was darkened and tormented by the passions of life and earthly cares that led her to Jacob’s Well? As the Samaritan Woman couldn’t immediately understand what living water Christ was talking about, so men, either completely occupied with the affairs and cares of everyday life or immersed in the vanity of the passions and pleasures of earthly life, are usually far from understanding the lofty deeds and words of God. Such preoccupation and immersion in earthly vanity, with inattention to the soul and the action of the Holy Spirit in it, turn into such a permanent habit for a man that, having freed himself from the vanity of earthly affairs and passions, he begins to languish and hurries back to them as soon as possible. So the spiritual thirst in him gradually fades away; he becomes unable to feel it, not experiencing the pleasure of quenching it when hearing the Divine word; and his soul languishes from the heat of passion untempered by the activity of the Holy Spirit that enlivens the soul.
What causes the thirst for the Divine to fade in men, so that they no longer experience it?
Because, first of all, as the Lord says through the Prophet: They have forsaken Me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water (Jer. 2:13); that is, instead of Divine grace, they try to quench the thirst of the soul with the founts of earthly joy and pleasures, which can only temporarily suppress, but not quench spiritual thirst; and also because they don’t use those means that are necessary to maintain Divine thirst in the soul. Quenching the thirst that torments a wayfarer, water arouses his entire being, renewing his spiritual and bodily powers; in the same way, the whole being of man ought to be refreshed by quenching his thirst for the Divine. So it was with the Samaritan Woman, who, having quenched her spiritual thirst with the words of Christ’s teaching, according to His word, truly never thirsted again (Jn. 4:14), for she abandoned her previous life. Then having been enlightened by holy Baptism, she endured terrible torments, and through her martyric end during the reign of Nero, inherited eternal life.
This is how the holy Church teaches its children to quench their spiritual thirst in its hymns on these present feasts. It inspires us that, “giving the soul the waters of piety,” we have not simply allowed the words of the Church’s hymns to enter our mind, but have also received the Divine law of Christ with its “commands;” and having received the law of Christ, entering into the most sincere communion with Him through “eating the flesh of the Lord” and drinking blood from the Lord’s side, “they extinguished the temptation of the coals”;” that is, they bridled the passions and earthly pleasures that torment the soul like the sweltering heat. That’s why the “strength of the Spirit,” “the grace of the Comforter” is given to people, so that by the love of Christ softening the pain of soul caused by the suppression of the passions in it, moderating the heat of the passions by the dew of grace, and pouring the sweetness of spiritual consolation into it, to help people “learn perfect Divine virtue,” “to sincerely observe the commandments of God,” and acquire immortal life in heaven according to His call.”
Let us strive, following the calls of the holy Church, especially in these holy days of Pentecost, to maintain a thirst for “living water” within ourselves, a thirst for communion with Christ, a thirst for the grace of the Holy Spirit sent by Him into the world! May that which we often sing these days be fulfilled in us: “O divine, O dear, O sweetest Voice! For Thou, O Christ, hast faithfully promised to be with us to the end of the world… O great and holiest Pascha, Christ! O Wisdom, Word and Power of God! Grant that we may more perfectly partake of Thee!” Just as the Samaritan Woman left her pitcher, feeling a thirst for hearing the word of Christ in her soul, so let us be ready to lay aside even the urgent cares of life at least for a time when they stifle the thirst for the Divine in our souls on the holy days of the feasts.
