sunday of the council fathers july 26, 2020 st. nicholas … · 2020-07-27 · sunday of the...

Sunday of the Council Fathers July 26, 2020

Weekly ScheduleONLY the Sunday Divine Liturgy will be available for viewing through

Facebook Live

Sunday, July 26—9:30 AM; Divine Liturgy

Wednesday, July 29—6:00 PM; Moleben to the Mother of God

Sunday, August 2—9:30 AM; Divine Liturgy & Panachida for Theodore Molly on the 40th Day of repose offered by Patricia Molly

Sunday, August 2—10:45 AM; Blessing of Vehicles

Confessions are by appointment only until further notice.

If you would like to receive the Eucharist, please call Fr. Nick to schedule an appointment.

If there is an emergency, please call Fr. Nick immediately.

1

Fr. Nicholas Mihaly, Pastor

1123 East Avenue Erie, PA 16503 H: (814) 453-4902 C: (203) 241-1027 [email protected]

More Information

Parish Website: www.stnicholaserie.org

Diocesan Website: www.acrod.org

www.facebook.com/StNicholasErie/

Welcome!

If you are new to our parish, welcome! St. Nicholas is a welcoming Orthodox Christian parish. As a reminder, only those Orthodox Christians who have prepared themselves are invited to receive Communion. For all of our visitors, Orthodox or non-Orthodox, please join us for coffee downstairs; meet Fr. Nick & the parishioners!

ST. NICHOLAS ORTHODOX CHURCH “Let us therefore strive to preserve the holiness of our souls and to guard the purity of our

bodies with all fervor”-St. Nicholas of Myra

American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese | Ecumenical Patriarchate

http://www.stnicholaserie.org

http://www.acrod.org

http://www.facebook.com/StNicholasErie/


http://www.stnicholaserie.org

http://www.acrod.org




Parish Statement on Covid 19As Erie County enters the Green Phase of reopening, St. Nicholas is also slowly reopening. The following guidelines are to be followed during this phase of reopening.

• If you are sick or have ANY symptoms of COVID19, STAY HOME. We will not be taking your temperature at the door. But please, for the safety of your neighbor, if you are ill, stay home.

• Social distancing will still be enforced. You will be able to seat yourselves in whatever pew you would like provided that there is AT LEAST 6 feet of space between you and any other parishioners. For reference, the pews are spaced three feet apart. There will be an usher to greet you at the door as usual who might ask you to move after you sit down. We ask that you follow the instructions of the usher in ensuring the social distancing guidelines.

• Wash and sanitize your hands upon entering the church.• Masks are strongly suggested and encouraged! • At this time, we are not yet open to outside visitors.

Thank YouThanks to all of my church family for the cards and donations in memory of Ted.—Love, Pat Molly

CorrectionIn last week’s bulletin, Fr. Nick accidentally attributed the panachida for Fr. Ronald Hazuda to Tamara Kloss alone. He should have added that it was also offered by George & Alexander Hazuda as well. Please forgive him for his mistake!

2

Upcoming Events

• August 30—Parish Picnic

Thank You!

Many of you have, without prompting or asking, sent in your weekly envelopes and other donations to your church. Thank you for remembering your parish family during the economic uncertainties at this time.

We also want to thank the Irwin Family for their tireless efforts in cleaning and sanitizing the church before and after services, especially during the COVID19 pandemic. Birthdays & Anniversaries

If you would like Many Years to be sung for you or a loved one, please let Fr. Nick know prior to the beginning of Divine Liturgy

July

26 Atty. Dennis & Shirley (Kramer) Williams—41st Anniversary

27 Douglas & Patricia (Burdick) Borkowski—46th Anniversary

30 Richard Sesco


Confessions and Sick CallsAt this time, with the blessing of His Eminence, Metropolitan Gregory, confessions and non-emergency pastoral visits can resume (emergency pastoral visits were never suspended by our hierarch). If you would like to go to confession, it is by appointment only until further notice—NO EXCEPTIONS. All confessions will take place with appropriate social distance measures. If, at this time, you are uncomfortable attending Divine Liturgy due to health issues and concerns, please call Fr. Nick to schedule an appointment if you would like to receive communion. And as always, if there is an emergency, do not hesitate to call Fr. Nick.

OCMC Trek for MissionsOur parish will be teaming up with some of the other Orthodox Churches in Erie County to participate in the OCMC’s Trek for Missions 2020. This virtual walk-a-thon style fundraiser will help support the OCMC in all of its activities. Our Team, Team ERIE, will compete against the Mercer County Team to bike/run/walk/swim/kayak the most miles and raise money for the OCMC during this time of societal and financial disturbance. To sign-up, please go to www.ocmc.org/trek4missions and click Join a Team and complete the registration. Our team-leader and is Lynne Hulse. If you would like to join our parish team, please contact her for more information at: [email protected]

Unction ServiceSince we were unable to gather together to participate in the sacrament of Holy Unction during Holy Week this year, we will serve the Holy Unction service on Wednesday, August 5. Please come and participate in this blessed sacrament of healing especially during this time of pandemic.

