Parish announcements

Glory to Jesus Christ!

This week vigil light is offered by Chris Komondy in memory of Fr. Diego Borgatello.

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.

PARISH COFFEE HOUR: Dear parishioners and guests, after each Divine Liturgy, a social hour with coffee and hard rolls and assorted snacks are available in the church hall. Please feel free to join us.

If you would like to have a Confession, Holy Communion or prayer of the sick at your house or nursing home, please call the rectory at 203-865-0388.

FOOD DONATIONS: A container is in our church vestibule for non-perishable food. Please give generously new items within the expiration date. These items will be given out to the poor in our community. Thank you for your generosity and support.

STAMFORD CHARITIES APPEAL: Please don` t forget to donate for Charities Appeal. The forms are designed for each family of our parish. Attached to the form is an envelope into which you can place your contribution. The form along with your contribution, we ask you enclose in the envelope and place it in the collection basket during church services. Please make check payable to the Byzantine Rite Eparchy of Stamford. DO NOT MAIL THIS FORM TO THE CHANCERY OFFICE. We sincerely ask all parishioners to make generous contributions.

Children praying for children: A special Event to Support the Children of War-torn Ukraine. On Saturday, June 1st a special church service/Moleben will be held at 10AM at St. Michael’s Ukrainian Catholic Church in New Haven. This national event organized by the Ukrainian Womens’ League of America(UWLA) will bring children together on that day to support their peers in Ukraine amidst the ongoing war on Ukraine perpetrated by Russia. The service aims to create a sacred space for children to join in prayer, solidarity and compassionate action for those affected by the tragic circumstances of the war. All are invited to attend.

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All Souls

There are 5 All Soul’s Saturdays. 2, 3, and 4 were on Saturdays during the Great Fast on days that had no other commemoration (e.g. the Miracle of Theodore and Akathistos). This is due to the liturgical law that fasting periods are more conservative and retain ancient customs. Saturday, the day our Lord was in the tomb was a day for remembering the departed, and that has persisted until the present in Lent.

The All Souls’ Saturday before Meatfare Sunday was due to the Church Year. Meatfare Sunday was the Gospel of the Last Judgment and, in a way, concluded the regular cycle of Gospel beginning with Pascha and lasting until the next Great Fast (beginning with Cheesefare Sunday). It was natural, therefore, to remember the departed as we pray for all before the final and last judgment. The fifth All Souls’ Saturday the day before Pentecost does not have clear origins. Some have said that it is the Christianization of the pagan feast of Rosalia, which remembered virgins who have died a violent death. Their souls were locked in trees and were released on this feast day.

The Christians generalized this into a general feast for all the departed. Some find this controversial, since the ideology is that Christians owe nothing to pagans. We have no concrete evidence one way or the other. It might be connected with All Saints, which in the Byzantine Church was the Sunday after Pentecost, but this does not explain the one week delay. At any rate, though Pentecost is the Christian feast of the 50th day, corresponding directly to the Jewish feast of the Mt. Sinai covenant (note the Upper Room), it was also called Rusalka (in Slavonic) since it happened closely to the pagan feast.

The All Saints feast was originally “All Martyrs,” namely those who died a violent death in witness to Christ. Rome originally celebrated it at the same time as the Byzantines, but moved it to November 1, the Dedication of the Pantheon, the pagan temple made into the Christian Church of the All Saints. In our faith and worship, though, this all has a clearly Christian meaning.

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Divine Liturgy for the coming week

Christ is risen!

