Directions
From the north or east
Take Route 2 into Norwich. As you approach the end of the highway, bear right onto Rt 2/32 (a hospital is on the right). Proceed straight to the second traffic light, and the road will V (a Greek Church will be on the left). Go to the left at the V, and very quickly the road will V again -- stay to the left (the high school is on the left). Go straight through the stop sign to the end of the street (Broad St). Turn left to Broad St, and go through the first traffic light. The road will wind on to the second light (Boswell St). Turn left onto Boswell and follow to stop sign (Hickory St). Turn right onto Hickory and follow down the hill (you will see the gold dome of St Nicholas). Take the first right (Golden St) and then a quick left onto Convent St. St Nicholas is on the left, park in the lot beyond the church.
From the south and west
Take Route 95 coming from either direction until you reach Rt 395 north. Follow Rt 395 to exit 80 East (Rt 82). As you come off the exit ramp follow Rt 82 past all the fast food and strip malls. You will eventually see the old center of the city. As you come down the "hill" you will see the waterfront, stay to the right. Follow signs for Rt 2 east. This will take you through the city. Watch for signs for Rt 12 north. As Rt 2 goes off to the right, follow Rt 12 north. This road goes straight. As it widens out, watch for a Mercury car dealer. This road will V. Rt 12 goes to the right, but stay to the left. At the top of the hill there is a large Catholic Church. Make a left onto Convent Ave. Our Church is next to the Catholic Church. If you miss the left, simply take the next left and drive thru the parking lot.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Monday, May 5, 2008
WEEKLY BULLETIN
THE WEEKLY MESSENGER
Published weekly in the interest of the parishioners and friends of
Saint Nicholas Orthodox Church, Norwich, CT, a parish of the Diocese of New England and The Orthodox Church in America.
Parish Office/Rectory
35 Convent Ave.
Norwich, CT 06360
Rectory/Office: 860-887-6763 Email: stnicholasct@hotmail.com
Mrs. Peggy Morningstar, Interim Parish Council President – (860) 376-4786 (UL)
Mr. Daniel Zegarac, Choir Director Mrs. Elizabeth Zegarac, Choir Director
27th SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (13th of Luke) — Tone 2. Forefeast of the Nativity of Christ. Sunday Before the Nativity. Virgin Martyr Juliana of Nicomedia, and with her 500 men and 130 women (304). Repose of St. Peter, Metropolitan of Moscow and Wonderworker of All Russia (1326). St. Juliana, Princess of Viaz’ma (1406). Repose of Bl. Prokópii (Procopius) of Viátka, Fool-for-Christ (1628). Martyr Themistocles of Myra in Lycia (251).
EPISTLE: GOSPEL:
Hebrews 11:9-10,17-23,32-40 Matthew 1:1-25
GLORY TO JESUS CHRIST! GLORY FOREVER!
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We welcome all of those who are visiting with us this morning here at St. Nicholas Orthodox Church. Please join us following the Divine Liturgy in the Church Hall for some fellowship. We pray that your experience here this morning was uplifting. We look forward to seeing you again soon. May the Lord God continue to bless you and guide you with many more blessed years of good health and happiness!
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A NOTE ON ORTHODOX WORSHIP
The Orthodox Church invites everyone to come and participate in the Divine Services.
The Orthodox Church does not practice open communion but invites everyone to come and participate in the Divine Liturgy. Hence, only those Orthodox who have properly prepared themselves through prayer, fasting, and absolution/confession can come to receive Holy Communion.
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CONFESSIONS WILL BE HEARD BEFORE AND AFTER
EVERY SERVICE OR BY APPOINTMENT!
IF ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO SCHEDULE A PANAHYDA, BAPTISM, CHRISMATION, WEDDING, OR WOULD LIKE TO HAVE USE OF THE CHURCH OR THE CHURCH HALL,
PLEASE SEE OR CONTACT FR. JASON AT THE CHURCH OFFICE/RECTORY – (860) 887-6763. THANK YOU!
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The Vansuch Family in memory of her beloved husband,
Archpriest Eugene on the 9-month anniversary of his falling asleep in the Lord.
May His memory be eternal.
May GOD continue to grant rest eternal and blessed repose to the Servant of God, Archpriest Eugene, and may his memory be eternal.
MEMORY ETERNAL! ВЕЧНАЯ ПАМЯТЬ!
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TODAY’S WEEKLY MESSENGER IS SPONSORED BY:
ST. NICHOLAS ORTHODOX CHURCH
**FLOWERS FOR THIS WEEK**
In front of the Icon of The Theotokos are offered by
Fr. Jason and Mat. Katia Vansuch in memory of Fr. Jason’s beloved Father, Archpriest Eugene, on the 9-month anniversary of his falling asleep in the Lord.
May His memory be eternal.
AND
In front of the Icon of Christ are offered by
Ivan and Marina Moroz in memory of Archpriest Eugene on the 9-month anniversary of his falling asleep in the Lord. May His memory be eternal.
AND
Behind the Center Icon are offered by
Mat. Paraskeva Vansuch in memory of her beloved husband,
Archpriest Eugene on the 9-month anniversary of his falling asleep in the Lord.
May His memory be eternal.
May GOD continue to grant rest eternal and blessed repose to the Servant of God, Archpriest Eugene, and may his memory be eternal.
MEMORY ETERNAL! ВЕЧНАЯ ПАМЯТЬ!
HYMNS FOR THE DIVINE LITURGY
TROPAR TO THE RESURRECTION {Tone 2}
When Thou didst descend to death, O Life Immortal,
Thou didst destroy hell with the splendor of Thy Godhead.
And when from the depths Thou didst raise the dead,
all the powers of heaven cried out://
“O Giver of life, Christ our God, glory to Thee!”
TROPAR FOR THE HOLY FOREFATHERS {Tone 2}
Great are the accomplishments of faith, for the three Holy Youths rejoice in the fountain of flames as though in the waters of rest; and the Prophet Daniel appeared a shepherd to the lions as though they were sheep.// So by their prayers, O Christ God, save our souls!
TROPAR FOR FOREFEAST OF THE NATIVITY {Tone 4}
Prepare, O Bethlehem, for Eden has been opened to all!
Adorn yourself, O Ephratha, for the Tree of Life blossoms forth from the
Virgin in the cave! Her womb is a spiritual paradise planted with the Divine Fruit; if we eat of it, we shall live forever and not die like Adam.// Christ comes to restore the image which He made in the beginning.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
KONTAKION FOR THE HOLY FOREFATHERS {Tone 1}
Rejoice, O Bethlehem! Prepare yourself, O Ephratha!
The Lamb is on her way to give birth to the Chief Shepherd she carries in
her womb. The God-bearing Forefathers will rejoice, beholding Him,
and with the shepherds, they will glorify the Virgin nursing Him.
Now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
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KONTAKION FOR FOREFEAST OF THE NATIVITY {Tone 3}
Today the Virgin comes to the cave to give birth to the Eternal Word.
Hear the glad tidings and rejoice, O universe! Glorify with the Angels and the shepherds the Eternal God, Who is willing to appear as a little child!
PROKEIMENON {Tone 3}
THE SONG OF THE FATHERS:
Blessed are Thou, O Lord God of our fathers, and praised and glorified is Thy name forever!
v: For Thou art just in all that Thou hast done for us!
ALLELUIA VERSES
We have heard with our ears, O God, for our fathers have told us.
For You have saved us from them that oppose us, and have put to shame them that hate us.
THE HYMN TO THE THEOTOKOS
It is truly meet to bless You, O Theotokos, ever blessed and most pure and the Mother of our God. More honorable than the Cherubim and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim. Without defilement, You gave birth to God the Word, true Theotokos, we magnify You!
COMMUNION HYMN
Praise the Lord from the heavens! Praise Him in the highest! Rejoice in the Lord, O you Righteous, praise befits the Just! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
EPISTLE LESSONS FOR TODAY
Hebrews 11:9-10,17-23,32-40
BRETHREN:
By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city, which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, of whom it was said, "In Isaac your seed shall be called," concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense. By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones. By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king's command.
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.
GOSPEL LESSON FOR TODAY
Matthew 1:1-25
Let us Attend!
The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham: Abraham begot Isaac, Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot Judah and his brothers. Judah begot Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez begot Hezron, and Hezron begot Ram. Ram begot Amminadab, Amminadab begot Nahshon, and Nahshon begot Salmon. Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab, Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse, and Jesse begot David the king. David the king begot Solomon by her who had been the wife of Uriah. Solomon begot Rehoboam, Rehoboam begot Abijah, and Abijah begot Asa. Asa begot Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat begot Joram, and Joram begot Uzziah. Uzziah begot Jotham, Jotham begot Ahaz, and Ahaz begot Hezekiah. Hezekiah begot Manasseh, Manasseh begot Amon, and Amon begot Josiah. Josiah begot Jeconiah and his brothers about the time they were carried away to Babylon. And after they were brought to Babylon, Jeconiah begot Shealtiel, and Shealtiel begot Zerubbabel. Zerubbabel begot Abiud, Abiud begot Eliakim, and Eliakim begot Azor. Azor begot Zadok, Zadok begot Achim, and Achim begot Eliud. Eliud begot Eleazar, Eleazar begot Matthan, and Matthan begot Jacob. And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus who is called Christ.
So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations, from David until the captivity in Babylon are fourteen generations, and from the captivity in Babylon until the Christ are fourteen generations. Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.
Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins. So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying:
Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel, which is translated, "God with us. Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name JESUS.
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HOURS and EPISTLE READERS’ SCHEDULE FOR DECEMBER
DECEMBER 21 – MR. DOUG KING
DECEMBER 28 – MR. TOM SHAKUN or MAT. KATIA VANSUCH
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SAYINGS OF THE FATHERS:
“One must always remember that success in any aspect of the spiritual life is the fruit of the grace of God. Spiritual Life comes entirely from His Most Holy Spirit. We have our own spirit but it is void of power. It begins to gain strength only when the Grace of God flows into it.
BISHOP THEOPHAN the RECLUSE
Illumine our hearts, O Master, loveset of mankind, with the pure light of Thy divine knowledge. Open the eyes of our mind to the understanding of Thy gospel teachings. Implant also in us the fear of Thy blessed commandments, that trampling down all carnal desires, we may enter upon a spiritual manner of living, both thinking and doing such things as are well pleasing unto Thee.
For Thou art the Illumination of our souls and bodies, O Christ our God, and unto Thee we ascribe glory, together with Thy Father, who is from everlasting, and Thine all-holy, good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
{Prayer before reading Holy Scripture}
QUESTION OF THE WEEK:
The Important Things In Life...............
A philosophy professor stood before his class with some items on the table in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with rocks, about 2″ in diameter. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was. So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles, of course, rolled into the open areas between the rocks. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was. The professor picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He then asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous "Yes." "Now," said the professor, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The rocks are the important things - your Church, your Ministry, your family, your partner, your health, your children - things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter - like your job, your house, your car. The sand is everything else, the small stuff." "If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued "there is no room for the pebbles or the rocks. The same goes for your life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you. Pray everyday to God, give thanks for what He has done, Love every one and Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take your partner out. There will always be time to go to work, clean the house and give a dinner. Take care of the rocks first - the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."
So the best solution is to seek him who saves all:
JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD!!
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PRAYERS
by: Author Unknown, Source Unknown
Life without purpose is barren indeed
There can't be a harvest unless you plant seed
There can't be attainment unless there's a goal
And man's but a robot unless there's a soul.
If we send no ships out, no ships will come in,
And unless there's a contest, nobody can win.
For games can't be won unless they are played,
And prayers can't be answered unless they are prayed.
So whatever is wrong with your life today
You'll find a solution if you kneel down and pray.
Not just for pleasure, enjoyment and health,
Not just for honors and prestige and wealth.
But pray for a purpose to make life worth living
And pray for the joy of unselfish giving.
For great is your gladness and rich your reward,
When you make your life's purpose the choice of the Lord. Amen.
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FOOTPRINTS
One night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the Lord. Across the sky flashed scenes from his life. For each scene, he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand; one belonging to him, and the other to the Lord.
When the last scene of his life flashed before him he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in his life.
This really bothered him and he questioned the Lord about it. "Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you, you'd walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why when I needed you most you would leave me."
The Lord replied, "My precious, precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you."
WHAT IS A FRIEND?
A friend is someone we turn to
When our spirits need a lift
A friend is someone we treasure
For our friendship is a gift.
A friend is someone who fills our lives with beauty, joy, and grace
And makes the world we live in a better and happier place.
There is a miracle called friendship, that dwells in the heart.
You do not know how it happens or when it gets it's starts
But you know the special lift it always brings.
You realize that friendship is God's most precious gift!
THE SOURCES OF CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE
In one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church ...
