Sunday of Orthodoxy
St. Nicholas Bulletin - March 13, 2022
Christ is in our midst! Христос међу нама! Cristo esta entra nosotros!
Sunday of Orthodoxy Homily

from +Fr. Alexander Schmemann
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Rejoicing today in the triumph of Orthodoxy on this first Sunday of Lent, we joyfully commemorate three events: one event belonging to the past; one event to the present; and one event which still belongs to the future.

Whenever we have any feast or joy in the Church, we Orthodox first of all look back — for in our present life we depend on what happened in the past. We depend first of all, of course, on the first and the ultimate triumph -- that of Christ Himself. Our faith is rooted in that strange defeat which became the most glorious victory — the defeat of a man nailed to the cross, who rose again from the dead, who is the Lord and the Master of the world. This is the first triumph of Orthodoxy. This is the content of all our commemorations and of all our joy. This man selected and chose twelve men, gave them power to preach about that defeat and that victory, and sent them to the whole world saying preach and baptize, build up the Church, announce the Kingdom of God. And you know, my brothers and sisters, how those twelve men — very simple men indeed, simple fishermen — went out and preached. The world hated them, the Roman Empire persecuted them, and they were covered with blood. But that blood was another victory. The Church grew, the Church covered the universe with the true faith. After 300 years of the most unequal conflict between the powerful Roman Empire and the powerless Christian Church, the Roman Empire accepted Christ as Lord and Master. That was the second triumph of Orthodoxy. The Roman Empire recognized the one whom it crucified and those whom it persecuted as the bearers of truth, and their teaching as the teaching of life eternal. The Church triumphed. But then the second period of troubles began.

The following centuries saw many attempts to distort the faith, to adjust it to human needs, to fill it with human content. In each generation there were those who could not accept that message of the cross and resurrection and life eternal. They tried to change it, and those changes we call heresies. Again there were persecutions. Again, Orthodox bishops, monks and laymen defended their faith and were condemned and went into exile and were covered with blood. And after five centuries of those conflicts and persecutions and discussions, the day came which we commemorate today, the day of the final victory of Orthodoxy as the true faith over all the heresies. It happened on the first Sunday of Lent in the year 843 in Constantinople. After almost 100 years of persecution directed against the veneration of the holy icons, the Church finally proclaimed that the truth had been defined, that the truth was fully in the possession of the Church. And since then all Orthodox people, wherever they live, have gathered on this Sunday to proclaim before the world their faith in that truth, their belief that their Church is truly apostolic, truly Orthodox, truly universal. This is the event of the past that we commemorate today.

But let us ask ourselves one question: Do all the triumphs of Orthodoxy, all the victories, belong to the past? Looking at the present today, we sometimes feel that our only consolation is to remember the past. Then Orthodoxy was glorious, then the Orthodox Church was powerful, then it dominated. But what about the present? My dear friends, if the triumph of Orthodoxy belongs to the past only, if there is nothing else for us to do but commemorate, to repeat to ourselves how glorious was the past, then Orthodoxy is dead. But we are here tonight to witness to the fact that Orthodoxy not only is not dead but also that it is once more and forever celebrating its own triumph — the triumph of Orthodoxy. We don’t have to fight heresies among ourselves, but we have other things that once more challenge our Orthodox faith.

Today, gathered here together, Orthodox of various national backgrounds, we proclaim and we glorify first of all our unity in Orthodoxy. This is the triumph of Orthodoxy in the present. This is a most wonderful event: that all of us, with all our differences, with all our limitations, with all our weaknesses, can come together and say we belong to that Orthodox faith, that we are one in Christ and in Orthodoxy. We are living very far from the traditional centers of Orthodoxy. We call ourselves Eastern Orthodox, and yet we are here in the West, so far from those glorious cities which were centers of the Orthodox faith for centuries — Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, Jerusalem, Moscow. How far are those cities. And yet, don’t we have the feeling that something of a miracle has happened, that God has sent us here, far into the West, not just in order to settle here, to increase our income, to build up a community. He also has sent us as apostles of Orthodoxy, so that this faith, which historically was limited to the East, now is becoming a faith which is truly and completely universal.

This is a thrilling moment in the history of Orthodoxy. That is why it is so important for us to be here tonight and to understand, to realize, to have that vision of what is going on. People were crossing the ocean, coming here, not thinking so much about their faith as about themselves, about their lives, about their future. They were usually poor people, they had a difficult life, and they built those little Orthodox churches everywhere in America not for other people but for themselves, just to remember their homes, to perpetuate their tradition. They didn’t think of the future. And yet this is what happened: the Orthodox Church was sent here through and with those poor men. The truth itself, the fullness of the apostolic faith -- all this came here, and here we are now, filling this hall and proclaiming this apostolic faith — the faith that has strengthened the universe. And this leads us to the event which still belongs to the future.

