Divine Liturgy for the coming week

Christ is born!

Note: No fasting on Wednesdays and Fridays until the Leave-taking of Holy Theophany (January 14, 2020).

Sunday, 1/05, Sunday before Theophany —The Holy Martyr Theopemptus and Theonas
9:00 a.m. +Orest Dubno requested by Paul Paluha
10:30 a.m. For our parishioners

Epistle: 2 Timothy 4:5-8
Gospel: Mark 1:1-8, Tone 5

Monday, 1/06, Theophany of the Our Lord — (Holy day of Obligation)
9:15 a.m. Great Compline
10:00 a.m. For our parishioners  —in Ukrainian
Great Sanctification of Water and Myrovann

7:00 p.m. +Theodore and Maria Kuchnij requested by Jaroslaw Paluha —in English
Anointing

Tuesday, 1/07, Nativity of Our Lord (Julian calendar)
9:45 a.m. God with us service
10:30 a.m. For our parishioners
Myrovann

Wednesday, 1/08, Post-feast of Theophany; Our Venerable Father George the Chosebite and Emilian the Confessor
9:00 a.m. +Irena Mokriwska (Pan.) requested by Nadia Trojan

Thursday, 01/09, Post-feast of Theophany; the Holy Martyr Polyeuctus
9:00 a.m. +Theodore and Ellen Paluha requested by Jaroslaw Paluha

Friday, 01/10, Post-feast of Theophany; Our Holy Father Gregory, bishop of Nyssa
9:00 a.m. +Kyle Paluha requested by Jaroslaw Paluha

Saturday, 01/11, Our Venerable Father Theodosius, Founder of the Cenoebitic Monastic Life
9:00 a.m. +Mychajlo Kuchnij requested by Jaroslaw Paluha

Sunday, 01/12, Sunday after Theophany —the Holy Martyr Tatiana
9:00 a.m. +Nicholas Muryn requested by Mary and Michael Muryn
10:30 a.m. For our parishioners

Epistle: Ephesians 4:7-13
Gospel: Mathew 4:12-17, Tone 6

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Parish announcements this week

Christ is born!

This week’s vigil light is offered to God by Pyrohy Workers in memory of Anya Rohmer-Hanson.

The next Financial Committee meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 8, at 6:00 p.m. in the Veteran’s Meeting Room. All Financial Committee members and interested parishioners are invited.

Congratulations to all KofC members who participated in the “Exemplification of Charity, Unity and Fraternity” on January 1. The next meeting of Knights of Columbus Blessed Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky Ukrainian Council will be held on Wednesday, January 8, at 7:00 p.m. in the Holy Name Room. All men of the parish are invited to attend.

The Ukrainian National Women’s League of America Branch 108 New Haven and St. Michael Parish will be preparing a Prosphora, a traditional Ukrainian Christmas meal, on Sunday, January 19, after the only one (1) Divine Liturgy at 10:30 a.m. Tickets are $20.00 for adults, free for students Ridna Shkola and altar boys. We will be running a raffle. Please donate items for raffle and cakes for desert. You can buy tickets after each Divine Liturgy in the church hall or contact Anna Salemme 203-934-6520, or purchase tickets at SUMA credit Union.

Sorokousty —All Souls Saturdays will be celebrated on February 15th, March 7th, March 14th, March 21st, and May 30th. Please take a book found in the entrance of the church, fill it out, place it in envelope, and drop it in the collection basket.

Adult Faith Formation

Baptism of Our Lord in the Jordan River

At Your baptism in the Jordan River, O Lord, the worship of the Trinity was proclaimed: the voice of the Father bore witness to You by calling You “My beloved Son.” The Spirit, in the form of a dove confirmed the truth of this declaration. (From the Tropar of the Feast)

At the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan, the public ministry of the Saviour begins. John the Baptist points to Christ in the Jordan and identifies Him as the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” During the baptism of Jesus, the Most Holy Trinity is made known: “Worship of the Trinity was revealed; the voice of the Father bore witness to You, naming you the beloved Son, and the Spirit in the form of a dove confirmed the word’s certainty.” “The voice of the Father” is the voice of the Heavenly Father, and the “Spirit in the form of a dove” is the Holy Spirit, who descends upon Christ, revealing him to be the Son of God. For this reason, Church tradition refers to the Baptism of Jesus Christ as the Theophany (from the Greek, meaning divine appearance).

