33rd Sunday after Pentecost
St. Nicholas Bulletin - February 6, 2022
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Christ is in our midst! Христос међу нама! Cristo esta entra nosotros! |
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Orthodox Homily on Zacchaeus
from Fr. Robert Miclean
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Today is Zacchaeus Sunday, the Sunday before the Triodion, the three weeks prior to Great Lent. Zacchaeus Sunday is an invitation and you will soon see why. About Zacchaeus, he was a tax collector, a sinner. In our Lord’s day, tax collectors weren’t only responsible for collecting the taxes due to Caesar; they were also notorious extortionists, demanding from those who could not afford it more than was due in order to pocket some for themselves. Zaccheaus was such a man—notorious, ill liked, resented. And yet, of all the people that came out to see Jesus that bright day in Jericho 2,000 years ago, Jesus stops at this man, Zaccheaus, to the consternation and surprise, even outrage, of many.
Why does the Lord call up to Zacchaeus in that Sycamore tree? Why Zaccheaus? What did Zaccheaus do to deserve such an honor, such an encounter with the God-man? Christ dines in his house and brings salvation to him and his household.
You see, Zacchaeus has something often lacking among those who take Christ only on their own terms: single-minded zeal to see Him. He is bent on seeing the Lord, being near Him, and beginning a new life with Him. Zaccheaus, whatever his past sins—and from what we gather—they were many and well-known, refuses to let them hinder him in his desire to see and encounter the One, true God, to change his ways. There aren’t any promises that anything else will happen, just that maybe he will see and be near the Christ. That’s all. That’s his hope and faith—and that means everything to him because Zaccheaus, better than most, has understood some of the truth of Christ, the Messiah, God Incarnate, Who “fills all in all” (Eph. 1:23).
“One is holy, One is Lord, Jesus Christ to the glory of God the Father,” we sing in the Divine Liturgy each Sunday. In Him alone, “we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28). He alone is “the One thing needful” (Lk. 10:42). We know this because it’s this truth of God and salvation in Him that alone can change hearts—a heart like Zacchaeus’ and that of thousands of others changed from sinners to Saints we commemorate daily in the Church calendar.
Zaccheaus has understood this—the reality of who Christ is—better than even some of Christ’s closest followers. And yet, of all people there that day, Zaccheaus could have easily been disqualified from seeing the Lord on at least two counts: one, because of his past sins against the people, and two, because of his short stature. How can the impure come before the Pure One? How can a man of such short stature hope to see the King whom everyone is clamoring to see?
Precisely! This is what faith and repentance look like! Of all the people there, Zaccheaus demonstrates such true faith. His faith is humble: he doesn’t think he’s greater than everyone else, worthy to see and encounter Christ. He’s not interested in having Christ conform to him, but rather, of conforming himself to Christ. He won’t be deterred: Zaccheaus is desirous of a change of heart, repentance, the transformation that only life in Christ brings.
The Lord, knowing Zaccheaus’ humble zeal to see Him and his accompanying repentant spirit, gives him more than could be imagined: a personal encounter with Him who is the Creator of all, the Giver of life. He gives Zaccheaus the opportunity to be received and restored by Him who alone is God. Christ says, “Zaccheaus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” What good news for Zaccheaus, but also for all of humanity–for you and for me!
Those who see this encounter are astounded. They shout: “He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner.” Here too, Jesus teaches us that we aren’t to look at past sins repented of—by ourselves or others: the Lord always looks toward our repentance, our redemption, our liberation from our past. He’s always bent on our renewal, our healing and salvation, our future with Him.
Christ’s love for us is also demonstrated here: It’s one thing for us to run after Christ, but this story with Zaccheaus and others, shows us clearly that Christ comes to us, sin-sick as we are. Christ desires our restoration and repentance, so that He can enjoy communion with us. This is such a clear picture of the love and mercy of God! Christ God doesn’t overlook Zaccheaus’ sin, for an unrepentant Zaccheaus would not have brought the Master to him. No, it isn’t that He overlooks the sins of any, it’s rather that He sees Zaccheaus’ repentance, his change of heart, and He forgives him: “A broken and contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise” (Ps. 50). Such a heart is fitting to be with the God of love and mercy who always desires our salvation.
St. Tikhnon of Zadonsk articulates Christ’s love here as a confession: “I should have come to You as a transgressor of Your law. I should have fallen at Your feet, cast myself down before You, humbly begging forgiveness, pleading with You and craving Your mercy. But you yourself have come to me, wretched and good-for-nothing servant that I am; my Lord has come to me…”
Each of us has the opportunity to be like Zacchaeus, to open the ‘house’, our souls to Christ, to desire Him more, to invite Him into those raw, wounded, broken, sin-sick rooms of our own souls, so that He, the Great Physician, can heal them, make them fit for communion with Him, Who is Lord of All. This is why, by the way, that the story of Zacchaeus is always read at the blessing of a new home—to remind us of this same desire that you and I need if we are to receive Christ’s invitation and bring Him into the house of our souls as well as our physical dwellings. This is the great invitation of Zacchaeus Sunday.