If today we can only proclaim, if we can only pray for that coming triumph of Orthodoxy in this country and in the world, our Orthodox faith forces us to believe that it is not by accident but by divine providence that the Orthodox faith today has reached all countries, all cities, all continents of the universe. After that historic weakness of our religion, after the persecutions by the Roman Empire, by the Turks, by the godless atheists, after all the troubles that we had to go through, today a new day begins. Something new is going to happen. And it is this future of Orthodoxy that we have to rejoice about today.

We can already have a vision of that future when, in the West, a strong American Orthodox Church comes into existence. We can see how this faith, which for such a long time was an alien faith here, will become truly and completely universal in the sense that we will answer the questions of all men, and also all their questions. For if we believe in that word: "Orthodoxy," "the true faith"; if for one moment we try to understand what it means: the true, the full Christianity, as it has been proclaimed by Christ and His disciples; if our Church has preserved for all ages the message of the apostles and of the fathers and of the saints in its purest form, then, my dear friends, here is the answer to the questions and to the problems and to the sufferings of our world. You know that our world today is so complex. It is changing all the time. And the more it changes, the more people fear, the more they are frightened by the future, the more they are preoccupied by what will happen to them. And this is where Orthodoxy must answer their problem; this is where Orthodoxy must accept the challenge of modern civilization and reveal to men of all nations, to all men in the whole world, that it has remained the force of God left in history for the transformation, for the deification, for the transfiguration of human life.

The past, the present, the future: At the beginning, one lonely man on the cross — the complete defeat. And if at that time we had been there with all our human calculations, we probably would have said: "That’s the end. Nothing else will happen." The twelve left Him. There was no one, no one to hope. The world was in darkness. Everything seemed finished. And you know what happened three days later. Three days later He appeared. He appeared to His disciples, and their hearts were burning within them because they knew that He was the risen Lord. And since then, in every generation, there have been people with burning hearts, people who have felt that this victory of Christ had to be carried again and again into this world, to be proclaimed in order to win new human souls and to be the transforming force in history.

Today this responsibility belongs to us. We feel that we are weak. We feel that we are limited, we are divided, we are still separated in so many groups, we have so many obstacles to overcome. But today, on the Sunday of Orthodoxy, we close our eyes for a second and we rejoice in that unity which is already here: priests of various national churches praying together, people of all backgrounds uniting in prayer for the triumph of Orthodoxy. We are already in a triumph, and may God help us keep that triumph in our hearts, so that we never give up hope in that future event in the history of orthodoxy when Orthodoxy will become the victory which eternally overcomes all the obstacles, because that victory is the victory of Christ Himself.

As we approach the most important moment of the Eucharist, the priest says, "Let us love one another, that with one mind we may confess...." What is the condition of the real triumph of Orthodoxy? What is the way leading to the real, the final, the ultimate victory of our faith? The answer comes from the Gospel. The answer comes from Christ Himself and from the whole tradition of Orthodoxy. It is love. Let us love one another, that with one mind we may confess . . . confess our faith, our Orthodoxy. Let us, from now on, feel responsible for each other. Let us understand that even if we are divided in small parishes, in small dioceses, we first of all belong to one another. We belong together, to Christ, to His Body, to the Church. Let us feel responsible for each other, and let us love one another. Let us put above everything else the interests of Orthodoxy in this country. Let us understand that each one of us today has to be the apostle of Orthodoxy in a country which is not yet Orthodox, in a society which is asking us: "What do you believe?" "What is your faith?" And let us, above everything else, keep the memory, keep the experience, keep the taste of that unity which we are anticipating tonight.

At the end of the first century — when the Church was still a very small group, a very small minority, in a society which was definitely anti-Christian when the persecution was beginning — St. John the Divine, the beloved disciple of Christ, wrote these words: "And this is the victory, our faith, this is the victory." There was no victory at that time, and yet he knew that in his faith he had the victory that can be applied to us today. We have the promise of Christ, that the gates of hell will never prevail against the Church. We have the promise of Christ that if we have faith, all things are possible. We have the promise of the Holy Spirit, that He will fill all that which is weak, that He will help us at the moment when we need help. In other words, we have all the possibilities, we have everything that we need, and therefore the victory is ours. It is not a human victory which can be defined in terms of money, of human success, of human achievements. What we are preaching tonight, what we are proclaiming tonight, what we are praying for tonight, is the victory of Christ in me, in us, in all of you in the Orthodox Church in America. And that victory of Christ in us, of the one who for us was crucified and rose again from the dead, that victory will be the victory of His Church.