Food ’n CruzeThe Parish Board made the difficult decision to cancel this year’s Food ’n Cruze. God-willing, we will be host our successful car cruise and food truck festival next year!

Blessing of Cars & Other VehiclesOur annual blessing of cars and vehicles in commemoration of the feast day of the Prophet Elijah will be held following the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, August 2. Bring all of your cars, motorcycles, bicycles, hot air balloons or other vehicles to be blessed that day!

3

http://www.ocmc.org/trek4missions

mailto:[email protected]


4

Parish Prayer List“Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of

a righteous man has great power in its effects.” James 5:16

For the Health of…Fr. John Baranik, Fr. Lawrence Barriger, Fr. Kenneth Bachofsky, Fr. James Gleason, Fr. John Gido, Fr. George Livanos, Fr. Edward Pehanich, Fr. Michael Polanichka, Fr. Michael Rustick, Fr. Peter Staviski, Fr. Jonathan Tobias, Fr. James Dutko, Pani Kathy Dutko, Fr. David Smoley, Pani Donna Smoley, Pani Svetlana Birthisel, Pani Dorothy Hutnyan, Pani Marie Brancho, Pani Eleanor Herbert, Pani Connie Miloro, Pani Eleanor Pribish, Pani Dolores Zuder, Matushka Gail Mathewson, George Arghyrou, Ashley Barber, James Battaglini, Gregory Beskid, Douglas Borkowski, Christian Brown, Emma Burkell, John Candia, Robert Carlisle, Sandy Carlisle, Neil Chaudhary, Gail Collister, Thomas Decerbo, James DeHaven, Mark DeHaven, Mary Ellen Demyanovich, Maribeth Derer, Peter Dimitriadis, Helen Douglas, Curtis Elrod, Chad Feli, Irene Fendya, Ann Fuller, Bennett Heberle, Joseph Hulse, Alan Irwin, Athanasios Kehagias, Aggie Kiehart, Richard Koerner, Jean Kramer, Olivia Kuzmin, Kathleen Logsdon, Evelyn McCambridge, Mike McCambridge, Orestes Mihaly, Sadie Mihaly, Mark Mizak, Nicole Naccash, John Novak, Nina Paliouras, Stavros Rallis, Donna Rowald, Barbara Scheibeck, Richard Schrader, Alyn Shedden, Emily Silvera, Athena Silvestri, Elizabeth Skalko, Joseph Skalko, Isabella Smith, Eric Spiegelberg, Anastasia Thompson, Vicktor Volpe, Leona Vukmer, Cheryl Walker, David Walker, Jake & Lauren, Steven, Inna, Justin, Katlyn Wyant, George Yurcan, Fred Zetts…through the prayers of St. Nectarios the Wonderworker & St. Panteleimon the Great-Martyr and Healer

For the Repose of…Fr. George Havrila, Fr. George Hutnyan, Fr. Michael Shuster, Fr. Thomas Parthenakis, Fr. Michael Psenechnuk, Pani Patsy Joseph, Lee Anthony, Elizabeth Beck, Robert Collister, Ed Griffith, John Halama, Sr., Martin Howley, Tom Izzi, Miko Jovanovich, David Lee, Dawn Marie Lucas, Diane McConkey, Brian Menlen, Richard Molly, Theodore Molly, Serge Mihaly, Gregory Nakonecznyj, Donna Novak, Edward Pehanich, Sr., Robert Perevuznik, Sr., Natalia Petrashevskaya, Stelian Popescu, Laura Robinson Russo, Edith Serke, Irene Schwab, Maureen Sekel, Peter Sima, Evangelia Spiridoulias, Dorothy Steiner, Paul Tobias, Ron van Lente, Eugene Weisser, Barbara Wisnosky, Steve Zulovich, Guillermo…May their memories be eternal!

If you have someone you would like to be added to the prayer list, please see Fr. Nick


5

WEEKLY OFFERINGS – Sunday, July 19, 2020

DONOR $2.00 WEEKLY CANDLES FOR HEALTH GIVEN FOR Tamara Kloss Brother George Hazuda Tamara Kloss Uncle Very Reverend Protopresbyter Michael Polanichka John Lipchik Jr. & Kathleen Boyce Aunt Marge Sima Kathleen Boyce Families of Brother John Lipchik Jr. and Husband Gary Boyce David Lipchik His Family Phyllis Tarasovich Herself and Family Patricia Molly Herself and Family DONOR $2.00 WEEKLY CANDLES FOR THE DECEASED GIVEN FOR Tamara Kloss Father Very Rev. Proto. Ronald Hazuda’s Birthday, July 18, &

