Protection of the Theotokos

There is only one God, one Creator, one Savior, one Redeemer. Yet this one God has chosen to be friends with his creation. As St. Paul told us, he humbled himself to become a man, like us in every way except sin. There are many ways he could have become a man, but he chose to be born of a woman who in her human nature, accepted completely the will of God, so that through her God could enter into our time and our story. Then, at Cana, it was his mother, a woman, who by her plea, guided God to make wine out of water, telling the stewards, and through them, saying to all of us, “Do whatever he tells you.” 

Today, we rejoice and celebrate in this human being, who through her will, God intervened in human life to bring us salvation. This is why we can celebrate her protection, why we can sing, “Through the prayers of the Theotokos, O Savior, save us,” and why we can even pray, “Most Holy Theotokos, save us!” Glory to God, who has made us partakers in the divine nature” (2 Peter 1:4).

Meditation by Archpriest David Petras

October Prayer Intention of Pope Francis

The Intention:

That consecrated religious men and women may bestir themselves, and be present among the poor, the marginalized, and those who have no voice.

In your daily prayer, pray for this intention.

(“The Holy Father has entrusted these intentions in a particular way to the Apostleship of Prayer, an organization that works to encourage Christians to respond to the Pope’s appeal and to deepen their daily prayer.”)

Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Read: 2 Corinthians 11:31-12:9; Luke 6:31-36

In the Gospel of St. Matthew, Jesus commands us, “Be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:47). In Luke’s Gospel, he commands, “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:36). Mercy, therefore, is perfection. How, indeed, can we, weak and finite human beings achieve “perfection.” How can we keep God’s command.

St. Gregory of Nyssa pondered that problem and asked that question. His response was, that perhaps consists in this: constant growth in the good. It might seem that God is asking the impossible of us today, “love your enemies and do good to them, and lend expecting nothing back.” This goes against every human instinct, yet this is what God demands, for this is how God is merciful. That God is merciful appears on every page of the Scripture, and we pray constantly, “Lord, have mercy.” We cannot ask God’s mercy unless we are merciful. Perhaps the answer to this problem is the same as perfection: we must constantly grow in mercy. If we do not, then we grow in hate. In we seek revenge and retribution, then pain and hate simply grow and grow in a circle of mutual destruction. God’s command is ultimately the only logic of a God who has created all things and loves all.

Today, we must do the impossible, today we must become a Christian, through God’s help. St. Paul tells us that we need God’s grace: “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Meditation by Archpriest David Petras

Falling Asleep of the Beloved Apostle, John the Evangelist and Theologian

Today, September 26 is the Feast of the Falling Asleep of the Beloved Apostle, John the Evangelist and Theologian

The gospel of John is considered the foundational gospel in the Eastern Church, and John is honored with the title of “Theologian,” for he explained well who Jesus, the Son of God, was. It is from his gospel that we know “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be. What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:1-5). He also showed us that love is the basis of our theology.

It was said that in his old age, John would simply preach constantly, “Children, love one another.” In the epistle for this feast, 1 John 4:12-19, we read, “No one has ever seen God. Yet, if we love one another, God remains in us, and his love is brought to perfection in us …. God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him.”

Saint John preached the Gospel in Jerusalem and Samaria, and was banished to the isle of Patmos. In old age, he returned to Ephesus where he made a home for the Theotokos. An ancient church marked the place until its destruction in World War I.

Tradition holds that John died during the reign of Trajan, a full century after the birth of Jesus.

The Dismissal for today’s Liturgy:

May Christ our true God, have mercy on us and save us, through the prayers of his most holy Mother, of the holy, glorious and praiseworthy apostle and evangelist, the pure and beloved friend and disciple of Christ, John the Theologian, whose venerable falling-asleep we joyfully celebrate today, and through the prayers of all the saints, for Christ is good and loves us all.

Meditation by Archpriest David Petras
slightly edited.

Latin Mass on September 30 in New Haven

On Sunday, 30 September, the Missa Cantata will be offered at 2:00 p.m. It is the external feast St Michael the Archangel.

The music for the Mass will include the Gregorian chant proper for Michaelmas (“Benedicite Dominum omnes gentes”), the chant Mass IV ordinary (“Cunctipotens Genitor Deus”), and organ music by Eugène Gigout and Charles Tournemire.

PAX!

Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Read: 2 Corinthians 9:6-11; Luke 5:1-11

Today begins the reading of the Gospel of St. Luke on Sunday (Second Sunday after the Exaltation of the Cross). As in the case with the reading of St. Matthew after Pentecost (Matthew 4:18-23, Second Sunday after Pentecost), it begins with our Lord’s mission to his apostles, “Do be afraid, from now on you will be catching men (Luke 15:10). “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19).

In the Gospel today, the pre-eminent apostle Peter speaks of his relationship with God. If one reads any of the writings or sayings of the saints, the most holy of people, one always sees a great humility, a sense of our own sinfulness. God is infinite and all-holy, we are finite and weak beyond measure. And so we confess before receiving Communion, “O Lord, I believe and profess that you are truly Christ, the Son of the living God, who came into the world to save sinners of whom I am the first” (1 Timothy 1:15). Jesus works a miracle and gives St. Peter and gives him a super-abundant catch of fish. The first thing Peter does is say, “Depart from me, O Lord, for I am a sinful man” (Luke 5:8).