In particular, those of us who are called or will be called to sow the seeds of good teachings among the people should be vigilant in relation to their soul, that the spiritual thirst in it might not fade away, that as the Holy Spirit was first poured out on the Apostles on the day of Pentecost, so those who continue their work today, filled with the gifts of the Holy Spirit, might pour forth rivers of living water to the people (Jn. 7:38). For how can one arouse the thirst in a soul for hearing the word of God if he can’t arouse it in himself? While our people have a strong thirst for the Divine, which was aroused in them by faith in Christ and supported by reading the Word of God, which became accessible to the understanding of the Slavs thanks to the Enlighteners of the Slavs, so that the words of the Lord spoken to the Apostles after the conversation with the Samaritan Woman would also be applied to those working among our people: Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest… I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours (Jn. 4:35, 38). May responsibility before God not fall on these figures for the fact that, entering into the work already begun by the holy Church, and which is therefore easier for them, they extinguish and not support this Divine thirst among the people, extinguishing it in themselves with constant vanity and worldly passions! Amen.
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Commemorating Great Martyr Irene, New Martyr Ephraim, Uncovering of the relics of Venerable James Abbot of Zhelezny Bor, Venerable Barlaam of Serpukhov
PASCHAL TROPARION—TONE 1
Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death; and upon those in the tombs bestowing life!
RESURRECTION TROPARION—TONE 4
When the women Disciples of the Lord learned from the Angel the joyous message of the Resurrection, they cast away the ancestral curse and elatedly told the Apostles: “Death is overthrown! Christ God is risen, granting the world great mercy!”
MIDFEAST OF PENTECOST TROPARION—TONE 8
In the middle of the feast, O Savior, fill my thirsting soul with the waters of piety, as You cried to all: “If anyone thirst, let him come to Me and drink!” O Christ God, Fountain of our life, glory to You!
SAMARITAN WOMAN SUNDAY KONTAKION —TONE 8
The Samaritan Woman came to the well in faith; she saw You, the Water of wisdom and drank abundantly. She inherited the Kingdom on high, and is ever glorified!
MIDFEAST OF PENTECOST KONTAKION—TONE 4
Christ God, the Creator and Master of all, cried to all in the midst of the feast of the Law: “Come and draw the water of immortality!” We fall before You and faithfully cry: “Grant us Your mercies, for You are the Fountain of our life!”
Instead of “It is Truly Meet…”
The Angel cried to the Lady, full of grace: “Rejoice, O pure Virgin! Again, I say: ‘Rejoice, your Son is risen from His three days in the tomb! With Himself He has raised all the dead.’” Rejoice, O Ye people! Shine, shine, O new Jerusalem! The glory of the Lord has shone on you. Exult now, and be glad, O Zion! Be radiant, O pure Theotokos, in the Resurrection of your Son!
Priest: “Blessed is the Kingdom…” Choir: Amen. Priest: Tropar 2 1/2 times. Choir: Finishes.
Priest: “In the fear of God …” Choir: “Blessed is He that comes in the Name of the Lord...”
Priest: “O Lord, save Your people …” Choir: “Christ is risen from the dead … “ (slow version)
Priest: “Always, now and ever …” Choir: “Let our mouths be filled …”
(At the Dismissal, the Priest says: “Glory to You, O Christ….,” and the choir sings “Christ is risen from the dead….” (thrice).
| | ~Scripture Readings of the Day~ | | |
READERS:
This Week: Matins: Nick Ressetar Epistle: Milan Radanovic
Next Week: Matins: Milan Radanovic Epistle: Stefan Gligorevic
EPISTLE: Acts 11:19-26, 29-30
DEACON: Let us pay attention.
PRIEST: Peace be unto all!
READER: And with your spirit!
DEACON: Wisdom.
READER: The Prokeimenon in the Third Tone: Sing praises to our God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises!
CHOIR: Sing praises to our God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises!
READER: v: Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy!
CHOIR: Sing praises to our God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises!
READER: Sing praises to our God, sing praises!
CHOIR: Sing praises to our King, sing praises!
DEACON: Wisdom!
READER: The Reading is from the Acts of the Apostles.
DEACON: Let us attend!
READER: Brothers and Sisters, now those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but the Jews only. But some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord. Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch. When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul. And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea. This they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.
PRIEST: Peace be unto you, reader!
