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Holy Fathers of the 1st Ecumenical Council
Afterfeast of Ascension
St. Nicholas Bulletin - May 28, 2023
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Christ is Risen! Христос Васкрсе! Χριστός ἀνέστη! Cristo ha resuscitado! El Messieh Qa’am! | |
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Homily on the Sunday
of the Holy Fathers
of the First Ecumenical Council
by His Emminence Panteleimon,
Archbishop of Antinoe (Retired)
Health is considered to be one of God’s most important gifts to man. Man’s body, according to the teachings of the Orthodox Church, is the temple of God. It is the living vessel of the Divinity from which the radiance of the Divine Glory shines. St. Paul teaches us saying, "Your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which you have of God, and you are not your own" (1 Corinth. 6:19). Whatever we have, we have it from God. Nothing belongs to man, even his own body.
Through Christ’s Sacrifice on the Cross, man has been freed from the chains of sin, which caused the deterioration of man’s bodily and spiritual health and in addition, brought death upon the human race.
"For you are bought with a price" (1 Corinth. 6:20). Christ bought us from the course of the Law with His own Precious Blood. Because our body and soul belong to Christ, it is our duty to live according to His Will; and furthermore, to take care of our health. Thus St. Paul concludes saying, "Glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s" (1 Corinth. 6:20).
In the same and equal manner we must take care of our spiritual health. The soul is affected by our personal sins, and by heresy, which is the worst type of spiritual illness.
Every sin which man commits can be cured by repentance and the Forgiving Grace of God, which is granted through the Holy Sacrament of Holy Confession. Heresy, on the other hand, is the complete alienation of man from God. Heresy is the fruit of man’ s pride. Heresy builds up the impenetrable wall of impenitence, which prevents man to return to salvation. And although God forgives all sins committed by man, the sin of heresy is unforgivable and brings eternal punishment and condemnation upon those who insist in their heresy.
Our Lord Jesus Christ has assured us saying, "I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaks a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaks against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come" (Matth. 12:31-32). See the Lord’s philanthropy! All sins and blasphemies He forgives, because they are the result of man’s weakness. But the sin against the Holy Spirit, He does not forgive; neither in this world, nor in the world to come.
Heresy twists the true teachings and does not respect the Word of God, Holy Scripture, Holy Apostolic Traditions, or the teachings of the theophoric and god-inspired Holy Fathers. It strives, under the influence of pride and man’s logic, to give logical answers and interpretations to the Divine Revelation, ignoring the fact that Faith does not belong to the level of "logic", but it enters into the sphere of "above logic".
Faith is something, which is not understood by simple logic; it is not the result of knowledge, nor the accomplishment of philosophy. Faith is accepted with the hope in the divine promises. St. Paul teaches us saying, "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Heb. 11:1).
Throughout Holy Scriptures we find the teachings which urge us to preserve the true faith. In the Book of Acts we read, "And as they (Paul and Timothy) went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and the elders which were at Jerusalem" (Acts 16:4). Also very important, are the last instructions of St. Paul given to the Bishops and Presbyters of the Church of Asia Minor: "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost has made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he has purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them" (Acts 20:28-30). Even our Lord and Saviour Himself warns us about the coming of pseudochrists and pseudoprophets. "For there shall arise false Christ, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect" (Mat. 24:24).
False christs, false prophets and false apostles are the heretics, who by their own will and in their own knowledge twist the truths of the Holy Gospel. They present one part of the truth, as been the whole truth.
The Holy Fathers of the Orthodox Church, participating in the Ecumenical or local Councils, had full conscience of the responsibility that they must preserve the Truth of Divine Revelation, just as it was revealed by God and had been passed down by the Apostles and eye witnesses of His life on earth. At the same time they had to be aware for themselves and for the whole flock from any false teachings coming from heretics. They believed that they had the responsibility, not only before God, but also before their flock, and they struggled to build up and to strengthen the faithful in the true faith of Christ.
The Holy Fathers with their personal example, their teachings, their kindness, their warm zeal and self-denial gave courage to the faithful during times of persecution and tribulation. With their virtuous life and struggle for Orthodoxy, they became the athletes of Christ in the stadium of the Church.