Sunday, 4/28, Sunday of the Samaritan Women
9:00 a.m. God’s blessing and health for Margaret Maybury requested by the Sestretsi
10:30 a.m. For the people of the parish

Epistle: Acts 11:19-26, 29-30
Gospel: John 4:5-42, Tone 4

Monday, 4/29, Nine Holy Martyrs of Cyzicus
9:00 a.m. No particular intention for the Divine Liturgy

Tuesday, 4/30, James, brother of John the Theologian
9:00 a.m. No particular intention for the Divine Liturgy

Wednesday, 5/1, Holy Prophet Jeremiah
9:00 a.m. +Sofia Brodycz (Pan.) requested by Anna Salemme

Thursday, 5/2, Holy Archbishop Athanasius
9:00 a.m. No particular intention for the Divine Liturgy

Friday, 5/3, Our Venerable Father Theodosius of the Caves
9:00 a.m. +Teodor Czabala (Pan.) requested by the Ivantsiv family

Saturday, 5/4, Our Venerable Mother martyr Pelagia
9:00 a.m. +Vladimir Korenovsky (Pan. Requested by the Ivantsiv family

Sunday, 5/5, Sunday of the Man Born Blind —Moleben to the Mother of God
9:00 a.m. +Hugo Annard requested by Chris Komondy
10:30 a.m. For the people of the parish

Epistle: Acts 16:16-34
Gospel: John 9:1-38, Tone 5

Parish announcements

Christ is risen!

This week vigil light is offered by Chris Komondy in memory of all deceased people of Ukraine.

On May 12, we will celebrate only one Divine Liturgy at 10:30 a.m. in the English and Ukrainian languages and after the Divine Liturgy the Knights of Columbus members and men from our Parish invites all women in the church hall for luncheon and celebration Mother’s Day.

We will make pyrohy on May 18.

On May 18, at 8:00 a.m. we will celebrate Divine Liturgy and Sorokousty. The Panachyda service at the gravesites will take place on Saturday May 18th at 10:00 a.m. at All Saints Cemetery and May 19th at 1:00 p.m.. at Saint Lawrence Cemetery.

Our Ukraine Humanitarian Aid Organization, NHCTUAHA, thanks Father Iura and all of the organizers of the very successful Sviachene- Easter luncheon. We thank pani Natalia Lyalka and her kitchen helpers, the Ukrainian School leaders, teachers, and children for performing a wonderful concert program, Mr. Lubomyr Chermak and pan Ihor Yuziuk for their fine musical entertainment and all supporters of our traditional annual parish Easter event. The Sviachene was a great success. This week we received word that our 12th container arrived in Ukraine with supplies for hospitals and for communities in war-torn regions. To help with distribution Father Roman has requested yet another van for his team. We are now preparing this vehicle for shipment to Ukraine, using our share of proceeds from the Sviachene. We thank everyone for their generosity and support.

As part of our ongoing parish programs of humanitarian aid for Ukraine, we have develop a ”Bootstrap Program” for refugee families who are in this country. They are willing and able to work, but transportation is a challenge. We have one four door sedan car currently available to help a family out. Please contact Chris Komondy at (860) 759-2723 for details.

Our Ukraine aid volunteer organization, NHCTUAHA, is continuing its fundraising campaign to provide EXPANDED humanitarian assistance to Ukraine. We are currently raising funds to cover costs for shipping our 12th container to Ukraine, to purchase specialized medicines requested by doctors at the Veterans hospital in Vynnyky, and to potentially help fund the purchase of a 3-D printer solution for manufacturing desperately needed prosthetics in Lviv.

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Divine Liturgy for the coming week

Divine Liturgy for the coming week
Christ is risen!

Sunday, 4/21, Sunday of the Paralytic
9:00 a.m. +Fr. Diego Borgatello requested by Chris Komondy
10:30 a.m. For the people of the parish

Epistle: Acts 9:32-42
Gospel: John 5:1-15, Tone 3

Monday, 4/22, Our Venerable Father Theodore of Syceum
9:00 a.m. No particular intention for the Divine Liturgy

Tuesday, 4/23, Holy Great Martyr George
9:00 a.m. Special Intention

Wednesday, 4/24, Holy Martyr Sabbas
9:00 a.m. +Vladimir Stadnicki (Pan.) requested by the Stadnicki and Altrui families

Thursday, 4/25, Holy Apostle and Evangelist Mark
9:00 a.m. No particular intention for the Divine Liturgy

Friday, 4/26, Holy Priest Martyr Basil
9:00 a.m. Special Intention

Saturday, 4/27, Holy Priest Martyr Simeon, Fr. Stephen
9:00 a.m. No particular intention for the Divine Liturgy

Sunday, 4/28, Sunday of the Samaritan Woman
9:00 a.m. God’s blessing and health for Margaret Maybury requested by the Sestretsi
10:30 a.m. For the people of the parish

Epistle: Acts 11:19-26, 29-30
Gospel: John 4:5-42, Tone 4

Parish announcements

Christ is risen!

