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Sunday of the Holy Fathers
St. Nicholas Bulletin - June 5, 2022
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Christ is Ascended! Христос се Вазнесеније! Cristo ha Аscendido! | |
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Homily on the Holy Fathers
Offered by St. Innocent of Kherson
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Do you remember, brethren, what the Church invited us to when we celebrated the Lord’s coming to Earth? “Christ is on Earth,” the Church cries. “Ascend!”1 If such an invitation was appropriate and necessary then, then all the more so now, when Christ has ascended to Heaven. When He came to Earth, it was obviously better to stay with Him on Earth. It was even possible to descend from Heaven for His sake, as did many angels, but now there is clearly no reason to remain on Earth without Christ. It’s better to go to Him, to be in Heaven. “Christ is in Heaven … Ascend!”
“And who,” you might ask, “wouldn’t want to be in Heaven, if not for our coarse flesh preventing us?” But, brethren, didn’t Enoch have our same flesh? And yet, he was taken to Heaven (Gen. 5:24), having not seen death; that is, he ascended there in the flesh. Didn’t Elijah have our same flesh? And yet, he was taken to Heaven on a chariot of fire (4 Kg. 2:11). Didn’t St. Paul have our same flesh? But he was in the third Heaven and heard words unspeakable. Didn’t St. Mary of Egypt have our same flesh? But when she prayed, St. Zosima saw her elevated off the ground. Didn’t all the martyrs have our same flesh, but what didn’t they endure with this flesh? All the ascetics? And what miracles didn’t they manifest in this flesh?
The flesh truly draws everyone to the earth, for it is earthly; but it attracts and holds only those who are themselves glad about this attraction, whose spirit has become so earthen that it’s lost the ability to strive, according to its nature, for Heaven. For those who are able to resist the demands of sensuality, the flesh itself gradually weans itself from the earth, takes a Heavenly direction, and becomes spiritual; and we can say without exaggeration that if these people weren’t soon to be released from the bonds of the flesh by the hand of death, they would, over time, elevate their very flesh to Heaven.
But let us concede to the flesh its burden; let us not dispute the fleshliness of the flesh; let us give this honor to those who can accommodate it. Let the flesh remain on Earth. What prevents the spirit from ascending to Heaven? Doesn’t it have the ability to be wherever it wants, in the thoughts? What prevents us from using this precious ability to be in Heaven, with our Savior, among our Heavenly brethren in heart and spirit, as often as possible? Is this difficult? And yet, how few aspire, or even allow their thoughts and desires to aspire for Heaven!
Where are there no thoughts; what do people not think about? But ask the people with the most thoughts if they often find themselves in Heaven with those thoughts. But without this, is it surprising that the spirit that’s constantly engaged in earthly, worldly, perishable things, itself finally becomes earthly and coarse, and is filled with ruin and vanity?
“But what benefit is there if we ascend to Heaven in our thoughts, while the whole rest of our being remains on Earth? Will it help a poor man to live in the royal palaces in his thoughts?” It doesn’t help the poor man, but it helps us to think about Heaven. For the palaces of the king are not given to the poor man, but Heaven is destined for us: In thinking about Heaven, we will think about our own fate; and thinking about something often is no small thing. In man, everything begins with a thought. Start thinking about some subject more often: This subject will become more and more important to you, then it will enter into your very soul, fill it with itself, displace all other objects, and turn into the governing principle for everything you do. This also happens when a man is often lifted to Heaven in his thoughts—he’s filled with a sense of disdain for the world, becomes exalted above all sinful things, and it becomes easy for him to do good, Heavenly things.
“But,” you’ll say, “there’ll still be time to think about Heaven when we ascend to Heaven, after death. We have enough earthly cares now. Why jump ahead in the proper order of things?” Then the real order of things is disorder; then whoever doesn’t jump ahead will be late; then without a voluntary ascension in the spirit during your lifetime, the involuntary ascension after death not only won’t help, but will become a source of torment.
So, brethren, no matter how terrible this truth is, it’s not subject to any doubt, for it’s very perceptibly conveyed already now. What happens to those who climb mountains that are too high? It’s a beautiful view, but it becomes difficult to breathe, your head starts to hurt, your senses dull, and finally, you pass out. So it is with those who, having not prepared themselves, are forcibly transferred to Heaven by the hand of death. The Heavenly atmosphere, where the pure spirits enjoy beatitude, is unbearable for a pure heart; it can’t breathe it, and it falls by itself from the Heavenly heights—into hell!
This is why the sacred writers so often and so forcefully urge us to wean ourselves from the Earth in advance, to ascend to Heaven in heart and mind. Our Creator doesn’t need it—He has always been and always will be most blessed, even without us. We need it, so that when we pass over to Heaven without preparation, we’ll find beatitude there rather than torment. For Heaven isn’t blessedness for all, but only for those who have become Heavenly themselves.