READER: And with your spirit! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
READER: Go forth, prosper and reign, for the sake of meekness, righteousness and truth!
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
READER: For You love righteousness, and hate iniquity.
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
АПОСТОЛ: Дјела Апостолска 11:19-26, 29-30
Ђакон: Пазимо
Свештеник: Мир свима!
Читач: I Духу Твоме!
Ђакон: Премудрост
Читач : ПРОКИМЕН- глас 3 Појте Богу нашему, појте! Појте Цару нашему, појте!
Хор: Појте Богу нашему, појте! Појте Цару нашему, појте!
Читач: Сви народи, запљескајте рукама, покликните Богу гласом радосним!
Хор: Појте Богу нашему, појте! Појте Цару нашему, појте!
Читач: Појте Богу нашему, појте!
Хор: Појте Цару нашему, појте!
Ђакон: Премудрост
Читач: читање из књиге дјела апостолских
Ђакон: Пазимо
Читач: У дане оне, они који бијаху расијани због невоље, која наста због Стефана, прођоше све до Финикије и Кипра и Антиохије не проповиједајући ријеч никоме до само Јудејцима. А неки од њих бијаху Кипрани и Киринејци, који ушавши у Антиохију говораху јелинистима проповиједајући јеванђеље о Господу Исусу. И рука Господња бијаше с њима; и велики број их повјерова и обрати се Господу. А дође ријеч о њима до ушију Цркве у Јерусалиму; и послаше Варнаву да прође све до Антиохије. Кад овај дође и видје благодат Божију, обрадова се и мољаше све да искреним срцем остану у Господу; Јер бјеше човјек благ и пун Духа Светога и вјере. И обрати се многи народ Господу. Варнава пак изиђе у Тарс да потражи Савла, и када га нађе, доведе га у Антиохију. И они се цијелу годину састајаше са Црквом, и учише многи народ; и најприје у Антиохији ученици бише названи Хришћани. А ученици одлучише да сваки од њих, колико који могаше, пошаље на помоћ браћи која живљаху у Јудеји. Ово и учинише пославши старјешинама преко руке Варнавине и Савлове.
Свештеник: Мир свима Читачу!
Читач: I Духом Твоме! Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Читач: Похитај напријед, напредуј и владај ради истине, кротости и правде.
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Читач: Љубиш правду и мрзиш безакоње.
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
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LITURGY GOSPEL: John 4:5-42
At that time, He came to a city of Samaria which is called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied from His journey, sat thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour. A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give Me a drink.” For His disciples had gone away into the city to buy food. Then the woman of Samaria said to Him, “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans. Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.” The woman said to Him, “Sir, You have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep. Where then do You get that living water? Are You greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank from it himself, as well as his sons and his livestock?” Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” The woman said to Him, “Sir, give me this water, that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw.” Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.” The woman answered and said, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You have well said, ‘I have no husband,’ for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; in that you spoke truly.” The woman said to Him, “Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship.” Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” The woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming” (who is called Christ). “When He comes, He will tell us all things.” Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am He.” And at this point His disciples came, and they marveled that He talked with a woman; yet no one said, “What do You seek?” or, “Why are You talking with her?” The woman then left her water pot, went her way into the city, and said to the men, “Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” Then they went out of the city and came to Him. In the meantime His disciples urged Him, saying, “Rabbi, eat.” But He said to them, “I have food to eat of which you do not know.” Therefore the disciples said to one another, “Has anyone brought Him anything to eat?” Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work. Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. For in this the saying is true: ‘One sows and another reaps.’ I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors.” And many of the Samaritans of that city believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, “He told me all that I ever did.” So when the Samaritans had come to Him, they urged Him to stay with them; and He stayed there two days. And many more believed because of His own word. Then they said to the woman, “Now we believe, not because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard Him and we know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.”