Church as a word means those called as a particular people to perform a particular task. The Christian Church is the assembly of God's chosen people called to keep his word and to do his will and his work in the world and in the heavenly kingdom.
In the Scriptures the Church is called the Body of Christ (Rom 12; 1 Cor 10, 12; Col 1) and the Bride of Christ (Eph 5; Rev 21). It is likened as well to God's living Temple (Eph 2; 1 Pet 2) and is called "the pillar and bulwark of Truth" (1 Tim 3:15).
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One Church
The Church is one because God is one, and because Christ and the Holy Spirit are one. There can only be one Church and not many. And this one Church, because its unity depends on God, Christ, and the Spirit, may never be broken. Thus, according to Orthodox doctrine, the Church is indivisible; men may be in it or out of it, but they may not divide it.
According to Orthodox teaching, the unity of the Church is man's free unity in the truth and love of God. Such unity is not brought about or established by any human authority or juridical power, but by God alone. To the extent that men are in the truth and love of God, they are members of His Church.
Orthodox Christians believe that in the historical Orthodox Church there exists the full possibility of participating totally in the Church of God, and that only sins and false human choices (heresies) put men outside of this unity. In non-Orthodox Christian groups the Orthodox claim that there are certain formal obstacles, varying in different groups, which, if accepted and followed by men, will prevent their perfect unity with God and will thus destroy the genuine unity of the Church (e.g., the papacy in the Roman Church).
Within the unity of the Church man is what he is created to be and can grow for eternity in divine life in communion with God through Christ in the Holy Spirit. The unity of the Church is not broken by time or space and is not limited merely to those alive upon the earth. The unity of the Church is the unity of the Blessed Trinity and of all of those who live with God: the holy angels, the righteous dead, and those who live upon the earth according to the commandments of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit.
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Holy Church
The Church is holy because God is holy, and because Christ and the Holy Spirit are holy. The holiness of the Church comes from God. The members of the Church are holy to the extent that they live in communion with God.
Within the earthly Church, people participate in God's holiness. Sin and error separate them from this divine holiness as it does from the divine unity. Thus, the earthly members and institutions of the Church cannot be identified as such with the Church as holy.
The faith and life of the Church on earth is expressed in its doctrines, sacraments, scriptures, services, and saints which maintain the Church's essential unity, and which can certainly be affirmed as "holy" because of God's presence and action in them.
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Catholic Church
The Church is also catholic because of its relation to God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit. The word catholic means full, complete, whole, with nothing lacking. God alone is full and total reality; in God alone is there nothing lacking.
Sometimes the catholicity of the Church is understood in terms of the Church's universality throughout time and space. While it is true that the Church is universal -- for all men at all times and in all places -- this universality is not the real meaning of the term "catholic" when it is used to define the Church. The term "catholic" as originally used to define the Church (as early as the first decades of the second century) was a definition of quality rather than quantity. Calling the Church catholic means to define how it is, namely, full and complete, all-embracing, and with nothing lacking.
Even before the Church was spread over the world, it was defined as catholic. The original Jerusalem Church of the apostles, or the early city-churches of Antioch, Ephesus, Corinth, or Rome, were catholic. These churches were catholic -- as is each and every Orthodox church today -- because nothing essential was lacking for them to be the genuine Church of Christ. God Himself is fully revealed and present in each church through Christ and the Holy Spirit, acting in the local community of believers with its apostolic doctrine, ministry (hierarchy), and sacraments, thus requiring nothing to be added to it in order for it to participate fully in the Kingdom of God.
To believe in the Church as catholic, therefore, is to express the conviction that the fullness of God is present in the Church and that nothing of the "abundant life" that Christ gives to the world in the Spirit is lacking to it (Jn 10:10). It is to confess exactly that the Church is indeed "the fullness of him who fills all in all" (Eph 1:23; also Col 2:10).
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Apostolic Church
The word apostolic describes that which has a mission, that which has "been sent" to accomplish a task.
Christ and the Holy Spirit are both "apostolic" because both have been sent by the Father to the World. It is not only repeated in the Scripture on numerous occasions how Christ has been sent by the Father, and the Spirit sent through Christ from the Father, but it also has been recorded explicitly that Christ is "the apostle ... of our confession" (Heb 3:1).
As Christ was sent from God, so Christ Himself chose and sent His apostles. "As the Father has sent me, even so I send you ... receive ye the Holy Spirit," the risen Christ says to His disciples. Thus, the apostles go out to the world, becoming the first foundation of the Christian Church.
In this sense, then, the Church is called apostolic: first, as it is built upon Christ and the Holy Spirit sent from God and upon those apostles who were sent by Christ, filled with the Holy Spirit; and secondly, as the Church in its earthly members is itself sent by God to bear witness to His Kingdom, to keep His word and to do His will and His works in this world.
Orthodox Christians believe in the Church as they believe in God and Christ and the Holy Spirit. Faith in the Church is part of the creedal statement of Christian believers. The Church is herself an object of faith as the divine reality of the Kingdom of God given to men by Christ and the Holy Spirit; the divine community founded by Christ against which "the gates of hell shall not prevail" (Mt 16:18).
The Church, and faith in the Church, is an essential element of Christian doctrine and life. Without the Church as a divine, mystical, sacramental, and spiritual reality, in the midst of the fallen and sinful world there can be no full and perfect communion with God. The Church is God's gift to the world. It is the gift of salvation, of knowledge and enlightenment, of the forgiveness of sins, of the victory over darkness and death. It is the gift of communion with God through Christ and the Holy Spirit. This gift is given totally, once and for all, with no reservations on God's part. It remains forever, until the close of the ages: invincible and indestructible. Men may sin and fight against the Church, believers may fall away and be separated from the Church, but the Church itself, the "pillar and bulwark of the truth" (1 Tim 3:15) remains forever.
... [God] has put all things under His [Christ's] feet and has made Him the head over all things for the Church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
... for through Him we ... have access in one Spirit, to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow-citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built into it for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
... Christ loved the Church and gave Himself up for her, that he might sanctify her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present the Church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish ... This is a Great Mystery ... Christ and the Church ... (Eph 1:21-23; 2:19-22; 5:25-32).
The above article is taken from the Three-Book Series – The Orthodox Faith - from Protopresbyter Thomas Hopko, a retired priest of The Orthodox Church in America and former Dean of St. Vladimir Orthodox Theological Seminay.
Each week, we will have a different article from this book in our weekly bulletin. The Second series will consist of articles taken from Volume One of the Series – Doctrine – The Symbol of Faith.
Enjoy the reading! May it help you and our parish grow in faith and in love!
**ST. NICHOLAS EDUCATION CORNER**
As we continue with our spiritual journey, it is very important that we feed and nourish our souls with the food that God provides for us through the Divine Services of the Church, through The Holy Icons, through Holy Scripture, through the Lives of Saints, through prayer, fasting, almsgiving, and through living and proclaiming Christ to all.
With this in mind, each week we will have an article in the weekly bulletin about a specific topic that has been asked about or brought up by our parishioners. These articles will be under the section:
“ST. NICHOLAS EDUCATION CORNER”!
If you would like to have learn information about any aspect of The Orthodox Faith, please let Father know and he will research and provide the information for you and for everyone. Also, you may put your thoughts or questions in the Box in the Church Hall marked: ‘QWESTIONS FOR FADDER JASON’!!
This is indeed a way that we can and will grow together in faith and in love as we all strive to grow spiritually by continually feeding our souls. The Next Section: SUNDAYS OF GREAT LENT!!
Each of the Sundays of Great Lent has its own special theme. The first Sunday is called the Feast of the Triumph of Orthodoxy. It is a historical feast commemorating the return of the icons to the churches in the year 843 after the heresy of iconoclasm was overcome. The spiritual theme of the day is first of all the victory of the True Faith. "This is the victory that overcomes the world, our faith" (1 Jn 5:4). Secondly, the icons of the saints bear witness that man, "created in the image and likeness of God" (Gen 1:26), becomes holy and godlike through the purification of himself as God's living image.
The Second Sunday of Lent is the commemoration of St Gregory Palamas. It was St. Gregory (d.1359) who bore living witness that men can become divine through the grace of God in the Holy Spirit; and that even in this life, by prayer and fasting, human beings can become participants of the uncreated light of God's divine glory. The Third Sunday of Lent is that of the Veneration of the Cross. The cross stands in the midst of the church in the middle of the lenten season not merely to remind men of Christ's redemption and to keep before them the goal of their efforts, but also to be venerated as that reality by which man must live to be saved. "He who does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me" (Mt 10:38). For in the Cross of Christ Crucified lies both "the power of God and the wisdom of God" for those being saved (1 Cor 1:24).
The Fourth Sunday of Lent is dedicated to St John of the Ladder (Climacus), the author of the work, The Ladder of Divine Ascent. The abbot of St Catherine's Monastery on Mount Sinai (6th century) stands as a witness to the violent effort needed for entrance into God's Kingdom (Mt 10: 12). The spiritual struggle of the Christian life is a real one, "not against flesh and blood, but against ... the rulers of the present darkness ... the hosts of wickedness in heavenly places ..." (Eph 6:12). Saint John encourages the faithful in their efforts for, according to the Lord, only "he who endures to the end will be saved" (Mt 24:13).
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The Fifth Sunday recalls the memory of Saint Mary of Egypt, the repentant harlot. Mary tells us, first of all, that no amount of sin and wickedness can keep a person from God if he truly repents. Christ himself has come "to call sinners to repentance" and to save them from their sins (Lk 5:32). In addition, Saint Mary tells us that it is never too late in life -- or in Lent -- to repent. Christ will gladly receive all who come to him even at the eleventh hour of their lives. But their coming must be in serious and sincere repentance.
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**ATTENTION**
As we are preparing for the Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord, we are also preparing for the Annual Nativity Eve Holy Supper which will take place on Wednesday December 24 at 5:00 PM in the Church Hall. This will take place prior to the Great Compline Service that will be served at 6:30 PM.
With this in mind, we are asking for those who are planning on being with us for the Feast and would like to come to the Holy Supper, please sign your name on the Sign-Up Sheets which are located in the Church Hall. This will assist us as we prepare the foods so we know how many to prepare for.
Also, we are asking that everyone bring at one LENTEN covered dish (like we have done in previous years) so that we can have a variety of Lenten foods. If you have your favorite dish that you would like to share with everyone, please write it on the Sign-Up Sheet also located in the church hall.
What a blessing it is to share in this Christian Fellowship as we prepare to celebrate the Great Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord. May GOD bless all of you!
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THE 2009 ENVELOPES and CHURCH WALL CALENDARS ARE IN
The 2009 Envelopes for our parish have arrived and are ready for pick up. They are located on the table near the office downstairs, in the church hall. When you pick up your envelopes, we kindly ask that you please put a check mark next to your name. This way we can keep track of which envelopes were picked up. The envelopes that are not picked up will be mailed out at the end of December. However, if you wish to take envelopes for someone who is not in church, please do so and please put a check by their name as well. This will be greatly appreciated. Also, please pick up your 2009 Church Wall Calendars which are also located in the Church Hall. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to see or contact
Fr. Jason or Sophie Kashanski. Thank you for your support for St. Nicholas Church! May God Bless You!
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SOME WORDS FOR THOUGHT:
“The soul that really loves God and Christ, though it may do ten
thousand righteousnesses, esteems itself as having wrought
nothing, by reason of its insatiable aspiration after God. Though
it should exhaust the body with fastings, with watchings, its
attitude towards the virtues is as if it had not yet even begun to
labour for them.”
ST. MACARIUS THE GREAT
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THE 2008 FALL FESTIVAL FOOD MAKING SESSIONS
SESSION #4 – STUFFED CABBAGE – SESSION #4
MONDAY SEPTEMBER 15– 6:00 PM
Preparing the Meat/RIce Filling and Leaves
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 16– 9:00 AM
Stuffed Cabbage Making Session
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THE QUESTION CORNER
QUESTION: Do the Orthodox use the Bible as other Christians do?
ANSWER: For the Orthodox, the Bible is the book of the Church, written by and for those who believe in God and constitute His People. The Four Gospels are the center of the Bible, just as Christ is the center of the Church. For this reason the Four Gospels are always enthroned on the altar in the Orthodox Church building.
The Orthodox generally interpret the Bible in terms of Christ. In this sense, the Old Testament is partial in that it prepares for the time of Christ, the Messiah, who fulfills its message and history.
The New Testament writings are also centered around Christ and tell of His action in the world and in the Church through the Holy Spirit.
Thus the Orthodox position about the Bible, would be that the New Testament is prefigured in the Old, and the Old Testament is fulfilled in the New.
The Bible is central in the life of the Church and gives both form and content to the Church's liturgical and sacramental worship, just as to its theology and spiritual life. Nothing in the Orthodox Church can be opposed to what is revealed in the Bible. Everything in the Church must be biblical.