So, ask yourself: What are my handicaps, where is my sin-sickness and disobedience to the Church, what impediments do I have in seeing and growing in and getting to Christ? We are at the threshold of our Lenten journey. Will you be like Zacchaeus? Are you willing to put away your past, broken patterns, your limited vision, and get to Christ, to really see Him, to grow in Him, to prioritize the life that is only in Him? Our salvation depends on it.
Zacchaeus didn’t satisfy himself with pious feelings or emotions; instead, he puts repentance into action: He promises to “restore fourfold” anyone he’s defrauded, giving half his goods to the poor. Such is the fruit and proof of his repentant heart and knowledge of the true God. Have you been neglecting any spiritual disciplines and tools of the Church? Have you been holding off repentance, a change of life? Now is the time to renew or begin that commitment before the Lord—now, as salvation draws nigh, as Christ seeks out whom He will dine with.
Christ proclaims, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him and dine with him and he with Me.” (Rev. 3:20). This is the love and mercy that Christ shows to Zaccheaus. This is Christ’s love and mercy to you as well.
If we truly want to see Jesus and know Him, and His healing and salvation, if we want to receive Him when He visits us, if we are convinced that Christ is Life and that apart from Him there is no other life, if we believe the eyewitness accounts of the millions of Saints that have come before us of the reality of changed lives, then we, like Zaccheaus, need to make our life in Christ our priority, “the One thing needful” in our lives as well. We need the zeal of Zacchaeus.
We can make excuses, or, like Zacchaeus, we can, by availing ourselves of Christ’s presence, overcome our own ‘handicaps’, the patterns of giving into our sins, our past, the doubts we ourselves have about ourselves or that others have put on us, and we can zealously open our hearts to see Christ, to desire more of Christ. This is the God-given invitation before us. So ask yourself, where does my zeal lie? Where do I want it to lie? Seize the opportunity to follow the example of Zacchaeus who would not let anything keep him from Christ, and do the same!
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Commemorating St Gerasimus Bishop of Perm, St Philon Bishop of Kolpasteia Crete, Hieromartyr Philippicus and Martyr Barsimos, St Macarius, Martyr John of Kazan, Martyr Babylas of Sicily and his two disciples Timothy and Agapius, Martyrs Theodotion, Paul and Pausirios, St Macedonius the Hermit of Syria, Uncovering of the relics of St Anastasios the Persian, Venerable Dionysius of Olympus, Venerable Philotheus founder of Philotheou Monastery Mt Athos, Venerable Xenia of Rome and her two female servants, Blessed Xenia of St Petersburg
RESURRECTION TROPARION - TONE 8
You did descend from on high, O Merciful One, You did accept the three day burial to free us from our sufferings. O Lord, our Life and Resurrection, glory to You!
HAWAIIAN IVERON ICON OF THE THEOTOKOS TROPARION - TONE 7
From your Holy Icon, O Lady Theotokos, blessed myrrh has flowed abundantly. You have thereby consoled those, in exile, faithful unto you, and have enlightened the unbelievers by your Son's light. Therefore O Lady, with tears we bow down to you. Be merciful to us in the hour of judgment, lest having received your mercy we be punished as those who have been contemptuous of it. But grant us through your prayers to bring forth spiritual fruit, and save our souls.
HOLY FATHER NICHOLAS TROPARION—TONE 4
In truth 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.
BLESSED XENIA OF ST. PETERSBURG TROPARION—TONE 5
Having lived as a stranger in the world, you outwitted the deviser of evil by your pretended foolishness, O Xenia. You received the grace from God to foresee and foretell things to come. Now, as you have been translated from earth to heaven, you are numbered with the choirs of the angels.
RESURRECTION KONTAKION - TONE 8
By rising from the tomb, You raised the dead and resurrected Adam. Eve exults in Your Resurrection, and the world celebrates Your rising from the dead, O greatly Merciful One!
HYMN TO THE MOTHER OF GOD KONTAKION—TONE 6
Steadfast Protectress of Christians and constant Advocate before the Creator; despise not the cry of us sinners, but come speedily to help those who call on You in faith. Hasten to hear our petition and to intercede for us, O Theotokos, for You always protect those who honor You!
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~Scripture Readings of the Day~ |
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READERS:
Matins: Nick Ressetar Epistle: Dasha Gencturk
Next Week: Matins : Lenny Tepsic Epistle: Wayln John
EPISTLE: I Timothy 4: 9-15
DEACON: Let us pay attention.