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ЈЕВАНЂЕЉЕ: Јован 4:5-42
У вријеме оно, дође Христос у град самаријски звани Сихар, близу села које даде Јаков Јосифу, сину својему. А ондје бијаше извор Јаковљев. Исус пак уморан од пута сјеђаше тако на извору; бјеше око шестога часа. Дође жена из Самарије да захвати воде. Рече јој Исус: Дај ми да пијем. Јер ученици његови бијаху отишли у град да купе хране. Рече му жена Самарјанка: Како ти, који си Јудејац, тражиш од мене жене Самарјанке да пијеш? Јер се Јудејци не друже са Самарјанима. Одговори Исус и рече јој: Кад би ти знала дар Божији, и ко је тај који ти говори: дај ми да пијем, ти би тражила од њега и дао би ти воду живу. Рече му жена: Господе, ни ведра немаш, а студенац је дубок; одакле ти онда вода жива? Еда ли си ти већи од оца нашега Јакова, који нам даде овај студенац, и он из њега пијаше и синови његови и стока његова? Одговори Исус и рече јој: Сваки који пије од ове воде опет ће ожедњети; А који пије од воде коју ћу му ја дати неће ожедњети довијека, него вода коју ћу му дати постаће у њему извор воде која тече у живот вјечни. Рече му жена: Господе, дај ми ту воду да не жедним и не долазим овамо да захватам. Рече јој Исус: Иди, зови мужа својега, и дођи овамо. Одговори жена и рече: Немам мужа. Рече јој Исус: Добро каза: немам мужа; Јер си пет мужева имала, и сада кога имаш није ти муж; то си право казала. Рече му жена: Господе, видим да си ти пророк. Оци наши клањаху се Богу на гори овој, а ви кажете да је у Јерусалиму мјесто гдје се треба клањати. Рече јој Исус: Жено, вјеруј ми да долази час када се нећете клањати Оцу ни на гори овој ни у Јерусалиму. Ви се клањате ономе што не знате; а ми се клањамо ономе што знамо; јер је спасење од Јудејаца. Али долази час, и већ је ту, када ће се истински богомољци клањати Оцу у духу и истини, јер Отац тражи да такви буду они који му се клањају. Бог је дух; и који му се клањају, у духу и истини треба да се клањају. Рече му жена: Знам да долази Месија звани Христос; кад он дође, објавиће нам све. Рече јој Исус: Ја сам – који говорим с тобом. И утом дођоше ученици његови, и зачудише се што са женом разговара, али ниједан не рече: шта тражиш, или што говориш са њом? А жена остави свој крчаг и отиде у град и рече људима: Ходите да видите човјека који ми каза све што сам учинила. Да није он Христос? Изиђоше, дакле, из града и пођоше њему. А у међувремену мољаху га ученици његови говорећи: Рави, једи! А он им рече: Ја имам јело да једем за које ви не знате. Тада ученици говораху међу собом: Да му неко не донесе да једе? Исус им рече: Јело је моје да вршим вољу Онога који ме је послао, и извршим његово дјело. Не кажете ли ви да су још четири мјесеца па ће настати жетва? Ето, велим вам: подигните очи своје и видите њиве како се већ жуте за жетву. И који жање прима плату, и сабира род за живот вјечни, да се радује заједно и који сије и који жање. Јер у томе је истинита ријеч, да је други који сије, а други који жање. Ја вас послах да жањете гдје се ви нисте трудили; други су се трудили, а ви сте у труд њихов ушли. А из града онога многи од Самарјана повјероваше у њега за ријеч жене која је свједочила: Каза ми све што учиних. Када, дакле, дођоше к њему Самарјани, мољаху га да остане код њих; и остаде ондје два дана. И много их више вјерова за ријеч његову, Те жени говораху: Сад не вјерујемо више због твога казивања, јер сами смо чули и знамо да је ово заиста Спаситељ свијета, Христос.
