Sunday after Elevation of the Cross

(16th Sunday after Pentecost)

Христос међу нама! Christ is in our midst! Cristo esta entra nosotros!

The Sunday after the Exaltation of the Cross

by Fr. Philip LeMasters

As we continue to celebrate the Elevation of the Holy Cross, we must remain on guard against the temptation of viewing our Lord’s Cross as merely a religious artifact that reminds us of what happened long ago. Through His Self-Offering on the Cross, Christ has conquered death and brought salvation to the world. But in order for us to share personally in His fulfillment of the human person as a living icon of God, we must take up our own crosses, deny ourselves, and follow Him. If we refuse to do that, then we show that we are ashamed of our Lord and want no part in Him or His Kingdom.

Peter was in precisely such a state of refusal when he tried to explain to Christ that dying on the Cross had nothing to do with being the Messiah. That is when the Lord famously said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! For you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.” That is the context for today’s gospel passage as Christ teaches that following Him is not a way to gain anything at all according to the standards of this world, but a calling to offer ourselves without reservation. We must lose our lives for Christ and His Gospel in order to share in His victory over death.

The calling to take up our crosses stands in stark contrast to the persistent temptation to exalt ourselves in the Name of the Lord. Across the centuries to the present day, some have tried to use the Cross to gain earthly power by identifying some version of an earthly kingdom with our Lord’s heavenly reign. Others have tried to use the Cross as a way to justify their religious or moral superiority over their neighbors. The problem is not so much in the particulars of how anyone has used the Cross so much as in the very idea of using it, of making it an instrument for achieving anything at all in this world. Our Lord’s Cross calls us to lose our lives as we offer ourselves in union with His great Self-Offering, not to serve or glorify ourselves in any way.

In our epistle reading from Galatians, Saint Paul opposes fellow Jewish Christians who relied too much on their own ability to obey the Old Testament law and who would have required the same of Gentile converts. Over against trust in religious legalism, he writes that, “I have been crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself up for me.” Paul did not simply have good thoughts or warm feelings about the Cross, but endured many struggles and difficulties out of faithfulness to the Lord. He wrote to the Colossians that “I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church.” (Col. 1:24)

There is obviously nothing deficient in our Lord’s great Self-Offering. Paul meant that all that is lacking is our taking up our own crosses in obedience to the Lord’s calling to deny ourselves and follow Him. Because of our own passions and the brokenness of our world of corruption, the struggle for faithfulness inevitably requires suffering, but not as though pain were somehow pleasing to God in and of itself. Such suffering results from the inevitable tension we experience in the struggle to offer ourselves fully to Christ. Truly taking up our crosses means embracing the difficult battle each day as we reject all that would keep us from doing precisely that, including especially the inclinations of our own hearts.

Christ prayed the night before His crucifixion, “Father, if You are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but Yours be done.” (Luke 22:42) He ascended the Cross in free obedience, and no one forces us to take up our crosses either. Many problems and pains come upon us without our asking for them in this life, even to the point of death, and it is so easy to refuse to suffer in a spiritually healthy way. As Job’s wife suggested, we can “Curse God and die!” (Job 2:9) in response to losses, obstacles, and disappointments. We can refuse to offer our struggles to Christ and instead allow them to fuel our passions, destroy our faith, and corrupt our relationships with others.  No one can keep us from doing so, for freedom is an intrinsic dimension of being in God’s image as human persons.

Only we can unite ourselves to Christ in His Great Self-Offering for the salvation of the world. Regardless of the circumstances, we may always use our freedom to take up our crosses and refuse to fall into despair, for any instance of struggle, pain, disappointment, or suffering provides an opportunity to deny ourselves and follow our Lord. Difficulties by their nature present challenges to which we may respond in a Christlike way or according to our passions. He offered up Himself fully upon the Cross and refused to respond in kind to those who hated and rejected Him. Likewise, we may unite ourselves to Him in every dimension and circumstance of our lives, including those in which we are sorely tempted not to respond as He did. Illness, broken relationships with others, worries about the future, regrets about the past, crushed hopes, and even the worst losses imaginable present opportunities to grow in “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” Saint Paul wrote that “those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” (Gal. 5:22-24)

Our self-centered and distorted desires usually rear their ugly heads quickly when we face trying circumstances. It often does not take much at all to set us off like Jonah when the vine that gave him shade was eaten by a worm. That was a very small thing, but Jonah became so angry that he wished he would die. (Jonah 4:5-11) Other times we face circumstances so grave that they call us into question from the depths of our souls and strongly tempt us to fall into despair about the meaning and purpose of our lives. Whether in matters small or great, there is no lack of opportunity to take up our crosses as we struggle to find healing for our inflamed passions.

