lack Bear on Monastery Dr. Sighted on 5.14.2020 – 10:30pm

Just be aware – a big black bear (not the one pictured) was wandering around Thursday evening on Monastery Dr. Let’s make sure he doesn’t stay around by securing all outdoor garbage, bird seed, dog food etc..

Athanasius of Athos – July 5

THE SYNAXARION

On July 5, in the Holy Orthodox Church, we commemorate our Venerable and God-bearing Father Athanasius of Athos, and his six disciples who died with him.

Verses Anthony the Great was the founder of monasticism,

And divine Athanasius, their godly culmination. On the fifth, Angels took Athanasius and his disciples to the City of God.

Born of God-fearing parents in Trebizond in modern Turkey, he was left destitute early, but by the providence of God, a high-ranking army officer took him to Constantinople and educated him there. Finishing his schooling, Athanasius eventually moved to the Holy Mountain to live in silence and strict asceticism. Many, desirous of the ascetic life,

began to gather round him and he was constrained to build the famous Lavra monastery. The Byzantine Emperors gave him generous help in this. Manifold temptations came upon Athanasius, from demons and from men, but as a valiant soldier of Christ, he resisted and overcame them all by his immense humility and unceasing prayer to the living God. Filled with the grace of God, he was found worthy to behold the most holy Mother of God, who miraculously brought forth water from a rock. Death came to him suddenly in 1003. He, together with six of his monks, had climbed up onto a newly-constructed part of the church to inspect a wall when the wall fell in and buried them all. Athanasius appeared a number of times to his brethren after his death, to console or rebuke them. On this day, we also commemorate the Venerable hieromartyr Cyprian of St. George Kelli on Athos; Venerable Lampados of Irenopolis; the 23 martyrs of Lesvos; and Venerable Sergius the wonderworker of Radonezh. By their intercessions, O Christ God, have mercy on us. Amen

PFD in July Please remember to mark your tithes on your PFD’s in the memo of a check “PFD.” If you pay on the church website, stjohnalaska.org, click on “Make a Donation” and choose the category “PFD tithe”. The tithe from PFD’s is not put into our general budget but is held for special projects that benefit the entire parish.

Saint John Orthodox Cathedral

Sunday Bulletin July 5, 2020

Homilist: Protodeacon Pat Reader: Tim Terrell

Athanasius of Mount Athos

4th Sunday of Matthew

~~~~~~~~ Tone 3

~~~~~~~~ Galatians 5:22-6:2

~~~~~~~~ Matthew 8:5-13

~~~~~~~~

Divine Liturgy Group Schedule through the Coming Week

v Saturday, July 4, Liturgy at 9:15am – F / G v Saturday, July 4, Vespers at 7:15pm – H / I – Live-Streamed v Sunday July 5, Matins at 9:30am / Liturgy at 10am – H / I – Liturgy Live-Streamed v Wednesday, July 8, Liturgy at 6:15pm – J /K v Saturday, July 11, Liturgy at 9:15am –L / A v Saturday, July 11, Vespers at 7:15pm – B / C – Live-Streamed v Sunday, July 12, 9:30am Matins/Liturgy, Trisagion Prayers for David Cosgrave – B / C – Live-

Streamed To view Group Assignments or to Sign-up for the Divine Liturgy Group click HERE. To view the overall Schedule for when Liturgies are assigned see the SERVICES/SCHEDULE page of the Church website. (Links are not active in the bulletin – so click the links in the email.)

Brent and Jamie Longmire Depart for Oklahoma Thursday Brent and Jamie Longmire first visited our Church in early 2017. Before long they welcomed their son Samuel into the world. They were Chrismated and Baptized after this. Jamie is in the army and works as a pharmacist. Brent is also a pharmacist. Now Jamie is expecting their second child (due in December), and the Army is sending their family off to another assignment, beginning in Oklahoma. We will very much miss them and wish them well in all their journeys. And, if God allows, we will welcome them back "home" whenever they return. Brent, Jamie and Samuel will drive out this Thursday.

Congratulations to Paul & Olivia Gillquist - Baby Boy Rollie Rollie Peter Edward Gillquist. He was born June 28 at 8am. 8lbs & 7oz and 22 inches long.

Bears and More Bears on Monastery and Darby Morning, Noon and Night

Please be aware that we have two bears very interested in our neighborhood. They are around in the early morning, have been seen in the afternoon and in the evening. They seem to be very bold. They have

gotten into garbage, chicken feed, and have chased the two baby moose. So let’s do our part and keep anything that might encourage them to stick around put away as best we can. Here is a photo of each of them. The cinnamon black bear is rambling

down Monastery and the small black bear was visiting the Fletes’s yard and was also on the Kelly’s deck at 7am Friday

“One Accord” The saints are exceedingly loving and gentle to mankind, and even to brute beasts…Surely we ought to show them (animals) great kindness and gentleness for many reasons, but, above all, because they are of the same origin as ourselves.” —St. John Chrysostom

Local Community News and Personal Notes

“Checking In” with Each Other Since we are unable to see much of each other – Is there something you’d like to share about what your family is up to this summer? Please email stjohnalaska@aol.com Hope to hear a little something from you – it might help us feel a little more connected.