Mother Pani Dolores Hazuda Tamara Kloss Husband John Kloss Douglas & Jean LaBoda and Family His Father Michael LaBoda Douglas & Jean LaBoda and Family His Mother Virginia LaBoda Richard & Susanne Demchak Beloved Parents Joseph & Susan Demchak Dr. George & Kitty Kuzmishin Beloved Family Members John Lipchik Jr. & Kathleen Boyce Parents John Sr. & Helena Lipchik and Uncle Peter Sima Atty. Janet Belliveau Parents Douglas & Anne (Demyanovich) Liebel David Lipchik Parents Steve & Ann Lipchik Phyllis Tarasovich Deceased in the Tarasovich and Kelley Families Reader David & Debra Tarasovich Grandson Carter Robert Egloff Reader David & Debra Tarasovich Her Sister Diane McConkey Patricia Molly Husband Theodore Molly CATEGORY AMOUNT CATEGORY AMOUNT Candles 33.00 Memorials* 170.00 Loose Change 11.00 Grove Rentals 300.00 Regular Envelopes 674.99 Total Income 1,188.99 *Thank you to Helen Douglas ($50), Pete Karlinchak & the Whitman’s ($25), and Marge Richir ($20) for their donations in memory of Theodore Molly. *Thank you to Andrew & Deborah Abramczyk ($50) and John & Barbara Vahey ($25) for their donations in memory of Miko Jovanovich. ATTENDANCE Divine Liturgy (Sun., Jul. 19): 27


In the Ninth Article of the Nicea-Constantinople Symbol of Faith proclaimed by the holy Fathers of the First and Second Ecumenical Councils, we confess our faith in “One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church.” By virtue of the catholic nature of the Church, an Ecumenical Council is the Church’s supreme authority, and possesses the competence to resolve major questions of church life. An Ecumenical Council is comprised of archpastors and pastors of the Church, and representatives of all the local Churches, from every land of the “oikumene” (i.e. from all the whole inhabited world).

The Orthodox Church acknowledges Seven Holy Ecumenical Councils:

✤The First Ecumenical Council (Nicea I) was convened in the year 325 against the heresy of Arius, in the city of Nicea in Bithynia under Saint Constantine the Great, Equal of the Apostles.

✤The Second Ecumenical Council (Constantinople I) was convened in the year 381 against the heresy of Macedonias, by the emperor Theodosius the Great.

✤The Third Ecumenical Council (Ephesus) was convened in the year 431 against the heresy of Nestorius, in the city of Ephesus by the emperor Theodosius the Younger.

✤The Fourth Ecumenical Council (Chalcedon) was convened in the year 451, against the Monophysite heresy, in the city of Chalcedon under the emperor Marcian.

✤The Fifth Ecumenical Council (Constnatinople II) “Concerning the Three Chapters,” was convened in the year 553, under the emperor Justinian the Great.

✤The Sixth Ecumenical Council (Constantinople III) met during the years 680-681, to fight the Monothelite heresy, under the emperor Constantine Pogonatos.

The fact that the Seventh Ecumenical Council (Nicea II) is not commemorated today testifies to the antiquity of today’s celebration. The Seventh Council, commemorated on the Sunday nearest to October 11, was convened at Nicea in the year 787 against the Iconoclast heresy, under the emperor Constantine and his mother Irene.

The Church venerates the Holy Fathers of the Ecumenical Councils because Christ has established them as “lights upon the earth,” guiding us to the true Faith. “Adorned with the robe of truth,” the doctrine of the Fathers, based upon the preaching of the Apostles, has established one faith for the Church. The Ecumenical Councils, are the highest authority in the Church. Such Councils, guided by the grace of the Holy Spirit, and accepted by the Church, are infallible.

The Orthodox Church’s conciliar definitions of dogma have the highest authority, and such definitions always begin with the Apostolic formula: “It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us...” (Acts 15: 28).

The Ecumenical Councils were always convened for a specific reason: to combat false opinions and heresies, and to clarify the Orthodox Church’s teaching. But the Holy Spirit has thus seen fit, that the dogmas, the truths of faith, immutable in their content and scope, constantly and consequently are revealed by the conciliar mind of the Church, and are given precision by the holy Fathers within theological concepts and terms in exactly such measure as is needed by the Church itself for its economy of salvation. The Church, in expounding its dogmas, is dealing with the concerns of a given historical moment, “not revealing everything in haste and thoughtlessly, nor indeed, ultimately hiding something” (Saint Gregory the Theologian).

A brief summary of the dogmatic theology of the First Six Ecumenical Councils is formulated and contained in the First Canon of the Council of Trullo (also known as Quinisext), held in the year

6

The Fathers of the First Six Ecumenical Councils


692. The 318 Holy Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council are spoken of in this Canon I of Trullo as having: “with unanimity of faith revealed and declared to us the consubstantiality of the three Persons of the Divine nature and, ... instructing the faithful to adore the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit with one worship, they cast down and dispelled the false teaching about different degrees of Divinity.”