Doing so usually does not require anything particularly dramatic or extraordinary. It is normally a matter of focusing on the basic practices of the Christian life, such as refusing to accept sinful thoughts into our hearts, forgiving those who have wronged us, and trusting that nothing “will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom. 8:39) The more that we open our souls to the Lord’s healing strength through prayer, repentance, and serving our neighbors, the less time and energy we will have for stirring up and embracing the impassioned thoughts that lead to sinful actions. The constant struggle to undertake this way of life is at the very heart of taking up our crosses, denying ourselves, and following Christ.

We must also remain on guard against all the forms of idolatry that tempt us to gain the world at the expense of our souls. The Lord rejected the temptation to repudiate the Cross for the sake of gaining earthly power and establishing a political kingdom. We must likewise refuse to allow loyalty to any worldly agenda or group to obscure the demands of faithfulness to the way of Christ. That is true in matters seemingly large and small, ranging from our opinions about world affairs to how we treat our friends, neighbors, and family members. We cannot serve two masters in any dimension of our lives. Those who try to do so will risk losing their own souls in a vain effort to gain the world. The message of the Cross remains foolishness to those who make any scheme for success in this world their false god, no matter what it may be. If we become so enamored with anything that we refuse to place faithfulness to Christ first in our lives, we will show by our actions that we are ashamed of our Lord and His Cross.



In order to take up our crosses, we must choose to embrace the struggle of dying to our vain illusions about ourselves and our world. Our hope is not in spiritual or moral perfection acquired merely by our own willpower, but in the gracious mercy of the One Who offered up Himself for our salvation purely out of love. Through the Cross, He has brought life in the midst of death, light in the midst of darkness, and joy in the midst of despair. We will receive His healing as we persistently offer ourselves to Him in humble faith, no matter what challenges and pains life brings us. That is how we will die to the corrupting power of sin and enter into the blessedness of His Kingdom, which remains not of this world. The only way to truly elevate the Holy Cross is by denying ourselves and taking up our own crosses to follow the Savior each day of our lives.

Commemorating the Afterfeast of the Elevation of the Cross, St Joseph the New of Partos Metropolitan of Timishoara, St Bessarion Archbishop of Larissa, St Gerasimus, Uncovering of the relics of St Acacius Bishop of Melitene, Uncovering of the relics of the Holy Protomartyr and Archdeacon Stephen, Great Martyr Niketas the Goth, Martyrs Theodotus, Asclepiodotus and Maximus of Adrianopolis, Martyr Porphyrius the Actor, New Martyr John of Crete, St Philotheus the Presbyter in Asia Minor, Venerable Joseph Abbot of Alaverdi Georgia

RESURRECTIONAL TROPARION—TONE 7

By Your Cross You destroyed death. To the thief You opened Paradise. For the Myrrhbearers You changed weeping into joy. And You commanded Your disciples, O Christ God, to proclaim that You are risen, granting the world great mercy.

ELEVATION OF THE CROSS TROPARION—TONE 1

O Lord, save Your people and bless Your inheritance! Grant victories to the Orthodox Christians over their adversaries; and by virtue of Your Cross, preserve Your habitation!

HOLY FATHER NICHOLAS TROPARION—TONE 4

Truly you were revealed to your flock as a rule of faith, an image of humility and a teacher of abstinence; your humility exalted you; your poverty enriched you. Hierarch Father Nicholas, entreat Christ our God that our souls may be saved.

RESURRECTIONAL KONTAKION—TONE 7

The dominion of death can no longer hold men captive, for Christ descended, shattering and destroying its powers. Hell is bound, while the prophets rejoice and cry: The Savior has come to those in faith; enter, you faithful, into the joy of the Resurrection.