This week vigil light is offered by Oleschuk family in memory of Roman Oleschuk.

Dear parishioners and guests, after each Divine Liturgy, a social hour with coffee and hard rolls and assorted snacks are available in the church hall. Please feel free to join us.

A container is in our church vestibule for non-perishable food for the needy. Please give generously new items within the expiration date. These items will be given out to the poor in our community. Thank you for your generosity and support.

The Pyrohy Project is canceled for April. We will make pyrohy next time on May 18. See schedule for future pyrohy orders here.

The Panachyda service at the gravesites will take place on Saturday, May 18th at 10:00 a.m. at All Saints Cemetery and May 19th 1:00 p.m. at Saint Lawrence Cemetery. On May 18, at 8:00 a.m. we will celebrate Divine Liturgy and Sorokousty.

On May 12, we will celebrate only one (1) Divine Liturgy at 10:30 a.m. in the English and Ukrainian languages and after the Divine Liturgy the Knights of Columbus members and male from our Parish invites all women in the church hall for luncheon and celebration Mother’s Day.

Our Ukraine aid volunteer organization, NHCTUAHA, is continuing its fundraising campaign to provide EXPANDED humanitarian assistance to Ukraine. We are currently raising funds to cover costs for shipping our 12th container to Ukraine, to purchase specialized medicines requested by doctors at the Veterans hospital in Vynnyky, and to potentially help fund the purchase of a 3-D printer solution for manufacturing desperately needed prosthetics in Lviv. We encourage everyone to assist with monetary donations by contacting Carl Harvey (cecbts64@gmail.com) or Myron Melnyk (mmelnyk@yahoo.com) We thank you for your ongoing and generous support.

Parish Humanitarian Aid and the “BOOTSTRAP PROGRAM” is a new way to help recent Ukrainian immigrant families. As part of our ongoing programs, we have develop a ”Bootstrap Program” for refugee families who are in this country. They are willing and able to work, but transportation is a challenge. We have one four door sedan car currently available to help a family out. Please contact Chris Komondy at 860-759-2723 for details.

Sunday of the myrrh-bearers

Two weeks ago we celebrated Pascha, the holy resurrection from the dead of our Lord and Savior Jesus. Why do the myrrh-bearers factor into our theological formation?

Recall that Jesus encounters myrrh twice: at the beginning and the end of his life. The gifts of the Wise Men were of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Myrrh is an aromatic oil that was used in burial to cover the stench of death. In the Middle East the oder of death is unforgettable in the heat. This practical gift, while thoughtful, also had a deeper, mystical meaning for Jesus and for us who follow him: the wise men foretold that the death of Jesus would be his glory, as we see especially in the Gospel of John. Theologians will say “It was his glory because his death on the Cross was the revealing manifestation of God’s infinite love for his creation. By death Jesus showed forth the victory of love, “trampling upon death by death and granting life to those in the graves” (DP).

One of the troparia sung today is dedicated Joseph of Arimathea, a secret follower of Jesus who becomes a caretaker of the mortal remains by taking the body off the cross, wrapping it in pure linen, anointing the body with spices (myrrh) and laying the Lord in a new tomb. Joseph’s mercy is remarkable because he brings us into deeper focus as to who Jesus was and who he is to become: The Christ —the Messiah (the Anointed One).

First Joseph and now the women. The anxiety of getting the body Jesus attended to fast due to political concerns meant that Jesus burial process was completed by Joseph. The women’s intentions were interrupted by an angel saying that on the third day, Sunday, “He is not here, he is risen.” The Myrrh-bearers have their mission changed from anointing to announcing the resurrection.

Why do the myrrh-bearers factor into our theological formation?