The 150 Holy Fathers of the Second Ecumenical Council left their mark on the theology of the Church concerning the Holy Spirit, “repudiating the teaching of Macedonius, as one who wished to divide the inseparable Unity, so that there might be no perfect mystery of our hope.”

The 200 God-bearing Fathers of the Third Ecumenical Council expounded the teaching that “Christ, the Incarnate Son of God is One.” They also confessed that “she who bore Him without seed was the spotless Ever-Virgin, glorifying her as truly the Mother of God.

The 630 Holy Fathers of the Fourth Ecumenical Council decreed that “the One Christ, the Son of God... must be glorified in two natures.”

The 165 God-bearing Holy Fathers of the Fifth Ecumenical Council “in synod anathematized and repudiated Theodore of Mopsuestia (the teacher of Nestorius), and Origen, and Didymus, and Evagrius, renovators of the Hellenic teaching about the transmigration of souls and the transmutation of bodies and the impieties they raised against the resurrection of the dead.”

The 170 Holy Fathers of the Sixth Ecumenical Council “taught that we ought to confess two natural volitions, or two wills [trans. note: one divine, and the other human], and two natural operations (energies) in Him Who was incarnate for our salvation, Jesus Christ, our true God.”

In decisive moments of Church history, the holy Ecumenical Councils promulgated their dogmatic definitions, as trustworthy delimitations in the spiritual battle for the purity of Orthodoxy, which will last until such time, as “all shall come into the

unity of faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God” (Eph. 4: 13). In the struggle with new heresies, the Church does not abandon its former dogmatic concepts nor replace them with some sort of new formulations. The dogmatic formulae of the Holy Ecumenical Councils need never be superseded, they remain always contemporary to the living Tradition of the Church. Therefore the Church proclaims: “The faith of all in the Church of God hath been glorified by men, which were luminaries in the world, cleaving to the Word of Life, so that it be observed firmly, and that it dwell unshakably until the end of the ages, conjointly with their God-bestown writings and dogmas. We reject and we anathematize all whom they have rejected and anathematized, as being enemies of Truth. And if anyone does not cleave to nor admit the aforementioned pious dogmas, and does not teach or preach accordingly, let him be anathema” (Canon I of the Council of Trullo).

In addition to their dogmatic definitions, the Holy Fathers of the Ecumenical Councils exerted great efforts towards the strengthening of church discipline. Local Councils promulgated their disciplinary canons according to the circumstances of the time and place, frequently differing among themselves in various particulars.

The universal unity of the Orthodox Church required unity also in canonical practice, i.e. a conciliar deliberation and affirmation of the most important canonical norms by the Fathers of the Ecumenical Councils. Thus, according to conciliar judgment, the Church has accepted: 20 Canons from the First, 7 Canons from the Second, 8 Canons from the Third, and 30 Canons from the Fourth Ecumenical Synods. The Fifth and the Sixth Councils concerned themselves only with resolving dogmatic questions, and did not leave behind any disciplinary canons.

The need to establish in codified form the customary practices during the years 451-680, and ultimately to compile a canonical codex for the Orthodox Church, occasioned the convening of a special Council, which was wholly devoted to the

7


general application of churchly rules. This was convened in the year 692. The Council “in the Imperial Palace” or “Under the Arches” (in Greek “en trullo”), came to be called the Council in Trullo. It is also called the “Quinisext” [meaning the “fifth and sixth”], because it is considered to have completed the activities of the Fifth and Sixth Councils, or rather that it was simply a direct continuation of the Sixth Ecumenical Council itself, separated by just a few years.

The Council in Trullo, with its 102 Canons (more than of all the Ecumenical Synods combined), had a tremendous significance in the history of the canonical theology of the Orthodox Church. It might be said that the Fathers of this Council produced a complete compilation of the basic codex from the relevant sources for the Orthodox Church’s canons. Listing through in chronological order, and having been accepted by the Church the Canons of the Holy Apostles, and the Canons of the Holy Ecumenical and the Local Councils and of the holy Fathers, the Trullo Council declared: “Let no one be permitted to alter or to annul the aforementioned canons, nor in place of these put forth, or to accept others, made of spurious inscription” (2nd Canon of the Council in Trullo).

Church canons, sanctified by the authority of the first Six Ecumenical Councils (including the rules of the Seventh Ecumenical Council in 787, and the Constantinople Councils of 861 and 879, which were added later under the holy Patriarch Photius), form the basis of THE RUDDER, or KORMCHAYA KNIGA (a canon law codex known as “Syntagma” or “Nomokanon” in 14 titles). In its repository of grace

is expressed a canonical norm, a connection to every era, and a guide for all the local Orthodox Churches in churchly practice.

New historical conditions can lead to the change of some particular external aspect of the life of the Church. This makes creative canonical activity necessary in the conciliar reasoning of the Church, in order to reconcile the external norms of churchly life with historical circumstances. The details of canonical regulation are not fully developed for the various eras of

churchly organization all at once. With every push to either forsake the literal meaning of a canon, or to fulfill and develop it, the Church again and again turns for reasoning and guidance to the eternal legacy of the Holy Ecumenical Councils, to the inexhaustable treasury of dogmatic and canonical truths.