ELEVATION OF THE CROSS KONTAKION—TONE 4

As You were voluntarily raised upon the cross for our sake, grant mercy to those who are called by Your Name, O Christ God; make all Orthodox Christians glad by Your power, granting them victories over their adversaries, by bestowing on them the Invincible trophy, Your weapon of Peace.

Instead of “It is truly meet…” - Tone 8

Magnify, O my soul, the Most Precious Cross of the Lord.

You are a mystical paradise, O Theotokos, in which Christ blossomed, through you, the life-bearing wood of the Cross was planted on earth. Now, at its elevation, as we bow before it, we magnify you.

READERS:

This Week: Matins: Lenny Tepsic Epistle: Dasha Gencturk

Next Week: Matins: Nick Ressetar Epistle: Jovan Milanovich

EPISTLE: Galatians 2: 16-20

DEACON:      Let us pay attention. 

PRIEST:        Peace be unto all!

READER:      And with your spirit!

DEACON:      Wisdom.

READER:      The Prokeimenon in the Seventh Tone: Extol the Lord our God: worship at His footstool for He is holy!

CHOIR: Extol the Lord our God: worship at His footstool for He is holy!

READER: v: The Lord reigns, let the people tremble!

CHOIR: Extol the Lord our God: worship at His footstool for He is holy!

READER: Extol the Lord our God:

CHOIR: Worship at His footstool for He is holy!

DEACON: Wisdom!

READER: The Reading is from the Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Galatians

DEACON: Let us attend!

READER: Brothers and Sisters, knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified. “But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is Christ therefore a minister of sin? Certainly not! For if I build again those things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

PRIEST: Peace be unto you, reader!

READER: And with your spirit! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

READER: Remember Your congregation, which You have purchased of old!

CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

READER: God is our King before the ages; He has worked salvation in the midst of the earth.

CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

АПОСТОЛ: Галатима 2: 16-20

Ђакон:          Пазимо

Свештеник: Мир свима!

Читач:           I Духу Твоме!

Ђакон:           Премудрост

Читач : ПРОКИМЕН- глас 7 Прославите Господа, Бога нашега: клањајте се подножју Његовом, јер је свет!

Хор: Прославите Господа, Бога нашега: клањајте се подножју Његовом, јер је свет!

Читач: Господ влада, нека дрхти!

Хор: Прославите Господа, Бога нашега: клањајте се подножју Његовом, јер је свет!

Читач: Прославите Господа, Бога нашега:

Хор: клањајте се подножју Његовом, јер је свет!

Ђакон: Премудрост

Читач: читање прве посланице коринћанима светога апостола Галаћанима

Ђакон: Пазимо

Читач: Браћо, знајући да се човјек не оправдава дјелима закона него вјером Исуса Христа, и ми повјеровасмо у Христа Исуса, да се оправдамо вјером Христовом а не дјелима закона, јер се дјелима закона ниједно тијело неће оправдати. Ако ли се ми, који тражимо да се оправдамо у Христу, нађосмо и сами грјешници, је ли онда Христос слуга гријеху? Боже сачувај! Јер ако опет зидам оно што развалих, показујем се да сам преступник. Јер ја законом закону умријех, да Богу живим. Са Христом се разапех; А живим – не више ја, него живи у мени Христос; а што сад живим у тијелу, живим вјером Сина Божијега, који ме заволи и предаде себе за мене.

Свештеник: Мир свима Читачу!

Читач: I Духом Твоме! Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа

Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа

Читач: Опомени се сабора својега, којег си стекао од старине.

Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа

Читач: Бог је Цар наш прије вјекова, који твори спасење посред земље.

Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа

~Prayers for the Faithful~

In Our Prayers

Newly Illumined Evelyn Caryn Howell, her parents and sponsors, Metropolitan Paul, Archbishop Youhanna, Protinica Ljubica Jockovic, Protopresbyter Rodney Torbic, Protostavrofor Ilija Balach, Protostavrofor Joseph Fester, Archpriest Gabriel Rochelle, Protinica Ana Stepanov, Matushka Barbara Ealy, Matushka Theodora Ressetar, Sister Anastasija, 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, Bethany Peterson and the newborn Maverick Michael, Mileva Repasky and the newborn Caroline Grace, Jensen Swartz and the newborn Trace Keith, Kyranna Baker and the child to be born of her, Michelle Adams, Addy Andy, Kevin Appleby, Samuel Atzeff, Lori Bare, Elijah Barnett, Christina Berchock, Dori & Doug Bert, Jonathan Bertsch, Carole & Nick 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, Rdr. Nicholas & Teresa Govelovich, Kata Gruich, George Gutshall, Dan Hazlett, Travis Heilman, Adam Herigan, Edith Herigan, Kay Himes, Matthew Hoover, Nicole Stefan Imschweiler, Susan Jacobs, Slobodan Jovicic, Tony Kepp, Stephen Kerstetter, Keith & Kelly Kessler, Myong Sook Kim, Caryn Kiraly, Nadine Klipa, Dorothy Krnjaich, Dragica Kuzmanovic, Henry Laichak, Peter Lalic, Dragan Lalovic, Stella Wren Lappas, Susan Leis, Jovan Lemajic, Richard Livingston, Margaret 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, Makaylie Peterson, Kobe Petrovich, Duke & Sue Petrovich, Tracy Petrovich, Milena Pilipovic, Christopher Radanovic, Ioanna Radanovic, Logan Roszkowski, Chloe Ruff, Christine Sakran, Michael Schaffner, Maryann Seiders, Greg Selman, Steven Semic, Benjamin Shaffer, Tessa Shaffer, John Sheaffer, Milan Shumkaroff, Branko Smitran, Zorka Starcevich, Karen Stefan, Timothy Stefan, Michael Stepanovich, Stevan & Mary Stojic, Patricia & Joseph Sypniewski, Linda Szeerba, Leonard Tepsich, Leroy Tepsich Jr, Savka Trivun, Edith & Michael “Bo” Venesevich, Michael Vishnesky, Magdalen Vloutely, Rita Vorkapich, Kristina Vukalo, Traci Weaver, Paula Werner, Nicolette & Nikola Wiel, Draga Worman, Charlotte Wright, Tosh Yanich, Dewey Yetter, Elizabeth Yezdimir, 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 Lewis, Barrett Scott, Maverick Peterson, Caroline Repasky, Trace Swartz

Our College Students

Sophia Adams, Cameron Barber, Kyle Barber, Dieter Geib, Gunner Geib, Kirsten Geib, Michael Geppert, Anastasija Gligorevic, Natalija Gligorevic, Matthew Hoover, Faith Kingsbury, Natasha Milanovich, Sophia Mummert, Christina Radanovic, Luis Antonio Radanovic, Aleksandra Šaran, Theodore Sukhernik, Madison Vorkapich, Anastasija Vukalo

Our Seminary Students

Elizabeth Bare

Our Dearly Departed Loved Ones

Milan Pejčić, Stephen Vulich, Djordje Gajovic, Vera Ressetar Bortniak



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!

Stewardship Offering Information

Date 9/14/2025

Collection: $2,685.00

Date 9/7/2025

Collection: $4,420.00

Date 8/31/2025

Collection: $3,336.00

~Parastos Offered~

PHILIP GRUICH Offered by his loving wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren on the fifth anniversary of his repose. May his memory be eternal! Vjechnaja Pamjat!

~Vigils Offered~



BETHANY & EMILIA PETERSON  Offered in joyous celebration of our precious Emilia’s sixth birthday (Sept 27) and her mommy Bethany (Oct 3). May God bless you with good health, happiness and joy for many years! Mnogaja Ljeta! Ziveli! We love you very much, your Babi and the whole family.

JOHN & CINDY SEMIC Offered as we wish a Happy 49th wedding anniversary (Sept 26) to Kum John & Kuma Cindy. We remember your special day with love and pray our Lord continues to bless you with boundless love and enduring memories. Offered by your Yanich, Wenner, Hook, Wolf & Matich Kumovi. Mnogaja Ljeta! Many Years!