We, the Orthodox Christians, today, honour and give gratitude to all those who struggled for Orthodoxy. Let us pray to our loving God to give us strength and faith, so that we also be able to defend the Apostolic Faith, imitating those holy men, who sacrificed even their own lives for the Truth, and became Shepherds and Teachers of the Church.
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Commemorating Venerable Pachomius the Great Founder of Coenobitic Monasticism, St Achilles Bishop of Larissa, St Isaiah the Wonderworker Bishop of Rostov, the Holy Right-believing Tsarevich Demetrios of Uglich and Moscow, Venerable Isaiah Wonderworker of the Kiev Near Caves, Venerable Pachomius Abbot of Nerekhta, Venerable Silvanus of Nerekhta, Venerable Euphrosynos Igoumen of Pskov, Venerable Serapion of Pskov
RESURRECTION TROPARION—TONE 6
The angelic powers were at Your tomb; the guards became as dead men. Mary stood by Your grave, seeking Your most pure body. You took captive hell, not being tempted by it. You came to the Virgin, granting life. O Lord, Who rose from the dead, glory to You.
ASCENSION TROPARION—TONE 4
You ascended in glory, O Christ our God, granting joy to Your Disciples by the promise of the Holy Spirit. Through the blessing, they were assured, that You are the Son of God, the Redeemer of the world!
HOLY FATHERS TROPARION—TONE 8
You are most glorious, O Christ our God! You have established the Holy Fathers as lights on the earth. Through them You have guided us to the true Faith. O greatly compassionate One, glory to You!
HOLY FATHERS KONTAKION — TONE 8
The Apostles’ preaching and the Fathers’ doctrines have established one Faith for the Church. Adorned with the robe of truth, woven from heavenly theology, it defines and glorifies the great mystery of piety.
ASCENSION KONTAKION —TONE 6
When You had fulfilled the dispensation for our sake, and united earth to heaven, You ascended in glory, O Christ our God, not being parted from those who love You, but remaining with them and crying: “I am with you, and there is no one against you!”
Instead of “It is Truly Meet…” - Tone 5
Magnify, O my soul, Christ the Giver of Life, Who has ascended from earth to heaven!
We magnify you, the Mother of God, who beyond reason and understanding gave birth in
time to the Timeless One.
Instead of “We have seen the True Light…” The ASCENSION TROPARION—TONE 4
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~Scripture Readings of the Day~ | |
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READERS:
This Week: Matins: Lenny Tepsich Epistle: Grant Govelovich
Next Week: Matins: Nicholas Ressetar Epistle: Aleksandra Saran
EPISTLE: Acts 20: 16-18, 28-36
DEACON: Let us pay attention.
PRIEST: Peace be unto all!
READER: And with your spirit!
DEACON: Wisdom.
READER: The Prokeimenon in the Fourth Tone: Blessed are You, O Lord God of our fathers, and praised and glorified is Your name forever!
CHOIR: Blessed are You, O Lord God of our fathers, and praised and glorified is Your name forever!
READER: v: For You are just in all that You have done for us!
CHOIR: Blessed are You, O Lord God of our fathers, and praised and glorified is Your name forever!
READER: Blessed are You, O Lord God of our fathers ...
CHOIR: … and praised and glorified is Your name forever!
DEACON: Wisdom!
READER: The Reading is from the Acts of the Apostles.
DEACON: Let us attend!
READER: Brethren, for Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he would not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hurrying to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the Day of Pentecost. From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church. And when they had come to him, he said to them: “You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you, therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears. “So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all.
PRIEST: Peace be unto you, reader!
READER: And with your spirit! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
READER: The Lord, the God of gods, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting.
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
READER: Gather to Me, My venerable ones, who made a covenant with Me by sacrifice!
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
АПОСТОЛ: Дјела Ап. 20:16-18, 28-36
Ђакон: Пазимо
Свештеник: Мир свима!
Читач: I Духу Твоме!
Ђакон: Премудрост
Читач : ПРОКИМЕН- глас 4 Благословен си, Господе Боже отаца наших, и хвално и прослављено је име Твоје у све вјекове.
Хор: Благословен си, Господе Боже отаца наших, и хвално и прослављено је име Твоје у све вјекове.
Читач: Јер си праведан у свему што си учинио за нас.