—From www.oca.org

8

http://www.oca.org


9

Our Diocese has requested that each Deanery take a collection to assist a monastery.

The YoungstownDeanerywill be supporting the Orthodox Monastery of the Trans>iguration in Ellwood City, PA.

The Abbess, Mother Christophora, has said that the best way to help is by giving GIFTCARDS of any amount for CVS,GiantEagle,andAldi.

Each church is asked to coordinate this effort on the parish level

and send the collected gift cards directly to the monastery. The deadline is August 15, 2020.

Thankyouforyourparticipation!

Support the Sisters oftheOrthodoxMonasteryoftheTrans#igurationinEllwoodCity


10

Our Diocese is compiling names of those who have contracted COVID-19; those who have reposed from COVID-19; and those medical professionals working on the front-lines. If you have someone

you would like to add to this list so that the whole Diocese can raise them in prayer, please speak with Fr. Nick. May God grant healing to those afflicted with this virus and strength to those on the

front-lines; and may the memories of those lost be eternal!

Diocesan COVID-19 Prayer List

PRAYER REQUESTS CONNECTED TO PANDEMIC OF COVID-19 UPDATE #7 (as of 7-5 -20)

Those who have fallen asleep in the Lord

William Ann Katherine Andrew Sr. Anthony David Warren Tekla Edward Margaret Susanne Helene Mary Katherine Annette Warren Barbara John Bernadette Sara Mary Lydia Eileen Gloria Darline Andreas David Helen Gabby Michael the Priest Those who are sick Ronald Mario Olivia Tairy Jayden John Daniel Jackson Jennifer the Nurse Heriberto Luz Marie Patricia Adelaine Nicole Thaddeus Aaron Nicole John Amancio Natalie Michael Bertha Timothy Vincent Edda Alex Nina Barbara A.J. Josephine Sonia Adrian the Deacon Juliana Melissa Alex the Priest John Karen Chuck Megan David Chris Lisa Bertha John Sara Krystal Anna Ed Natalia Pauline Darren Nicholas Holly Emily Gregory Desiree the Nurse Chester Candice Nathan Kenneth the Priest Maribeth Anna Carlos Athanasios Anna Yennifer Paul Melissa Elena Olivia Regina Helene John Eleanor Vanessa Jennifer the Nurse Yolanda Corona Margaret Karen Enrique Patrick James Gabby Gregory Nona William James Bill Neil Diana


11

Those who are healthcare providers and first responders Jennie the Nurse Lisa the Provider Thomas the Doctor Mercedes the Nurse Colleen the Provider Randy the Provider Mike the EMT Fundador the Nurse Helen the Provider DJ the Firefighter Ava the Provider Marita the PA Kenny the Firefighter Michael the Doctor Marissa the Nurse Melissa the Nurse Jennie the Provider Jordan the Provider Anne Marie the Nurse Mary the Nurse Julia the Provider Maria the Nurse Alexandra the Nurse Sara the Provider Nicholas the Paramedic/EMT Melanie the Provider Katrina the Nurse Meghan the Nurse Ashley the Provider Sandra the Nurse Kathryn the Nurse Naomi the Nurse Sharon the Nurse Nancy the Nurse Angela the Nurse Stephanie the Nurse Jennifer the Nurse Kim the Doctor Laura the Nurse Matthew the First Responder Angela the Doctor David the Firefighter Ashley the Nurse Natalia the Nurse Amelia the Nurse Nicholas the EMT Marina the Nurse Aaron the Doctor Lori the PA Svetlana the Provider Matthew the Doctor Lauren the Nurse Nellie the Provider Rhiannon the NP Peter the EMT Matthew the First Responder Cheryl the Nurse Mariana the Pharmacist Linda the LPN Suzanne the CMA Silvio the Doctor Patricia the Nurse Jennifer the CMA Irene the Provider Natalia the Nurse Debbie the Med Assistant Paige the Provider Lazarus the Doctor Martha the Med Assistant Carole the Provider Philip the Doctor Marina the Med Assistant Brandt the Provider Jamie the PA Andrea the Med Assistant Jessica the Provider Bonnie the PA Megan the Doctor Marc the Provider Maria the Provider Natalie the Nurse Danielle the Provider Michele the Nurse Stephanie the Nurse Dawn the Provider Linda the Doctor Greg the Paramedic/Firefighter Shannon the Provider John the Doctor Megan the Nurse Mary Ellen the Provider Richard the Doctor Mary the Provider Coleen the Provider Allison the Doctor Anna the Provider Jamie the Provider Peter the Doctor Irma the Doctor Marc the Provider Thomas the Doctor Peter the Deacon/1st Responder Judy the Provider Joseph the Doctor Joseph the Provider Danielle the Provider Mary the Doctor Wesley the Provider Peter the Provider Elizabeth the Nurse Kelly the Nurse Lauren the Provider CG the Firefighter Jennifer the PA Meagan the Provider Maureen the Nurse Scott the First Responder Helen the Provider Lillian the Doctor Bill the First Responder Marianna the Provider Michael the Priest and Doctor Vincent the First Responder Oksana the Provider Julia the Nurse Daniel the First Responder Ann the Provider Nabiel the Nurse Elaine the Provider Paul the Provider Patricia the Provider Serena the Pediatric MA