BILL & BOBBI WENNER Offered as we celebrate the 37th Wedding Anniversary (October 1) of Bill & Bobbi Wenner with great joy and pray God grants them Many More Blessings for Many More Years! Offered with love by Brandon, Katie, Tim, grandsons Baylor & Bowen and the rest of the family and Kumovi. Mnogaja Ljeta! Many Years!

SONORA VIOLA MAE CRUZ Offered for her 15th birthday (Oct 2) with prayers that our Lord continues to bless her with a life of joy, wisdom and achievement. She is our blessing! Given with love by Mommy, Curran, Ashtyn, Endora, GaGa, Aamaw, Kum Danilo, Kuma Emily, cousins Baylor & Bowen and the rest of the family and Kumovi. Mnogaja Ljeta! Many Years! 

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.

October Birthdays

Caroline Donato (Oct 2), Sonora Viola Mae Cruz (Oct 2), Adeline & Peter Meadow (Oct 3), Marcia Breinich (Oct 4), Kate Nation (Oct 4), Madison Vorkapich (Oct 5), Lenny Tepsich (Oct 6), Craig Heilman (Oct 6), Alex Filepas (Oct 6), Owen Kingsbury (Oct 8), Dejan Raic (Oct 11), Arlene Barber (Oct 12), Dennis Ruff (Oct 12), Milan Yovic (Oct 15), Yovanka Hoover (Oct 17), Andrea Govelovich (Oct 17), Nicole Petrovich (Oct 18), Anastasija Gligorevic (Oct 18), Nina Gilroy (Oct 19), Mira Lukic (Oct 26), John Nicholas Hernjak (Oct 27), Carole Radosinovich (Oct 29), Jimi Werner (Oct 29), Marijana Rocknage (Oct 30)

October Anniversaries

Bobbi & William Wenner (Oct 1), Katya Kotchnyeva & Eric Garvin (Oct 10), Jean & Paul Martin (Oct 11), Angie & Jim Bagley (Oct 12), Daria & Dave Milletics (Oct 16), Josh & Emma Howell (Oct 16), Jimi & Taylor Werner (Oct 19), Mackenzie & Stefan Lazarevic (Oct 21), Janis & Greg Meadow (Oct 29)

RECEIVING HOLY COMMUNION

This is a gentle reminder regarding preparing for and receiving the Holy Eucharist. As the Lord said, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, first be reconciled, then come to receive. We are called to be prepared and receive at each and every Liturgy.

PREPARATION AND THANKSGIVING PRAYERS

We are also called to pray the prayers in preparation for Holy Communion, and to stay and pray the prayers in thanksgiving for Holy Communion after Liturgy.

KEEPING THE FASTS

Whether we receive the Holy Mysteries or not, ALL Orthodox Christians are called to keep the fasts of the Church as best as they are able. This includes all Wednesdays and Fridays, as well as the special fast periods of the Church. Also, unless medically necessary and blessed by your father confessor, no eating or drinking from midnight until receiving Holy Communion.

KEEPING THE FEASTS

We should be in attendance for Great and Holy Week, Pascha, and all of the 12 Great Feasts of the Church. If we cannot make the liturgy, come for Vespers or Vigil the night before. If traveling, find the closest Orthodox Church and keep the feast there.

FREQUENCY OF HOLY CONFESSION

We are all called to “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is now”. We should take inventory of our souls regularly—at least on a monthly basis. Let the Lord lift the heavy burden of sin, for as He said, His yoke is easy, and His burden is light.

CHURCH SCHOOL CLASSES

Children and teachers are dismissed for Church School after Holy Communion.

CHURCH SCHOOL REGISTRATION

Register for the 2025-2026 Church School year with the following link:

https://forms.gle/JuVAESBtWpQL6X7s8

THE SAINTS OF OUR FRESCOES (TODAY)

This adult education class explores the history of the Orthodox Church through the lives of the Saints. Class will begin at 11:45am in the Church, giving opportunity to have some refreshments after Liturgy.

SERB FEST THANKSGIVING

We give thanks to God for all who helped with Serb Fest last week. All who cooked, set up, entertained, cleaned up, sponsored, and attended—you are most appreciated! Thanks to your efforts, we had the most successful Serb Fest since before COVID! We ask for forgiveness as the following sponsors were omitted from the program/ad booklet:

GOLD—Steve and Deb Semic;

BRONZE—Nikki Lewis, Anonymous; BOOSTER—Nick and Carole Blitva.

