FOR THE REPOSE OF: Estelle & Joseph Star; Anna & John Witkowski; Michael Sr. & Margaret Rusko; Mary, Andrew, Daniel, Michael& Lottie Yakuber; Ross & Margaret Falsetti; Helen, John & Carole Andrayko; Peter & Theresa Harvilla; Betty Martell; Frances, Todd , John& Theresa Smoly; Peter Glover; Irene Adams; Ethel Elizabeth & Wayne Joshua deVyver, David Horka; Michael Rusko; Anna Lichagina,Yelena & Zinaïda Korniyevskaya; Joseph Nossal; Michelle Tucker; Todd Comerford, John Manier, Jr.MEMORY ETERNAL! Mitered Archpriest John Nehrebecki (newly departed, Holy Saturday, 4/7/18) Paramus, NJ

FOR THE HEALTH OF: Archimandrite Seraphim, Mat. Debra Shirak, Mat. Mary Ellen & Julius Comerford, Matushka Mary Donahue,Reader George & Betty Hanoian, Rose Nossal, Mary Glover, Nancy Cupp, Vasiliki Stamoulis, Gerald Martell, Azbehat, Carl deVyver, Jo Anne& Nick Nicholas, Joan Rusko, Daria, Joseph Nossal, Ed Manier, Fr. Dimitrie Vincent, Levi Troyer ALSO FOR: Fr. Michael Oleksa, (recovering from heart by-pass surgery), by Fr. Roman & Matushka Rose Marie

Clare Genig, who celebrates her Birthday on Wednesday, 18 April Libby Glover-Booher, who celebrates her Birthday on Thursday, 19 April Deborah Hartz, who celebrates her Birthday on Saturday, 21 April

� MAY GOD GRANT THEM MANY YEARS! �

PROSPHORA FOR TODAY IS OFFERED BY: Marianna & Jason Wess

In Memory Eternal of: Anna Verstakova, Maria Boikova, Lev Chernuhin, Ivan Malutin, Svetlana Chernuhina, & Josephine Wess; and For the Health of: Jason, Marianna, Amilia, Liliana & Andrew Wess; Galina Chernuhina, Oleg Chernuhin, Sophia Chernuhina, Elena Kuligina;

& Patricia Wess, Eric Wess, Dena Livingston

COMMEMORATED TODAY: ANTIPASCHA. St. Thomas Sunday. Apostles of the Seventy: Aristarchus, Pudens and Trophimus (ca. 67). MartyrsBasilissa (Vasilissa) and Anastasia of Rome, disciples of Apostles Peter and Paul (1st c.). Martyr Suchias and his company in Georgia (2nd c.).Martyr Sabbas the Goth, of Wallachia (372). .

APRIL 15, 2018

EPISTLE: Acts of the Apostles 5:12 - 20 (#14)GOSPEL: St. John 20:19 - 31 (#65)TONE: 1

St. Innocent Orthodox ChurchZ 1967-2018 Z Moscow Patriarchal Parishes Z

23300 W. Chicago _ Redford, MI 48239 _ 313-538-1142 _ Fax: 313-538-8126Church Website: www.stinnocentchurch.com _ E-Mail: starfatherrroman38@gmail.comSt. Innocent Monastic Community: 9452 Hazelton, Redford, MI 48239 _ 313-535-9080

PASTOR: Mitered Archpriest FR. ROMAN STAR _ Cell: 313-319-0590 Dean, Central States Deanery, Patriarchal Parishes

ASSISTANT PRIEST: FR. JOSHUA GENIG _ 630-936-6386DEACON: Dn. Michael Comerford

ATTACHED: Sister IoannaCHOIR DIRECTOR: Elizabeth Star Hatfield

READERS: George Hanoian, William Davis,Henry Hancock

_ 9:15AM — HOURS & AKATHIST FOR THE RESURRECTION; CONFESSIONS __ 10am — DIVINE LITURGY OF ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM _

SCHEDULE FOR THE COMING WEEK (Resume regular Wednesday and Friday fasting each week)

TODAY: Sun, 4/15 1pm GRAVE BLESSINGS (after Coffee Hour, about 1:00pm)

Tuesday 4/17 “Joy-Day” (“Radonitsa) (bringing the Joy of the Resurrection to the departed at their graves)

Saturday 4/21 4pm GREAT VESPERS & Confessions

Sunday 4/22 Myrrhbearing-Women Sunday (3rd Sunday of Pascha)

9:15am Hours & Canon &/or Akathist for the Resurrection

10am DIVINE LITURGY, Followed by Coffee Hour

Z ST. THOMAS SUNDAY Z THE 2nd

SUNDAY OF PASCHA Z

Z CHRIST IS RISEN! TRULY HE IS RISEN! Z ÕÐÈÑÒÎÑ ÂÎÑÊÐÅÑÅ! ÂÎÈÑÒÈÍÓ ÂÎÑÊÐÅÑÅ! Z

Z KHRISTOS ANESTI! ALITHOS ANESTI! Z HRISTOS A ÎNVIAT! ADEVÃRAT A ÎNVIAT! Z

CANDLES FOR LAST SUNDAY, 8 APRIL (PASCHA)YEARLY CHURCH VIGIL LAMPS:Royal Doors Lamp: In Memory of Husband, Joseph; Son, Kenneth; parents, Michael & Margaret Rusko, & John & Martha Nossal, by Rose NossalAltar Candelabra: In Memory of my Parents, John & Anna Witkowski & Fr. Roman’s Parents, Joseph & Estelle Star, by Matushka Rose MarieAltar Candles (2): In Memory of Irene Adams, by Goddaughter, Rose Ann EverhardtIconostasis Lamps: In Memory of departed family & friends; & Health of family & friends, by Fr. Protodeacon Daniel & Mat. Irene SudolCandles on the Solea: In Memory of Peter & Theresa Harvilla, Norman & Monica Holst, & Ricky Ellis, by Jason & Debra Truskowski

Table of Oblation Lamp: In Memory of Parents, Helen & John Andrayko, Sr. & sister, Carole Andrayko, by John Andrayko, Jr.Reliquary-Icon Lamps: Sts. Innocent, Tikhon & Herman: Health of Joseph/Sue; Robert/Diane; Pat/John; Joseph B., Jared, Jay; Rachelle/Aaron, Gabriel; Tricia, Lindsey; & In Memory of sisters, Anna, Margaret, Theresa & Irene; & brothers, John, Edwin & Michael by Rose NossalReliquary-Icon Lamps: Sts. Elizabeth & Raphael: Health of the Genig and the Just Families, by Fr. Joshua & Matushka Abigail GenigReliquary-Icon Lamps: St. Seraphim & St. Alexis: In Memory of Ross & Margaret Falsetti, by daughters, Rose Ann Everhardt & Margie Martell Reliquary-Icon Lamps: St. Nestor & St. Gerontius: In Memory of Rusko Family: Grandparents, Anna, Alexandra, Mike, Margaret, John, Mary, George, Pauline, Pete, Irene, Andrew, Anna, Grandparents Nicholas & Anna Schulik, by Rose NossalReliquary-Icon Lamps: St. Hilarion & Sts. Alexandra & Martha: In Memory of Parents, Ethel Elizabeth & Wayne Joshua; Robert David H; //