Хор: Благословен си, Господе Боже отаца наших, и хвално и прослављено је име Твоје у све вјекове.
Читач: Благословен си, Господе Боже отаца наших,
Хор: и хвално и прослављено је име Твоје у све вјекове.
Ђакон: Премудрост
Читач: читање из књиге дјела апостолских
Ђакон: Пазимо
Читач: Браћо, У дане оне, Павле одлучи да прође мимо Ефес да се не би задржао у Азији; јер хиташе, ако би му било могуће, да о Педесетници буде у Јерусалиму. Из Милита пак посла у Ефес и дозва старјешине црквене. И кад дођоше к њему, рече им: Ви знате од првога дана када дођох у Азију, да бијах са вама све вријеме, пазите, дакле, на себе и на све стадо у коме вас Дух Свети постави за епископе да напасате Цркву Господа и Бога коју стече крвљу својом. Јер ја знам то да ће по одласку моме ући међу вас грабљиви вуци који не штеде стада; И између вас самих устаће људи који ће говорити наопако да одвлаче ученике за собом. Зато пазите и опомињите се да три године дан и ноћ не престајах поучавати са сузама свакога од вас. А од сада, браћо, предајем вас Богу и ријечи благодати његове, која може назидати и дати вам насљедство међу свима освећенима. Сребра, или злата, или руха, ни од кога не зажељех. Сами знате да потребама мојим и оних који су са мном били послужише ове руке моје. Све вам показах да се тако ваља трудити и помагати немоћнима, и опомињати се ријечи Господа Исуса коју он рече: Блаженије је давати него примати. И ово рекавши, клече на кољена своја са свима њима и помоли се Богу.
Свештеник: Мир свима Читачу!
Читач: I Духом Твоме! Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Читач: Бог над боговима, Господ, говори и дозива земљу од истока сунчанога до запада.
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Читач: Сакупите ми свеце моје који су учинили са мном завјет на жртвама
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
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LITURGY GOSPEL:
John 17: 1-13
Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was. “I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. Now they have known that all things which You have given Me are from You. For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and they have believed that You sent Me. “I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours. And all Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them. Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are. While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves.
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ЈЕВАНЂЕЉЕ:
Јован 17: 1-13
Ово изговори Исус, па подиже очи своје небу и рече: Оче, дошао је час, прослави Сина својега, да и Син твој прослави тебе; Као што си му дао власт над сваким тијелом, да свему што си му дао, дарује им живот вјечни. А ово је вјечни живот да познају тебе једнога истинитога Бога и кога си послао Исуса Христа. Ја те прославих на земљи; дјело сврших које си ми дао да извршим. И сада прослави ти мене, Оче, у тебе самога, славом коју имадох у тебе прије него свијет постаде. Објавих име твоје људима које си ми дао од свијета; твоји бијаху па си их мени дао, и твоју су ријеч одржали. Сад разумјеше да је све што си ми дао од тебе. Јер ријечи које си ми дао, дао сам њима: и они примише, и познаше заиста да од тебе изиђох, и вјероваше да ме ти посла. Ја се за њих молим, не молим се за свијет, него за оне које си ми дао, јер су твоји. И све моје твоје је, и твоје моје; и прославио сам се у њима. И више нисам у свијету. а они су у свијету, и ја долазим теби. Оче свети, сачувај их у име твоје, оне које си ми дао, да буду једно као ми. Док бијах с њима у свијету, ја их чувах у име твоје; оне које си ми дао сачувах; и нико од њих не погибе осим сина погибли, да се испуни Писмо. А сада долазим теби, и ово говорим на свијету, да имају радост моју испуњену у себи.