The Bible itself, however, not only determines and judges the life of the Church, but is itself judged by the Church since it "comes alive" and receives its proper interpretation and significance only within the life of the Church as actually lived and experienced by the People of God.
This would be the basic Orthodox approach to the Bible. Very sadly however, it must be mentioned that the knowledge of the Bible among Orthodox is not very great. There is a conscious attempt being made today to renew the reading and meditation of the scriptures by the faithful of the Church.
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SOME FOOD FOR THOUGHT:
If you have a Bible, READ IT!
If you read the Bible, BELIEVE IT!
If you believe the Bible, LIVE IT!
Think of the Bible as God’s personal letter to you…
read it as often as you can just like you read your mail and email!
Studying the Bible is like feeding you soul spiritual food!
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**SODA CANS AND PLASTIC BOTTLES COLLECTION**
We are asking that all Soda Cans and Plastic Bottles be brought to church and placed in the church hall!
TOTAL COLLECTION FOR WEEK OF Nov. 2-9, 2008 -- -0-
TOTAL AS OF NOVEMBER 23, 2008 -- $ 346.35
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COLLECTION FOR NORWICH SHELTER and LAY MINISTRIES COMMITTEE
We are asking that all items be brought to church and placed in the church hall!
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NEW PASTORAL CARE FUND
In 2006, Fr. Jason instituted a PASTORAL CARE FUND. This fund is designated for those parishioners of our church who are in need financially and need assistance. We will be having a general collection for The Pastoral Care Fund on the last Sunday of January as part of our monthly charity collections/appeals. However, if at any time, you would like to donate or contribute to this fund, please see Fr. Jason or Sophie Kashanski.
For further details about any of the above Ministries, please refer to the flyers in the Church Hall or see Fr. Jason! Thank You!
May GOD continue to bless and guide all of you and your families!
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If anyone is interested in donating coffee, paper goods, soda, water or any other item to the church for coffee hour or is interested in making a donation to the church of any sort {financial or tea lights, candles, wine, etc., please see Fr. Jason, Peggy Morningstar, or any member of the parish council, as well as let Fr. Jason know so he can recognize the donation in the weekly bulletin.
As we continue to live and proclaim the Gospel of Our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ, let us look into our hearts and first and foremost offer our thanksgiving and praise to God for the blessings He has given us. In doing so, we will be able to offer back to GOD that, which He has given us, that we can continue to build up the Body of Christ here at St. Nicholas as well as in the Norwich area.
Thank you for your generosity and support for St. Nicholas Church! May God continue to bless and guide all of as we continue the work of the Church in building up the Body of Christ here at St. Nicholas.
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1. ANNOUNCEMENTS IN THE WEEKLY BULLETIN
If anyone would like to have an announcement or recognition of some sort in the weekly bulletin, please get it to Fr. Jason by Wednesday afternoon and he will make sure it is placed in the weekly bulletin. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Fr. Jason at the Church Office/Rectory – (860) 887-6763 or on his cell phone – (860) 303-9396. You may also contact Fr. Jason via email at: jvansuch@hotmail.com. Thank You!
2. THE 2008 CHRISTMAS BAKE SALE FINANCIAL REPORT
BOOKSTORE – $125.00
KITCHEN – $346.00
BAKE SALE TABLE – $370.00
DONATIONS – $35.00
TOTAL INCOME – $876.00
May GOD continue to bless and guide all of you as we all work together in building up the Body of Christ here at St. Nicholas.
3. PARISH COUNCIL NEWS
The December monthly meeting of the Parish Council was held on MONDAY DECEMBER 15 at 6:30 PM. This followed Little Compline at 6:00 PM. We express our sincere and heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Peggy Morningstar and to all members of the Parish Council as well as to all parishioners who come to the meetings. We encourage all members of the parish council as well as all parishioners to come and attend the monthly meetings of the Parish Council as we work together in building up the Body of Christ here at St. Nicholas as well as within the Norwich Community! If any parish council member is unable to attend the Monthly Parish Council Meeting, kindly let Fr. Jason and Peggy Morningstar know ahead of time so proper arrangements may be made. May GOD continue to bless and guide all of us as we continue the work of the Church in building up the Body of Christ here at St. Nicholas. Thank You!
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ST. NICHOLAS WEEKLY FINANCIAL REPORT
SUNDAY DECEMBER 14, 2008
CANDLES -- $105.00
KITCHEN BRUNCH -- $57.00
LOOSE COLLECTION -- $31.00
ENVELOPES
Weekly -- $348.00
Monthly -- $115.00
Feast Day -- $98.00 (St. Nicholas)
Flowers -- -0-
PROSPHORA -- $8.00
MISCELLANEOUS -- $165.00
CHRISTMAS STOCKING PROJECT – $165.00
TOTAL INCOME: $927.00
TOTAL DONATIONS TOWARDS THE ST. NICHOLAS FURNACE FUND – $7,800.00
{As of September 7, 2008}
We extend our heartfelt thanks and sincere appreciation to all of you for your generosity and prayerful support for St. Nicholas Church!
May GOD continue to bless and guide all of you and your families!
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THE CELEBRATION OF
THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD
TUESDAY DECEMBER 23
ROYAL HOURS – 9:00 AM
WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 24
EVE OF THE FEAST OF THE NATIVITY OF
OUR LORD GOD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST
VESPERS with DIVINE LITURGY of ST. BASIL– 9:00 am
HOLY SUPPER in the Church Hall – 5:00 pm
GREAT COMPLINE with LITIYA – 6:30 pm
THURSDAY DECEMBER 25
THE FEAST OF THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD GOD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST
THIRD and SIXTH HOURS – 9:00 am
DIVINE LITURGY – 9:30 am
SATURDAY DECEMBER 27
FEAST OF ST. STEPHEN THE PROTOMARTYR
GREAT VESPERS – 4:00 pm
SUNDAY DECEMBER 28
THIRD and SIXTH HOURS – 8:40 am
DIVINE LITURGY – 9:00 am
Check out the Feast and Activities during the Month of December
SUNDAY DECEMBER 21
CHURCH SCHOOL CHRISTMAS SING-A-LONG AND LUNCHEON
WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 24
NATIVITY EVE HOLY SUPPER – 5:00 PM
*PLEASE SEE SIGN-UP SHEETS IN THE CHURCH HALL*
GREAT COMPLINE SERVICE – 6:30 PM
THURSDAY JANUARY 1, 2009
FEAST OF THE CIRCUMCISION OF OUR LORD
FEAST OF ST. BASIL THE GREAT
NEW YEAR’S DAY
FESTAL DIVINE LITURGY WITH PRAYERS FOR THE NEW YEAR --- 9:30 AM
SUNDAY JANUARY 4, 2009
FESTAL DIVINE LITURGY FOLLOWED BY GREAT BLESSING OF WATER – 9:00 AM
FR. JOHN KRETA, CHANCELLOR OF DIOCESE OF NE, WILL BE HERE AT ST. NICHOLAS CHURCH TO CELEBRATE THE DIVINE LITURGY AND THEN HAVE A QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION WITH THE ENTIRE PARISH COMMUNITY. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS, PLEASE SEE OR CONTACT MRS. PEGGY MORNINGSTAR.
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DONATIONS FOR ALTAR VIGIL CANDLES
As many of you know, we have three (3) 7-Day Altar Vigils that burn all week long on the Holy Altar Table. These candles are donated to the church by parishioners in honor or in memory of a loved one.
If anyone is interested in donating the 7-Day Vigils for the Altar Table for any particular Sunday, please see or contact Fr. Jason so he can make the appropriate arrangements, as well as recognize the donation in the weekly bulletin.
The average donation to sponsor the weekly Altar Vigils is $10.00!!
DONATE and SPONSOR THE WEEKLY BULLETINS
As part of our stewardship, support, and outreach ministry for the building up of the Body of Christ here at St. Nicholas, we have The Weekly Messenger, which is a weekly bulletin published in the interest of the parishioners of St. Nicholas Orthodox Church.
If anyone is interested in Donating or Sponsoring the Weekly Bulletin in memory or in honor of a loved one, please see or contact Fr. Jason so he can make the appropriate arrangements, as well as recognize the donation and sponsor on the back of the weekly bulletin.
{SEE TODAY’S BULLETIN!!}
The average donation per week to sponsor the bulletin is $20.00!!
We extend our heartfelt thanks and sincere appreciation to all of you for your generosity and support for St. Nicholas Church!
May GOD continue to bless and guide all of you and your families!
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SPECIAL NOTE ON DONATIONS
If anyone would like to donate towards the purchase of these Tea Lights, or donate the Tea Lights themselves, or make a donation towards the purchase of any of the Liturgical Supplies {7-Day Candles, Charcoal, Beeswax Candles, etc.} please see or contact Fr. Jason as soon as possible, so arrangements can be made.
Thank you for your generosity and support for St. Nicholas Church!
May GOD continue to bless and guide all of you and your families!
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Virgin-Martyr Juliana of Nicomedia
Commemorated on December 21
THE HOLY VIRGIN MARTYR JULIANA, DAUGHTER OF AN ILLUSTRIOUS PAGAN NAMED AFRICANUS, WAS BORN IN THE CITY OF NICOMEDIA. AS A CHILD, SHE WAS BETROTHED TO A CERTAIN ELUSIUS, ONE OF THE EMPEROR'S ADVISORS. ST JULIANA WAS ENDOWED WITH A PROFOUND INTELLECT AND GOODNESS OF SOUL. SHE SAW THROUGH THE DELUSION AND DECEPTION OF THE PAGAN FAITH, AND SECRETLY ACCEPTED HOLY BAPTISM.
WHEN THE TIME OF HER WEDDING APPROACHED, JULIANA REFUSED TO BE MARRIED. HER FATHER URGED HER NOT TO BREAK HER ENGAGEMENT, BUT WHEN SHE REFUSED TO OBEY HIM, HE BEGAN TO BEAT HER VICIOUSLY. THEN AFRICANUS HANDED HIS DAUGHTER OVER TO THE EPARCH, WHO HAPPENED TO BE ELUSIUS, JULIANA'S FORMER FIANCÉ. ELUSIUS FERVENTLY ASKED JULIANA TO MARRY HIM, PROMISING NOT TO REQUIRE HER TO ABANDON HER FAITH. ST JULIANA REFUSED AND SAID THAT SHE'D RATHER BE PUT TO DEATH.
THEY BEAT THE SAINT BOTH LONG AND HARSHLY, BUT AFTER EACH BEATING SHE RECEIVED HEALING AND NEW STRENGTH FROM GOD. HER PUNISHMENT TOOK PLACE BEFORE A LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE. OF THESE, 500 MEN AND 150 WOMEN CAME TO CONFESS CHRIST AFTER WITNESSING THE STEADFASTNESS AND COURAGE OF THE HOLY VIRGIN MIRACULOUSLY HEALED FROM HER WOUNDS. THEY WERE ALL BEHEADED, AND WERE BAPTIZED IN THEIR OWN BLOOD.
CONVINCED OF THE FUTILITY OF ATTEMPTING TO SEPARATE THE HOLY VIRGIN FROM HER HEAVENLY BRIDEGROOM, ELEUSIUS SENTENCED JULIANA TO DEATH. SHE ACCEPTED THE SENTENCE WITH JOY AND GLORIFIED THE LORD FOR PERMITTING HER TO RECEIVE A MARTYR'S CROWN. THE HOLY MARTYR JULIANA WAS EXECUTED IN THE YEAR 304.
ST JULIANA IS THE SUBJECT OF AN ANGLO-SAXON POEM, BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN WRITTEN BY CYNEWULF IN THE EIGHTH CENTURY.
A DISCOURSE ON THE FEAST OF THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD
At the time of the reign in Judea of Herod, who was under the power of Rome, the Roman Emperor Caesar Augustus sent out a decree that all the world should have been taxed. Every Jew had to register in his own city where his ancestors lived.
Joseph and the Virgin Mary were descended from the house and lineage of David and therefore went out of Nazareth into the city of David, Bethlehem. Arriving in Bethlehem, they were not able to find room in the inn and stayed outside the city, in a cave, where shepherds drove their cattle in bad weather. In this cave that night the Holy Virgin Mary brought forth Her Child — the Son of God, Christ, the Saviour of the world. She wrapped the Divine Child in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger where they put feed for the cattle.
The shepherds in Bethlehem were the first to find out about the birth of the Saviour. On this night they were watching their flocks in the field. Suddenly an angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord was shown round about them. The shepherds were sore afraid.
The angel said to them, "Fear not. I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David (Bethlehem) a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you. You shall find the Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."
Suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will among men."
When the angels were gone away from them, the shepherds said one to another, "Let us now go even unto Bethlehem and see this thing, which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known to us."