Today is the triumph of Orthodoxy, and a hymn sung today states solemnly and simply: "This is the Apostolic faith, this is the Orthodox faith, this is the faith of the Fathers, this is the faith that is the foundation of the world." My dear brothers and sisters, this is also our own faith. We are chosen. We are elected. We are the happy few that can say of our faith, "apostolic," "universal," "the faith of our fathers," "Orthodoxy," "the truth." Having this wonderful treasure, let us preserve it, let us keep it, and let us also use it in such a way that this treasure becomes the victory of Christ in us and in His Church. Amen.
~Hymnography of the Day~
Commemorating the Restoration of Icons in the Church by the Seventh Ecumenical Council, St. John-Barsanuphius Bishop of Damascus, St Leo of Cappadocia, St Meletius Archbishop of Khar’kov and Akhtyrsk, St Germanus of Dacia Pontica, Hieromartyr Proterius Patriarch of Alexandria, Hieromartyr Theokteristus, Hieromartyr Nestor Bishop of Magydos in Pamphylia, Venerable Marina, Kyra and Domnica of Syria, Venerable John Cassian the Roman, Venerable Basil the Confessor companion of Venerable Procopius at Decapolis, Blessed Nicholas of Pskov the Fool-For-Christ

RESURRECTION TROPARION - TONE 5
Let us, the faithful, praise and worship the Word, co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit, born for our salvation from the Virgin; for He willed to be lifted up on the Cross in the flesh, to endure death, and to raise the dead by His glorious Resurrection.

SUNDAY OF ORTHODOXY TROPARION — TONE 2
We venerate Your most pure image, O Good One; and ask forgiveness of our transgressions, O Christ our God. Of Your good will You were pleased to ascend the cross in the flesh and deliver Your creatures from bondage to the Enemy. Therefore with thankfulness we cry aloud to You: “You have filled all with joy, O our Savior, for You alone have come to save the world.”

LENTEN TRIODION KONTAKION — TONE 8
No one could describe the Word of the Father; but when He took flesh from you, O Theotokos, He accepted to be described, and restored the fallen image to its former state by uniting it to divine beauty. We confess and proclaim our salvation in words and images.

INSTEAD OF ‘IT IS TRULY MEET…”
All of creation rejoices in you, O Full of Grace: the assembly of Angels and the race of men. O sanctified temple and spiritual paradise, the glory of virgins, from whom God was incarnate and became a Child – our God before the ages. He made your body into a throne, and your womb He made more spacious than the heavens. All of creation rejoices in you, O Full of Grace. Glory to you!

Procession of the Holy Icons
Weather permitting, we will process outside, once around the Church
 
The order of the procession will be the Cross, candles, ripidia (shields), banners, Censer (Deacon), Gospel (Priest), Choir, Faithful carrying their icons.
 
PRIEST:          Prayer before the Ambo
CHOIR: AMEN
SUNDAY OF ORTHODOXY TROPARION — TONE 2
We venerate Your most pure image, O Good One; and ask forgiveness of our transgressions, O Christ our God. Of Your good will You were pleased to ascend the cross in the flesh and deliver Your creatures from bondage to the Enemy. Therefore with thankfulness we cry aloud to You: “You have filled all with joy, O our Savior, for You alone have come to save the world.”
 
This is sung until we re-enter the Church, and proclaim the Synodikon of Orthodoxy.

SYNODIKON OF ORTHODOXY
 
As the prophets beheld / as the Apostles have taught, / as the Church has received / as the teachers have dogmatized / as the Universe has agreed / as Grace has shown forth / as Truth has revealed / as falsehood has been dissolved / as Wisdom has presented / as Christ has Awarded / thus we declare / thus we assert / thus we preach Christ our true God / and honor His Saints in words, in writings, in thoughts, / in sacrifices, in churches, in Holy Icons / on the one hand worshipping and reverencing Christ as God and Lord / and on the other hand honoring as true servants of the same Lord of all / and accordingly offering them veneration.
This is the Faith of the Apostles!
This is the Faith of the Fathers!
· This is the Faith of the Orthodox!
· This is the Faith which has established the Universe!

Recite the Creed Together
  
CHOIR: Budi Imja… and the rest of the Liturgy
~Scripture Readings of the Day~
READERS:
Matins: Nicholas Ressetar Epistle: Matthew Hoover
Next Week:     Matins : Lenny Tepsic     Epistle: Marko Rocknage
 
EPISTLE: Hebrews 11: 24—26, 32—12: 2

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, the God of our fathers, and praised and glorified is Your Name forever!
CHOIR: Blessed are You, O Lord, the God of our fathers, and praised and glorified is Your Name forever!
READER: v: You are just in all that you have done for us!
CHOIR: Blessed are You, O Lord, the God of our fathers, and praised and glorified is Your Name forever!
READER: Blessed are You, O Lord, the God of our fathers, ...
CHOIR: ...and praised and glorified is Your Name forever!
DEACON: Wisdom!
READER: The Reading is from the Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Hebrews
DEACON: Let us attend!
READER: Brethren, by faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward. And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection.  Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment.  They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented— of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us. Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,  looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
PRIEST: Peace be unto you, reader!
READER: And with your spirit!
DEACON: Wisdom!
READER: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
READER: Moses and Aaron were among His priests; Samuel also was among those who called on His Name.
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
READER: They called to the Lord and He answered them.
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
 