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~ The Week Ahead: Scriptures and Services ~ | |
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~Prayers for the Faithful~
In Our Prayers
Newly Illumined Bennett Noah Spangler, his parents and sponsors, Metropolitan Paul, Archbishop Youhanna, Protinica Ljubica Jockovic, Protopresbyter Rodney Torbic, Popadija Sara Golic, Matushka Barbara Ealy, the child Katie Elizabeth and her parents Mileva and Michael Repasky, the child Metodija and his parents Fr. Dn. Milan and Mira Damljanovic, the child Danijela and her parents Mark and Jennifer Belo, the child Louise Bare and her parents Zachary & Elizabeth, Isadora Lazarevic and the newborn Luka John, Bethany Peterson and the newborn Delilah Marie, Emma Howell and the child to be born of her, Kyranna Radanovic and the child to be born of her, Michelle Adams, Addy Andy, Lori 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, Kay Himes, Nicole Stefan Imschweiler, Susan Jacobs, Slobodan Jovicic, Myong Sook Kim, Spencer Klinge, Dorothy Krnjaich, Henry Laichak, Peter Lalic, Dragan Lalovic, Stella Wren Lappas, Catherine Lewis, Dick Livingston, Maggie Livingston, Boro Lojpur, Stephen Lundingrin, Dianne & Jim Martin, Rowan Martin, Jack McFall, 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, Vid & Marica Pejcic, Hope Pesner, Kobe Petrovich, Tracy Petrovich, Logan Roszkowski, Nathan & Jane Rush, Greg Selman, Michael Schaffner, Maryann Seiders, Steven Semic, Benjamin Shaffer, Tessa Shaffer, John Sheaffer, Pat Shoemaker, Branko Smitran, Zorka Starcevich, Tim Stefan, Patricia & Joseph Sypniewski, Leonard Tepsich, Leroy Tepsich Jr, Savka Trivun, Edie & Michael “Bo” Venesevich, Rita Vorkapich, Kristina Vukalo, Steve Vulich, Paula Werner, Draga Worman, Dewey Yetter, Mileva “Millie” Yezdimir, Marija Zabrodnaya, Ashley Ziobrowski, 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 & Delilah Marie Peterson, Barrett Scott, Divna & Danica Mitrovic, Nora Katherine & Maeve Noelle Van Huysen, Sloane York
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
Protopresbyter Srboljub Jockovic, Djordje Kojic, Kristina Turuntas, Djuro Miljevic, Constantine Vloutely, Robert Bazdar, Ljuban Kosovac, John J Milakovic, Mileva Maran
~Parastos to be Offered~
Vjecnaja Pamjat! Memory Eternal!
†ALL DEPARTED MILITARY VETERANS KILLED IN ACTION Offered tomorrow, May 29, at 9 am, for all those who were killed in action while serving our country, in all branches of the military; †Jack Kosutic, †Samuel Malobovich, †Jovan Obradovich, †Mark Paich Jr, †Paul Paich, †Michael Rusnov, †David Semic, †Stevan Radanovic, †Kero Atanasoff, †George Atanasoff, †Traiche Koneff, †Matthew Kormushoff, †Method Stoyanoff
~Vigils Offered~
KYRANNA RADANOVIC & CHRISTOPHER BAKER Offered joyfully in celebration of their marriage today. We love you! Welcome to the family Chris! May God grant you both many blessed years! ~ Uncle Milan, Aunt Nina, Ioanna & Luis.
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.
†NIKOLA NICHOLAS GLEDICH, SR, †BRANKO BERNARD KOBAC, †ZARKO JAMES MATICH, †PAVLE PAUL MRAOVIC, †DAGOBERTO PAOLINELLI, †ADAM ARCHIE SEMIC, †JOSEPH R TARASI, †LJUBOMIR LOUIE VASITY, †DANILO DANIEL VORKAPICH, †DJORDJE GEORGE VORKAPICH, †MILAN MICHAEL VORKAPICH, †NIKOLA NICHOLAS VORKAPICH, †DRAGON BENJAMIN YANICH, †DANILO DANIEL YANICH, †MILUTIN EMIL YEZDIMIR, †PETAR PETER YANICH, †NIKOLA NICHOLAS YANICH JR, †SUBDEACON RICHARD HATHAWAY, †JOSEPH B TARASI Offered in loving memory of departed family & Kumovi who served honorably in the US military. With the saints, O Lord, give rest to the men and women who served this country in war and peace, and shelter them where there is neither sickness nor sorrow nor sighing but life everlasting. Given by the Yanich & Matich Family. Vjecnaja Pamjat! Memory Eternal!
†DANIEL & †VERA RADANOVIC Offered in loving memory of their Wedding Anniversary (May 29) and our Father/Grandfather’s birthday (May 30) by Daria, Dave, Jason & Sarah Milletics. Vjecnaja Pamjat! Memory Eternal!