IN MEMORY OF (MEMORY ETERNAL!) //& Health of brother, Carl, by Sister IoannaJoseph & Estelle Star, by son Father Roman and familyPaul & Alexandra Yupco, Basil & Ellen Starinshak, by grandson, Father Roman and familyJohn & Anna Witkowski, by daughter, Matushka Rose Marie and familySamuel & Mary Kupec, by granddaughter, Matushka Rose Marie and family Parents, Helen & John Andrayko, and sister, Carole Andrayko, by John Andrayko + + + My husband, Michael Rusko, by Joan Rusko My husband, Joe; my sisters, Margaret & Ross Falsetti, Anna & Mike Elaschat, Theresa & Pete Harvilla, Irene, & brothers, Michael, John & Edwin Rusko; niece, Rose Mary & Dean Hough; Joe’s brothers, Raymond & Walter Nossal, & sisters, Theresa, Florence & Helen Nossal, by Rose Nossal ++ + Pete & Theresa Harvilla, by Mary Ann Harvilla & Kay Truskowski + + + Jaimie Truskowski, by daughter Kay T. Parents, Ethel Elizabeth & Wayne Joshua; David H; Nina I; Marion P; Fr. Photius; Archm. Roman; Mo. Benedicta, Molly, Olive, by Sr. Ioanna Parents, Michael & Lottie Yakuber; Grandparents Yakuber; Uncle Chet & Aunt Irene; Uncle Daniel Yakuber; Donald Yakuber; Andy & Nell Yakuber, by Nancy Cupp + + + Shirley Troyer, Child Lana Wilson, Betty & Paul Stelmaszek, Keith Hansen, by Becky Jurczyszyn

FOR THE HEALTH OF: (MANY YEARS!)Elizabeth & Lawrence, Caitlin & Zachary, by parents & grandparents, Father Roman & Matushka Rose Marie Gregory & Tamiko Star, by parents, Father Roman & Matushka Rose MarieChildren, Grandchildren & Great-grandchildren; Monk Fr. Sdn. Tikhon (Dade); by Rose NossalFather Roman & Matushka & family; Sister Ioanna; John Andrayko; Nancy; Mary G; Jo Anne N; Grandson Joey (in the Navy Reserves) & all people in the Armed Forces; & all St. Innocent Church parishioners, by Rose Nossal + + + Family & Friends, by Mary Ann Harvilla & KayBrother, Greg & Donna; nephew, Gregory & Liz & new baby; & nephew, Alex, by Mary Ann & Kay + + + Ed Manier, by Mary Ann H. & KayArchimandrites Nafanail, Gregory & Seraphim; Fr. Roman & Mat. Rose Marie; Fr. Daneil & fam; Fr. Lawrence B & fam; Fr. Laurence L & fam; Fr. Dcn. Michael & fam; Mat. Mary D; Carl; Monk Fr. Tikhon; Sdn Andrew; Rdr Robert; Robert M; David Samuel/Sky & Avi; JoAnne/Nick; Athanasius; John A; Ed/Tiffany; Kim/Mark & fam; Frances/Ken; Deborah H; Rose; Vasiliki; Levi; Elaine; Mark S; Fr. Dimitrie, by Sr. Ioanna Rose Nossal, by John Andrayko + + + John Andrayko (May God watch over him), by Rose Nossal + + + Levi Troyer; Mike/Leia/ Reece/Wyatt Wilson; Bob & Joan Jurczyszyn; Rob/Sue/Rachel/Chris/Jack Jurczyszyn; Damon Trestain; Paul/Pete/ Krista/ Jacob/Claire/Matt Stelmaszek; Toni & Richard Bussen; Liz Tomachewski, Nathan/Andrea Faust; Gussie Salvaggio; Matt/Sue/Brandon/Haley Jurczyszyn; Debbie/Ed/Trevor/Emily/Amelia Maresh, by Becky Jurczyszyn My Children, Grandchildren, Great Grandchild; Wasen; Fr. Roman & Matushka Rose Marie; Fr. Josh & Matushka Abigail; Rose Nossal, Mary Glover, & all St. Innocent parishioners; June Rock & families, by Nancy Cupp

ANNOUNCEMENTS

(1) THANK YOU VERY MUCH TO:# THOSE WHO DONATED FOR PASCHA FLOWERS that beautified Christ’s Tomb and our Temple for Pascha;# THOSE WHO DONATED FOR PASCHA BOWS, that are hanging on the large cross, where they will stay until Ascension Day, whenChrist’s Body will be replaced on the cross. (See Mary Ann if you still wish to donate some bows);# THOSE WHO BROUGHT FOOD FOR OUR DELICIOUS AGAPE MEAL that we shared after the marvelous & glorious midnightResurrection Service, and then again was served at the Agape fellowship brunch after the joyous Pascha Vespers later in the morning.