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~Prayers for the Faithful~
In Our Prayers
Newly Illumined Aleksa Vojcic, his parents and sponsors, Metropolitan Paul, Archbishop Youhanna, Protinica Ljubica Jockovic, 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 Louise Bare and her parents Zachary & Elizabeth, 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, Jensen Swartz and the child to be born of her, Michelle Adams, Addy Andy, Kevin Appleby, Lori Bare, Elijah Barnett, Christina Berchock, Dori & Doug Bert, Jonathan Bertsch, Carole Blitva, Stephan and Barbara Blitva, Jason Brill, Voni 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, Nadine Klipa, Dorothy Krnjaich, Dragica Kuzmanovic, Henry Laichak, Peter Lalic, Dragan Lalovic, Stella Wren Lappas, Sue Leis, Jovan Lemajic, Dick Livingston, Maggie Livingston, 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, 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, Karen Stefan, 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, Magdalen Vloutely, Rita Vorkapich, Kristina Vukalo, Paula Werner, Draga Worman, Tosh Yanich, Dewey Yetter, Mila “Millie” Yezdimir, Marija Zabrodnaya, Jason Zeigler, Ashley Ziobrowski, Miriam “Mim” Codan Ziolkowski
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, Matthew Hoover, Kalei Howard, Faith Kingsbury, Sophia Mummert, Christina Radanovic, Luis Antonio Radanovic, Madison Vorkapich, Anastasija Vukalo
Our Seminary Students
Elizabeth Bare
Our Dearly Departed Loved Ones
Vladimir Djordjic, Vasil Mihailoff, Fyodor Kochnev, Donald Semic, Alexandra “Soni” Dimond Martorano, Julian Naumenko, Eleni Ziogas, Miloš Balać, Milan Pejčić, Stephen Vulich
~Parastos to be Offered~
Vjecnaja Pamjat! Memory Eternal!
†MARGARET RADANOVIC To be offered Friday, May 23 at 5:30 pm, at Churchville Cemetery, by her family in loving memory of her 3 year repose.
~Vigils Offered~
NIKKI LEWIS Offered in celebration of my beautiful daughter’s birthday (May 24). Many Years! Mnogaja Ljeta! Much love, Mom
NIKKI LEWIS Offered in joyful celebration of my Godchild’s birthday (May 24). May God shower her with His blessings for good health & happiness for many years. Mnogaja Ljeta! With Love Kuma Tootsie. Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!
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.
†KATHARINA RADCZENKO Offered in loving memory of our dear mother/grandmother/great-grandmother’s repose (18 years—May 18). We love you very much and miss you every day. May God grant your soul eternal rest in a place of brightness, verdure and life everlasting. Offered with love by the Radczenko 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, 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 and Russia, that they might be comforted with the Joy of our Lord, and for those who are unjustly persecuted that they may be strengthened by the love of Christ which knows no 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 5/11/2025
Collection: $4,302.00
Date 5/4/2025
Collection: $3,486.00
Date 4/27/2025
Collection: $3,339.00
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May Birthdays
Nicholas Hernjak (May 1), Berkeley Semic (May 3), Jelena Bowser (May 7), Chloe Ruff (May 8), Bobbi Lynn Wenner (May 10), Bella Gilroy (May 10), Meghan Livingston (May 11), Brankica Skinder (May 12), Trenton Petrovich (May 13), Lily Holland (May 16), Genevieve Bare (May 16), Christian Holland (May 18), Maria Bowers, (May 21), Jelena Lojpur (May 22), Inna Reznitchenko (May 23), Nikki Lewis (May 24), Ryan Spangler (May 25)
May Anniversaries
Michelle & Donald Kingsbury (May 1), Heather & Erik Barber (May 1), Pete & Arlene Barber (May 3), Heather & Craig Heilman (May 14), Mike & Carole Radosinovich (May 15), Ben & Jovanka Shaffer (May 15), Rod & Angie Vorkapich (May 20), Jelena & Christopher Harmantzis (May 21), Michael & Tammy Macut (May 24), Nina & Eric Gilroy (May 26), Kyranna & Christopher Baker (May 28), Matt & Pam Healy (May 29), Greg & Haley Book (May 29)
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SAINTS OF OUR FRESCOES SERIES CONTINUE TODAY
The lecture series on the saints of our frescoes will continue TODAY Sunday, May 18 after Liturgy. Mrs. Martha Rakowski will continue our series on Saints Constantine and Helen. The following two lectures will be on Serbian Saints: the Nemanjic Dynasty and Vidovdan.