The Theophany at the Jordan is liturgically connected with the Feast of the Nativity. In her celebration of both these events, Church tradition emphasizes that both the Incarnation and the Baptism of the Lord are when God appears (in Greek, theophania). In accordance with the text of the Great Blessing of Water at Theophany, “in the preceeding feast we have seen you as a babe, and in this present feast as perfect human, appearing as our perfect God.” At the Nativity, God the Word “was born,” but now he “appears in the flesh to the human race.” At the Nativity, the “Sun of Righteousness” rose, and now it “shines forth.” In the liturgical tradition of the Church, the feast of Theophany is also called the feast of Illumination. The sticheras of the feast of Theophany elucidate the bond between the feasts of the Nativity and Theophany: What was announced by the angel is now announced to the people by the Baptist; the spilling of infant blood caused Bethlehem to become childless, but through the sanctified waters of baptism, the Jordan now has many children. What was announced by the star to the Magi in Bethlehem is now revealed to the world by the Father himself. (Christ our Pascha, 197-198)

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The Holy Prophet Malachi

The holy prophet, Malachi. Second day of the prefestive period.

Malachi lived and wrote after the return from Babylonian exile. He denounced the cooling zeal after the restoration of worship in the temple. He underlines respect for the priesthood and its responsibilities, and reminds the people that purity and sincerity are essential for true religion.

Malachi’s name comes from the Hebrew for “my messenger,” probably from his mention of the coming of a messenger to prepare the way for the Covenant. This passage is quoted in the Gospels to refer to the role of John in the coming feast.

Malachi also affirms the universal fatherhood of God and emphasizes how the Gentiles also worship him. His book is the last in the Old Testament canon. (NS)

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Bernadette Gawron Aitro asleep in the Lord

Bernadette Gawron Aitro, died suddenly on Saturday, December 28th, 2019. She was 56 years old.

The Funeral Liturgy with panachyda will be celebrated on Saturday, January 4th, 2020 at 11:00 a.m.

Reception to follow at Mrs. Jeanne Arsenault’s home, 15 Carriage Dr., Woodbridge, CT 06525.

An obituary will be published on Thursday in the Register.

Please remember her in your prayers.

Eternal memory.

Sunday after Christmas

Today we the Church “celebrate the memory of three particular saints who are closely related to our Lord, David the King, Joseph the Betrothed, and James the Brother of the Lord.

The prophet and King David is the source of the royal line of the Hebrews from which both the Virgin Mary and the righteous Joseph were descended. Because of this lineage, Jesus Christ could properly be called, “King of the Jews” for in the flesh, He is of royal lineage. Of course, because He is also God, the maker and ruler of all creation and was therefore not only King of the Jews but King of all that is.

James, the Brother of the Lord, was the first bishop of the Church in Jerusalem. He presided over the first apostolic council and was finally martyred for his confession of Jesus Christ.

Joseph, the betrothed of the Virgin Mary, was chosen by God to be the guardian of Jesus Christ and his holy Mother, a task which he performed with great humility and diligence.

(St Nicholas parish, Victoria)

Divine Liturgy for the coming week

Christ is born!

Sunday, 12/29, Sunday after Christmas —Commemoration of the Holy and Just Joseph, King David; James, Brother of the Lord according to the Flesh
9:00 a.m. +Michael Waselik (18th Anniv.) requested by Family
10:30 a.m. For our parishioners

Epistle: Galatians 1:11-19
Matthew 2:13-23, Tone 4

Note: No fasting on Wednesdays and Fridays until the Leave-taking of Holy Theophany (January 14, 2020).