Recognize the basement bathrooms? A lot of hard work and plumbing has taken place. Much yet to do.

Out having my morning coffee and this little baby Pine Siskin almost landed on my head and then sat for a while in my flower pot. Pure joyJ -Maris Kelly

A photo of the baby moose in the Kelly’s yard Thursday evening. These are the ones the cinnamon black bear chased.

Remembering Those Who Have Fallen Asleep In The Month of July

Saint John Orthodox Cathedral P.O. Box 771108 18936 Monastery Drive Eagle River, Alaska, 99577

(907) 696-2002 Fax: (907) 696-5555 Website: stjohnalaska.org Diocesan Website: http://www.antiochianladiocese.org

Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese Pastor: Fr. Marc Dunaway Assistant Priests: Fr. Robert Polson / Fr. Thomas Frizelle / Fr. John Rogers

Schedule of Regular Services: Saturdays: Great Vespers-6:15pm Sundays: Matins-9am/Divine Liturgy-10am

Wednesdays: Vespers 7:15pm / Thursdays: Divine Liturgy 8:15am (On School Days) Wednesdays and Fridays 6th Hour Prayers – 12:15pm (On School Days)

Confession Times: Fr. Marc, Fr. Robert & Fr. Thomas after Great Vespers on Saturdays

Birthdays This Week

July 7 – Gabriel Alvarez July 10 – Andrew Potts July 8 – Elizabeth Frizelle July 12 – Tanna Terrell July 9 – Stella Mattie July 12 – Noah Arvidson

M A N Y Y E A R S !

Anniversaries This Week Bob & Phebe Dyal – July 5, 2010 (10 years) Matthew & Hayley – July 11, 2000 (20 years)

M A N Y Y E A R S !

Clare House Meal – 4th Saturday of Each Month For the Month of JULY – our scheduled meal that we provide Clare House is: July 25. Contact Cara Fletes for questions.

Presbyter Daniel Arthur Ryan - July 7, 1984 Theodore Max Wells – July 20, 2009 Marlene Faye Dyal – July 24, 2005

M E M O R Y E T E R N A L !

David Valentine Cosgrave August 24, 1959 – June 15, 2020

(Dalkey, Co. Dublin, Ireland) David COSGRAVE died June 15, 2020 (peacefully) at home, beloved son of Anthony and Sarah, loving brother of Jerry, Lisa, Francis, Susan, Edward, Val and Neil. Sadly missed by his father, mother, brothers, sisters, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, extended family and a wide circle of friends, both home and abroad.

David, a licensed acupuncturist and massage therapist who practiced at Alaska Integrative Medicine in Anchorage, first visited St. John’s in late August, 2006. He became a catechumen in February of ’07 and was brought into the Church on April 7 of that same year – Holy Saturday. Due to his interest in theology, in 2015 he enrolled in the St. Stephen’s course and was instrumental in putting together the “Community Disaster Preparedness Seminar” in June 2016. Several years ago David was diagnosed with cancer. In 2018 he transferred to Holy Transfiguration Greek Parish as it was close by to his home. In October 2019 he moved

back to Ireland to care for his ailing parents with thoughts of starting a new medical practice there. On Pascha of this year he called Tim & Tanna Terrell and talked on the phone for more than an hour. He mentioned at that time that his cancer had come back and didn’t know how long he had left. Al Zink, a golfing friend of David, was first to hear of his death. David will be remembered by all of us as a kind, cheerful and caring person. May his memory be eternal!

Here is an excerpt from David’s own words when he became a catechumen here at St. John’s. They are very sweet.

“Greetings everybody! I’ve been asked to introduce myself to you who don’t know me by writing a few lines. If you had been with me on Friday evening as I was trying to get my truck out of the ditch that it had slide into, you would have been acutely aware that:

the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart

were not acceptable in the LORD’S sight.

Upon reflection it was another reminder why the verse of Psalm 19:14 has to be a theme verse for me in the year of 2007. This Irish-American self-proclaimed Gypsy ran from the Roman Church when the Parish Priest call for a return to the days of old and specifically to the tradition that the eldest son of Irish Roman Catholic families join the Priesthood. I, the eldest of eight, rarely entered a church again buy for accompanying my parents when we met up in Spain. It was in Spain that I had a “Road to Damascus” experience and since then, for the most part, my intention has been, if I may borrow words from a Joyce Kimble Poem, like a:

Tree that looks up at God all day and raises its leafy arms in prayer.

