Christ is in our midst! Христос међу нама! Cristo está entre nosotros!

Each year, two weeks after Pentecost (this year June 26), Orthodox Christians celebrate the feast of All Saints of North America. Along with the Venerable Herman of Alaska, eighteen other men are specifically remembered by the faithful, in addition to unnamed saints whose blessedness is known only to God. 

Furthermore, according to one list there are as many as twelve Orthodox Christians not yet glorified (canonized), but whose sacrificial efforts in America merit serious consideration in order to begin the formal process. At least one is a woman, Matushka Olga Michael of Alaska (reposed November 8, 1979). She is revered especially for her humility, charitable works, and for helping victims of abuse.       

The significance of these commemorations is multi-faceted but denotes significant development on the part of our local territorial Church. The celebration of North American Saints is a comforting sign of the Spirit’s activity in the “New World.” Equally important, however, the feast celebrates people on this continent who responded to the prompting of the Spirit, paving the way for future generations. Their receptivity to the Spirit’s presence indicates ecclesiastical maturity, a spiritual awareness among people of genuine faith and love, “who hear the Word of God and keep it” (Luke 11:28). 

It has been said that, “you cannot save what you do not love,” or conversely “you can only save what you love.” The North American Saints bear witness to this truth. In their missionary efforts they were motivated by love for God, for those made in His image, and for this country. Emulating Christ they embodied the New Commandment to, “love one another (love the world) as I have love you” (John 13:34-35; John 3:16). They identified with those to whom they preached and as a result, “thousands around (them were) saved” (St. Seraphim of Sarov).  

In a March, 1972 editorial, as the OCA was still embracing its identity as an Autocephalous Church, Fr. John Meyendorff shared his thoughts on love as the foundation of missionary activity in America. He stated that, “Mission is not only ‘preaching,’ not only talking about God, or promoting ‘our thing.’ Mission is not a Christian commercial. It is a witness and an act of love. It implies love for those to whom it is directed, and love means self-giving, not simply giving something.”

Fr. John went on to say, “The Orthodox mission in Alaska had been successful in the past not so much because it was financially supported from Russia, but mainly because St. Herman stayed with his Aleutians until his death, and because a few real missionaries, like St. Innocent Veniaminov, gave their whole life to the people they wanted to evangelize.” (Meyendorff, John, Witness to the World, St. Vladimir Seminary Press, Crestwood, NY, 1987, pages 188-189). 

As a further example, the blessed Tikhon the Confessor, Enlightener of North America, publicly articulated his compassion for the American people in very personal terms. Upon his arrival to New York on December 12, 1898, he lamented leaving behind his motherland, friends and family. He reassured his new flock, however, with words from the prophet Hosea, "I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people..." (Hosea 2:23). He told them essentially that, just as I was one with the people of Russia, and loved them, so I am now one with you, and I love you also. (Orthodox America: 1794-1976, Orthodox Church in America, Dept. of History and Archives, Syosset, NY. 1975, p. 90).    

In our day, wherever the American Church reaps the spiritual rewards of evangelism, the sincerity and kindness of her missionaries are almost certainly evident. Conversely, that which often hinders the contemporary Christian witness is lack of love, lack of identification among the faithful with that which they seek to transform. An ever-present temptation is to remain aloof not only from specific individuals, but from the public square, positioning the Church against society and society against the Church. The implicit message – to the detriment of Christ’s followers – is often understood in black and white terms: i.e., the Church, and therefore those within it are good; society however, is evil. 

Such an approach is counter-productive to the Church’s mission. It meshes well with modern tendencies toward individualism and isolationism, while ignoring a basic fact: that society, like the Church, is not a faceless, anonymous entity. It is not a “thing” to be converted. Christians help make up society, as well as the world in need of repentance that Christ came to redeem. The faithful who daily “work out their salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12) are intimately connected to that which is often squared off against the Body of Christ itself. Candidly speaking, the world that crucified Christ is our world.

While remaining vigilant, discerning, and faithful to the Gospel, it would seem that part of a Christian’s responsibility in America is to embrace that which is good in the neighbor and within American culture, building upon these positives, enriching and fulfilling them in the light of Orthodoxy. A quote from St. Paul's letter to the Philippians comes to mind: 

“Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things” (Philippians 4:8).