Monday, 12/30, Post-feast of the Nativity of Christ; The Holy Martyr Anysia
9:00 a.m. +Nicholas Krenta (Pan. ) requested by Alicja Krenta

Tuesday, 12/31, The Leave-taking of the Feast of the Nativity of Christ, Christmas; Our Venerable Mother Melania the Roman
9:00 a.m. +Michael Lipcan Sr. (10th Anniv.,Pan) requested by Barbara and Patrick Bagley

Wednesday, 1/01, The Circumcision of Our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ; Our Father Among the Saints Basil the Great —New Year’s Day 2020

9:45 a.m. Lytija and the Blessing of Bread
10:00 a.m. 10:30 a.m. For our parishioners
Anointing * Myrovann

Thursday, 1/02, Fore-feast of Theophany; Our Holy Father Sylvester
9:00 a.m. +Teodor, Olena, Teodor, Pelahia, Teodozia, Nadia requested by Stefania Tisaridis

Friday, 1/03, Fore-feast of Theophany; The Holy Prophet Malachi
9:00 a.m. Special Intention requested by Stefania Tisaridis

Saturday, 1/04, Fore-feast of Theophany; The Synaxis of the Seventy Holy Apostles
9:00 a.m. +Paraskevia Paluha requested by Jaroslaw Paluha

Sunday, 1/05, Sunday before Theophany —The Holy Martyr Theopemptus and Theonas
9:00 a.m. +Orest Dubno requested by Paul Paluha
10:30 a.m. For our parishioners

Epistle: 2 Timothy 4:5-8
Gospel: Mark 1:1-8, Tone 5

Parish announcements this week

Christ is born!

This week’s vigil light is offered to God’s glory by Barbara and Patrick Bagley in memory of Michael Lipcan, Sr.

The Ukrainian Ridna Shkola invites children young and old to its annual St. Nicholas pageant TODAY at 12:30 p.m. in St. Michael’s church hall, 569 George street, New Haven. Come greet St. Nicholas on the eve of the Christmas holidays. Refreshments and gifts for all. Meet our teachers and visit our classrooms during our open house.

Schedule for New Years, Epiphany and Christmas (Julian Calendar).

    • New Year’s Day: 10:00 a.m. The Divine Liturgy
    • Holy Theophany of Our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ—January 6: 9:15 a.m. Great Compline and at 10:00a.m. The Divine Liturgy; 11:00 a.m. Great Sanctification of Water
    • Christmas (Julian Calendar) —January 7: 9:45a.m. Great Compline and 10:30 a.m. The Divine Liturgy

The next Financial Committee meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 8, 2020, at 6:00 p.m. in the Veteran’s Meeting Room. All Financial Committee members and interested parishioners are invited.

The next meeting of Knights of Columbus Blessed Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky Ukrainian Council will be held on Wednesday, January 8, 2020, at 7:00 p.m. in the Holy Name Room. All men of the parish are invited to attend.

The Ukrainian National Women’s League of America Branch 108 New Haven and St. Michael Parish will be preparing a Prosphora, a traditional Ukrainian Christmas meal, on Sunday, January 19, after the only one (1) Divine Liturgy at 10:30 a.m. Tickets are $20.00 for adults, free for students Ridna Shkola and altar boys. We will be running a raffle. Please donate items for raffle and cakes for desert. You can buy tickets after each Divine Liturgy in the church hall or contact Anna Salemme 203-934-6520, or purchase tickets at SUMA credit Union.

Sorokousty —All Souls Saturdays will be celebrated on February 15th, March 7th, March 14th, March 21st, and May 30th. Please take a book found in the entrance of the church, fill it out, place it in envelope, and drop it in the collection basket.

NEW KofC MEMBERSHIP DRIVE: The Knights of Columbus has formally announce the new ceremony that replaces the individual 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Degrees. It is known as the “Exemplification of Charity, Unity and Fraternity”. This new degree is a family affair and candidates and their families are invited to attend.