†MARGARET RADANOVIC & †ANNA DANKEVICH Offered with love in memory of their repose (Margaret: 1 year—May 23 and Anna: 2 years—May 30) by Milan, Nina, Ioanna and Luis. Very much missed. We love you Baba & Obaachama! Vjecnaja Pamjat! Memory Eternal!
†MILOS VUJASINOVICH Offered in loving memory of his repose (22 years—May 31). With prayers that he rests peacefully in God’s heavenly kingdom. Offered with love by his sister Zorica and family. Vjecnaja Pamjat! Memory Eternal!
†ANNIE KRNJAIC Offered in remembrance of her birthday (June 1) Vjecnaja Pamjat! Memory Eternal! Always remembered and greatly loved. Given by her family.
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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 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 5/21/2023
Collection: $2,608.00
Date 5/14/2023
Collection: $1,763.00
Date 5/7/2023
Collection: $5,026.00
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June Birthdays
Nikolas Lukic (June 1), Kolton Myers (June 2), Danica Mitrovic (June 2), Theodore Havalchak (June 3), Nora Van Huysen (June 5), Danilo Yanich (June 6), Marie Hernjak (June 6), Luke Jacobs (June 8), Jim Martin (June 9), Guiliana Bracale (June 10), Kyranna Radanovic (June 11), Jimmy Hernjak (June 11), Russell Heilman (June 13), Baylor Hook (June 13), Braydon Fithian (June 16), Xenia Grabbe (June 20), Aleksandar Bracale (June 20), Brian Lewis Jr (June 22), Cayden Healy (June 26), Michael Krnjaic (June 26), Matthew Hoover (June 28), Wayln John (June 28)
June Anniversaries
Dr. James & Liliya Moses (June 1), Brian & Nikki Lewis (June 4), Mike & Terra Heilman (June 4), Fr Christopher & Popadija Andreja (June 13), Mike & Janet Krnjaic (June 14), Nick & Carole Blitva (June 16), Meghan & Brad Livingston (June 25), Mike & Samantha Stefan
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PENTECOST SERVICE TIME
This coming Sunday is the Feast of Holy Pentecost. As our Church Picnic falls on this feast, we will be adjusting service time 30 minutes earlier to allow for picnic workers to receive Holy Communion and still have everything ready by 12 noon. Liturgy on Pentecost will begin at 9:00am, followed by the SOTAYA Slava, then the Kneeling Vespers.
ST NICHOLAS SENIORS
The St Nicholas Seniors next meeting/luncheon will be Tuesday, June 6 in the Church Social Hall starting at 12 noon . This will be our indoor picnic and you will be receiving notification soon with a list of things that will be needed. Hope to see you there.
SUMMER ROOM NEEDED
There is an Orthodox Christian young man, Stephen Pyle, a student at Millersville University who is in need of accommodations for the summer to do an internship in Middletown. He is recommended by Susana Troop of Holy Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Lancaster, as a faithful Orthodox Christian and a young man of good character. If you have a room available and are willing, please contact Fr. Chris at fr.chris@stnicholassteelton.org.
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. St Nicholas is scheduled to host the lunch on Saturday, June 10, 2023. 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.
SAVE THE DATE—OCTOBER 28-29, 2023
SSS Josif Marinkovic 90th Anniversary Weekend! Concert, Banquet, Dance, etc. More information will follow!
SOTAYA GIFT CARD FUNDRAISER
Thinking of a gift for someone, a special occasion, birthday or a reward for yourself? Panera Bread gift card is a good choice! And there is no need to go to the store, SOTAYA is selling them at a face value of $25. Just see any SOTAYA member or Sladjana for a purchase. Thanks for your support!
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THIRD WEDDING BANNS—Sunday, May 28, 2023
This is the third announcement of the upcoming wedding of the servant of God, Christopher Aaron Longin Baker, of the Orthodox Faith, son of Frederick Baker and Patricia Grant of Modesto, CA to the handmaiden of God, Kyranna Radanovic, of the Orthodox Faith, daughter of Reader Christopher and Dr. Jevgenija (nee Orshal) Radanovic of Etters, PA. If anyone has an objection to this union, please contact Father Christopher Rocknage immediately.