АПОСТОЛ:  Јеврејима 11: 24—26, 32—12: 2

Ђакон:           Пазимо
Свештеник: Мир свима!
Читач:           I Духу Твоме!
Ђакон:           Премудрост
Читач : ПРОКИМЕН- глас 4 Благосливен си Господе Боже отаца наших, и хваљено и прослављено је име Твоје у вјекове.
Хор: Благосливен си Господе Боже отаца наших, и хваљено и прослављено је име Твоје у вјекове.
Читач: Јер си праведан у свему што си нам учинио.
Хор: Благосливен си Господе Боже отаца наших, и хваљено и прослављено је име Твоје у вјекове.
Читач: Благосливен си Господе Боже отаца наших,
Хор: и хваљено и прослављено је име Твоје у вјекове.
Ђакон: Премудрост
Читач: Читање из посланице Св. Апостола Павла Јеврејима
Ђакон: Пазимо
Читач: Браћо, вјером Мојсеј, када је одрастао, одрече да се назива син кћери Фараонове; И више вољаше да страда са народом Божијим него да има привремену насладу гријеха, сматрајући поругу Христову за веће богатство од свега блага египатскога, јер гледаше на награду. И шта још да кажем? Јер ми не би достало времена кад бих стао казивати о Гедеону, Вараку, Самсону, Јефтају, Давиду, Самуилу и о другим пророцима, који вјером побиједише царства, чинише правду, добише обећања, затворише уста лавовима, угасише силу огњену, утекоше од оштрица мача, од немоћних постадоше јаки, бијаху силни у рату, поразише војске туђинске; Неке жене примише своје мртве васкрсењем; други пак бијаху мукама уморени не приставши на избављење, да би добили боље васкрсење; А други искусише поруге и шибања, па још окове и тамнице; Камењем побијени, престругани, измучени, од мача помријеше; потуцаше се у кожусима и козјим кожама у оскудици, у невољама, у патњама; Они којих свијет не бијаше достојан, потуцаху се по пустињама и горама и по пештерама и по јамама земаљским. И сви ови, освједочени у вјери, не добише обећање; Зато што је Бог нешто боље предвидјео за нас, да не би они без нас достигли савршенство. Зато и ми, имајући око себе толики облак свједока, одбацимо свако бреме и гријех који нас лако заводи, и са стрпљењем хитајмо у подвиг који нам предстоји, гледајући на Исуса, Начелника и Савршитеља вјере, који умјесто предстојеће му радости претрпи крст, не марећи за срамоту, и сједе с десне стране Пријестола Божијега.
Свештеник: Мир свима Читачу!
Читач: I Духом Твоме! Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Ђакон: Премудрост!
Читач: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Читач: Мојсеј и Арон, свештеници Његиви, и Самуило један од оних који призиваху име Његово.
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Читач: Призиваху Бога и Он их услиши.
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа

LITURGY GOSPEL:  
John 1: 43-51

The following day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee, and He found Philip and said to him, “Follow Me.” Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” And Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!” Nathanael said to Him, “How do You know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” Nathanael answered and said to Him, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” Jesus answered and said to him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” And He said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”
ЈЕВАНЂЕЉЕ:   
Јован 1: 43-51

У вријеме оно, хтједе Исус отићи у Галилеју, и нађе Филипа, и рече му: Хајде за мном! А Филип бјеше из Витсаиде, из града Андрејева и Петрова. Филип нађе Натанаила и рече му: Нашли смо онога за кога писа Мојсеј у Закону и Пророци: Исуса, сина Јосифова, Назарећанина. И рече му Натанаило: Из Назарета може ли бити што добро? Рече му Филип: Дођи и види! А Исус видје Натанаила гдје долази к њему и рече за њега: Ево правог Израиљца у коме нема лукавства. Рече му Натанаило: Откуда ме познајеш? Одговори Исус и рече му: Прије него те позва Филип, видјех те кад бијаше под смоквом. Одговори Натанаило и рече му: Рави, ти си Син Божији, ти си цар Израиљев. Одговори Исус и рече му: Зато што ти казах да те видјех под смоквом, вјерујеш? Видјећеш више од овога. И рече му: Заиста, заиста вам кажем: од сада ћете видјети небо отворено и анђеле Божије како узлазе и силазе на Сина Човјечијега. 
~ The Week Ahead: Scriptures and Services ~
Sunday of Orthodoxy
March 13, 2021
Hebrews 11:24-26,32-12:2
John 1: 43-51

8:00am Matins
9:00am Liturgy

Followed by Procession of Icons

Church School to follow

March 14, 2022
Isaiah 4:2-6, 5: 1-7
Genesis 3:21-4:7
Proverbs 3:34-4:22

6:30pm Bible Study

March 15, 2022
Isaiah 5: 7-16
Genesis 4: 8-15
Proverbs 5: 1-15

12noon St. Nicholas Seniors Meeting

March 16, 2022
Isaiah 5: 16-25
Genesis 4:16-26
Proverbs 5:15-6:3

5:00pm Confessions
6:30pm Pre-Sanctified Liturgy

March 17, 2022
Isaiah 6: 1-12
Genesis 5: 1-24
Proverbs 6: 3-20

March 18, 2022
Isaiah 7: 1-14
Genesis 5:32-6:8
Proverbs 6:20-7:1

5:30pm Choir Rehearsal
6:30pm Akathist
followed by Moleben for Peace

March 19, 2022
Hebrews 3: 12-16
Mark 1: 35-44

5:00pm Vespers
followed by Confessions

Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas
March 20, 2021
Hebrews 1:10-2:3
Mark 2: 1-12