If you are currently a First Degree KofC member or are a new potential member, you are all welcome to attend. Please see Fr. Iura for any questions as well as obtaining the sample KofC form to fill out. All individuals who attend will sign a special charter which will be displayed at the KofC museum. Take advantage of this unique opportunity and become part of this historic event. January 1 —

NEW CEREMONY DEBUT: On Wednesday, January 1, The Degree Exemplification will be the inauguration of the new ceremony in Connecticut, St. Mary’s Parish, 5 Hillhouse Ave, New Haven. Degree: 1:00 p.m. Candidates: $5.00. Arrive: 12:30.

A Prayer for the New Year

Remember us, O God, from age to age be our comforter. You have given us the wonder of time, blessings in days and nights, seasons and years. Bless your children at the turning of the year and fill the months ahead with the bright hope that is ours in the coming of Christ. You are our God, living and reigning, forever and ever. Amen.

The Martyrdom of St. Stephen, deacon

[In the Byzantine Church today is the feast day for St. Stephen while in the Latin Church December 26 is the day on which Stephen is liturgically commemorated.]

On December 27, the Church remembers the martyrdom of the Holy Apostle, the first Deacon, and the first Martyr, Stephen. The Ambon Prayer for this feast begins, “O Christ our God, you accepted the weakness of our flesh and strengthened it against the spiritual enemy. By your life-giving death you gave it courage against death. Because of this your holy martyrs preferred to die for you rather than to live. You revealed the man named Stephen as the founder of the assembly of martyrs.”

St. Stephen was the first martyr (witness) to our Lord because he was Christ-like himself. Jesus said that he came “not to be served, but to serve,” and so Stephen became a servant (diakonos). When he was tried for his faith, the Acts of the Apostles (6:15) says, “All those who sat in the Sanhedrin looked intently at him and saw that his face was like the face of an angel.” He was deified and made God-like through his faith. As they became to stone him, he had a vision of the coming of Christ, “filled with the holy Spirit, looked up intently to heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. (7:55),” and like Christ on the Cross, he forgave his persecutors, “‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them’; and when he said this, he fell asleep. (7:60)” Indeed, one of his persecutors, a man name Saul, would become one of the greatest apostles (8:1). How do Christians do that? How can they forgive people who hate them and take their lives? This cannot be done by human powers, but only by the grace of God. We can fulfill the meaning of Christmas, of a God who humbled himself for our sake, only by the power and love of God, only if we open our hearts to him entirely and submit to his will.

In virtually every rite of Christianity, the feast of St. Stephen’s martyrdom is immediately connected with Christmas. The faith and sacrifice of Stephen is the only proper response to the birth of the Son and Word of God as our Savior and Redeemer. In fact the feast of Christmas is surrounded by commemorations of martyrs:

On December 20, we remember St. Ignatius, the bishop of Antioch, who gave himself to be devoured by lions.

On December 21, we remember St. Juliana, who refused to marry her suitor, Eleusis, unless he converted to Christianity, and who paid for her conviction with her life.

On December 22, we remember St. Anastasia, named for the resurrection, and remembered in the Roman Canon, who gave her life to service to the Christian community, who was betrayed by her husband but who said of Christ, “It is he who has taken away our human weakness, and it is he who now clothes us with divine strength.”

On December 23, we remember the ten holy martyrs who were the glory of Crete.

On December 24, we remember the holy virgin-martyr Eugenia, who was born into a senatorial family, but learned of the foolishness of Christ that surpasses the wisdom of this world. Disguised as a man, she accomplished the greatest of ascetical struggles, and converted so many to Christ, that she was beheaded on the day of his birth.

On December 26, we remember the holy father and confessor Euthymius, Bishop of Sardis, who opposed the iconoclast heresy, and died for the faith after numerous exiles and tortures

On December 27, we remember the holy Apostle, Protomartyr and Archdeacon Stephen, the model for all martyrdom, who name means the “crowned one,” who won his victory for the Lord.

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