PRIEST: Peace be unto all!
READER: And with your spirit!
DEACON: Wisdom.
READER: The Prokeimenon in the Eighth Tone: Pray and make your vows unto the Lord our God!
CHOIR: Pray and make your vows unto the Lord our God!
READER: v: In Judah God is known; great is His Name in Israel!
CHOIR: Pray and make your vows unto the Lord our God!
READER: Pray and make your vows
CHOIR: unto the Lord our God!
DEACON: Wisdom!
READER: The Reading is from the Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to Timothy.
DEACON: Let us attend!
READER: Timothy my son, this is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance. For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe. These things command and teach. Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all.
PRIEST: Peace be unto you, reader!
READER: And with your spirit! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
READER: In You, O Lord, have I hoped; let me never be put to shame!
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
READER: Be a God of protection for me, a house of refuge in order to save me!
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
АПОСТОЛ: I Тимиотеју 4: 9-15
Ђакон: Пазимо
Свештеник: Мир свима!
Читач: I Духу Твоме!
Ђакон: Премудрост
Читач : ПРОКИМЕН- глас 3 Помолите се и извршујте завете Господу Богу нашему.
Хор: Помолите се и извршујте завете Господу Богу нашему.
Читач: Зна се у Јудеји за Бога, у Израиљу је велико име Његово.
Хор: Помолите се и извршујте завете Господу Богу нашему.
Читач: Помолите се и извршујте
Хор: завете Господу Богу нашему.
Ђакон: Премудрост
Читац: Читање је од посланице Светог апостола Павла до Тимотеја.
Ђакон: Пазимо
Читач: Чедо Тимотеје, ово је истинита ријеч и достојна свакога примања; јер за то се и трудимо и бивамо срамоћени, јер се надамо у Бога живога, који је спаситељ свију људи, особито вјерних. Ово заповиједај и учи. Нико да не презире твоју младост, али буди образац вјернима у ријечи, у живљењу, у љубави, у духу, у вјери, у чистоти. Докле не дођем пази на читање, утјешавање и учење. Не занемаруј благодатни дар у теби који ти је дат кроз пророчанство полагањем руку старјешина на тебе. Ово проучавај, у овоме стој, да се напредак твој покаже у свему. Пази на себе и на науку, истрај у томе; јер чинећи ово, спасићеш и себе и оне који те слушају.
Свештеник: Мир ти читачу!
Читач: I Духом Твоме! Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Читач: Ходите, запевајте Господу, ускликнимо Спаситељу Богу нашему.
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Читач: Изиђимо пред лице Његово с хвалом, у песмама ускликнимо му.
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
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LITURGY GOSPEL:
Luke 19: 1-10
At that time, Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature. So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, “Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully. But when they saw it, they all complained, saying, “He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner.” Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
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ЈЕВАНЂЕЉЕ:
Лука 19: 1-10
У вријеме оно, Исус ушавши у Јерихон, пролажаше кроз њега. И гле, човјек звани именом Закхеј, и он бјеше старјешина цариника, и бјеше богат. И тражаше да види Исуса ко је он; и не могаше од народа, јер бјеше малога раста. И он потрчавши напријед, попе се на дивљу смокву да га види; јер је поред ње требало да прође. А кад Исус дође на оно мјесто, погледавши горе, видје га и рече му: Закхеју, сиђи брзо; јер ми данас ваља бити у дому твоме. И сиђе брзо; и прими га радујући се. И сви који видјеше негодоваху, говорећи како уђе да гостује код грјешнога човјека. А Закхеј стаде и рече Господу: Господе, ево пола имања свога даћу сиромасима, и ако кога нечим оштетих, вратићу четвороструко. А Исус му рече: Данас дође спасење дому овоме; јер и ово је син Авраамов. Јер Син Човјечији дође да потражи и спасе изгубљено.
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~ The Week Ahead: Scriptures and Services ~ |
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February Birthdays
Linsay Barry (Feb 1), Sloane York (Feb 2), Lincoln Grey Moore (Feb 5), Pete & Joe Petrovich (Feb 6), Jasmine Jacobs (Feb 6), Rod Vorkapich (Feb 8), Sladjana Gligorevic (Feb 9), Parker Rae Petrovich (Feb 10), Ruby Cangialosi (Feb 12), Isla Goodling (Feb 13), Waad Jacobs (Feb 15), Blake Bazdar (Feb 16), Susan Jacobs (Feb 18), John Semic (Feb 21), Emily Fithian (Feb 22), Ethan Imschweiler (Feb 22), Janet Krnjaic (Feb 24), Michael York (Feb 24), Steve Cashman (Feb 27), Alan Radanovic (Feb 29), Mike Sunajko
February Anniversaries
Dean & Karen Stefan (Feb 6), Ferris & Jody Atty (Feb 28)
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St. Nicholas Annual Assembly
February 6, 2022
The St. Nicholas Annual Assembly will meet after liturgy on Sunday, February 6th in the Church Hall. The Assembly will meet in person. Packets will be available on this day for review. This will be our first regular annual assembly since the pandemic began. All stewards are encouraged to attend.