8:00am Matins
9:00am Liturgy

Church School to follow

5:00pm Pan-Orthodox Lenten Vespers here at St. Nicholas

Homilist: V. Rev. Fr. Milorad Orlic

Lenten Supper to follow
"Now the Powers of Heaven"

Composer: A. Gretchaninov
Choir: Smolny Cathedral Chamber Choir, St. Petersburg
MATINS GOSPEL:   
Fifth Resurrection Gospel: Luke 24: 12-35

At that time, Peter arose and ran to the tomb; and stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying by themselves; and he departed, marveling to himself at what had happened. Now behold, two of them were traveling that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was seven miles from Jerusalem. And they talked together of all these things which had happened. So it was, while they conversed and reasoned, that Jesus Himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were restrained, so that they did not know Him. And He said to them, “What kind of conversation is this that you have with one another as you walk and are sad?”  Then the one whose name was Cleopas answered and said to Him, “Are You the only stranger in Jerusalem, and have You not known the things which happened there in these days?” And He said to them, “What things?” So they said to Him, “The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a Prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to be condemned to death, and crucified Him. But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, today is the third day since these things happened. Yes, and certain women of our company, who arrived at the tomb early, astonished us. When they did not find His body, they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said He was alive. And certain of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but Him they did not see.” Then He said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?” And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself. Then they drew near to the village where they were going, and He indicated that He would have gone farther. But they constrained Him, saying, “Abide with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent.” And He went in to stay with them. Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them.  Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight. And they said to one another, “Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?” So they rose up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, saying, “The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” And they told about the things that had happened on the road, and how He was known to them in the breaking of bread.
~Prayers for the Faithful~

In Our Prayers
Metropolitan Paul, Archbishop Youhanna, Protopresbyter Srboljub and Protinica Ljubica Jockovic, Protopresbyter Rodney Torbic, Protinica Mirjana Trbuhovic, Matushka Barbara Ealy, the child Katie Elizabeth and her parents Mileva and Michael Repasky, the child Metodija and his parents Fr. Dn. Milan and Mira Damljanovic, the child Danijela and her parents Mark and Jennifer Belo, Jelena Bowser and newborn Misha Aleksandar, Kristin Goodling and the newborn children Clara & Thea, JoAnn Hernjak and the newborn William Nicholas, Cassandra Semic and the child to be born of her, Melissa Thomason and the child to be born of her, Clare Jurkovic and the child to be born of her, Addy Andy, Louise Bare, Dori Bert, Jonathan Bertsch, Darlene & Larry Black, Carole Blitva, Stephan and Barbara Blitva, Walter “Bud” Brown, Guiliana & Aleksandar Carricato, Donna Cook, Leann Cox, Joseph Derk, Art Dils, Draga Donato, Tommy and Kara (Blitva) Dorsey, Anaya Garvin, Christian & Melanie Geib, Michael Geppert III, Dr Andrea Govelovich, Nick & Terry Govelovich, Kata Gruich, Basil Havalchak, Travis Heilman, Adam Herigan, Edith Herigan, Nicole Stefan Imschweiler, Susan Jacobs, Tijana Jaksic, Slobodan Jovicic, Spencer Klinge, Ljuban Kosovac, Stephen Kracinovsky, Cooper Krosnar, Henry Laichak, Peter Lalic, Dragan Lalovic, Stella Wren Lappas, Catherine Lewis, Stephen Lundingrin, Dianne Martin, Rowan Martin, Jack McFall, Annabelle McLaughlin, Marija Miljkovic, Daria Milletics, Peter Mrgich, George Myers, Patty Navarro, Bosiljka Ninkovic, Eva Orr, Lila Packer, Daniel Paddock, Tracy Petrovich, Peggy Radanovic, Betty Rupich, Greg Selman, Michael Schaffner, Michael Semic, Steven Semic, Benjamin Shaffer, Tessa Shaffer, Pat Shoemaker, Branko Smitran, Tracey Stanovich, Karen Stefan, Tim Stefan, Michael Stepanovich, Patricia & Joseph Sypniewski, Leonard Tepsich, Leroy Tepsich Jr, Brian Venesevich, Rita Vorkapich, Kristina Vukalo, Steve Vulich, Paula Werner, Draga Worman, Mileva “Millie” Yezdimir, Demetrios & Eleni Ziogas, Miriam “Mim” Codan Ziolkowski