They came with haste and found Mary, and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. They worshipped the Child and told how they had seen and listened to the angel. Mary kept all these things in her heart.
Then, the shepherds returned to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen.
Eight days after the birth of the Saviour, His Mother with Joseph, according to the law, gave Him the name Jesus, which had been given by God through the angel.
Note: See the Gospel of Luke, 2:1-21.
Adoration of the Magi.
While Joseph and the Holy Mother of God and the Child Jesus were still in Bethlehem, Magi (wise men) from distant countries in the East (Persia or Babylonia) came to Jerusalem.
The Magi were scholarly people who observed and studied the stars. At that time, people believed that upon the birth of a great person there would appear in the heavens a new star. Many pagans, taught by the Jews in dispersion, knew of the coming into the world of the Messiah, the Great King of Israel, Who was to subdue the whole world. Therefore, they waited knowing that on His birth there would appear a new star in the heavens. The wise men were pious people, and the Lord by His mercy gave them such a sign: in heaven there appeared a new, extraordinary star. Having seen this star, the wise men immediately understood that the awaited King had been born. They prepared for the journey and went to the capital of the Jewish kingdom, Jerusalem, to find out where this King was born and to worship Him.
In Jerusalem, the wise men began to ask, "Where is He that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the east and are come to worship Him."
When King Herod heard this he was troubled. He was in everything a cruel and suspicious man. Because of one of his suspicions, he sent his own children to execution. Now, he was especially terrified, afraid that they would seize his power and hand over his royal throne to the newborn King. And all the people of Jerusalem were agitated upon hearing such news.
Herod gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people, men learned in the books of the Holy Scripture, and demanded of them where Christ should be born.
They answered, "In Bethlehem of Judea: for thus it is written by the Prophet Micah."
Then, Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search diligently for the young Child; and when ye have found Him, bring me word again that I may come and worship Him also." In so doing, Herod thought to kill the new born King.
When they had heard the King, the wise men departed; and lo, the star which they saw in the east went before them till it came and stood over where the young Child was.
At that time, the holy elder Joseph and the Most-holy Virgin Mary with the Child lived in the city, in the house where they moved from the cave as the people after the census had begun to disperse.
The wise men came into the house and saw the young child Jesus with His mother. They fell down, and worshipped Him, and presented Him gifts: gold, frankincense (incense), and myrrh (expensive fragrant oil).
By their gifts, the wise men signified that the newborn child Jesus is King, and God, and man. Gold they brought to Him as King (as a tribute, or tax); incense, as God (as incense is used during worship services); and myrrh, as a man who must die (because the deceased were then anointed and rubbed with perfumed oil).
Afterward the Wise Men wanted to return to Jerusalem to Herod, but they were warned by God in a dream that they should have not returned to Herod. Then, they departed into their own country another way.
Tradition preserves the names of the wise men, who then became Christians: Melchior, Gasper and Balthasar. Their memory is celebrated by the Church on the day of the Nativity of Christ.
The Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ is celebrated in the Orthodox Church on the 25th of December (January 7 NS). For this great feast we prepare ourselves by keeping the fast, which is called the Nativity Fast (or Advent).
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THE SPECIAL MONTHLY CHARITY COLLECTION
SPECIAL COLLECTION FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER
The Collection for the Month of December will be for THE OCA’S CHRISTMAS STOCKING PROJECT.
For the 15th consecutive year, The Orthodox Church in America is sponsoring the Christmas Stocking Project in which thousands of children around the world will benefit by receiving a special gift (A Christmas Stocking filled with candy, health aides like a toothbrush, a hair brush, an Icon of St. Nicholas and much more) and with that love and joy from all of us. Each stocking /gift is $5.00!
The Christmas Stocking Project is sponsored by The Office of Humanitarian Aid of the Orthodox Church in America. It is through the faithfulness and stewardship of the beloved faithful of The Orthodox Church in America that these children around the world receive joy. To assist our National Church with this great project, our Church School will hold a Christmas Stocking Luncheon on SUNDAY DECEMBER 7 following the Divine Liturgy.
Besides the Luncheon, we will also have a collection this month for the Christmas Stocking Project. By doing so, we not only express our love and appreciation to those who faithfully donated and supported our National Church, but also these stocking can serve as an inspiration to others who may want to contribute or donate towards the good work of Our National Church.
For more information about THE CHRISTMAS STOCKING PROJECT,
please visit the OCA website at: www.oca.org! Also, you may want to look at the flyer in the Church Hall!
Please take a moment to reflect upon what God has given you, and to discern how you might be able to return to God a portion of the blessings you have received. This collection will take place on SUNDAY DECEMBER 28!!
As we continue to fulfill the work of Our Lord by building up the Body of Christ here at St. Nicholas, let us open our hearts and minds by providing support and assistance to the church and to the social services for their good work and for those whom they help and assist.
We extend our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to all of you and your families for your continued prayers and support. May GOD continue to bless you and guide you! Thank You!
If anyone has any questions or concerns, please see or contact Fr. Jason!
4. DONATIONS TO THE CHURCH
If anyone is interested in donating coffee, paper goods, soda, or any other item to the church for coffee hour or is interested in making a donation to the church of any sort, please see Fr. Jason, Peggy Morningstar, or any member of the parish council, as well as let Fr. Jason know so he can recognize the donation in the weekly bulletin.
Food For Thought: Donating time, efforts, and talents, or donating items to the church, or making a financial donation to the church, are all forms of stewardship. Stewardship is an act of giving in which we offer thanksgiving and praise to God for the blessings He has so graciously poured out upon us. Whatever we can afford to give back to GOD is indeed a blessing. Stewardship is also an act of support, in which we offer our prayer, our love, and our dedication to the building up of Christ’s Holy Church.
As we continue to live and proclaim the Gospel of Our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ, let us look into our hearts and first and foremost offer our thanksgiving and praise to God for the blessings He has given us. In doing so, we will be able to offer back to GOD that, which He has given us, that we can continue to build up the Body of Christ here at St. Nicholas as well as in the Norwich area.
Thank you for your generosity and support for St. Nicholas Church! May God continue to bless and guide all of as we continue the work of the Church in building up the Body of Christ here at St. Nicholas.
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* * * * * PRAYERFUL REMEMBRANCE * * * * *
For the continued good health of Thy Servants:
Nina Grabowski Celia Pobol Anna Talbot
Tana Straub Mary Beale Lydia Pierce
Those who are celebrating their birthdays/anniversaries this week:
Metropolitan THEODOSIUS Patriarch ILIA Metropolitan HERMAN
Archpriest William Archpriest Nicholas (Timpko) Archpriest Vincent (Sevarino)
Mat. Paraskeva
Archpriest Stephen and Prifteresha Margot and their family
Priest Charles and his family
Priest Paul and his family Priest Dean and his family
Ivan and Marina and their family
Robert and Elizabeth and their family
Edwina Nicholas Dean Jack John Andrew
Mary George Alan Stephanie Barbara Peter
Margaret Elizabeth Nicholas Dorothy Michael Olga
Catherine Paul Robert Nicholas Teresa Pauline
Robert Irene Michele Michael Child Matthew
Alexander Nicholas Katherine Barbara Vera Brianna
Members of the UCONN OCF Mary Inna Gail
Adrian and the child to be born of her Kamela and the child to be born of her Jesse
Kenneth, Justin, Craig, Peter, Nadine, Don, Robert, and Latoya Lynne and those serving in the Armed Forces in Iraq, Afghanistan, and throughout the world
MANY YEARS! МНОГАЯ ЛЕТА!
For the repose of the souls of Thy Servants who have departed this life:
All of those parishioners and pastors of This Holy House who have departed this life. Especially for Thy Servants:
Archpriest Nicholas Matushka Olga Michael Nicholas Mary Catherine Joseph
Archpriest Eugene Vansuch John Firmenko Matushka Barabara
Archpriest Richard Archpriest Stephen Patriarch ALEXEI
All of our beloved parishioners who have fallen asleep in the Lord during the month of November.
MEMORY ETERNAL! ВЕЧНАЯ ПАМЯТЬ!
Thank You, O Lord!
Everyone capable of thanksgiving is capable of salvation and eternal joy.
Thank You, O Lord, for having accepted this Eucharist, which we offered to the Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and which filled our hearts with the joy, peace and righteousness of the Holy Spirit.
Thank You, O Lord, for having revealed Yourself unto us and given us the foretaste of Your Kingdom.
Thank You, O Lord, for having united us to one another in serving You and Your Holy Church.
Thank You, O Lord, for having helped us to overcome all difficulties, tensions, passions, temptations and restored peace, mutual love and joy in sharing the communion of the Holy Spirit.
Thank You, O Lord, for the sufferings You bestowed upon us, for they are purifying us from selfishness and reminding us of the "one thing needed;" Your eternal Kingdom.
Thank You, O Lord, for having given us this country where we are free to Worship You.
Thank You, O Lord, for this school, where the name of God is proclaimed.
Thank You, O Lord, for our families: husbands, wives and, especially, children who teach us how to celebrate Your holy Name in joy, movement and holy noise.
Thank You, O Lord, for everyone and everything.
Great are You, O Lord, and marvelous are Your deeds, and no word is sufficient to celebrate Your miracles.
Lord, it is good to be here! Amen.
{THE FINAL SERMON OF PROTOPRESBYTER ALEXANDER SCHMEMANN}
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WEEKLY SCHEDULE OF SERVICES and EVENTS
SUNDAY DECEMBER 21
HOURS – 8:40 AM
DIVINE LITURGY– 9:00 AM
Fellowship following Liturgy in the Church Hall!
NO CHURCH SCHOOL TODAY!!
COFFEE HOUR HOSTS: CHRISTMAS SING-A-LONG AND LUNCHEON!!
TUESDAY DECEMBER 23
ROYAL HOURS – 9:00 AM
PANAHYDA FOR ARCHPRIEST EUGENE VANSUCH TO FOLLOW ROYAL HOURS
WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 24
EVE OF THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD GOD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST
VESPERS WITH LITURGY OF ST. BASIL – 9:00 AM
HOLY SUPPER – 5:00 PM
GREAT COMPLINE with LITIYA – 6:30 PM
THURSDAY DECEMBER 25
THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD GOD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST
HOURS – 9:00 AM
DIVINE LITURGY– 9:30 AM
SATURDAY DECEMBER 27
GREAT VESPERS – 4:00 PM
Absolution/Confession following Vespers
SUNDAY DECEMBER 28
HOURS – 8:40 AM
DIVINE LITURGY– 9:00 AM
Fellowship following Liturgy in the Church Hall!
NO CHURCH SCHOOL TODAY!!
COFFEE HOUR HOSTS: The King Family and The Buckles Family
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SAYINGS OF THE FATHERS:
"People of GOD may not talk about their prayer habits, but their lives speak volumes.”
“At is core, prayer is giving yourself to GOD.”
Anonymous
Published weekly in the interest of the parishioners and friends of
Saint Nicholas Orthodox Church, Norwich, CT, a parish of the Diocese of New England and The Orthodox Church in America.
Parish Office/Rectory
35 Convent Ave.
Norwich, CT 06360
Rectory/Office: 860-887-6763 Email: stnicholasct@hotmail.com
Mrs. Peggy Morningstar, Interim Parish Council President – (860) 376-4786 (UL)
Mr. Daniel Zegarac, Choir Director Mrs. Elizabeth Zegarac, Choir Director
27th SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (13th of Luke) — Tone 2. Forefeast of the Nativity of Christ. Sunday Before the Nativity. Virgin Martyr Juliana of Nicomedia, and with her 500 men and 130 women (304). Repose of St. Peter, Metropolitan of Moscow and Wonderworker of All Russia (1326). St. Juliana, Princess of Viaz’ma (1406). Repose of Bl. Prokópii (Procopius) of Viátka, Fool-for-Christ (1628). Martyr Themistocles of Myra in Lycia (251).
EPISTLE: GOSPEL:
Hebrews 11:9-10,17-23,32-40 Matthew 1:1-25
GLORY TO JESUS CHRIST! GLORY FOREVER!
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We welcome all of those who are visiting with us this morning here at St. Nicholas Orthodox Church. Please join us following the Divine Liturgy in the Church Hall for some fellowship. We pray that your experience here this morning was uplifting. We look forward to seeing you again soon. May the Lord God continue to bless you and guide you with many more blessed years of good health and happiness!
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A NOTE ON ORTHODOX WORSHIP
The Orthodox Church invites everyone to come and participate in the Divine Services.
The Orthodox Church does not practice open communion but invites everyone to come and participate in the Divine Liturgy. Hence, only those Orthodox who have properly prepared themselves through prayer, fasting, and absolution/confession can come to receive Holy Communion.
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CONFESSIONS WILL BE HEARD BEFORE AND AFTER
EVERY SERVICE OR BY APPOINTMENT!