PARASTOS FOR THOSE ORTHODOX CHRISTIANS KILLED IN ACTION
We will be serving a Parastos next Sunday, May 25, for Memorial Day commemorating all Orthodox Christians who were killed in action. We have a list of names; however, if you would like someone added to the list, please send in his/her name to the office no later than Wednesday, May 21st.
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!
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
A generous donor has given us a gift of surplus food. PLEASE visit the table in the Social Hall and take what you or someone you know can use. Donate what you can, help someone in need and save money at the same time! Remember to check the table every time you are at church as supplies will change frequently. ALL proceeds will go to support our St. Sava Shadeland Camp!!!
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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
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Paschal Sunday of the Samaritan Woman
The Holy Martyr Photina (Svetlana) the Samaritan Woman, her sons Victor (named Photinus) and Joses; and her sisters Anatola, Phota, Photis, Paraskeva, Kyriake; Nero’s daughter Domnina; and the Martyr Sebastian: The holy Martyr Photina was the Samaritan Woman, with whom the Savior conversed at Jacob’s Well (John. 4:5-42).
During the time of the emperor Nero (54-68), who displayed excessive cruelty against Christians, Saint Photina lived in Carthage with her younger son Joses and fearlessly preached the Gospel there. Her eldest son Victor fought bravely in the Roman army against barbarians, and was appointed military commander in the city of Attalia (Asia Minor). Later, Nero called him to Italy to arrest and punish Christians. Sebastian, an official in Italy, said to Saint Victor, “I know that you, your mother and your brother, are followers of Christ. As a friend I advise you to submit to the will of the emperor. If you inform on any Christians, you will receive their wealth. I shall write to your mother and brother, asking them not to preach Christ in public. Let them practice their faith in secret.”
Saint Victor replied, “I want to be a preacher of Christianity like my mother and brother.” Sebastian said, “O Victor, we all know what woes await you, your mother and brother.” Then Sebastian suddenly felt a sharp pain in his eyes. He was dumbfounded, and his face was somber. For three days he lay there blind, without uttering a word. On the fourth day he declared, “The God of the Christians is the only true God.” Saint Victor asked why Sebastian had suddenly changed his mind. Sebastian replied, “Because Christ is calling me.” Soon he was baptized, and immediately regained his sight. Saint Sebastian’s servants, after witnessing the miracle, were also baptized.
Reports of this reached Nero, and he commanded that the Christians be brought to him at Rome. Then the Lord Himself appeared to the confessors and said, “Fear not, for I am with you. Nero, and all who serve him, will be vanquished.” The Lord said to Saint Victor, “From this day forward, your name will be Photinus, because through you, many will be enlightened and will believe in Me.” The Lord then told the Christians to strengthen and encourage Saint Sebastian to persevere until the end.
All these things, and even future events, were revealed to Saint Photina. She left Carthage in the company of several Christians and joined the confessors in Rome. At Rome the emperor ordered the saints to be brought before him and he asked them whether they truly believed in Christ. All the confessors refused to renounce the Savior. Then the emperor gave orders to smash the martyrs’ finger joints. During the torments, the confessors felt no pain, and their hands remained unharmed. Nero ordered that Saints Sebastian, Photinus and Joses be blinded and locked up in prison, and Saint Photina and her five sisters Anatola, Phota, Photis, Paraskeva and Kyriake were sent to the imperial court under the supervision of Nero’s daughter Domnina. Saint Photina converted both Domnina and all her servants to Christ. She also converted a sorcerer, who had brought her poisoned food to kill her.