(2) BRIGHT SATURDAY HIERARCHAL DIVINE LITURGY: Yesterday morning, Saturday, April 14th, Fr. Roman & Fr. Joshuaparticipated in the annual Patriarchal Parishes Bright Saturday Hierarchal Divine Liturgy with our Bishop John. This year it was held at St.Michael’s Church in Philadelphia, PA. All of the clergy of the Patriarchal Parishes’ are expected to attend this annual event. Our priests droveeast on Thursday and on Friday. Fr. Roman intended to drive back to the eastern Ohio area on Saturday, and then complete the trip back homeon Sunday morning, arriving back in time for today’s St. Thomas Sunday Divine Liturgy and in order to do annual Paschal grave blessings.

Z CHRIST IS RISEN! TRULY HE IS RISEN! Z ÕÐÈÑÒÎÑ ÂÎÑÊÐÅÑÅ! ÂÎÈÑÒÈÍÓ ÂÎÑÊÐÅÑÅ! Z

Z KHRISTOS ANESTI! ALITHOS ANESTI! Z HRISTOS A ÎNVIAT! ADEVÃRAT A ÎNVIAT! Z

SAINT THOMAS SUNDAYBy Metropolitan Anthony of Sourozh

A Sermon delivered on April 30, 1995

Today we are keeping the day of St Thomas the Apostle. Too oftenwe remember him only as a doubter; indeed he is the one whoquestioned the message which the other Apostles brought to himwhen they said: Christ is risen! We have seen Him alive!

But he is not one who doubted throughout his life or who remainedunfaithful to the fullness of the divine revelation of Christ. We mustremember that when the Apostles and the Lord heard of the illnessof Lazarus, Christ said to them: Let us return to Jerusalem. To whichthe others said: But the Jews wanted to kill you there. Why shouldwe return? Only Thomas the Apostle answered: Let us go with Himand die with Him. He was prepared not only to be His disciple inwords, not only to follow Him as one follows a teacher, but to diewith Him as one dies with a friend and, if necessary, for a friend. So,let us remember his greatness, his faithfulness, his wholeness.

But what happened then when after the Resurrection of Christ, the Apostles said to the one who had not seenChrist risen, that they had actually seen the risen Christ? Why did he not accept their message? Why did hedoubt? Why did he say that he must have proofs, material proofs? Because when he looked at them, he saw themrejoicing in what they had seen, rejoicing that Christ was not dead, rejoicing that Christ was alive, rejoicing thatvictory had been won. Yet, when he looked at them he saw no difference in them. These were the same men,only full of joy instead of fear. And Thomas said: Unless I see, unless I probe the Resurrection, I cannot believeyou.

Is it not the same thing that anyone can say to us who meets us?

We proclaimed the Resurrection of Christ, passionately, sincerely, truthfully, a few days ago. We believe in itwith all our being; and yet, when people meet us in our homes, in the street, in our place of work, anywhere, dothey look at us and say: Who are these people? What has happened to them?

The Apostles had seen Christ risen, but the Resurrection had not become part of their own experience. They hadnot come out of death into eternal life. So it is also with us; except with the saints, when they see them, theyknow that their message is true.

What is it in our message that is not heard? Because we speak, but are not. We should be so different frompeople who have no experience of the living Christ, risen, who has shared His life with us, who sent the HolySpirit to us as, in the words of C.S. Lewis, a living person is different from a statue. A statue may be beautiful,magnificent, glorious, but it is stone. A human being can be much less moving in his outer presence, yet he isalive, he is a testimony of life.