IF ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO SCHEDULE A PANAHYDA, BAPTISM, CHRISMATION, WEDDING, OR WOULD LIKE TO HAVE USE OF THE CHURCH OR THE CHURCH HALL,
PLEASE SEE OR CONTACT FR. JASON AT THE CHURCH OFFICE/RECTORY – (860) 887-6763. THANK YOU!
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The Vansuch Family in memory of her beloved husband,
Archpriest Eugene on the 9-month anniversary of his falling asleep in the Lord.
May His memory be eternal.
May GOD continue to grant rest eternal and blessed repose to the Servant of God, Archpriest Eugene, and may his memory be eternal.
MEMORY ETERNAL! ВЕЧНАЯ ПАМЯТЬ!
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TODAY’S WEEKLY MESSENGER IS SPONSORED BY:
ST. NICHOLAS ORTHODOX CHURCH
**FLOWERS FOR THIS WEEK**
In front of the Icon of The Theotokos are offered by
Fr. Jason and Mat. Katia Vansuch in memory of Fr. Jason’s beloved Father, Archpriest Eugene, on the 9-month anniversary of his falling asleep in the Lord.
May His memory be eternal.
AND
In front of the Icon of Christ are offered by
Ivan and Marina Moroz in memory of Archpriest Eugene on the 9-month anniversary of his falling asleep in the Lord. May His memory be eternal.
AND
Behind the Center Icon are offered by
Mat. Paraskeva Vansuch in memory of her beloved husband,
Archpriest Eugene on the 9-month anniversary of his falling asleep in the Lord.
May His memory be eternal.
May GOD continue to grant rest eternal and blessed repose to the Servant of God, Archpriest Eugene, and may his memory be eternal.
MEMORY ETERNAL! ВЕЧНАЯ ПАМЯТЬ!
HYMNS FOR THE DIVINE LITURGY
TROPAR TO THE RESURRECTION {Tone 2}
When Thou didst descend to death, O Life Immortal,
Thou didst destroy hell with the splendor of Thy Godhead.
And when from the depths Thou didst raise the dead,
all the powers of heaven cried out://
“O Giver of life, Christ our God, glory to Thee!”
TROPAR FOR THE HOLY FOREFATHERS {Tone 2}
Great are the accomplishments of faith, for the three Holy Youths rejoice in the fountain of flames as though in the waters of rest; and the Prophet Daniel appeared a shepherd to the lions as though they were sheep.// So by their prayers, O Christ God, save our souls!
TROPAR FOR FOREFEAST OF THE NATIVITY {Tone 4}
Prepare, O Bethlehem, for Eden has been opened to all!
Adorn yourself, O Ephratha, for the Tree of Life blossoms forth from the
Virgin in the cave! Her womb is a spiritual paradise planted with the Divine Fruit; if we eat of it, we shall live forever and not die like Adam.// Christ comes to restore the image which He made in the beginning.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
KONTAKION FOR THE HOLY FOREFATHERS {Tone 1}
Rejoice, O Bethlehem! Prepare yourself, O Ephratha!
The Lamb is on her way to give birth to the Chief Shepherd she carries in
her womb. The God-bearing Forefathers will rejoice, beholding Him,
and with the shepherds, they will glorify the Virgin nursing Him.
Now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
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KONTAKION FOR FOREFEAST OF THE NATIVITY {Tone 3}
Today the Virgin comes to the cave to give birth to the Eternal Word.
Hear the glad tidings and rejoice, O universe! Glorify with the Angels and the shepherds the Eternal God, Who is willing to appear as a little child!
PROKEIMENON {Tone 3}
THE SONG OF THE FATHERS:
Blessed are Thou, O Lord God of our fathers, and praised and glorified is Thy name forever!
v: For Thou art just in all that Thou hast done for us!
ALLELUIA VERSES
We have heard with our ears, O God, for our fathers have told us.
For You have saved us from them that oppose us, and have put to shame them that hate us.
THE HYMN TO THE THEOTOKOS
It is truly meet to bless You, O Theotokos, ever blessed and most pure and the Mother of our God. More honorable than the Cherubim and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim. Without defilement, You gave birth to God the Word, true Theotokos, we magnify You!
COMMUNION HYMN
Praise the Lord from the heavens! Praise Him in the highest! Rejoice in the Lord, O you Righteous, praise befits the Just! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
EPISTLE LESSONS FOR TODAY
Hebrews 11:9-10,17-23,32-40
BRETHREN:
By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city, which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, of whom it was said, "In Isaac your seed shall be called," concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense. By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones. By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king's command.
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.
GOSPEL LESSON FOR TODAY
Matthew 1:1-25
Let us Attend!
The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham: Abraham begot Isaac, Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot Judah and his brothers. Judah begot Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez begot Hezron, and Hezron begot Ram. Ram begot Amminadab, Amminadab begot Nahshon, and Nahshon begot Salmon. Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab, Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse, and Jesse begot David the king. David the king begot Solomon by her who had been the wife of Uriah. Solomon begot Rehoboam, Rehoboam begot Abijah, and Abijah begot Asa. Asa begot Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat begot Joram, and Joram begot Uzziah. Uzziah begot Jotham, Jotham begot Ahaz, and Ahaz begot Hezekiah. Hezekiah begot Manasseh, Manasseh begot Amon, and Amon begot Josiah. Josiah begot Jeconiah and his brothers about the time they were carried away to Babylon. And after they were brought to Babylon, Jeconiah begot Shealtiel, and Shealtiel begot Zerubbabel. Zerubbabel begot Abiud, Abiud begot Eliakim, and Eliakim begot Azor. Azor begot Zadok, Zadok begot Achim, and Achim begot Eliud. Eliud begot Eleazar, Eleazar begot Matthan, and Matthan begot Jacob. And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus who is called Christ.
So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations, from David until the captivity in Babylon are fourteen generations, and from the captivity in Babylon until the Christ are fourteen generations. Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.
Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins. So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying:
Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel, which is translated, "God with us. Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name JESUS.
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HOURS and EPISTLE READERS’ SCHEDULE FOR DECEMBER
DECEMBER 21 – MR. DOUG KING
DECEMBER 28 – MR. TOM SHAKUN or MAT. KATIA VANSUCH
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SAYINGS OF THE FATHERS:
“One must always remember that success in any aspect of the spiritual life is the fruit of the grace of God. Spiritual Life comes entirely from His Most Holy Spirit. We have our own spirit but it is void of power. It begins to gain strength only when the Grace of God flows into it.
BISHOP THEOPHAN the RECLUSE
Illumine our hearts, O Master, loveset of mankind, with the pure light of Thy divine knowledge. Open the eyes of our mind to the understanding of Thy gospel teachings. Implant also in us the fear of Thy blessed commandments, that trampling down all carnal desires, we may enter upon a spiritual manner of living, both thinking and doing such things as are well pleasing unto Thee.
For Thou art the Illumination of our souls and bodies, O Christ our God, and unto Thee we ascribe glory, together with Thy Father, who is from everlasting, and Thine all-holy, good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
{Prayer before reading Holy Scripture}
QUESTION OF THE WEEK:
The Important Things In Life...............
A philosophy professor stood before his class with some items on the table in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with rocks, about 2″ in diameter. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was. So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles, of course, rolled into the open areas between the rocks. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was. The professor picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He then asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous "Yes." "Now," said the professor, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The rocks are the important things - your Church, your Ministry, your family, your partner, your health, your children - things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter - like your job, your house, your car. The sand is everything else, the small stuff." "If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued "there is no room for the pebbles or the rocks. The same goes for your life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you. Pray everyday to God, give thanks for what He has done, Love every one and Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take your partner out. There will always be time to go to work, clean the house and give a dinner. Take care of the rocks first - the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."
So the best solution is to seek him who saves all:
JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD!!
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PRAYERS
by: Author Unknown, Source Unknown
Life without purpose is barren indeed
There can't be a harvest unless you plant seed
There can't be attainment unless there's a goal
And man's but a robot unless there's a soul.
If we send no ships out, no ships will come in,
And unless there's a contest, nobody can win.
For games can't be won unless they are played,
And prayers can't be answered unless they are prayed.
So whatever is wrong with your life today
You'll find a solution if you kneel down and pray.
Not just for pleasure, enjoyment and health,
Not just for honors and prestige and wealth.
But pray for a purpose to make life worth living
And pray for the joy of unselfish giving.
For great is your gladness and rich your reward,
When you make your life's purpose the choice of the Lord. Amen.
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FOOTPRINTS
One night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the Lord. Across the sky flashed scenes from his life. For each scene, he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand; one belonging to him, and the other to the Lord.
When the last scene of his life flashed before him he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in his life.
This really bothered him and he questioned the Lord about it. "Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you, you'd walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why when I needed you most you would leave me."
The Lord replied, "My precious, precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you."
WHAT IS A FRIEND?
A friend is someone we turn to
When our spirits need a lift
A friend is someone we treasure
For our friendship is a gift.
A friend is someone who fills our lives with beauty, joy, and grace
And makes the world we live in a better and happier place.
There is a miracle called friendship, that dwells in the heart.
You do not know how it happens or when it gets it's starts
But you know the special lift it always brings.
You realize that friendship is God's most precious gift!
THE SOURCES OF CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE
In one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church ...
Church as a word means those called as a particular people to perform a particular task. The Christian Church is the assembly of God's chosen people called to keep his word and to do his will and his work in the world and in the heavenly kingdom.
In the Scriptures the Church is called the Body of Christ (Rom 12; 1 Cor 10, 12; Col 1) and the Bride of Christ (Eph 5; Rev 21). It is likened as well to God's living Temple (Eph 2; 1 Pet 2) and is called "the pillar and bulwark of Truth" (1 Tim 3:15).
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One Church
The Church is one because God is one, and because Christ and the Holy Spirit are one. There can only be one Church and not many. And this one Church, because its unity depends on God, Christ, and the Spirit, may never be broken. Thus, according to Orthodox doctrine, the Church is indivisible; men may be in it or out of it, but they may not divide it.
According to Orthodox teaching, the unity of the Church is man's free unity in the truth and love of God. Such unity is not brought about or established by any human authority or juridical power, but by God alone. To the extent that men are in the truth and love of God, they are members of His Church.
Orthodox Christians believe that in the historical Orthodox Church there exists the full possibility of participating totally in the Church of God, and that only sins and false human choices (heresies) put men outside of this unity. In non-Orthodox Christian groups the Orthodox claim that there are certain formal obstacles, varying in different groups, which, if accepted and followed by men, will prevent their perfect unity with God and will thus destroy the genuine unity of the Church (e.g., the papacy in the Roman Church).
Within the unity of the Church man is what he is created to be and can grow for eternity in divine life in communion with God through Christ in the Holy Spirit. The unity of the Church is not broken by time or space and is not limited merely to those alive upon the earth. The unity of the Church is the unity of the Blessed Trinity and of all of those who live with God: the holy angels, the righteous dead, and those who live upon the earth according to the commandments of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit.
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Holy Church
The Church is holy because God is holy, and because Christ and the Holy Spirit are holy. The holiness of the Church comes from God. The members of the Church are holy to the extent that they live in communion with God.
Within the earthly Church, people participate in God's holiness. Sin and error separate them from this divine holiness as it does from the divine unity. Thus, the earthly members and institutions of the Church cannot be identified as such with the Church as holy.
The faith and life of the Church on earth is expressed in its doctrines, sacraments, scriptures, services, and saints which maintain the Church's essential unity, and which can certainly be affirmed as "holy" because of God's presence and action in them.
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Catholic Church
The Church is also catholic because of its relation to God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit. The word catholic means full, complete, whole, with nothing lacking. God alone is full and total reality; in God alone is there nothing lacking.
Sometimes the catholicity of the Church is understood in terms of the Church's universality throughout time and space. While it is true that the Church is universal -- for all men at all times and in all places -- this universality is not the real meaning of the term "catholic" when it is used to define the Church. The term "catholic" as originally used to define the Church (as early as the first decades of the second century) was a definition of quality rather than quantity. Calling the Church catholic means to define how it is, namely, full and complete, all-embracing, and with nothing lacking.
Even before the Church was spread over the world, it was defined as catholic. The original Jerusalem Church of the apostles, or the early city-churches of Antioch, Ephesus, Corinth, or Rome, were catholic. These churches were catholic -- as is each and every Orthodox church today -- because nothing essential was lacking for them to be the genuine Church of Christ. God Himself is fully revealed and present in each church through Christ and the Holy Spirit, acting in the local community of believers with its apostolic doctrine, ministry (hierarchy), and sacraments, thus requiring nothing to be added to it in order for it to participate fully in the Kingdom of God.
To believe in the Church as catholic, therefore, is to express the conviction that the fullness of God is present in the Church and that nothing of the "abundant life" that Christ gives to the world in the Spirit is lacking to it (Jn 10:10). It is to confess exactly that the Church is indeed "the fullness of him who fills all in all" (Eph 1:23; also Col 2:10).