12

Cassandra the Provider Louis the Provider Melissa the Nurse Danielle the Respiratory Therapist Matthew the Provider Kathy the Nurse Katarina the Nursing Student Nicole the Physical Therapist Helen the Nurse Debra the Nurse Susan the Provider Donna the Provider Will the Provider Cameron the Provider Karen the Provider Tamra the Provider Saundra the Provider Michael the First Responder Michelle the Provider Kathy the Provider Jerry the First Responder Eric the Provider Sara the First Responder Collin the First Responder Pat the First Responder Mark the Essential Worker Nicholas the Essential Worker William the Essential Worker Chad the Nurse Gabriella the Nurse Joshua the PA Heather the X-ray Tech Jeff the X-ray Tech Lisa the Pharmacist Michael the Nurse Maria the Doctor Justin the Doctor Ying the Doctor Stephanie the Doctor Eli the Doctor Ethan the Doctor Cassandre the Doctor Shadi the Doctor Alpha the Doctor Johann the Doctor Jeffery the Doctor Helen the Doctor Dana the Doctor Joseph the Doctor Joe the Doctor Brian the Doctor Nishan the Doctor Robert the PA Lisa the Nurse Lisa the Nurse Jackie the Nurse Caryl Ann the Nurse Carol the Nurse Lisa the Dietician Heather the Dietician Rachel the Dietician Merideth the Dietician Laure the Dietician Sarah the Social Worker Caitlin the Social Worker Natalia the Social Worker Renjbar the Pharmacist Anastasia the Pharmacist Courtney the Pharmacist Lori the Provider Meghan the Provider Matthew the Provider Joe the Provider Lina the Provider Rita the Provider Christina the Provider Shirley the Provider Sue the Provider Susan the Provider Sandra the Provider Helen the Provider Shari the Provider Sandy the Provider Tammy the Provider Jessica the Provider Tara the Provider Maria the Provider Chen the Provider John the Provider Bob the Provider Sean the Provider Hannah the Provider Doreen the Nurse Liz the Nurse Jessica the Nurse Suzanne the Nurse Nicole the Nurse Andrew the Doctor Spencer the Doctor Henry the Nurse Ryan the First Responder Sarah the Nurse Athanasia the Pharmacist Laura the Nurse Deborah the Ultrasound Tech Alina the Doctor Grigory the Doctor Oksana the Nurse Doris the Nurse Kerry the Nurse Randy the Nurse Justin the Nurse Markella the First Responder Timothy the First Responder Catherine the Histologist Katia the Nurse Carla the Nurse Valerie the Nurse Robin the Nurse Becca the Nurse Carmen the Nurse Adrienne the Provider Elaine the Nurse Stephen the Pharmacist Lisa the Nurse Claudia the Care Giver Dimitri the First Responder Lauren the Nurse Anna the Provider Ana the Soldier Sergei the Soldier


13

Christ Healing the Sick

PRAYER REQUESTS CONNECTED TO PANDEMIC OF COVID-19 UPDATE #7 (as of 7-5 -20)

Those who have fallen asleep in the Lord

William Ann Katherine Andrew Sr. Anthony David Warren Tekla Edward Margaret Susanne Helene Mary Katherine Annette Warren Barbara John Bernadette Sara Mary Lydia Eileen Gloria Darline Andreas David Helen Gabby Michael the Priest Those who are sick Ronald Mario Olivia Tairy Jayden John Daniel Jackson Jennifer the Nurse Heriberto Luz Marie Patricia Adelaine Nicole Thaddeus Aaron Nicole John Amancio Natalie Michael Bertha Timothy Vincent Edda Alex Nina Barbara A.J. Josephine Sonia Adrian the Deacon Juliana Melissa Alex the Priest John Karen Chuck Megan David Chris Lisa Bertha John Sara Krystal Anna Ed Natalia Pauline Darren Nicholas Holly Emily Gregory Desiree the Nurse Chester Candice Nathan Kenneth the Priest Maribeth Anna Carlos Athanasios Anna Yennifer Paul Melissa Elena Olivia Regina Helene John Eleanor Vanessa Jennifer the Nurse Yolanda Corona Margaret Karen Enrique Patrick James Gabby Gregory Nona William James Bill Neil Diana


14

LET’S GO THE DISTANCE TO SHARE THE FAITH!