St. Paul in his Epistle, confirms that God is the giver of super-abundance. If this is so that we, also, in our humility must be generous, “Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. Moreover, God is able to make every grace abundant for you, so that in all things, always having all you need, you may have an abundance for every good work …. The one who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed and increase the harvest of your righteousness” (2 Corinthians 9:7-8.10). These greatest saints, then, profess humility. Humility is not groveling before God, but simply the acute awareness of our relationship with God. It does not mean we disesteem ourselves, but that we find our true glory only in God, and not in our own strengths, and that we are destined to be more than our natural selves. It is sad that in these days of self-promotion and narcissism, humility has become the forgotten virtue, because it is at that point that the love of God fills and transforms our lives.

Meditation by Archpriest David Petras

Recovery Room –a film at the parish

Film event at the Parish –“Recovery Room”

Sunday, September 23, 1:00 p.m.

The New Haven Post 33 of the Ukrainian American Veterans of America invites you to a special screening of the award-winning documentary, “Recovery Room.”

The film tells the story of the impact of the current war in Ukraine and the response by Ukrainians around the world. “Recovery Room” was directed by Adriana Luhovy and produced by Yurij Luhovy and Zorianna Hrycenko.

St. Michael’s Church Hall, 569 George St, New Haven

Admission is FREE
Beverages will be available for sale.

Divine Liturgy for the coming week

Glory to Jesus Christ!

Sunday, 9/23, 18th Sunday after Pentecost —The Conception of the Honorable and Glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John
9:00 a.m. For Patrick and Barbara Bagley’s 25th Wedding Anniversary
10:30 a.m. For the people of the parish

Epistle: 2 Corinthians 9:6-11
Gospel: Luke 5:1-11, Tone 1

Monday, 9/24, The Holy First-Martyr and Equal-to-the-Apostles Thekla

Tuesday, 9/25, The Venerable Mother Euphrosyne

Wednesday, 9/26,The Passing of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian

Thursday, 9/27, The Holy Martyr Callistratus and His Wife; Our Venerable Father Nilus, Founder and Hegumen of the Grottaferrata Monastery

Friday, 9/28, Our Venerable Father and Confessor Chariton

Saturday, 9/29, Our Venerable Father Cyriacus the Anchorite

Sunday, 9/30, 19th Sunday after Pentecost —The Priest-Martyr Gregory, Bishop of Great Armenia
9:00 a.m. Special Intention
10:30 a.m. For the people of the parish

Epistle: 2 Corinthians 11:31-12:9
Gospel: Luke 6:31-36, Tone 2

Parish announcements this week

Christ is in our midst!

WELCOME NEW PARISHIONERS! New parishioners are always welcomed in our parish. If someone wants to register with our parish please contact Father Iura Godenciuc at (203) 865-0388 or our financial secretary Natalia Chermak.

PASTOR’S ABSENCE: During my vacation, if you need a priest you may call: Fr. Stepan Yanovsky 203-468-0367, or Fr. Ivan Mazuryk 203-367-5054. My scheduled return is Monday, September 24th. Blessings, Fr. Iura.

VIGIL LIGHT: This week vigil light is offered to God’s glory by Christopher Komondy in memory of all the deceased members of the Komondy family.

THANK YOU: to Fr. Piso, Fr. and Mrs. Stepan Yanovsky, Nataliya Lyalka, Alexis Seniw, Walter Ushchak and Mary Muryn for helping me with John Chalupa’s final arrangements. Together we were able to fulfill John’s last requests. With gratitude, Michael Muryn

PARISH COFFEE HOUR: Dear parishioners and guests, after each Divine Liturgy, coffee and hard rolls are available in the church hall.

CONGRATULATIONS to Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Bagley on the occasion of their 25th Wedding Anniversary. May God continue to bless their marriage with: Many Happy years!

FILM SCREENING: TODAY at 1:00 p.m., the Ukrainian American Veterans will be showing the documentary film “Recovery Room” in our Church Hall. The film tells the story of the impact of the current war in Ukraine and the response by Ukrainians around the world. Fliers with more information are located in the vestibule of our Church. Please take one and reserve the date for viewing this award winning film. Thank you.

St. Michael’s Day will be celebrated on November 11th. On this day we will have only one (1) Divine Liturgy at 10:30 a.m. After the Divine Liturgy, we will have dinner and a short program. All parishioners are cordially invited to this celebration. Tickets are available through Miss Luba Dubno and are $25.00 for adults, $10.00 for youth between 14 – 18, free for Ridna Shkola students, altar boys and children under 12. We will be running a raffle. If you would like to donate any items to be raffled, please bring them to our church hall on Sundays before our Feast Day. Also we ask for donations for dessert.

We have frozen Pyrohy for sale while supplies last. More information can be read here: https://stmichaelukrainian.org/pierogies/

SESTRECHI: the next regular monthly meeting will be held on Sunday, October 14th after the 9:00 Divine Liturgy. The meeting will be held in the Church Hall classroom.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS: The Blessed Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky Ukrainian Council will hold its next regular meeting on Monday, October 1, at 7:00 p.m. in the Holy Name Room. All men of the parish are invited to attend.

STAMFORD CHARITIES APPEAL REMINDER: Please don’t forget to donate for the Charities Appeal. Please make your check payable to the BYZANTINE RITE DIOCESE OF STAMFORD. DO NOT MAIL THE FORM TO THE CHANCERY OFFICE IN STAMFORD. We sincerely ask all parishioners to make generous contributions.

The Niagara Frontier Council will be hosting the 79th Annual Convention of the League of Ukrainian Catholics on October 5, 6, 7, 2018 at the Hyatt Place Hotel in Amherst, NY. This year we celebrate the 85th Anniversary of the founding of the League of Ukrainian Catholics in Chicago in 1933. We hope you will be with us at this special anniversary in some way. Either join us at the Convention, or at your homes in prayer especially on Sunday, October 7 when we will be streaming Liturgy from St. Nicholas in Buffalo at 10:30 a.m.