Those Who Need Special Care 
COUNTRY MEADOWS HERSHEY, Eva Stimac, COUNTRY MEADOWS MECHANICSBURG, Florence Ivanoff MASONIC HOME ELIZABETHTOWN: Ray Foltz; RS: Cedo Lukic; SPRING CREEK: Chuck Belic

Those to be Baptized
Sloane Ivey Semic, Emilia Renee Peterson, Alisa Elena Eve Moses, Blake Alex Bazdar, Barrett Scott, Divna & Danica Mitrovic, Nora Katherine Van Huysen, Sloane York, Logan Michael Livingston, Clara and Thea Goodling, Misha Aleksander Bowser

Our College Students
Kaitlin Christ, Anastasija Gligorevic, Cayden Healy, Sophia Mummert, Kobe Petrovich, Christina Radanovic, Ioanna Radanovic, Kyranna Radanovic, Maxim Reznitchenko, Joshua Swartz, Madison Vorkapich 

Our Dearly Departed Loved Ones
Priest Ioan Comanescu, Michael Milakovic, Frederick Miroslav Pantelich, Milan Martich, Linda Wolf, Gene Himes, Alla Shmonova, Georgianne Herigan, Bogdan Vukovic, Michael Cordas Jr, Joseph Jajich

~Vigils Offered~

†MICHAEL MILAKOVIC We offer our heartfelt condolences, and the hope of the Resurrection, to the family of Michael Milakovic, who passed away last Saturday. May his dwell with the righteous and be numbered among the just, and may his memory be eternal!

~Vigils Offered~

KIRSTEN GEIB Offered in joyful celebration of her 22nd Birthday (March 10)! May God grant you blessings and joy for many years. Mnogaja Ljeta! Love Gammy and Pap Pap
STEFANIJA STEPHANI YANICH Offered in joyful celebration of her birthday (today!) with prayers that God grants her Many Blessings for Many Years. With much love from Jaz, Sonora, Ashtyn, Curran and the rest of the family. Happy Birthday! Srecna Rodendan!
DOROTHY (TOOTSIE) KRNJAICH Offered in joyful celebration of our dear friend’s birthday (March 16). God’s blessings for good health & happiness in the days ahead. With much love from Sandy & Joyce. Mnogaja Ljeta! 
DOROTHY (TOOTSIE) KRNJAICH Offered in joyful celebration of our dear Kuma’s birthday (March 16). God’s blessings for many healthy happy days. Mnogaja Ljeta! Kumovi Kat and family.
PETER RADCZENKO Offered in joyful celebration of his birthday (March 17). May God grant you many years of good health and happiness. Offered with much love by Steve & Nellie and the Radczenko family. Mnogaja Ljeta!
DARLENE BLACK Offered with love by the Barber & Geib Families for God’s Blessings during her recovery. We pray that He will bless her with good health. Our Love & Prayers are with her.
KAREN STEFAN Offered by the Stefan family, for God’s blessings during Karen’s ongoing recovery and that He will return Karen to good health.
MICHAEL GEPPERT Offered prayerfully by Mom & Dad for improvement in health and God’s blessings and loving care during his recovery.
†JANE KLIPA Offered in loving memory of her repose (February 23 — 6 years) by her husband Elliott. Vjecnaja Pamjat! Memory Eternal!
†VERONICA KRNJAICH Offered in loving memory of my beloved mother’s repose (39 years—March 12). Sadly missed and always in my prayers and heart, by daughter Tootsie. Vjecnaja Pamjat! Memory Eternal!
†ZARKO ‘JIM’ MATICH Offered in loving memory of my father (24 years—March 16) with prayers that God shelters him in a place of brightness, a place of verdure, a place of rest, where there is no sickness, nor sorrow, nor sighing, but life everlasting. Sadly missed and given with love by daughter Joyce. Vjecnaja Pamjat! Memory Eternal!
†KATHARINA RADCZENKO Offered in loving memory of our mother’s birthday (March 17). We love you so very much and miss you every day. Offered with much love by the Radczenko family. Vjecnaja Pamjat! Memory Eternal!
PEOPLE OF UKRAINE Praying for my homeland Ukraine and her people suffering from war caused from invasion by Russian Federation. For all who died, who wounded and injured, who lost their loved ones, whose homes are destroyed, who is fleeing to safety, who is desperate and hopeless. For those who are missing, who are seeking safety in bomb shelters, subway stations, basements, cellars and their homes. For hundreds of thousands who are trapped and suffering in besieged towns without water, food, heat, medical help and phone/internet connection. For all who fight to defend Ukrainian people and Ukraine's sovereignty, for all who risk their lives, who govern, help, sacrifice, and donate to serve people in danger and in need. Especially praying for Valentina, 85 years old mother of my friend who is in Mariupol and wasn't heard from since March 1 and family of four (Natalia, Gennadiy and their daughters Anastasia and Katerina) who left Mariupol on March 5 in the car and their whereabouts are not known. Offered by the Reznitchenko family.
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, the Sudan, China, North Korea, for all of our brothers and sisters in Christ suffering throughout the world, that they might be comforted with the Joy of our Lord, and for all of those suffering from the pandemic, and for the guidance of our physicians and those who minister to the afflicted, 

LET US PRAY TO THE LORD!