So let us examine ourselves. Let us ask ourselves where we are. Why is it that people who meet us never noticethat we are limbs of the risen Christ, temples of the Holy Spirit? Why?

Each of us has got to give his own reply to this question. Let us, each of us, examine ourselves and be ready toanswer before our own conscience and do what is necessary to change our lives in such away that peoplemeeting us may look at us and say: Such people we have never seen. There is something about them that wehave never seen in anyone. What is it? And we could answer: It is the life of Christ abroad in us. We are Hislimbs. This is the life of the Spirit in us. We are His temple. Amen.

2018 PASCHAL EPISTLE

of His Holiness KYRILL, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia

to the Archpastors, Pastors, Deacons, Monastics

and All the Faithful Children of the Russian Orthodox Church

Beloved in the Lord archpastors, all-honorable presbyters and deacons,

God-loving monks and nuns, dear brothers and sisters!

CHRIST IS RISEN!

From a heart filled with radiant joy in the Savior Who has risen from the tomb I greet youall with these life-affirming words and congratulate you on the “feast of feasts” – the Lord’sPassover.

Today we are called to a great banquet of faith, to a great triumph of the spirit. TheOnly-begotten Son of God, Who has come into the world, endured suffering and death on the Cross, and at the word of theheavenly Father rose victoriously from the tomb! Jesus is risen and “death is swallowed up in victory” (1 Cor. 15:54)! Heis risen and the whole universe rejoices! The Lord has vanquished Hades and crushed the power of the devil. And all of thishas been accomplished by the God who loves humankind, “who has predestinated us unto the adoption of children by JesusChrist to Himself … in whom we have redemption through His blood and the forgiveness of sins” (1 Eph. 1:4-5, 7).

Christ’s victory over death is not only a spiritual, but also a physical reality. The Lord Jesus truly rose bodily for the salvationof all people. With His Resurrection death has lost its irreversible nature, and for those who believe in Christ it has becomethe rebirth into life everlasting, the door which opens up the way to heaven and the kingdom of God.

It is not fortuitous that the martyrs too welcomed all sorts of sufferings for Christ’s sake. And if before, even great righteousmen mourned the dead as having perished forever, then after the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus, death no longer held anyterror for them. In the remarkable words of St. Athanasius the Great, henceforth “all who believe in Christ trample down deathas nothing. For they truly know that when they die they are not destroyed, but actually live, and become incorruptible throughthe Resurrection” (Homily on the Incarnation of God the Word and His Coming to Us in the Flesh). The New Martyrs of theChurch of Russia have shown to us a clear example in fearlessly accepting the crowns of martyrs during the time ofpersecution for the faith in the 20th century.

Today, when the world ever more resembles the foolish rich man in the Gospel parable (see: Lk. 12:16-21), when comfort,success and a long life are proclaimed as practically the main values in human existence, we, the disciples and followers ofthe Savior, along with the Apostle Paul, boldly testify: “For me to live is Christ” (Phil. 1:21), and death is no longer the endof our existence. We speak and believe thus, for we know that God created the human soul for eternity.

How often do we, who are engulfed in the vanity and anxieties of everyday life, lack the spiritual insight to see thetransforming power of the presence of God in our lives! Yet the time of Pascha is a completely special time. In these daysthe air itself is replete with incomparable Paschal joy, while God’s love and mercy are poured out in abundance upon everyhuman being.

As we enter into the festivities of this wondrous and radiant holy day, we are called upon, not only in word, but also in deed,to bear convincing witness to the great gift that people have received through the Risen Lord Jesus. So let us then share withthose around us the joyous news of the Gospel, let us bestow our love, care and attention upon our neighbors, let us do goodto those who need our help and comfort. Only thus, with lips and hearts full of thanksgiving as we glorify the Savior Whohas risen from the tomb, do we become heirs of the Paschal miracle that has now been accomplished and with boldness callourselves the sons and daughters of the Most High God who has manifested to all of us His boundless love.