“But how can we train our minds to strive for Heaven? External objects and needs constantly scatter it and turn it to the earth.” It’s true that we have many obstacles to constantly gazing upon Heaven with the mind, but no less than the incentives to gaze there. We need just once and for all to confirm in our soul the thought that there, in Heaven, everything is ours, everything is better. After that, the eyes of the mind, and even of the body, will involuntarily turn to Heaven quite often. Indeed, we have no difficulty constantly thinking about our home, and where is our eternal home? There. It’s not hard for us to remember our family and loved ones, and where are there more of them: on Earth, or in Heaven? There. We find ourselves often thinking about those over us, but where is our King and Lord? There. Thus, I say, we need only awaken the thought of what Heaven means for us, and we will find that thinking about it becomes a necessity for us.
But, dear brethren, I’ll say in conclusion: Whether you think about Heaven or not, you will end up there. Love the earth as much as you want and cling to it, but you will leave it forever. Your place isn’t here, but rather, either in Heaven or in hell!
So, it’s better to use everything, to endure all difficulties, to appear in Heaven prepared, than to be carried away by temptations, or overcome by difficulties, and thus cast down from heaven.
Amen.
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Commemorating Holy Myrrh-bearer Mary the wife of Cleopas,
St Michael the Confessor Bishop of Synnada, St Leontius Bishop of Rostov, Synaxis of the Saints of Rostov, Venerable Euphrosyne Abbess of Polotsk, Martyr Michael ‘the Black-Robed’ of St Savva Monastery, Venerable Paisius Abbot of Galich, St Damiane King and Hymnographer
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:
Matins: Nick Ressetar Epistle: Grant Govelovich
Matins Next Week: Milan Radanovic Epistle Next Week: Stefan Gligorevic
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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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
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ALL-SOULS DAY / Zadusnice / GRAVE BLESSING
Saturday, June 11 is All Souls Day we will sing a Parastos for all of the departed faithful from our St. Nicholas parish. 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.
ST NICHOLAS SENIORS MEETING
The St Nicholas Seniors will have their next luncheon/meeting on Tuesday, June 14 at 12 noon in the Church Social Hall. Hope to see you there.
SPECIAL SHOW CASE OFFER
Now available in the lobby show case, 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.
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Sermon on the Holy Ascension of Christ
St. Nikolai of Zhicha, Ochrid and All-America
Thus did the One ascend to Heaven Who held heaven within Himself. He who carries hell within himself will end up in hell, but he who bears heaven within his soul will ascend to heaven. And truly, no one can ascend to heaven other than those who have heaven within; and no one can end up in hell besides those who have hell within. The familiar is drawn to what is familiar and unites with the familiar; but it rejects what is not familiar. Matter submits to the spirit to the extent that the human soul is filled with the Divine Spirit; and the laws of nature are obedient to moral laws, which govern the world. Because the Lord Jesus Christ is the fullness of the Holy Spirit and the perfection of moral law, to Him is subject all matter—the entire physical world, with all the laws of nature.
Any person, as a spirit, can be victorious in his life over a certain law of nature, with the help of another law of nature—that is, he can overcome it with his own spirit. Christ, as the God-Man, could subject the laws of nature to Himself through the law of the Spirit, which is the supreme law of the created world. However, this concept, just as any other spiritual concept, can be but partially explained by ordinary earthly conceptualizations and reasoning—and that only by examples and comparisons.
Spiritual things only become clear beyond a doubt when the spirit sees them and perceives them. In order to see and feel the manifestations of the spiritual world, long and exhausting spiritual practice is needed, after which, by God’s grace, spiritual vision may be opened in a person; this vision allows him to see what seems unbelievable and impossible to ordinary mortals. Nevertheless, a person must first believe those who have seen the unbelievable, and strengthen their faith from day to day, striving to see what is inaccessible to the common gaze.
Not in vain does the Lord say, “Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed” [John 20:29]. The Lord God rejoices in their faith just as a father on earth rejoices that his children believe his every word. All the apostles were present at the Ascension of the Lord, gathered on the hill. This was their last collective meeting. However, this was not the last appearance of Christ. Later He appeared in a vision to the Apostle Paul on the road to Damascus, to the Apostle John on the island of Patmos, and to other apostles, as well as to martyrs, holy hierarchs, and confessors, over the course of the entire history of the Christian Church.
But the day will come—and that day is not far off—when all the righteous men and women who firmly believed in Him throughout their lives will see Him. And around Him in the heaven will gather all those who were baptized on earth in His name—not only with water, but also with the Spirit and Fire. And they will enter into His joy, which the Heavenly Father has prepared for all His chosen, and will inherit a joy that they have never known before.
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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.
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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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