ALL-SOULS DAY / Zadusnice / GRAVE BLESSING
Saturday, June 3 is All Souls Day we will sing a Parastos for all of the departed faithful from our St. Nicholas parish at 9:00am. We will then bless graves at Churchville, Baldwin and Woodlawn Cemeteries. If you would like to be there when your family graves are blessed, please come to the Parastos and make arrangements with Father Chris.
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 REQUESTS
Bulletin deadline is Wednesday at 11 am. Please email bulletin requests to
office@stnicholassteelton.org
You may also call (717-939-3872).
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Commemoration of the Holy Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council
The Commemoration of the First Ecumenical Council has been celebrated by the Church of Christ from ancient times. The Lord Jesus Christ left the Church a great promise, “I will build My Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Mt. 16:18). Although the Church of Christ on earth will pass through difficult struggles with the Enemy of salvation, it will emerge victorious. The holy martyrs bore witness to the truth of the Savior’s words, enduring suffering and death for confessing Christ, but the persecutor’s sword is shattered by the Cross of Christ. Persecution of Christians ceased during the fourth century, but heresies arose within the Church itself. One of the most pernicious of these heresies was Arianism. Arius, a priest of Alexandria, was a man of immense pride and ambition. In denying the divine nature of Jesus Christ and His equality with God the Father, Arius falsely taught that the Savior is not consubstantial with the Father, but is only a created being. A local Council, convened with Patriarch Alexander of Alexandria presiding, condemned the false teachings of Arius. However, Arius would not submit to the authority of the Church. He wrote to many bishops, denouncing the decrees of the local Council. He spread his false teaching throughout the East, receiving support from certain Eastern bishops. Investigating these dissentions, the holy emperor Constantine (May 21) consulted Bishop Hosius of Cordova (Aug. 27), who assured him that the heresy of Arius was directed against the most fundamental dogma of Christ’s Church, and so he decided to convene an Ecumenical Council. In the year 325, 318 bishops representing Christian Churches from various lands gathered together at Nicea. Among the assembled bishops were many confessors who had suffered during the persecutions, and who bore the marks of torture upon their bodies. Also participating in the Council were several great luminaries of the Church: Saint Nicholas, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia (December 6 and May 9), Saint Spyridon, Bishop of Tremithos (December 12), and others venerated by the Church as holy Fathers. With Patriarch Alexander of Alexandria came his deacon, Athanasius [who later became Patriarch of Alexandria (May 2 and January 18)]. He is called “the Great,” for he was a zealous champion for the purity of Orthodoxy. In the Sixth Ode of the Canon for today’s Feast, he is referred to as “the thirteenth Apostle.” The emperor Constantine presided over the sessions of the Council. In his speech, responding to the welcome by Bishop Eusebius of Caesarea, he said, “God has helped me cast down the impious might of the persecutors, but more distressful for me than any blood spilled in battle is for a soldier, is the internal strife in the Church of God, for it is more ruinous.” Arius, with seventeen bishops among his supporters, remained arrogant, but his teaching was repudiated and he was excommunicated from the Church. In his speech, the holy deacon Athanasius conclusively refuted the blasphemous opinions of Arius. The heresiarch Arius is depicted in iconography sitting on Satan’s knees, or in the mouth of the Beast of the Deep (Rev. 13). The Fathers of the Council declined to accept a Symbol of Faith (Creed) proposed by the Arians. Instead, they affirmed the Orthodox Symbol of Faith. Saint Constantine asked the Council to insert into the text of the Symbol of Faith the word “consubstantial,” which he had heard in the speeches of the bishops. The Fathers of the Council unanimously accepted this suggestion. In the Nicean Creed, the holy Fathers set forth and confirmed the Apostolic teachings about Christ’s divine nature. The heresy of Arius was exposed and repudiated as an error of haughty reason. After resolving this chief dogmatic question, the Council also issued Twelve Canons on questions of churchly administration and discipline. Also decided was the date for the celebration of Holy Pascha. By decision of the Council, Holy Pascha should not be celebrated by Christians on the same day with the Jewish Passover, but on the first Sunday after the first full moon of the vernal equinox (which occured on March 22 in 325).
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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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SAVE THE DATE!!
Club Picnic.............. July 30
Serb Fest.................. Sept 23
90th Anniversary of the SSS Marinkovic...... October 28-29, 2023
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