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Apostolic Church
The word apostolic describes that which has a mission, that which has "been sent" to accomplish a task.
Christ and the Holy Spirit are both "apostolic" because both have been sent by the Father to the World. It is not only repeated in the Scripture on numerous occasions how Christ has been sent by the Father, and the Spirit sent through Christ from the Father, but it also has been recorded explicitly that Christ is "the apostle ... of our confession" (Heb 3:1).
As Christ was sent from God, so Christ Himself chose and sent His apostles. "As the Father has sent me, even so I send you ... receive ye the Holy Spirit," the risen Christ says to His disciples. Thus, the apostles go out to the world, becoming the first foundation of the Christian Church.
In this sense, then, the Church is called apostolic: first, as it is built upon Christ and the Holy Spirit sent from God and upon those apostles who were sent by Christ, filled with the Holy Spirit; and secondly, as the Church in its earthly members is itself sent by God to bear witness to His Kingdom, to keep His word and to do His will and His works in this world.
Orthodox Christians believe in the Church as they believe in God and Christ and the Holy Spirit. Faith in the Church is part of the creedal statement of Christian believers. The Church is herself an object of faith as the divine reality of the Kingdom of God given to men by Christ and the Holy Spirit; the divine community founded by Christ against which "the gates of hell shall not prevail" (Mt 16:18).
The Church, and faith in the Church, is an essential element of Christian doctrine and life. Without the Church as a divine, mystical, sacramental, and spiritual reality, in the midst of the fallen and sinful world there can be no full and perfect communion with God. The Church is God's gift to the world. It is the gift of salvation, of knowledge and enlightenment, of the forgiveness of sins, of the victory over darkness and death. It is the gift of communion with God through Christ and the Holy Spirit. This gift is given totally, once and for all, with no reservations on God's part. It remains forever, until the close of the ages: invincible and indestructible. Men may sin and fight against the Church, believers may fall away and be separated from the Church, but the Church itself, the "pillar and bulwark of the truth" (1 Tim 3:15) remains forever.
... [God] has put all things under His [Christ's] feet and has made Him the head over all things for the Church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
... for through Him we ... have access in one Spirit, to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow-citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built into it for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
... Christ loved the Church and gave Himself up for her, that he might sanctify her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present the Church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish ... This is a Great Mystery ... Christ and the Church ... (Eph 1:21-23; 2:19-22; 5:25-32).
The above article is taken from the Three-Book Series – The Orthodox Faith - from Protopresbyter Thomas Hopko, a retired priest of The Orthodox Church in America and former Dean of St. Vladimir Orthodox Theological Seminay.
Each week, we will have a different article from this book in our weekly bulletin. The Second series will consist of articles taken from Volume One of the Series – Doctrine – The Symbol of Faith.
Enjoy the reading! May it help you and our parish grow in faith and in love!
**ST. NICHOLAS EDUCATION CORNER**
As we continue with our spiritual journey, it is very important that we feed and nourish our souls with the food that God provides for us through the Divine Services of the Church, through The Holy Icons, through Holy Scripture, through the Lives of Saints, through prayer, fasting, almsgiving, and through living and proclaiming Christ to all.
With this in mind, each week we will have an article in the weekly bulletin about a specific topic that has been asked about or brought up by our parishioners. These articles will be under the section:
“ST. NICHOLAS EDUCATION CORNER”!
If you would like to have learn information about any aspect of The Orthodox Faith, please let Father know and he will research and provide the information for you and for everyone. Also, you may put your thoughts or questions in the Box in the Church Hall marked: ‘QWESTIONS FOR FADDER JASON’!!
This is indeed a way that we can and will grow together in faith and in love as we all strive to grow spiritually by continually feeding our souls. The Next Section: SUNDAYS OF GREAT LENT!!
Each of the Sundays of Great Lent has its own special theme. The first Sunday is called the Feast of the Triumph of Orthodoxy. It is a historical feast commemorating the return of the icons to the churches in the year 843 after the heresy of iconoclasm was overcome. The spiritual theme of the day is first of all the victory of the True Faith. "This is the victory that overcomes the world, our faith" (1 Jn 5:4). Secondly, the icons of the saints bear witness that man, "created in the image and likeness of God" (Gen 1:26), becomes holy and godlike through the purification of himself as God's living image.
The Second Sunday of Lent is the commemoration of St Gregory Palamas. It was St. Gregory (d.1359) who bore living witness that men can become divine through the grace of God in the Holy Spirit; and that even in this life, by prayer and fasting, human beings can become participants of the uncreated light of God's divine glory. The Third Sunday of Lent is that of the Veneration of the Cross. The cross stands in the midst of the church in the middle of the lenten season not merely to remind men of Christ's redemption and to keep before them the goal of their efforts, but also to be venerated as that reality by which man must live to be saved. "He who does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me" (Mt 10:38). For in the Cross of Christ Crucified lies both "the power of God and the wisdom of God" for those being saved (1 Cor 1:24).
The Fourth Sunday of Lent is dedicated to St John of the Ladder (Climacus), the author of the work, The Ladder of Divine Ascent. The abbot of St Catherine's Monastery on Mount Sinai (6th century) stands as a witness to the violent effort needed for entrance into God's Kingdom (Mt 10: 12). The spiritual struggle of the Christian life is a real one, "not against flesh and blood, but against ... the rulers of the present darkness ... the hosts of wickedness in heavenly places ..." (Eph 6:12). Saint John encourages the faithful in their efforts for, according to the Lord, only "he who endures to the end will be saved" (Mt 24:13).
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The Fifth Sunday recalls the memory of Saint Mary of Egypt, the repentant harlot. Mary tells us, first of all, that no amount of sin and wickedness can keep a person from God if he truly repents. Christ himself has come "to call sinners to repentance" and to save them from their sins (Lk 5:32). In addition, Saint Mary tells us that it is never too late in life -- or in Lent -- to repent. Christ will gladly receive all who come to him even at the eleventh hour of their lives. But their coming must be in serious and sincere repentance.
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**ATTENTION**
As we are preparing for the Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord, we are also preparing for the Annual Nativity Eve Holy Supper which will take place on Wednesday December 24 at 5:00 PM in the Church Hall. This will take place prior to the Great Compline Service that will be served at 6:30 PM.
With this in mind, we are asking for those who are planning on being with us for the Feast and would like to come to the Holy Supper, please sign your name on the Sign-Up Sheets which are located in the Church Hall. This will assist us as we prepare the foods so we know how many to prepare for.
Also, we are asking that everyone bring at one LENTEN covered dish (like we have done in previous years) so that we can have a variety of Lenten foods. If you have your favorite dish that you would like to share with everyone, please write it on the Sign-Up Sheet also located in the church hall.
What a blessing it is to share in this Christian Fellowship as we prepare to celebrate the Great Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord. May GOD bless all of you!
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THE 2009 ENVELOPES and CHURCH WALL CALENDARS ARE IN
The 2009 Envelopes for our parish have arrived and are ready for pick up. They are located on the table near the office downstairs, in the church hall. When you pick up your envelopes, we kindly ask that you please put a check mark next to your name. This way we can keep track of which envelopes were picked up. The envelopes that are not picked up will be mailed out at the end of December. However, if you wish to take envelopes for someone who is not in church, please do so and please put a check by their name as well. This will be greatly appreciated. Also, please pick up your 2009 Church Wall Calendars which are also located in the Church Hall. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to see or contact
Fr. Jason or Sophie Kashanski. Thank you for your support for St. Nicholas Church! May God Bless You!
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SOME WORDS FOR THOUGHT:
“The soul that really loves God and Christ, though it may do ten
thousand righteousnesses, esteems itself as having wrought
nothing, by reason of its insatiable aspiration after God. Though
it should exhaust the body with fastings, with watchings, its
attitude towards the virtues is as if it had not yet even begun to
labour for them.”
ST. MACARIUS THE GREAT
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THE 2008 FALL FESTIVAL FOOD MAKING SESSIONS
SESSION #4 – STUFFED CABBAGE – SESSION #4
MONDAY SEPTEMBER 15– 6:00 PM
Preparing the Meat/RIce Filling and Leaves
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 16– 9:00 AM
Stuffed Cabbage Making Session
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THE QUESTION CORNER
QUESTION: Do the Orthodox use the Bible as other Christians do?
ANSWER: For the Orthodox, the Bible is the book of the Church, written by and for those who believe in God and constitute His People. The Four Gospels are the center of the Bible, just as Christ is the center of the Church. For this reason the Four Gospels are always enthroned on the altar in the Orthodox Church building.
The Orthodox generally interpret the Bible in terms of Christ. In this sense, the Old Testament is partial in that it prepares for the time of Christ, the Messiah, who fulfills its message and history.
The New Testament writings are also centered around Christ and tell of His action in the world and in the Church through the Holy Spirit.
Thus the Orthodox position about the Bible, would be that the New Testament is prefigured in the Old, and the Old Testament is fulfilled in the New.
The Bible is central in the life of the Church and gives both form and content to the Church's liturgical and sacramental worship, just as to its theology and spiritual life. Nothing in the Orthodox Church can be opposed to what is revealed in the Bible. Everything in the Church must be biblical.
The Bible itself, however, not only determines and judges the life of the Church, but is itself judged by the Church since it "comes alive" and receives its proper interpretation and significance only within the life of the Church as actually lived and experienced by the People of God.
This would be the basic Orthodox approach to the Bible. Very sadly however, it must be mentioned that the knowledge of the Bible among Orthodox is not very great. There is a conscious attempt being made today to renew the reading and meditation of the scriptures by the faithful of the Church.
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SOME FOOD FOR THOUGHT:
If you have a Bible, READ IT!
If you read the Bible, BELIEVE IT!
If you believe the Bible, LIVE IT!
Think of the Bible as God’s personal letter to you…
read it as often as you can just like you read your mail and email!
Studying the Bible is like feeding you soul spiritual food!
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**SODA CANS AND PLASTIC BOTTLES COLLECTION**
We are asking that all Soda Cans and Plastic Bottles be brought to church and placed in the church hall!
TOTAL COLLECTION FOR WEEK OF Nov. 2-9, 2008 -- -0-
TOTAL AS OF NOVEMBER 23, 2008 -- $ 346.35
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COLLECTION FOR NORWICH SHELTER and LAY MINISTRIES COMMITTEE
We are asking that all items be brought to church and placed in the church hall!
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NEW PASTORAL CARE FUND
In 2006, Fr. Jason instituted a PASTORAL CARE FUND. This fund is designated for those parishioners of our church who are in need financially and need assistance. We will be having a general collection for The Pastoral Care Fund on the last Sunday of January as part of our monthly charity collections/appeals. However, if at any time, you would like to donate or contribute to this fund, please see Fr. Jason or Sophie Kashanski.
For further details about any of the above Ministries, please refer to the flyers in the Church Hall or see Fr. Jason! Thank You!
May GOD continue to bless and guide all of you and your families!
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If anyone is interested in donating coffee, paper goods, soda, water or any other item to the church for coffee hour or is interested in making a donation to the church of any sort {financial or tea lights, candles, wine, etc., please see Fr. Jason, Peggy Morningstar, or any member of the parish council, as well as let Fr. Jason know so he can recognize the donation in the weekly bulletin.
As we continue to live and proclaim the Gospel of Our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ, let us look into our hearts and first and foremost offer our thanksgiving and praise to God for the blessings He has given us. In doing so, we will be able to offer back to GOD that, which He has given us, that we can continue to build up the Body of Christ here at St. Nicholas as well as in the Norwich area.
Thank you for your generosity and support for St. Nicholas Church! May God continue to bless and guide all of as we continue the work of the Church in building up the Body of Christ here at St. Nicholas.
{12}
1. ANNOUNCEMENTS IN THE WEEKLY BULLETIN
If anyone would like to have an announcement or recognition of some sort in the weekly bulletin, please get it to Fr. Jason by Wednesday afternoon and he will make sure it is placed in the weekly bulletin. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Fr. Jason at the Church Office/Rectory – (860) 887-6763 or on his cell phone – (860) 303-9396. You may also contact Fr. Jason via email at: jvansuch@hotmail.com. Thank You!
2. THE 2008 CHRISTMAS BAKE SALE FINANCIAL REPORT
BOOKSTORE – $125.00
KITCHEN – $346.00
BAKE SALE TABLE – $370.00
DONATIONS – $35.00
TOTAL INCOME – $876.00
May GOD continue to bless and guide all of you as we all work together in building up the Body of Christ here at St. Nicholas.