Three years passed, and Nero sent to the prison for one of his servants, who had been locked up. The messengers reported to him that Saints Sebastian, Photinus and Joses, who had been blinded, had completely recovered, and that people were visiting them to hear their preaching, and indeed the whole prison had been transformed into a bright and fragrant place where God was glorified.
Nero then gave orders to crucify the saints, and to beat their naked bodies with straps. On the fourth day the emperor sent servants to see whether the martyrs were still alive. But, approaching the place of the tortures, the servants fell blind. An angel of the Lord freed the martyrs from their crosses and healed them. The saints took pity on the blinded servants, and restored their sight by their prayers to the Lord. Those who were healed came to believe in Christ and were soon baptized.
In an impotent rage Nero gave orders to flay the skin from Saint Photina and to throw the martyr down a well. Sebastian, Photinus and Joses had their legs cut off, and they were thrown to dogs, and then had their skin flayed off. The sisters of Saint Photina also suffered terrible torments. Nero gave orders to cut off their breasts and then to flay their skin. An expert in cruelty, the emperor readied the fiercest execution for Saint Photis: they tied her by the feet to the tops of two bent-over trees. When the ropes were cut the trees sprang upright and tore the martyr apart. The emperor ordered the others beheaded. Saint Photina was removed from the well and locked up in prison for twenty days.
After this Nero had her brought to him and asked if she would now relent and offer sacrifice to the idols. Saint Photina spit in the face of the emperor, and laughing at him, said, “O most impious of the blind, you profligate and stupid man! Do you think me so deluded that I would consent to renounce my Lord Christ and instead offer sacrifice to idols as blind as you?” Hearing such words, Nero gave orders to again throw the martyr down the well, where she surrendered her soul to God (ca. 66).
On the Greek Calendar, Saint Photina is commemorated on February 26.
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Stewardship Reflection
May 18, 2025
Paschal Sunday of the Samaritan Woman
What is Orthodox Christian Stewardship?
Orthodox Christian Stewardship is...
Learning how to be a responsible and concerned caretaker of Christ's Church; it is learning how to enjoy Church life and be happy in Church work, for in Her dwells the fullness of the Spirit of God. Our active commitment to use all our Time, Talent and Treasure for the benefit of humankind in grateful acknowledgment of Christ's redeeming love. As the summer months approach, please continue to support your Church as a faithful Steward.
Шта је Православно Старатељство ?
Православно Старатељство је .....
Научити се како бити одговоран старатељ Христове Цркве ; то је учење како уживати у Црквеном животу и како бити срећан у Црквеном раду, јер Он пребива у пуноћи Духа Господњег. Наше активно учешће у употреби Времена, Талента и Новца за добробит целога света је захвално препознавање Христове икупљујуће љубави.
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May Charity
Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC), St Augustine, FL
The Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC) is the official international mission agency of the Standing Conference of the Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA) and was created to "establish vibrant Eucharistic communities throughout the world, to develop and support indigenous church leaders, and to strengthen the infrastructure of their churches." OCMC recruits and trains Orthodox missionaries to minister to people in need of spiritual, physical and emotional support. OCMC missionaries are currently serving in Albania, Romania and Tanzania. Orthodox Mission Teams are periodically organized to serve where needed and you may volunteer to participate in this activity. Mission teams have built churches and offered training and services to communities in need. OCMC also operates a Support a Mission Priest (SAMP) program offering financial assistance to priests living in extremely poor areas in more than a dozen countries around the world. Through SAMP donations, priests can tend more fully to the needs of their flock. The donation you make this month will support an Orthodox Christian organization that provides important services and spiritual comfort to many people in Eastern Europe and Africa. Visit the OCMC website at www.ocmc.org for more information.
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