This attitude of openness was evident in the Apostle’s preaching to the men of Athens when he revealed to them the identity of their “unknown god” (Acts 17:16-33). It assuredly characterized the approach of the North American Saints who became “one” with the people of this continent. While laying the foundation of Faith in this new land, St. Herman, St. Juvenaly and those with them, and later St. Innocent, sought commonalities -- points of contact -- with the indigenous population that could facilitate the dissemination of the Good News. (See especially Fr. Michael Oleksa’s impressive work, Orthodox Alaska: A Theology of Mission, St. Vladimir's Seminary Press, Crestwood, NY, 1992).

Appealing to the above passage from Philippians Fr. Alexander Schmemann commented on Orthodox activity in America: “…we must, without denying any genuine value of our Eastern cultural and spiritual heritage, open ourselves towards Western culture and make our own whatever in it ‘is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious’" (Philippians 4:8). (The Task of Orthodox Theology in America Today, September 1966).

This spirit of sensitivity remains a guiding principle to those who follow in the Saints’ footsteps. It is a sign of ecclesiastical maturity within parishes and dioceses whose members seek to identify with those around them, while imparting the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Commemorating All of the Saints throughout Serbian and North American Lands.

RESURRECTIONAL TROPARION — TONE 1

When the stone had been sealed by the Jews, while the soldiers were guarding Your most pure body, You rose on the third day, O Savior, granting life to the world. The powers of heaven therefore cried to You, O Giver of Life: “Glory to Your Resurrection, O Christ! Glory to Your Kingdom! Glory to Your dispensation, O Lover of mankind!”

SYNAXIS OF SERBIAN SAINTS TROPARION — TONE 4

O God-bearing fathers and hierarchs, we ask you, as our Serbian enlighteners, as true shepherds and patriarchs, as genuine guardians of apostolic tradition, as solid pillars, as teachers of Orthodoxy: Beseech Christ, the Master of All, to grant peace to the whole world and abundant mercy to our souls.

ALL SAINTS OF NORTH AMERICA TROPARION — TONE 8

As the bountiful harvest of Your sowing of salvation, the lands of North America offer to You, O Lord, all the saints who have shone in them. By their prayers keep the Church and our land in abiding peace through the Theotokos, O most Merciful One!

RESURRECTIONAL KONTAKION — TONE 1

As God, You rose from the tomb in glory, raising the world with Yourself. Human nature praises You as God, for death has vanished. Adam exults, O Master! Eve rejoices, for she is freed from bondage and cries to You: “You are the Giver of Resurrection to all, O Christ!”

ALL SAINTS OF NORTH AMERICA KONTAKION — TONE 3

Today the choir of Saints who were pleasing to God in the lands of North America now stands before us in the Church and invisibly prays to God for us. With them the Angels glorify Him, and all the Saints of the Church of Christ keep festival with them; and together they all pray for us to the Pre-eternal God.

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!

READERS:

Matins: Lenny Tepsic Epistle: Wayln John

Matins Next Week: Milan Radanovic  Epistle Next Week: Marko Rocknage

EPISTLE: Romans 2: 10-16

DEACON:    Let us pay attention. 

PRIEST:      Peace be unto all!

READER:    And with your spirit!

DEACON:    Wisdom.

READER:    The Prokeimenon in the First Tone: Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us as we have set our hope on You!

CHOIR: Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us as we have set our hope on You!

READER: v: Rejoice in the Lord, O your righteous! Praise befits the just!

CHOIR: Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us as we have set our hope on You!

READER: Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us ...

CHOIR: … as we have set our hope on You!

DEACON: Wisdom!

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

DEACON: Let us attend!

READER: Brethren, glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For there is no partiality with God. For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law (for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified; for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them) in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.

PRIEST: Peace be unto you, reader!

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

CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

READER: God gives vengeance unto me, and subdues people under me.

CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

READER: He magnifies the salvation of the King and deals mercifully with David, His anointed, and his seed forever.

CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

АПОСТОЛ:  Римљанима  2: 10-16

Ђакон:       Пазимо

Свештеник: Мир свима!

Читач:         I Духу Твоме!

Ђакон:           Премудрост

Читач : ПРОКИМЕН- глас 1 Нека буде милост Твоја, Господе, на нама, као што се уздасмо у Тебе.

Хор: Нека буде милост Твоја, Господе, на нама, као што се уздасмо у Тебе.

Читач: Веселите се, праведници, пред Господом, праведнима доликује похвала.

Хор: Нека буде милост Твоја, Господе, на нама, као што се уздасмо у Тебе.

Читач: Нека буде милост Твоја, Господе,

Хор: на нама, као што се уздасмо у Тебе.