3. PARISH COUNCIL NEWS
The December monthly meeting of the Parish Council was held on MONDAY DECEMBER 15 at 6:30 PM. This followed Little Compline at 6:00 PM. We express our sincere and heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Peggy Morningstar and to all members of the Parish Council as well as to all parishioners who come to the meetings. We encourage all members of the parish council as well as all parishioners to come and attend the monthly meetings of the Parish Council as we work together in building up the Body of Christ here at St. Nicholas as well as within the Norwich Community! If any parish council member is unable to attend the Monthly Parish Council Meeting, kindly let Fr. Jason and Peggy Morningstar know ahead of time so proper arrangements may be made. May GOD continue to bless and guide all of us as we continue the work of the Church in building up the Body of Christ here at St. Nicholas. Thank You!
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ST. NICHOLAS WEEKLY FINANCIAL REPORT
SUNDAY DECEMBER 14, 2008
CANDLES -- $105.00
KITCHEN BRUNCH -- $57.00
LOOSE COLLECTION -- $31.00
ENVELOPES
Weekly -- $348.00
Monthly -- $115.00
Feast Day -- $98.00 (St. Nicholas)
Flowers -- -0-
PROSPHORA -- $8.00
MISCELLANEOUS -- $165.00
CHRISTMAS STOCKING PROJECT – $165.00
TOTAL INCOME: $927.00
TOTAL DONATIONS TOWARDS THE ST. NICHOLAS FURNACE FUND – $7,800.00
{As of September 7, 2008}
We extend our heartfelt thanks and sincere appreciation to all of you for your generosity and prayerful support for St. Nicholas Church!
May GOD continue to bless and guide all of you and your families!
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THE CELEBRATION OF
THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD
TUESDAY DECEMBER 23
ROYAL HOURS – 9:00 AM
WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 24
EVE OF THE FEAST OF THE NATIVITY OF
OUR LORD GOD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST
VESPERS with DIVINE LITURGY of ST. BASIL– 9:00 am
HOLY SUPPER in the Church Hall – 5:00 pm
GREAT COMPLINE with LITIYA – 6:30 pm
THURSDAY DECEMBER 25
THE FEAST OF THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD GOD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST
THIRD and SIXTH HOURS – 9:00 am
DIVINE LITURGY – 9:30 am
SATURDAY DECEMBER 27
FEAST OF ST. STEPHEN THE PROTOMARTYR
GREAT VESPERS – 4:00 pm
SUNDAY DECEMBER 28
THIRD and SIXTH HOURS – 8:40 am
DIVINE LITURGY – 9:00 am
Check out the Feast and Activities during the Month of December
SUNDAY DECEMBER 21
CHURCH SCHOOL CHRISTMAS SING-A-LONG AND LUNCHEON
WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 24
NATIVITY EVE HOLY SUPPER – 5:00 PM
*PLEASE SEE SIGN-UP SHEETS IN THE CHURCH HALL*
GREAT COMPLINE SERVICE – 6:30 PM
THURSDAY JANUARY 1, 2009
FEAST OF THE CIRCUMCISION OF OUR LORD
FEAST OF ST. BASIL THE GREAT
NEW YEAR’S DAY
FESTAL DIVINE LITURGY WITH PRAYERS FOR THE NEW YEAR --- 9:30 AM
SUNDAY JANUARY 4, 2009
FESTAL DIVINE LITURGY FOLLOWED BY GREAT BLESSING OF WATER – 9:00 AM
FR. JOHN KRETA, CHANCELLOR OF DIOCESE OF NE, WILL BE HERE AT ST. NICHOLAS CHURCH TO CELEBRATE THE DIVINE LITURGY AND THEN HAVE A QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION WITH THE ENTIRE PARISH COMMUNITY. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS, PLEASE SEE OR CONTACT MRS. PEGGY MORNINGSTAR.
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DONATIONS FOR ALTAR VIGIL CANDLES
As many of you know, we have three (3) 7-Day Altar Vigils that burn all week long on the Holy Altar Table. These candles are donated to the church by parishioners in honor or in memory of a loved one.
If anyone is interested in donating the 7-Day Vigils for the Altar Table for any particular Sunday, please see or contact Fr. Jason so he can make the appropriate arrangements, as well as recognize the donation in the weekly bulletin.
The average donation to sponsor the weekly Altar Vigils is $10.00!!
DONATE and SPONSOR THE WEEKLY BULLETINS
As part of our stewardship, support, and outreach ministry for the building up of the Body of Christ here at St. Nicholas, we have The Weekly Messenger, which is a weekly bulletin published in the interest of the parishioners of St. Nicholas Orthodox Church.
If anyone is interested in Donating or Sponsoring the Weekly Bulletin in memory or in honor of a loved one, please see or contact Fr. Jason so he can make the appropriate arrangements, as well as recognize the donation and sponsor on the back of the weekly bulletin.
{SEE TODAY’S BULLETIN!!}
The average donation per week to sponsor the bulletin is $20.00!!
We extend our heartfelt thanks and sincere appreciation to all of you for your generosity and support for St. Nicholas Church!
May GOD continue to bless and guide all of you and your families!
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SPECIAL NOTE ON DONATIONS
If anyone would like to donate towards the purchase of these Tea Lights, or donate the Tea Lights themselves, or make a donation towards the purchase of any of the Liturgical Supplies {7-Day Candles, Charcoal, Beeswax Candles, etc.} please see or contact Fr. Jason as soon as possible, so arrangements can be made.
Thank you for your generosity and support for St. Nicholas Church!
May GOD continue to bless and guide all of you and your families!
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Virgin-Martyr Juliana of Nicomedia
Commemorated on December 21
THE HOLY VIRGIN MARTYR JULIANA, DAUGHTER OF AN ILLUSTRIOUS PAGAN NAMED AFRICANUS, WAS BORN IN THE CITY OF NICOMEDIA. AS A CHILD, SHE WAS BETROTHED TO A CERTAIN ELUSIUS, ONE OF THE EMPEROR'S ADVISORS. ST JULIANA WAS ENDOWED WITH A PROFOUND INTELLECT AND GOODNESS OF SOUL. SHE SAW THROUGH THE DELUSION AND DECEPTION OF THE PAGAN FAITH, AND SECRETLY ACCEPTED HOLY BAPTISM.
WHEN THE TIME OF HER WEDDING APPROACHED, JULIANA REFUSED TO BE MARRIED. HER FATHER URGED HER NOT TO BREAK HER ENGAGEMENT, BUT WHEN SHE REFUSED TO OBEY HIM, HE BEGAN TO BEAT HER VICIOUSLY. THEN AFRICANUS HANDED HIS DAUGHTER OVER TO THE EPARCH, WHO HAPPENED TO BE ELUSIUS, JULIANA'S FORMER FIANCÉ. ELUSIUS FERVENTLY ASKED JULIANA TO MARRY HIM, PROMISING NOT TO REQUIRE HER TO ABANDON HER FAITH. ST JULIANA REFUSED AND SAID THAT SHE'D RATHER BE PUT TO DEATH.
THEY BEAT THE SAINT BOTH LONG AND HARSHLY, BUT AFTER EACH BEATING SHE RECEIVED HEALING AND NEW STRENGTH FROM GOD. HER PUNISHMENT TOOK PLACE BEFORE A LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE. OF THESE, 500 MEN AND 150 WOMEN CAME TO CONFESS CHRIST AFTER WITNESSING THE STEADFASTNESS AND COURAGE OF THE HOLY VIRGIN MIRACULOUSLY HEALED FROM HER WOUNDS. THEY WERE ALL BEHEADED, AND WERE BAPTIZED IN THEIR OWN BLOOD.
CONVINCED OF THE FUTILITY OF ATTEMPTING TO SEPARATE THE HOLY VIRGIN FROM HER HEAVENLY BRIDEGROOM, ELEUSIUS SENTENCED JULIANA TO DEATH. SHE ACCEPTED THE SENTENCE WITH JOY AND GLORIFIED THE LORD FOR PERMITTING HER TO RECEIVE A MARTYR'S CROWN. THE HOLY MARTYR JULIANA WAS EXECUTED IN THE YEAR 304.
ST JULIANA IS THE SUBJECT OF AN ANGLO-SAXON POEM, BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN WRITTEN BY CYNEWULF IN THE EIGHTH CENTURY.
A DISCOURSE ON THE FEAST OF THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD
At the time of the reign in Judea of Herod, who was under the power of Rome, the Roman Emperor Caesar Augustus sent out a decree that all the world should have been taxed. Every Jew had to register in his own city where his ancestors lived.
Joseph and the Virgin Mary were descended from the house and lineage of David and therefore went out of Nazareth into the city of David, Bethlehem. Arriving in Bethlehem, they were not able to find room in the inn and stayed outside the city, in a cave, where shepherds drove their cattle in bad weather. In this cave that night the Holy Virgin Mary brought forth Her Child — the Son of God, Christ, the Saviour of the world. She wrapped the Divine Child in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger where they put feed for the cattle.
The shepherds in Bethlehem were the first to find out about the birth of the Saviour. On this night they were watching their flocks in the field. Suddenly an angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord was shown round about them. The shepherds were sore afraid.
The angel said to them, "Fear not. I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David (Bethlehem) a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you. You shall find the Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."
Suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will among men."
When the angels were gone away from them, the shepherds said one to another, "Let us now go even unto Bethlehem and see this thing, which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known to us."
They came with haste and found Mary, and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. They worshipped the Child and told how they had seen and listened to the angel. Mary kept all these things in her heart.
Then, the shepherds returned to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen.
Eight days after the birth of the Saviour, His Mother with Joseph, according to the law, gave Him the name Jesus, which had been given by God through the angel.
Note: See the Gospel of Luke, 2:1-21.
Adoration of the Magi.
While Joseph and the Holy Mother of God and the Child Jesus were still in Bethlehem, Magi (wise men) from distant countries in the East (Persia or Babylonia) came to Jerusalem.
The Magi were scholarly people who observed and studied the stars. At that time, people believed that upon the birth of a great person there would appear in the heavens a new star. Many pagans, taught by the Jews in dispersion, knew of the coming into the world of the Messiah, the Great King of Israel, Who was to subdue the whole world. Therefore, they waited knowing that on His birth there would appear a new star in the heavens. The wise men were pious people, and the Lord by His mercy gave them such a sign: in heaven there appeared a new, extraordinary star. Having seen this star, the wise men immediately understood that the awaited King had been born. They prepared for the journey and went to the capital of the Jewish kingdom, Jerusalem, to find out where this King was born and to worship Him.
In Jerusalem, the wise men began to ask, "Where is He that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the east and are come to worship Him."
When King Herod heard this he was troubled. He was in everything a cruel and suspicious man. Because of one of his suspicions, he sent his own children to execution. Now, he was especially terrified, afraid that they would seize his power and hand over his royal throne to the newborn King. And all the people of Jerusalem were agitated upon hearing such news.
Herod gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people, men learned in the books of the Holy Scripture, and demanded of them where Christ should be born.
They answered, "In Bethlehem of Judea: for thus it is written by the Prophet Micah."
Then, Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search diligently for the young Child; and when ye have found Him, bring me word again that I may come and worship Him also." In so doing, Herod thought to kill the new born King.
When they had heard the King, the wise men departed; and lo, the star which they saw in the east went before them till it came and stood over where the young Child was.
At that time, the holy elder Joseph and the Most-holy Virgin Mary with the Child lived in the city, in the house where they moved from the cave as the people after the census had begun to disperse.
The wise men came into the house and saw the young child Jesus with His mother. They fell down, and worshipped Him, and presented Him gifts: gold, frankincense (incense), and myrrh (expensive fragrant oil).
By their gifts, the wise men signified that the newborn child Jesus is King, and God, and man. Gold they brought to Him as King (as a tribute, or tax); incense, as God (as incense is used during worship services); and myrrh, as a man who must die (because the deceased were then anointed and rubbed with perfumed oil).
Afterward the Wise Men wanted to return to Jerusalem to Herod, but they were warned by God in a dream that they should have not returned to Herod. Then, they departed into their own country another way.
Tradition preserves the names of the wise men, who then became Christians: Melchior, Gasper and Balthasar. Their memory is celebrated by the Church on the day of the Nativity of Christ.
The Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ is celebrated in the Orthodox Church on the 25th of December (January 7 NS). For this great feast we prepare ourselves by keeping the fast, which is called the Nativity Fast (or Advent).
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THE SPECIAL MONTHLY CHARITY COLLECTION
SPECIAL COLLECTION FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER
The Collection for the Month of December will be for THE OCA’S CHRISTMAS STOCKING PROJECT.
For the 15th consecutive year, The Orthodox Church in America is sponsoring the Christmas Stocking Project in which thousands of children around the world will benefit by receiving a special gift (A Christmas Stocking filled with candy, health aides like a toothbrush, a hair brush, an Icon of St. Nicholas and much more) and with that love and joy from all of us. Each stocking /gift is $5.00!