In sending you my heartfelt congratulations on the bright feast day of Holy Pascha, I again and again address you with thejoyous greeting:

CHRIST IS RISEN!

+KYRILL

PATRIARCH OF MOSCOW AND ALL RUSSIA

Moscow, Pascha, 2018

PASCHAL ORATION

By St. Gregory the Theologian

Yesterday I was crucified with Him;

today I am glorified with Him.

Yesterday I died with Him;

today I am made alive with Him.

Yesterday I was buried with Him;

today I am raised up with Him.

Let us offer to Him Who suffered and

rose again for us ... ourselves,

the possession most precious to God and most proper.

Let us become like Christ,

since Christ became like us.

Let us become Divine for His sake,

since for us He became Man.

He assumed the worse

that He might give us the better.

He became poor that by His poverty

we might become rich.

He accepted the form of a servant

that we might win back our freedom.

He came down that we might be lifted up.

He was tempted that through Him we might conquer.

He was dishonored that He might glorify us.

He died that He might save us.

He ascended that He might draw to Himself us,

who were thrown down through the fall of sin.

Let us give all, offer all, to Him

Who gave Himself a Ransom and Reconciliation for us.

We needed an incarnate God, a God put to death, that we might live.

We were put to death together with Him that we might be cleansed.

We rose again with Him because we were put to death with Him.

We were glorified with Him because we rose again with Him.

A few drops of Blood recreate the whole of creation!

THE PASCHAL SERMON OF ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM

The Paschal sermon of St. John Chrysostom is read aloud in every Orthodox parish at theResurrection Service of the Great and Holy Pascha of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Whoever is a devout lover of God, let him enjoy this beautiful bright Festival!

Whoever is a grateful servant, let him rejoice and enter into the joy of his Lord!

And if any be weary with fasting, let him now enjoy what he has earned.

If any have toiled from the first hour, let him receive his due reward.

If any have come after the third hour, let him with gratitude join in the Feast.

If any have come after the sixth hour,

let him not doubt, for he too shall be deprived of nothing.

And if any have delayed to the ninth hour,

let him not hesitate, but let him come too.

And he who has arrived only at the eleventh hour,

let him not be troubled over his delay, for the Lord is gracious,

and received the last even as the first.

He gives rest to him that comes at the eleventh hour

as well as to him who has toiled from the first.

Yea, to this one He gives, to that one He bestows;

He honors the former's work; the latter's intent He praises.

Let all then enter the joy of our Lord!

Both the first and the last and those who come after, enjoy your reward!

Rich and poor, dance with one another, sober and slothful, celebrate the day.

Those who have kept the fast and those who have not, rejoice today, for the table is richly spread.

Fare royally upon it — the calf is a fatted one.

Let no one go away hungry.

All of you, enjoy the banquet of faith!

All enjoy the riches of his goodness.

Let no one cry over his poverty, for the universal Kingdom has appeared!

Let no one mourn that he has fallen again and again, for forgiveness has risen from the grave.

Let no one fear death, for the death of our Savior has set us free.

He has destroyed it by enduring it.

He spoiled the power of hell when He descended thereto.

Isaiah foretold this when he cried,

Death has been frustrated in meeting him below!

It is frustrated, for it is destroyed.

It is frustrated, for it is annihilated.

It is frustrated, for now it is made captive.

For it grabbed a body and discovered God.

It took earth and behold! it encountered heaven.

It took what was visible,

and was overcome by what was invisible.

O Death, where is your sting?

O Death, where is your victory?

CHRIST IS RISEN, and the demons are cast down.

CHRIST IS RISEN, and life is set free.

CHRIST IS RISEN, and the tomb is emptied of the dead.

For Christ, having risen from the dead,

is become the first-fruits of those who sleep.To Him be glory and power forever and ever! Amen!