1 2 3Start aTeam

Trek Your Miles

RaiseFunds

This virtual fundraiser is about staying healthy, having fun outdoors, and uniting as the Body of Christ. No matter the distance, missionaries throughout our Church’s history and today are trekking across the world to bring the Gospel message to those who have not heard. You can join them and support their ministry. Its easy!

JOIN OCMC’S VIRTUAL TREK FOR MISSIONS!

AUGUST 9TREKSTARTS SEPTEMBER 14& GOES

UNTIL

Start something exciting in your community by gathering a team to run, walk, cycle, and more for Orthodox missions. Join parishes across the country to complete 60,000 miles and raise $100,000 to support a new generation of missionaries.

For questions: [email protected] To register: https://www.ocmc.org/Trek4Missions

COMPLETE 1,200+ MILES AND RAISE $2,000!


By Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nafpaktos

Great sorrow filled our souls with the transformation of Hagia Sophia into a mosque, which is an ecclesiastical and cultural rape, especially in our time, which is characterized as an era of human rights and respect for religious freedom. This shows both the mentality of the Turks and the response of those who supported them in their decision, because I do not think that they made such moves without any support from some great Heads of State. However, Hagia Sophia has nothing to do with the Turkish-Ottomans, unless they consider it as booty of a continuous conquest of the Queen City from the year 1453 until today. However, history cannot be erased nor silenced nor misinterpreted.

Father Georges Florovsky, a great Russian theologian of the 20th century, in a text titled The Hagia Sophia Churches, writes that the word Sophia [wisdom] is a biblical name, which with two others, namely Dynamis [power] and Eirene [peace], the Apostle Paul refers to the enhypostatic Word of God, Christ. In fact, he writes, that the first Temple in Constantinople dedicated to the name of Hagia Sophia was probably designed by Constantine the Great, was inaugurated in 360 by Constantius and later built in its current form as the Great Church of Justinian.

This means that the name Holy Wisdom was considered a confirmation of the theology of the First Ecumenical Synod, which established the Symbol of Faith, in which we confess Christ as “Light from Light, True God from True God, begotten not made, of one essence with the Father

through Whom all things were made,” that He is the Word and Wisdom of God the Father. With this perspective there were numerous churches in the then Roman Empire with the name Hagia Sophia, even among the Slavic peoples.

I wonder: How will this Temple be used as a mosque with the name Hagia Sophia, which refers to Christ as God, when the Koran, as analyzed by Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana and All Albania in his well-researched book Islam, denies the fatherhood of God, that is, that God has no Son and is not a Father; it rejects the divinity of Christ, since Muhammad received elements of Arianism and Nestorianism; and it denies the Cross of

Christ?

What has the Orthodox Hagia Sophia, which refers to the divinity of Christ, got to do with the Koran and the Islamic religion that denies it? At the same time, I would like to remind you that in the 14th century, shortly before the fall of Constantinople to

the Ottomans, St. Gregory Palamas had three dialogues with the representatives of the Ottomans on the basis that Muslims denied the divinity of Christ and upheld that Islam spread throughout the world with the power of the devil, with war, the sword, looting, manslaughter and murder, and Muhammad used violence and pleasure. I refer to this theological point, in order to show the great difference between the Orthodox Church and Islam and to emphasize that Hagia Sophia is a Temple with deep theology, where the Divine Liturgy was celebrated for over a thousand years, and not just simply something that is culturally good and not simply as just a monument with a

15

Hagia Sophia


great cultural and universal inheritance. More so, it is a provocation for it to become a place of prayer for those of another religion or another faith If the purpose of the existence of the Temple is changed, then this constitutes a religious rape. Hagia Sophia is an integral part of the Orthodox Church, of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, which called the Great Church because of Hagia Sophia, which is the Great Church. But for the sake of truth it must be underlined that this great ecclesiastical and theological treasure, and secondarily a cultural treasure, was not respected when the Western Franks occupied it in 1204 or when the Ottomans took possession of it. Perhaps this is because there are common theological principles between Western Christianity and Isalm, in regards the person of God, the word of God, mysticism, social and mental eudemonism (a system ethics that bases moral value on the likelihood that good actions will produce happiness), theocratic totalitarianism, and so on. Yet this is a major issue.

I have been thinking about this lately. President Erdogan has a vision, without me agreeing with it of course, and he is trying to make it happen with the participation of some northern Orthodox peoples and some Western nations. We, however, as Greeks and Romans, what vision do

we have? And from where do we expect help? It is a matter of work. The third fall of Hagia Sophia (first was Frankish in 1204, second was Ottoman in 1453) which took place with its conversion into a mosque, should activate not only the cultural and ecumenical immune system, but also the ecclesiastical and theological system of our being, and finally to develop our Roman philotimo [honor/duty]. At this point, there must be close co-operation between the Government and our Church.

Finally, we must remember the speech of Nikephoros Vrettakos: “I do not take the city, I do not take the light.” Hagia Sophia is a blinding light, which illuminates for some and blinds others.

16


17

What’s in an icon?