HOUSE BLESSINGS
Please call Daria Milletics in the office at 717.939.3872 if you do NOT want your house blessed this year. Otherwise, expect to receive a call 1-2 days in advance of Fr. Christopher's visit.
Monday, January 31 — Friday, February 4
(Feb 5 Make-up Day)
17113, 17022, 17033, 17034, 17036, 17057
Thursday, February 10 — Friday, February 11
(Feb 12 Make-up Day)
17011, 17015, 17018, 17025, 17043, 17050, 17053, 17055
Monday, February 14 — Friday, February 18
(Feb 19 Make-up Day)
17102, 17104, 17109, 17110, 17111, 17112
Monday, February 21 — Friday, February 25
(Feb 26 Make-up Day)
17019, 17365, 17315, 17316, 17331, 17225, 17221
17070, 17319, 17339, 17345, 17361, 17362, 17363, 17370, 17401, 17406
Monday, February 28 — Thursday, March 3
17026, 17028, 17032, 17038, 17042, 17045, 17078, 17003
17502, 17522, 17540, 17543, 17545, 17552, 17557, 17601, 17602, 17603
COVID UPDATES
The Parish Council has determined that even as cases have neared a peak in the local area, meetings and gatherings may still take place with proper precautions. At this point, all understand the consequences of this disease, and may choose appropriately.
VOLUNTEERS FOR DIOCESAN ASSEMBLY
The Diocesan Assembly will be hosted here at St. Nicholas on March 4 and 5, 2020. We need volunteers to serve food and drinks during dinner on Friday evening. On Saturday, we will also need volunteers to serve lunch after the Liturgy and meetings. Please contact Daria Milletics in the office to sign up.
2021 ANNUAL STATEMENTS AND STEWARDSHIP CARDS
The End of Year statements and Stewardship Cards will be in the mail this week. Please let us know if you fail to receive it or if you find any discrepancies.
SAINT NICHOLAS SENIORS MEETING
The Seniors will meet this Tuesday, February 8 starting at 12 noon in the Church Social Hall. Hope to see you there.
ST NICHOLAS SENIORS 2022 DUES
JoAnn Filepas is collecting 2022 dues for the St Nicholas Seniors. Please mail your dues to her at (7054 Red Top Road, Harrisburg 17111). Dues are $5 for the year.
SERBIAN/AMERICAN CLUB AND KSS 2022 DUES
Peggy Radanovic and Jovanka Shaffer will be seated in the church hall after Liturgy on Sundays to collect 2022 dues. Dues remain at $5 for the year.
MOTHERS CLUB 2022 DUES
Mothers Club dues for 2022 are due. Please submit $5 to Popadija Andreja. The Mothers Club primary mission is to support our Sunday School and children. If you are not a member and would like to join, please also contact Popadija Andreja.
SOTAYA ČEVAPI SALE
Our SOTAYA Group is once again selling frozen packs of cevapi at $15/pack (32 pieces). To order see Dn. Bojan Gligorevic, Matthew Hoover, or call the office at 717.939.3872.
KSS ANNUAL
MEATLOAF FUNDRAISER
PRE-ORDERS ONLY
Order Deadline is February 13, 2022
Pickup is February 20, 2022
Following Divine Liturgy
Cost $8.00 per dinner
Menu includes
Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes & Gravy, Stuffing, Corn, Apple Sauce & Roll
Call Peggy Radanovic for questions or to place an order 717-641-4249
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February Charity
St. Sava Libertyville, School of Theology
St. Sava School of Theology is named in memory of St. Sava, the first archbishop, teacher and enlightener of the Serbian people. On January 27th we celebrated St. Sava’s Day and it is fitting that we also offer support to the theological seminary in the US named for him. The main mission and goal of the school is to provide religious education and train candidates for the Holy Priesthood in the Serbian Orthodox Church specifically as well as interested Orthodox Christian individuals of other ethnic jurisdictions. St. Save School is the educational center for individuals committed to serving the Serbian Orthodox Church and her people in a multi-lingual environment. The school presently offers study leading to the Bachelor of Divinity Degree. Graduate level programs of study are also being developed at the School and in conjunction with other institutions. Funding is provided by an annual budget proposed by the School and adopted and implemented by the Central Council of the Serbian Orthodox Church in the US and Canada. Financial support is sought from all the Serbian Orthodox Dioceses and church congregations. More information about the School’s programs, plans and course of study may be found at the diocesan website at the following link: http://www.serborth.org/education.html
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