However, again I must confess that intention and action especially regarding prayer are too often a miscarriage in my journey. To be Daniel-like in prayer to be! So it was in August last year, (2006), when again accompanying my mother to Mass that the appetite for candles, stained glass, reverence in Eucharist and the life resurfaced. God, I believe, was leading me to search for a church that might satisfy the above and more. So, I told my Pastor, Rick Benjamin of Abbott Loop of my search. He said, “I totally understand. You should try All Saints Episcopal Church, or if you want incense and everything, go to St. John’s in Eagle River. They used to be Baptists and have gone back to what they believe is the true New Testament Church.” Well, when I entered this Cathedral for the first time, there was a pleasant sense of incense. But then! I was hit in the face, figuratively speaking, by not only Icons, but the Kissing of Icons, Crosses and Priest’s hands, Making the sign of the cross in a strange and almost obsessive compulsive manner, Vestments, strange Liturgy, which was not easy to follow even with the words in your hand and lots of standing! To say that I was challenged is an understatement. In those late summer and early fall weeks of last year (2006), I owe extra thanks to Tim and Tanna, John and Lesa, Russ & Rhonda, Jim, Kevin, May and Deborah for their hospitality, friendliness and responses to my questions. God know how their deeds and your kept me coming back for more. Now, thanks to Fathers Marc, Jack and John, The Anchorage Reading Group, the Inquirer’s Class, and you all, I too revere Icons, enjoy making the Sign of the Cross, have renewed interest in Art and History through the Church Calendar and would even welcome Priesthood, if it’s His will. So, at the beginning of Lent 2007, it is to you, the Community of St. John’s, unique and beautiful, that I present myself as a Catechumen. In this meditative time of preparation, I look forward to the Easter Celebration of New Life and finally joining with you in Community and in the sharing of the Body and Bloood of our Savior Jesus Christ Until then and forever,

Let the words of our mouths the meditation of our hearts Be acceptable in Your sight,

O Lord, our strength and our Redeemer”

Memory Eternal May His Soul Dwell With the Blessed

______________________________________________________________________________

Here are some people’s reflection of David: “David made his first trip to America for the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. He was part of the United Kingdom’s Medical Team. He came to Alaska to be with his family – his brother, Jerry, and sister. He and I played golf together – he was a great person.” – Al Zink “While paying golf with David and Al – I always remember him being very calm and laid back and just enjoying the day.” – Steve Templeton “I remember his joyous smiling face while holding the napkin during communion” – Maris Kelly “I remember a movie night with a group of his friends at his place, and he invited Lesa and I to see his nieces dance with the Irish Dance Academy at the Anchorage Folk Festival. He was really very proud of them. – John Morrison “I remember being at Coffee Hour one day in early spring and I was looking down when all of a sudden I noticed two large bare feet coming my way. I couldn’t believe it as it was still pretty cold outside. I looked up and saw David with a big smile on his face. He and I had our common Irish ancestry and our former Catholic Faith in common as well as our interest in medicine and it was always a pleasure to talk with him.” – Deborah Stallman “So very sorry to hear of David's passing. He was a man of many enthusiasms. Before we left for Homer he was learning Chinese. For several years he applied himself, and even took several trips to China staying for a month or more at a time. He was a good man. – Jim Patras

“What stood out to me about David was his cheerful disposition and his willingness to support his family no matter the distance. The last conversation I had with him was right before he moved back to Ireland to take care of his parents. His outlook was one of being given a joyful opportunity! Memory eternal!”– Lajarle Scott “Dave moved to Alaska to be with his family. His sister had moved here from Ireland years before on the recommendation of two young Alaskan girls who had attended the same “reform school” as she had during their high school years. The school was located on a small island off the coast of Ireland. They had told her that Alaska was a beautiful place and so she decided to see for herself. David’s brother, Jerry also moved here. The main thing Tim and I admired and wondered at in Dave was his complete disregard for things. He was the epitome of the Christian ideal of not being burdened with earthly cares. He often lived in his office. He worked for 3 or 4 months, traveled, and came back to work. He went to China, Slovenia, all kinds of places, and he kept his life simple enough that he could do it. Most of his travel included workshops related to his work, and time with family, but some was related to golf. The first conversation I had with him he told me his father and brothers were really into golf, but not him. Two years later he was going to Spain for the golf tournament his father helped organize, and a few after that he was helping organize it. He called us on Easter this year, and sent his greetings to all of St Johns, and said that he still considered it his spiritual home, even though he may never make it back. I really loved the sign he had at his office, because it could look like an orthodox cross or like an Asian character.– Tanna Terrell