Good-by to cheese brings new life at Pascha!

This weekend we are even closer to the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom is not found because we give up meat and cheese and follow the prescriptions of the Great Fast like a robot. No, we enter into the Kingdom of God as a result of our being in good relationship with God and our neighbor. Recall Jesus’ teachings on forgiveness, unity, the Our Father, Prodigal Son, and more.

We say good-by to cheese for a period of time to open our hearts and minds and bodies to what the Lord wants to give us: new life. Eating cheese is like eating death in that we eat milk transformed into something new, exciting, robots for the whole of the body, mind and soul. But the Christian is asked to make a 40 day sacrifice of dairy products like cheese so that we can prepare ourselves for glory. God wants us to be a new creation in Him. And sin prevents us from this fact. Corporate sin and personal sin.

Reflecting on the place of forgiveness for the Christian, St Silouan the Athonite tells us that “We have such a law: If you forgive, it means that God has forgiven you; but if you do not forgive your brother, it means that your sin remains with you.”

Below please find link for all the resources prepared for you for the Sunday of Cheese-Fare (also known as the Sunday of Forgiveness!). Listen especially to the Gospel reflection.

Included among this week’s resources is “Great Lent at Home,” with reflections and activities for every day of the Great Fast, beginning with “Clean Monday,” the day following Cheese-Fare Sunday. We hope you will find it helpful as we journey together towards Pascha!

The Sunday of Cheese-Fare

Cheesefare Sunday Liturgy and Luncheon

Christ is in our midst!

As a reminder, tomorrow, Cheesefare Sunday, March 3, there will be only one (1) Divine Liturgy in English and Ukrainian at 10:30 a.m.

This Sunday is known by three titles:

1 – Cheesefare Sunday because it is the last day that we eat dairy until Holy Pascha
2 – Forgiveness Sunday because the Church celebrates Forgiveness Vespers, asking for mutual forgiveness as we enter upon the journey of Great Lent.
3 – Sunday of the Casting out of Adam and Eve because during the Holy Season of Great Lent we live is remembrance of our sins and of death which resulted from the fall of our first parents.

Welcoming Minister Iryna Friz

The luncheon/fundraiser will begin at 12:00 Noon. in St. Michael’s church hall, 569 George St., New Haven. In addition to lunch, a brief concert will be presented. Brief remarks by Minister Iryna Friz will follow. There will be an update on the Wounded Ukrainian Soldiers Project and on the veterans` recent trip to Ukraine. All proceeds will be used to benefit Ukraine’s wouded soldiers and veterans. Tickets are $25.00 per person. Admission for youth under 18 is free.

We invite everyone to this special event. We ask for your support for Ukraine’s wounded heroes.

To reserve your ticket NOW, please contact

    • Fr. Iura Godenciuc at 203-865-0388,
    • Carl Harvey at 203-389-6076
    • Myron Melnyk at 203-397-2087