As so often happens in the Gospels: what was expected on the human level is changed by the Divine. The paradox is beautiful. Women who were not well respected in their own right by men all of a sudden receive the gifts of trust and courage and love to convey THE most important message of all history: He is not here, He has risen from the dead. The women are bears not merely of myrrh but that of the Good News that Death has been killed.

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Divine Liturgy for the coming week

Sunday, 4/14, Sunday of the Myrrhbearing Women
10:30 a.m. For the people of the parish

Epistle: Acts 6:1-7
Gospel: Mark 15:43-16:8, Tone 2

Monday,  4/15, Holy Apostles Aristarchus and Pudens
9:00 a.m. God’s blessing and health for Bohdan Sowa requested by the Sestretsi

Tuesday, 4/16, Holy Martyrs Agapia, Irene and Chionia
9:00 a.m. No particular intention for the Liturgy scheduled

Wednesday, 4/17, Our Venerable Father Simeon
9:00 a.m. +Teodor Czabala (40 days, Pan.) requested by the Czabala Family

Thursday, 4/18,  Our Venerable Father John the Disciple of Gregory
9:00 a.m. No particular intention for the Liturgy scheduled

Friday, 4/19, Our Venerable Father John the Ancient Hermit
9:00 a.m. No particular intention for the Liturgy scheduled

Saturday, 4/20, Our Venerable Father Theodore
9:00 a.m. No particular intention for the Liturgy scheduled

Sunday, 4/21, Sunday of the Paralytic
9:00 a.m. Special Intention
10:30 a.m. For the people of the parish

Epistle: Acts 9:32-42
Gospel: John 5:1-15, Tone 3

Parish announcements

This week vigil light is offered by Oleschuk family in memory of Roman Oleschuk.

No April pryohy making. See schedule for future pyrohy orders here.

If you would like to have a Confession, Holy Communion or prayer of the sick at your house or nursing home, please call the rectory at 203-865-0388.

Today is our Parish’s traditional Easter dinner — “SVIACHENE” following the 10:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy. We will celebrate only one (1) Divine Liturgy at 10:30 a.m. We will not sell tickets at the door.

Dear parishioners and guests, after each Divine Liturgy, a social hour with coffee and hard rolls and assorted snacks are available in the church hall. Please feel free to join us.

Our Ukraine aid volunteer organization, NHCTUAHA, is continuing its fundraising campaign to provide EXPANDED humanitarian assistance to Ukraine. We are currently raising funds to cover costs for shipping our 12th container to Ukraine, to purchase specialized medicines requested by doctors at the Veterans hospital in Vynnyky, and to potentially help fund the purchase of a 3-D printer solution for manufacturing desperately needed prosthetics in Lviv. We encourage everyone to assist with monetary donations by contacting Carl Harvey (cecbts64@gmail.com) or Myron Melnyk (mmelnyk@yahoo.com) We thank you for your ongoing and generous support.

PARISH HUMANITARIAN AID “BOOTSTRAP PROGRAM” is a new way to help recent Ukrainian immigrant families. As part of our ongoing programs, we have develop a ”Bootstrap Program” for refugee families who are in this country. They are willing and able to work, but transportation is a challenge. We have one four door sedan car currently available to help a family out. Please contact Chris Komondy at 860-759-2723 for details.

FOOD DONATIONS: A container is in our church vestibule for non-perishable food. Please give generously new items within the expiration date. These items will be given out to the poor in our community. Thank you for your generosity and support.

Thomas Sunday

Today is the eighth day of the celebration of the eighth day. Pascha! The Resurrection of our Lord! The Feast of Feasts!

Today we hear the Gospel reading of the Apostle Thomas coming to the Risen Lord and realizes in truth who Jesus is: the Messiah.

Today also marks the institution of the Lord of the Mystery (sacrament) of Reconciliation –the confession and forgiveness of sin. Just as the Lord institutes the Mystery of the Eucharist on what we call Great and Holy Thursday, the Church teaches that today is a commemoration of this divine act of Mercy: forgiveness of sins. Together we say with St. Thomas, My Lord and my God.

Christ is risen. Truly he is risen!