The Christmas Stocking Project is sponsored by The Office of Humanitarian Aid of the Orthodox Church in America. It is through the faithfulness and stewardship of the beloved faithful of The Orthodox Church in America that these children around the world receive joy. To assist our National Church with this great project, our Church School will hold a Christmas Stocking Luncheon on SUNDAY DECEMBER 7 following the Divine Liturgy.
Besides the Luncheon, we will also have a collection this month for the Christmas Stocking Project. By doing so, we not only express our love and appreciation to those who faithfully donated and supported our National Church, but also these stocking can serve as an inspiration to others who may want to contribute or donate towards the good work of Our National Church.
For more information about THE CHRISTMAS STOCKING PROJECT,
please visit the OCA website at: www.oca.org! Also, you may want to look at the flyer in the Church Hall!
Please take a moment to reflect upon what God has given you, and to discern how you might be able to return to God a portion of the blessings you have received. This collection will take place on SUNDAY DECEMBER 28!!
As we continue to fulfill the work of Our Lord by building up the Body of Christ here at St. Nicholas, let us open our hearts and minds by providing support and assistance to the church and to the social services for their good work and for those whom they help and assist.
We extend our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to all of you and your families for your continued prayers and support. May GOD continue to bless you and guide you! Thank You!
If anyone has any questions or concerns, please see or contact Fr. Jason!
4. DONATIONS TO THE CHURCH
If anyone is interested in donating coffee, paper goods, soda, or any other item to the church for coffee hour or is interested in making a donation to the church of any sort, please see Fr. Jason, Peggy Morningstar, or any member of the parish council, as well as let Fr. Jason know so he can recognize the donation in the weekly bulletin.
Food For Thought: Donating time, efforts, and talents, or donating items to the church, or making a financial donation to the church, are all forms of stewardship. Stewardship is an act of giving in which we offer thanksgiving and praise to God for the blessings He has so graciously poured out upon us. Whatever we can afford to give back to GOD is indeed a blessing. Stewardship is also an act of support, in which we offer our prayer, our love, and our dedication to the building up of Christ’s Holy Church.
As we continue to live and proclaim the Gospel of Our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ, let us look into our hearts and first and foremost offer our thanksgiving and praise to God for the blessings He has given us. In doing so, we will be able to offer back to GOD that, which He has given us, that we can continue to build up the Body of Christ here at St. Nicholas as well as in the Norwich area.
Thank you for your generosity and support for St. Nicholas Church! May God continue to bless and guide all of as we continue the work of the Church in building up the Body of Christ here at St. Nicholas.
{11}
* * * * * PRAYERFUL REMEMBRANCE * * * * *
For the continued good health of Thy Servants:
Nina Grabowski Celia Pobol Anna Talbot
Tana Straub Mary Beale Lydia Pierce
Those who are celebrating their birthdays/anniversaries this week:
Metropolitan THEODOSIUS Patriarch ILIA Metropolitan HERMAN
Archpriest William Archpriest Nicholas (Timpko) Archpriest Vincent (Sevarino)
Mat. Paraskeva
Archpriest Stephen and Prifteresha Margot and their family
Priest Charles and his family
Priest Paul and his family Priest Dean and his family
Ivan and Marina and their family
Robert and Elizabeth and their family
Edwina Nicholas Dean Jack John Andrew
Mary George Alan Stephanie Barbara Peter
Margaret Elizabeth Nicholas Dorothy Michael Olga
Catherine Paul Robert Nicholas Teresa Pauline
Robert Irene Michele Michael Child Matthew
Alexander Nicholas Katherine Barbara Vera Brianna
Members of the UCONN OCF Mary Inna Gail
Adrian and the child to be born of her Kamela and the child to be born of her Jesse
Kenneth, Justin, Craig, Peter, Nadine, Don, Robert, and Latoya Lynne and those serving in the Armed Forces in Iraq, Afghanistan, and throughout the world
MANY YEARS! МНОГАЯ ЛЕТА!
For the repose of the souls of Thy Servants who have departed this life:
All of those parishioners and pastors of This Holy House who have departed this life. Especially for Thy Servants:
Archpriest Nicholas Matushka Olga Michael Nicholas Mary Catherine Joseph
Archpriest Eugene Vansuch John Firmenko Matushka Barabara
Archpriest Richard Archpriest Stephen Patriarch ALEXEI
All of our beloved parishioners who have fallen asleep in the Lord during the month of November.
MEMORY ETERNAL! ВЕЧНАЯ ПАМЯТЬ!
Thank You, O Lord!
Everyone capable of thanksgiving is capable of salvation and eternal joy.
Thank You, O Lord, for having accepted this Eucharist, which we offered to the Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and which filled our hearts with the joy, peace and righteousness of the Holy Spirit.
Thank You, O Lord, for having revealed Yourself unto us and given us the foretaste of Your Kingdom.
Thank You, O Lord, for having united us to one another in serving You and Your Holy Church.
Thank You, O Lord, for having helped us to overcome all difficulties, tensions, passions, temptations and restored peace, mutual love and joy in sharing the communion of the Holy Spirit.
Thank You, O Lord, for the sufferings You bestowed upon us, for they are purifying us from selfishness and reminding us of the "one thing needed;" Your eternal Kingdom.
Thank You, O Lord, for having given us this country where we are free to Worship You.
Thank You, O Lord, for this school, where the name of God is proclaimed.
Thank You, O Lord, for our families: husbands, wives and, especially, children who teach us how to celebrate Your holy Name in joy, movement and holy noise.
Thank You, O Lord, for everyone and everything.
Great are You, O Lord, and marvelous are Your deeds, and no word is sufficient to celebrate Your miracles.
Lord, it is good to be here! Amen.
{THE FINAL SERMON OF PROTOPRESBYTER ALEXANDER SCHMEMANN}
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WEEKLY SCHEDULE OF SERVICES and EVENTS
SUNDAY DECEMBER 21
HOURS – 8:40 AM
DIVINE LITURGY– 9:00 AM
Fellowship following Liturgy in the Church Hall!
NO CHURCH SCHOOL TODAY!!
COFFEE HOUR HOSTS: CHRISTMAS SING-A-LONG AND LUNCHEON!!
TUESDAY DECEMBER 23
ROYAL HOURS – 9:00 AM
PANAHYDA FOR ARCHPRIEST EUGENE VANSUCH TO FOLLOW ROYAL HOURS
WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 24
EVE OF THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD GOD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST
VESPERS WITH LITURGY OF ST. BASIL – 9:00 AM
HOLY SUPPER – 5:00 PM
GREAT COMPLINE with LITIYA – 6:30 PM
THURSDAY DECEMBER 25
THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD GOD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST
HOURS – 9:00 AM
DIVINE LITURGY– 9:30 AM
SATURDAY DECEMBER 27
GREAT VESPERS – 4:00 PM
Absolution/Confession following Vespers
SUNDAY DECEMBER 28
HOURS – 8:40 AM
DIVINE LITURGY– 9:00 AM
Fellowship following Liturgy in the Church Hall!
NO CHURCH SCHOOL TODAY!!
COFFEE HOUR HOSTS: The King Family and The Buckles Family
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SAYINGS OF THE FATHERS:
"People of GOD may not talk about their prayer habits, but their lives speak volumes.”
“At is core, prayer is giving yourself to GOD.”
Anonymous
Sunday, May 4, 2008
DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS
Week of December 22-28, 2008
= = = Scriptural Readings for the Week = = =
Monday 2 Tim. 2:20-26 Mark 9:42-10:1
Tuesday 2 Tim. 3:16-4:4 Mark 10:2-12
Wednesday Heb. 1:1-12 Luke 2:1-20
Thursday Gal. 4:4-7 (FEAST OF NATIVITY) Mat. 2:1-12
Friday Heb. 2:11-18 Matt. 2:13-23
Saturday 1 Tim. 6:11-16 Matt. 12:15-21
Sunday Gal. 1:11-19 {Sunday after Nativity) Matt. 2:13-23
= = = Scriptural Readings for the Week = = =
Monday 2 Tim. 2:20-26 Mark 9:42-10:1
Tuesday 2 Tim. 3:16-4:4 Mark 10:2-12
Wednesday Heb. 1:1-12 Luke 2:1-20
Thursday Gal. 4:4-7 (FEAST OF NATIVITY) Mat. 2:1-12
Friday Heb. 2:11-18 Matt. 2:13-23
Saturday 1 Tim. 6:11-16 Matt. 12:15-21
Sunday Gal. 1:11-19 {Sunday after Nativity) Matt. 2:13-23
Saturday, May 3, 2008
UPCOMING EVENTS/SERVICES
CALENDAR OF SERVICES and EVENTS FOR
DECEMBER 2008 and JANUARY 2009
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TUESDAY DECEMBER 23
ROYAL HOURS – 9:00 AM
WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 24
EVE OF THE FEAST OF THE NATIVITY OF
OUR LORD GOD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST
VESPERS with DIVINE LITURGY of ST. BASIL– 9:00 am
HOLY SUPPER in the Church Hall – 5:00 pm
GREAT COMPLINE with LITIYA – 6:30 pm
THURSDAY DECEMBER 25
THE FEAST OF THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD GOD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST
THIRD and SIXTH HOURS – 9:00 am
DIVINE LITURGY – 9:30 am
SATURDAY DECEMBER 27
FEAST OF ST. STEPHEN THE PROTOMARTYR
GREAT VESPERS – 4:00 pm
SUNDAY DECEMBER 28
THIRD and SIXTH HOURS – 8:40 am
DIVINE LITURGY – 9:00 am
SUNDAY DECEMBER 21
CHURCH SCHOOL CHRISTMAS SING-A-LONG AND LUNCHEON
WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 24
NATIVITY EVE HOLY SUPPER – 5:00 PM
*PLEASE SEE SIGN-UP SHEETS IN THE CHURCH HALL*
GREAT COMPLINE SERVICE – 6:30 PM
THURSDAY JANUARY 1, 2009
FEAST OF THE CIRCUMCISION OF OUR LORD
FEAST OF ST. BASIL THE GREAT
NEW YEAR’S DAY
FESTAL DIVINE LITURGY WITH PRAYERS FOR THE NEW YEAR --- 9:30 AM
SUNDAY JANUARY 4, 2009
FESTAL DIVINE LITURGY FOLLOWED BY GREAT BLESSING OF WATER – 9:00 AM
FR. JOHN KRETA, CHANCELLOR OF DIOCESE OF NE, WILL BE HERE AT ST. NICHOLAS CHURCH TO CELEBRATE THE DIVINE LITURGY AND THEN HAVE A QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION WITH THE ENTIRE PARISH COMMUNITY. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS, PLEASE SEE OR CONTACT MRS. PEGGY MORNINGSTAR.
DECEMBER 2008 and JANUARY 2009
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TUESDAY DECEMBER 23
ROYAL HOURS – 9:00 AM
WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 24
EVE OF THE FEAST OF THE NATIVITY OF
OUR LORD GOD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST
VESPERS with DIVINE LITURGY of ST. BASIL– 9:00 am
HOLY SUPPER in the Church Hall – 5:00 pm
GREAT COMPLINE with LITIYA – 6:30 pm
THURSDAY DECEMBER 25
THE FEAST OF THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD GOD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST
THIRD and SIXTH HOURS – 9:00 am
DIVINE LITURGY – 9:30 am
SATURDAY DECEMBER 27
FEAST OF ST. STEPHEN THE PROTOMARTYR
GREAT VESPERS – 4:00 pm
SUNDAY DECEMBER 28
THIRD and SIXTH HOURS – 8:40 am
DIVINE LITURGY – 9:00 am
SUNDAY DECEMBER 21
CHURCH SCHOOL CHRISTMAS SING-A-LONG AND LUNCHEON
WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 24
NATIVITY EVE HOLY SUPPER – 5:00 PM
*PLEASE SEE SIGN-UP SHEETS IN THE CHURCH HALL*
GREAT COMPLINE SERVICE – 6:30 PM
THURSDAY JANUARY 1, 2009
FEAST OF THE CIRCUMCISION OF OUR LORD
FEAST OF ST. BASIL THE GREAT
NEW YEAR’S DAY
FESTAL DIVINE LITURGY WITH PRAYERS FOR THE NEW YEAR --- 9:30 AM
SUNDAY JANUARY 4, 2009
FESTAL DIVINE LITURGY FOLLOWED BY GREAT BLESSING OF WATER – 9:00 AM
FR. JOHN KRETA, CHANCELLOR OF DIOCESE OF NE, WILL BE HERE AT ST. NICHOLAS CHURCH TO CELEBRATE THE DIVINE LITURGY AND THEN HAVE A QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION WITH THE ENTIRE PARISH COMMUNITY. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS, PLEASE SEE OR CONTACT MRS. PEGGY MORNINGSTAR.
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