WORD SEARCHWORD SEARCHWORD SEARCHWORD SEARCH

Can you find these words in the jumble? CHILD CROSS ENLIGHTEN FAITH GROWING I LOVE CHRIST JULITTA KYRIKOS LEARNING MARTYRS

M Z F G H D K H D R I P M J E S C A T R Y L O P P T L T U V T U I L R O X I H C S I H L F E A R I S R W T H D I Y S I W F O K S K E P I N C R X I T D V O C D U X E E N M H G E T H S D H J E K T A U G C K T A S E D G R F H R P W E E K C R S E M S O G U E H D F V R S H O V P V I P E G E U V O O O Y R Y C L Y H P E U W V L O J B C R N D Q L I Z Z A X I N Q N H E D Y D Y Y G H P U Q X P J I S R Y T R A M H B D X T U B Z L E A R N I N G A O I N H G C

Here is another icon of Saints Julitta and Kyrikos. Do you see how the mother is helping her son in his Christian faith? Kyrikos is making the sign of the Cross.

Do you know who taught you to make the sign of the Cross?

A HAPPY ENDING

SAINTS JULITTA AND KYRIKOS

We celebrate Saints Julitta and Kyrikos on Wed. July 15th (OC: July 28).

Have you ever heard a very sad story? You’ve probably read a book or watched a movie that started very sad and maybe ended, “happily ever after.” This week we hear a story of two saints that really does end “happily ever after”!

Saint Julitta lived many years ago during the time when many Christians were hurt and persecuted and even killed just for being Christians. Julitta lived dur-ing the time of the emperor Diocletian, the same emperor who killed Saint George. Julitta’s husband died young, and so Saint Julitta had to raise her little son, Kyrikos, all by herself. She knew it was her job to make sure he grew up to be a strong and faithful Christian.

The governor heard that Julitta was a faithful Christian and he wanted to make an example of her. He took her little three-year-old son, Kyrikos, and he tried to make her give up on Christ. Kyrikos was a little boy, but he already knew he loved Christ very much. He told the governor, “I am a Christian! Give me back to my mother.” This made the governor very mad. Kyrikos said again, “I love Christ!” Soon, the little boy and his mother were hurt by the rulers, and they were then killed.

As Christians, we know that that isn’t the end of the story! God rewards those who love Him and want to be with Him. We know that these special saints—the faithful mother and faithful son—are with our Lord “happily ever after.”


18

What’s in an icon?

WORD SEARCHWORD SEARCHWORD SEARCHWORD SEARCH

Can you find these words in the jumble? CHILD CROSS ENLIGHTEN FAITH GROWING I LOVE CHRIST JULITTA KYRIKOS LEARNING MARTYRS

M Z F G H D K H D R I P M J E S C A T R Y L O P P T L T U V T U I L R O X I H C S I H L F E A R I S R W T H D I Y S I W F O K S K E P I N C R X I T D V O C D U X E E N M H G E T H S D H J E K T A U G C K T A S E D G R F H R P W E E K C R S E M S O G U E H D F V R S H O V P V I P E G E U V O O O Y R Y C L Y H P E U W V L O J B C R N D Q L I Z Z A X I N Q N H E D Y D Y Y G H P U Q X P J I S R Y T R A M H B D X T U B Z L E A R N I N G A O I N H G C

Here is another icon of Saints Julitta and Kyrikos. Do you see how the mother is helping her son in his Christian faith? Kyrikos is making the sign of the Cross.

Do you know who taught you to make the sign of the Cross?

A HAPPY ENDING

SAINTS JULITTA AND KYRIKOS

We celebrate Saints Julitta and Kyrikos on Wed. July 15th (OC: July 28).

Have you ever heard a very sad story? You’ve probably read a book or watched a movie that started very sad and maybe ended, “happily ever after.” This week we hear a story of two saints that really does end “happily ever after”!

Saint Julitta lived many years ago during the time when many Christians were hurt and persecuted and even killed just for being Christians. Julitta lived dur-ing the time of the emperor Diocletian, the same emperor who killed Saint George. Julitta’s husband died young, and so Saint Julitta had to raise her little son, Kyrikos, all by herself. She knew it was her job to make sure he grew up to be a strong and faithful Christian.

The governor heard that Julitta was a faithful Christian and he wanted to make an example of her. He took her little three-year-old son, Kyrikos, and he tried to make her give up on Christ. Kyrikos was a little boy, but he already knew he loved Christ very much. He told the governor, “I am a Christian! Give me back to my mother.” This made the governor very mad. Kyrikos said again, “I love Christ!” Soon, the little boy and his mother were hurt by the rulers, and they were then killed.

As Christians, we know that that isn’t the end of the story! God rewards those who love Him and want to be with Him. We know that these special saints—the faithful mother and faithful son—are with our Lord “happily ever after.”

sunday of the council fathers july 26, 2020 st. nicholas … · 2020-07-27 · sunday of the...

Documents