Ђакон: Премудрост

Читач: Читање је од посланице Светог апостола Павла до Римљанима

Ђакон: Пазимо

Читач: Браћо, слава и част и мир свакоме који чини добро, а најприје Јудејцу и Јелину; Јер Бог не гледа ко је ко. Јер који без закона сагријешише, без закона ће и изгинути; а који под законом сагријешише, по закону ће се осудити. Јер нису праведни пред Богом они који слушају закон, него ће се оправдати они који испуњавају закон. Јер кад незнабошци немајући закона чине од природе што је по закону, они немајући закон сами су себи закон; Они доказују да је у срцима њиховим написано оно што је по закону, пошто свједочи савјест њихова, и пошто се мисли њихове међу собом оптужују или оправдавају, на дан када Бог узасуди тајне људске по јеванђељу мојему кроз Исуса Христа.

Свештеник: Мир свима Читачу!

Читач: I Духом Твоме! Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа

Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа

Читач: Бог ми даје освету и покорава људе испод мене.

Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа

Читач: Он увећава спасење Краља и милостиво се односи са Давидом, његовим помазаником и његовим сјеменом заувијек.

Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа

Please continue to pray for all of those currently being persecuted for Christ's sake in Kosovo, Metohija, Montenegro, Palestine, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, the Sudan, China, North Korea, for all of our brothers and sisters in Christ suffering throughout the world, especially in Ukraine, that they might be comforted with the Joy of our Lord, and for all of those suffering from the pandemic, for those who minister, and for those who are unjustly persecuted that they may be strengthened by the love of Christ which knows no race.  

LET US PRAY TO THE LORD!

Stewardship Offering Information

Date 6/19/2022

Collection: $3,220.00

Date 6/12/2022

Collection: $1,695.00

Date 6/5/2022

Collection: $2,450.00

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 Heilman (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 (60 years on June 16), Meghan & Brad Livingston (June 25), Mike & Samantha Stefan 

FEAST OF VIDOVDAN

Tuesday, June 28, we celebrate the Feast of Vidovdan with Liturgy at 9:00am.

FEAST OF ST. JOHN OF SAN FRANCISCO

Saturday, July 2, we celebrate the Feast of St. John of San Francisco with Liturgy at 9:00am. At the end of Liturgy, we will celebrate the 40 day Parastos for Margaret Radanovic.

EMERGENCY PASTORAL CARE

Father Christopher will be unavailable Wednesday, June 29 to Friday July 1. Please call Proto Ilija Balach at 425.736.3016 in case of a Pastoral Emergency.

CALLING ALL GOLFERS

Registration for the 6th Annual OCCGH Golf Tournament is underway...4-person scramble, put your team together and sign up today! All proceeds benefit local charitable organizations such as Bethesda Mission, Downtown Daily Bread, Capital Area Pregnancy Center and more. Register by July 7, forms are on the tutor stand.

ST NICHOLAS SENIORS FUNDRAISER

The Seniors are collecting gently used books for a future book sale fundraiser (no romance novels please).

SPECIAL SHOW CASE OFFER

Just arrived… beautiful Visor Clips. Also available, 3 original children’s books ($20 each), signed by the author Miss Jane (Svitchan), Herman My Love, Mishka the Mouse, Matushka Z’s Very Russion Looking Hat.

ST. NICHOLAS FLOWER BEDS

The flowers in front of the Church and at the sign are growing beautifully. There are also many weeds growing, although not so beautifully. We are requesting all available hands to help weed the beds to prepare them for mulching. Please come whenever you are available this week or next week. Thanks to all for your help!

The Synaxis of the Saints of North America

On the second Sunday after Pentecost, each local Orthodox Church commemorates all the saints, known and unknown, who have shone forth in its territory. Accordingly, the Orthodox Church in America remembers the saints of North America on this day. Saints of all times, and in every country are seen as the fulfillment of God’s promise to redeem fallen humanity. Their example encourages us to “lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily besets us” and to “run with patience the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1). The saints of North America also teach us how we should live, and what we must expect to endure as Christians. Although it is a relatively young church, the Orthodox Church in America has produced saints in nearly all of the six major categories of saints: Apostles (and Equals of the Apostles); Martyrs (and Confessors); Prophets; Hierarchs; Monastic Saints; and the Righteous. Prophets, of course, lived in Old Testament times and predicted the coming of Christ. 