Thank you for your needed and welcomed contributions!



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!

ICONOGRAPHY CAMP

The Diocese of Eastern America is holding an Iconography Camp at Shadeland during the week of October 12-20. The Parish Council joyfully decided to sponsor Mrs. Marina Radanovic. The cost of the camp is $1000 total, including travel, room, board and materials. We have already received a $250 donation to help offset the cost. Any interested donor can send in cash or check, with Iconography Camp in the memo.

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.

BULLETIN DEADLINE

Please send all Bulletin requests to the church office at office@stnicholassteelton.org. You may also call (717) 939-3872. Bulletin Deadline is Wednesday at 11 am.

ANNUAL KSS/MOTHERS CLUB

PULLED PORK & PALACINKE SALE

(LAST DAY TO ORDER)

The KSS/MOTHERS CLUB will hold their annual fundraiser on Sunday, October 5. 

All sales are PRE-ORDER by Sept 28. The menu includes pulled pork sandwiches for $6, cheese, strawberry or apple butter palacinkes for $2 each. Pick up will be from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm on Sunday, October 5.  

Forms are available on the tutors stand and can be turned into the office,

or call 717-939-3872 and leave a message. 

September Charity

St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary

575 Scarsdale Road, Yonkers, NY 10707

http://www.svots.edu/

The mission of St. Vladimir’s Seminary is to “serve Christ, His Church, and the world through Orthodox Christian theological education, research, and scholarship, and the promotion of inter-Orthodox cooperation”. 



The Seminary offers educational programs for clergy, those preparing for clerical ministries, lay leaders and religious scholars so they “may build up Orthodox communities, foster Church growth through mission and evangelism, teach the Orthodox faith, and care for those in need”. The Seminary has a diverse student body and a strong faculty committed to teaching, learning, and serving the Church to the glory of God. Academic programs include Master level degrees in divinity, theology, and religious studies for lay leaders. A stimulating array of special academic programs is also available. We encourage you to visit the St. Vladimir’s Seminary website listed above to learn more about the exciting and challenging learning opportunities, programs and resources.

The Elevation of the Precious and Life-Creating Cross of our Lord

From the Prologue of Ochrid

By St. Nikolaj

On this day are commemorated two events connected with the Precious Cross of Christ: the first, the finding of the Cross on Golgotha and the second the returning of the Cross to Jerusalem from Persia.

Staying in the Holy Land, the holy Empress Helena decided to took for the Precious Cross of the Lord. An old Jew called Judah was the only person who knew the whereabouts of the Cross, and, under pressure from the Empress, he revealed that the Cross was buried under the Temple of Venus that the Emperor Hadrian had built on Golgotha. The Empress ordered that this idolatrous temple be pulled down, and then, digging deep below it, she found three crosses. While the Empress was in uncertainty about how to recognize which cross was the Lord's, a funeral procession passed by. Then Patriarch Macarius told them to place the crosses one by one on the dead man. When they placed the first and second on him, the dead man remained unchanged, but when they placed the third on him, he was restored to life. By this, they knew that this was the Precious and life-giving Cross of Christ. After that, they placed it on a sick woman, and she recovered. Then the Patriarch raised the Cross aloft for all to see, and the people sang with tears: 'Lord, have mercy!' The Empress Helena had a silver casing made, and placed the precious Cross in it.

Later, King Chozroes conquered Jerusalem, took the people into slavery and carried the Lord's Cross off to Persia, where it remained for fourteen years. In 628, the Greek Emperor Heraclius was victorious over Chozroes and brought the Cross back to Jerusalem with great ceremony. Entering the city, Heraclius was carrying the Cross on his back, but suddenly the aged Emperor was unable to take another step. Patriarch Zacharias saw an angel directing the Emperor to take off his imperial robes and walk beneath the Cross along the way that Christ had walked, barefoot and humiliated as He had been. He passed this vision on to the Emperor, who stripped himself of his raiment and, in poor clothing and barefoot, took up the Cross, carried it to Golgotha and placed it in the Church of the Resurrection, to the joy and consolation of the whole Christian world.