Daily prayer for deliverance from the coronavirus epidemic:

Lord, our God, Who are rich in mercy, and with your wise providence govern our life, hear our prayer, receive our repentance for our sins, stop the new infectious disease (the new epidemic), as You once ceased the punishment of Your people in the time of King David.

You, Who are the Physician of our souls and bodies, grant recovery to the sick, raising them hastily from the bed of suffering so that they may glorify You, our Merciful Savior, and protect the healthy ones from any disease.

Bless, O Lord, strengthen and protect with Your grace all those who with philanthropy and sacrifice take care of the sick at their homes or in hospitals. Remove all disease and suffering from among the people and teach us to value life and health as Your gifts.

Give us, o God, Your peace and fill our hearts with steadfast faith in Your protection, with hope in Your support and with love for You and our neighbor. For it is Yours to have mercy on us and save us, our God, and to You we give glory: to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Свакодневна молитва против епидемије

Господе, Боже наш, који си богат милосрђем и мудрим промислом управљаш нашим животом, услиши нашу молитву, прими наше покајање за наше грехе, заустави нову заразну болест (нову епидемију), као што си једном престао да кажњаваш народ у време цара Давида.

Ти који си Лекар душа и тела наших, подари опоравак болеснима, подижући их хитро са болесничког одра патње како би могли да прослављају Тебе, нашег Милостивог Спаситеља, а заштити здраве од било које болести.

Благослови, Господе, ојачај и заштити својом благодаћу све оне који се човекољубљем и жртвовањем старају о болеснима у њиховим домовима или у болницама.Уклони све болести и патње међу људима и научи нас да ценимо живот и здравље као Твоје дарове.

Дај нам, Боже, свој мир и испуни наша срца чврстом вером у Твоју заштиту, надом у Твоју подршку и љубављу према Теби и према ближњему. Јер си Ти Бог који милује и спасава нас, и Теби славу узноаимо: Оцу и Сину и Духу Светому, сада и увек и у векове векова. Амин.
Stewardship Offering Information

Date 3/6/2022
Collection: $6,715.00

Date 2/27/2022
Collection: $3,190.00
March Birthdays
Ruth Yovanovich (Mar 1), Gregory Yanich (Mar 1), Karen Stefan (Mar 2), Matea Jovic (Mar 3), George Radanovic (Mar 4), Dasha Gencturk (Mar 4), Donald Semic (Mar 5), Alex Bazdar (Mar 5), Nick Ressetar (Mar 7), Mark Gruin (Mar 9), Kirsten Geib (Mar 10), Monroe Semic (Mar 10), Sylvia Velencia (Mar 11), Stephani Yanich (Mar 13), Millie Trayer (Mar 14), Vega Stevenson (Mar 14), Tootsie Krnjaich (Mar 16), Donna Carricato (Mar 18), Tosha Yanich (Mar 19), Natalija Gligorevic (Mar 19), Rohan Radanovic (Mar 19), Mileva Jovic (Mar 21), Danielle Van Huysen (Mar 21), Protinica Carole Balach (Mar 22), Val Radosevich (Mar 26), Anastasija Vukalo (Mar 27), Ava Kingsbury (Mar 28), Zorka Starcevich (Mar 29), Beba Yanich (Mar 30), Blagica Raic (Mar 30), Clark Filepas (Mar 30), Mya Rose Petrovich (Mar 30), Mitch Matovich (Mar 31)
March Anniversaries
Igor & Brankica Skinder (Mar 21) 
~Bulletin Board~
PREPARATION FOR HOLY COMMUNION AT PRE-SANCITIFIED
His Grace, Bishop IRINEJ, directs us to prepare for Holy Communion at the Pre-sanctified Liturgy in the following way: Begin the complete fast at 12 noon from food and water. If you have a medical concern, please see Fr. Chris to discuss options.

SAINT NICHOLAS SENIORS
The next Seniors meeting is Tuesday, March 15 in the Church Social Hall starting at 12 noon. We are asking for Posno desserts. If you are able to make a Posno dessert, please contact Sue Petrovich at 717-944-1258 or email at twins22@ymail.com, thanks and hope to see you there.

SOTAYA CHOCOLATE COVERED EGGS
Sotaya is keeping its tradition and will be selling peanut butter and coconut Easter eggs. The eggs POSNO (vegan) or REGULAR will be $3 each and can be coated in your choice of white, milk, or dark chocolate. To order please call or text Sladjana Gligorevic @ 717-538-2073. The delivery dates are: March 20th, April 3rd, and April 17th. Thank you in advance for supporting the youth of our church!

DEADLINE IS APPROACHING
If you are not receiving envelopes and wish to, receiving envelopes and no longer wish to, or you need to make an address change, please inform the office by March 20!
 