The first Divine Liturgy in what is now American territory (northern latitude 58 degrees, 14 minutes, western longitude 141 degrees) was celebrated on July 20, 1741, the Feast of the Prophet Elias, aboard the ship Peter under the command of Vitus Bering. Hieromonk Hilarion Trusov and the priest Ignatius Kozirevsky served together on that occasion. Several years later, the Russian merchant Gregory I. Shelikov visited Valaam monastery, suggesting to the abbot that it would be desirable to send missionaries to Russian America. On September 24, 1794, after a journey of 7,327 miles (the longest missionary journey in Orthodox history) and 293 days, a group of monks from Valaam arrived on Kodiak Island in Alaska. The mission was headed by Archimandrite Joasaph, and included Hieromonks Juvenal, Macarius, and Athanasius, the Hierodeacons Nectarius and Stephen, and the monks Herman and Joasaph. Saint Herman of Alaska (December 13, August 9), the last surviving member of the mission, fell asleep in the Lord in 1837.

Throughout the Church’s history, the seeds of faith have always been watered by the blood of the martyrs. The Protomartyr Juvenal was killed near Lake Iliamna by natives in 1799, thus becoming the first Orthodox Christian to shed his blood for Christ in the New World. In 1816, Saint Peter the Aleut was put to death by Spanish missionaries in California when he refused to convert to Roman Catholicism. Missionary efforts continued in the nineteenth century, with outreach to the native peoples of Alaska.

Two of the most prominent laborers in Christ’s Vineyard were Saint Innocent Veniaminov (March 31 and October 6) and Saint Jacob Netsvetov (July 26), who translated Orthodox services and books into the native languages. Father Jacob Netsvetev died in Sitka in 1864 after a life of devoted service to the Church. Father John Veniaminov, after his wife’s death, received monastic tonsure with the name Innocent. He died in 1879 as the Metropolitan of Moscow. As the nineteenth century was drawing to a close, an event of enormous significance for the North American Church took place. On March 25, 1891, Bishop Vladimir went to Minneapolis to receive Saint Alexis Toth (May 7) and 361 of his parishioners into the Orthodox Church. This was the beginning of the return of many Uniates to Orthodoxy.

Saint Tikhon (Belavin), the future Patriarch of Moscow (April 7, October 9), came to America as bishop of the diocese of the Aleutians and Alaska in September 1898. As the only Orthodox bishop on the continent, Saint Tikhon traveled extensively throughout North America in order to minister to his widely scattered and diverse flock. He realized that the local church here could not be a permanent extension of the Russian Church. Therefore, he focused his efforts on giving the American Church a diocesan and parish structure which would help it mature and grow.

Saint Tikhon returned to Russia in 1907, and was elected as Patriarch of Moscow ten years later. He died in 1925, and for many years his exact burial place remained unknown. Saint Tikhon’s grave was discovered on February 22, 1992 in the smaller cathedral of Our Lady of the Don in the Don Monastery when a fire made renovation of the church necessary.

Saint Raphael of Brooklyn (February 27) was the first Orthodox bishop to be consecrated in North America. Archimandrite Raphael Hawaweeny was consecrated by Bishop Tikhon and Bishop Innocent (Pustynsky) at Saint Nicholas Cathedral in New York on March 13, 1904. As Bishop of Brooklyn, Saint Raphael was a trusted and capable assistant to Saint Tikhon in his archpastoral ministry. Saint Raphael reposed on February 27, 1915.

The first All American Council took place March 5-7, 1907 at Mayfield, PA, and the main topic was “How to expand the mission.” Guidelines and directions for missionary activity, and statutes for the administrative structure of parishes were also set forth.

In the twentieth century, in the aftermath of the Russian Revolution, countless men, women, and children received the crown of martyrdom rather than renounce Christ. Saints John Kochurov (October 31) and Alexander Hotovitzky (December 4 and August 7) both served the Church in North America before going back to Russia. Saint John became the first clergyman to be martyred in Russia on October 31, 1917 in Saint Petersburg. Saint Alexander Hotovitzky, who served in America until 1914, was killed in 1937.

In addition to the saints listed above, we also honor those saints who are known only to God, and have not been recognized officially by the Church. As we contemplate the lives of these saints, let us remember that we are also called by God to a life of holiness.

June Charity

Orthodox Christian Charities of Greater Harrrisburg

The Orthodox Christian Charities of Greater Harrisburg, Inc. (OCCGH,) was formed in October of 2009 as a non-profit organization comprised of clergy and faithful from five local Orthodox Churches of the greater Harrisburg metropolitan area. Our goal is to provide opportunities for the citizens of the greater Harrisburg area to come into contact with Orthodoxy, to serve as an educational support to our local parishes, and to develop projects that witness to our Faith, as well as provide financial assistance to organizations and individuals who are in need.