BETHESDA MISSION DONATIONS NEEDED
Please consider bringing in donations for our Food Pantry box in the lobby along with any of the following:
Men’s mission—13 and 60 gallon trash bags, wash cloths & towels, Large print bibles (NIV, NASB or ESV), batteries (AA, AAA, 9 volt), umbrellas, shower shoes (flip flops), and winter clothing (thermal underwear, sweatshirts, long sleeved shirts such as under armor—plus sized LG-XXXL needed most), winter boots (size 10-13)
Medical Clinic—Alka Seltzer Cold, Neosporin, Anti-Fungal Cream, Cepacol Throat Lozenges, Cough Drops (regular and sugar free), DayQuil, Eye Drops, Hand Sanitizer (personal size), Hydrocortisone Cream, Instant Hot Packs, Lip Balm, Sinus Congestion Medication
Mobile Mission—Sweatshirts & pants (M, L, XL), Jeans (Waist 32,34,36,38,40), Underwear, T-shirts, Candles, Sterno, Deodorant, Flashlights
Women’s Mission—Stamps, Paper products, headphones/earbuds, phone chargers, gallon size baggies, bath towels, washcloths
Dental Clinic—Hydrogen Peroxide 1.5%-2% mouth rinse, Polident, soft toothbrushes (individually packaged), travel size non-alcoholic mouthwash, dental pics & floss, denture cases, travel toothbrush holders

POSNO STICKY BUN SALE
 
Sunday, April 10
 
The choir will once again be selling posno sticky buns
 by the dozen only.
 
$8 per dozen plain
$10 per dozen with nuts
 
Pre-orders by Sunday, April 3 to Yovanka Hoover 
call / text 717-623-8588
Order forms may also be found on the tutors stand

 EASTER WALNUT and APRICOT ROLL SALE
Rolls are $20 each and the last day to order will be
Sunday, April 3rd
There will be LIMITED QUANTITIES, so order soon
Order forms are available at the tutors stand
and can be turned in to Popadija Andreja.
Or call her at 717-939-0251
Pick Up will be Thursday, April 14 from 4 pm - 6 pm
March Charity
St. Sava Pro-Cathedral, New York City, NY

The St. Sava Pro-Cathedral in New York City was burned in a fire on Pascha in 2016. The Cathedral is the Seat of our Diocese of Eastern America. As such, it also belongs to all of the faithful in the Diocese. The Cathedral is currently being renovated, and in need of funds to do so. The entirety of the project will eventually amount to around $62 million when completed. Thus, it is indeed a long range project in need of renewed support. Currently, the Cathedral has completed the Secure & Enclosure Phase. This consisted of securing the walls, including rebuilding segments of the roof line; installing new roof and floor beams; putting up the roof, all save the final slate layer, originally replaced in the years preceding the fire; pouring the floor, except for the final layer, which is to be determined by other factors, such as heating and finish; framing the doors and windows; and installing temporary fireproof metal doors and plexiglass windows. According to His Grace Bishop Irinej of Eastern America, "with the removal of the interior scaffolding completed, once again the steeply pitched roof, which soars to the height of nearly two stories above the roofline, covering the broad expanse of our magnificent Cathedral, appears likened unto hands stretched forth in prayer". Spanning an entire city block, "the vast grandeur of this edifice, stands before God and humanity, likened unto the very image of Christ's Resurrection". According to the Bishop's vision, "our Cathedral promises to be a perfect harmony of East and West, where, in the timeless words of our Holy Bishop Nicholai (Velimirovich), 'the light of the East and the Light of the West will rest at their noon'." With the issuance of a temporary occupancy permit, our faithful will be allowed to return to their house of worship, the St. Sava Cathedral, which is now saved for posterity. Progress reports are available at https://www.easterndiocese.org or at the cathedral website: https://stsavanyc.org.
 

Lenten Almsgiving
Worthwhile Projects with the IOCC
  
In response to the crisis in Ukraine, IOCC is working with partners in country and across the region to address immediate needs while also looking ahead and planning for longer-term response. Initial work in Ukraine includes providing generators, fuel, and other emergency supplies to a humanitarian partner. IOCC is also coordinating with partners on the ground in Romania and Moldova who are serving refugees arriving from Ukraine. We’ve deployed staff to the area and are working with local churches to provide emergency supplies including food, water, mattresses, blankets and other bedding, baby food, wipes, and diapers, plus other hygiene and sanitary items. You can serve people affected by the Ukraine crisis with a gift today to IOCC's Ukraine Crisis Response Fund. Please help us raise $1 million to help those in need. Thank you.


In Kosovo, IOCC works to provide the foundations for stronger communities, building schools and agricultural facilities that make life better for those in need.

Please join IOCC’s Chairman of the Board, Jasmina T. Boulanger, in supporting this work as IOCC invests in a brighter tomorrow. Whether through repairing or equipping a school, expanding the Church’s agricultural facilities, or helping farmers increase their productivity, together, we are serving people in the spirit of Christ’s love.