Usually in the week before Theophany, the course readings of Scripture in the Divine Liturgy (the daily Epistles and Gospels) have to be adjusted, so that the Sunday of Zacchaeus (the 32th Sunday after Pentecost) is read the week before the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee. Because Pascha is so late in 2019 (April 21), this means that the Sunday of Zacchaeus is February 3, and so, on Monday, December 31, we adjust the calendar to repeat from the 28th Week after Pentecost. This will mean, of course, a number of repetitions on weekdays, but because of the special Sunday before and after Christmas and Theophany, there will be only one Sunday repetition (January 20). This is fine with me, after all, we cannot hear the gospels enough, but I know some pastors don’t like repetition, and will read the gospels from the Menaion rather than the course readings. They might also replace the one Sunday repetition with the Matthew Gospel of the Caanite Woman (Matthew 15:21-28). The Greeks and Melkites regularly do this. (DPetras)
The Sunday after Christmas
On this Sunday, we commemorate three men who had a relationship with Jesus: David, his forefather; Joseph, his foster father; and James, his brother through Joseph. Each of these man were shown mercy by God. David committed a great sin, to win the wife of Uriah, he had Uriah put into the front lines of battle, so that he was killed. The prophet Nathan brought this sin to light and David did repentance and lost his son. Joseph found Mary pregnant and decided to divorce her, but an angel told him to take her as his wife. James was among Jesus’ relatives who did not accept him as a prophet, but after the resurrection, he repented and became the leader of the church at Jerusalem.
We might remember also three women who were among Jesus’ foremothers. Rachel was the wife of Jacob, who loved her more than Leah. However, when Jacob worked for seven years for Laban to win Rachel’s hand, Laban insisted he marry his eldest daughter Leah. Jacob then worked another seven years for Rachel. However, Rachel was barren until finally she gave birth to Joseph, Jacob’s favorite son. Jacob took his family and fled Laban, and Rachel stole Laban’s family icons. When Laban caught up with Jacob, Jacob cursed the thief of his icons, not knowing that it was his beloved wife Rachel. The curse was fulfilled when Rachel died giving birth to Benjamin. Rachel is mentioned in today’s Gospel as weeping when the children of Bethlehem are massacred by King Herod, but the gospel says, “no comfort for her, for they are no more.”
We might also mention Ruth, who was a foreigner – like the Magi. She married a Hebrew man from Bethlehem who died, and Ruth followed her mother-in-law back to Bethlehem, and there tricked Boaz into marriage, becoming the great-grandmother of David and ancestor of our Lord. We might also mention Tamar, who lost her husband, whose brother refused to have children by her. She disguised herself as a prostitute and became pregnant with her father-in-law, Judah, who wanted to have her executed for prostitution until he was shown to be the father. So she, too, became an ancestor of Jesus through trickery. Does not today’s feast remind us that we all have a relationship now with God through our Lord Jesus Christ and we are all in need of his mercy.
Meditation by Archpriest David Petras
Divine Liturgy for the coming week
Christ is born!
Sunday, 12/30, 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. +Nicholas Krenta requested by Alicja Krenta
10:30 a.m. For the people of the parish
Epistle: Galatians 1:11-19
Gospel: Matthew 2:13-23, Tone 5
Monday, 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 (Pan.) requested Barbara and Patrick Bagley
Tuesday, 1/01, The Circumcision of Our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ; Our Father Among the Saints Basil the Great, Archbishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia —New Year’s Day 2019!
10:45 a.m. Lytia and blessing of Bread
11:00 a.m. For the people of the parish with the Anointing – Myrovann
Wednesday, 1/02, Fore-feast of Theophany; Our Holy Father Sylvester
9:00 a.m. God’s blessing and health for the Zinych and Musiy Family
Thursday, 1/03, Fore-feast of Theophany; The Holy Prophet Malachi
9:00 a.m. +Vira Walnycky (Pan.) requested by the Family
Friday, 1/04, Fore-feast of Theophany; The Synaxis of the Seventy Holy Apostles
9:00 a.m. God’s blessing and health for Paul Paluha requested by Jaroslaw Paluha
Saturday, 1/05, Theophany Eve. The Holy Martyr Theopemptus and Theonas
9:00 a.m. +Paraskevia Paluha (Pan.) requested by Jaroslaw Paluha
Note: Today is a day of fasting (meat may not be eaten; however, eggs and dairy products are permitted).
Sunday, 1/06, The Holy Theophany of Our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ
9:00 a.m. Great Compline
10:00 a.m. For the people of the parish
Great Sanctification of Water with the Anointing – Myrovann
Epistle: Titus 2:11-14 and 3:4-7
Gospel: Matthew 3:13-17, Tone 6
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.
PARISH COFFEE HOUR: Dear parishioners and guests, after each Divine Liturgy, coffee and hard rolls are available in the church hall.
VIGIL LIGHT: This week vigil light is offered to God’s glory by Luba Kopylec for a special intention.
2019 NEW YEAR: Best wishes to all our parishioners for a very happy, healthy and prosperous New Year! May God shower you with all His blessings for a joyous and peaceful 2019. Fr. Iura and Family
***Note: No fasting on Wednesdays and Fridays until the Leave-taking of Holy Theophany (January 14, 2019).
***Note on Saturday, January 5, Theophany Eve: Today is a day of fasting (meat may not be eaten; however, eggs and dairy products are permitted).
ASLEEP in the LORD: Vira Walnycky. Please remember her in your prayers. Eternal Memory!
Schedule for New Year’s Day, Holy Theophany on January 6 and
Christmas (Julian Calendar) on January 7
~New Year’s Day: Divine Liturgy at 11:00 a.m.
~Holy Theophany January 6: 9:00 a.m. Great Compline followed 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy and 11:15 a.m. Great Sanctification of Water
~Christmas (Julian Calendar) January 7: 9:30 a.m. Great Compline and 10:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy
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.
If someone would like to buy a frozen pierogies (varenyky) during the week please call the rectory at (203) 865-0388.
The Ukrainian National Women’s League of America Branch 108 New Haven and the Parish will be preparing a Prosphora, a traditional Ukrainian Christmas meal, on Sunday, January 20, after the one (1) Divine Liturgy at 10:30. 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. Tickets are on sale in the church hall every Sunday after both Divine Liturgies. You can buy tickets from Luba Dubno or members of UWLA Branch 108. Please buy tickets in advance.
SESTRECHI will be enjoying our winter recess during the months of January and February 2019. The next regularly scheduled monthly meeting will be on March 10, 2019. The meeting will be held in the church hall classroom after the 9:00 Divine Liturgy.
The KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS will be enjoying a winter recess during the month of January. The next meeting of Knights of Columbus Blessed Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky Ukrainian Council will be on February 4, 2019, 7:00 p.m. in the Holy Name Room. All men of the parish are invited to attend.
UKRAINIAN AMERICAN VETERANS Post 33 will meet on January 20, 2019. The meeting will be held in Classroom 2.
BULLETIN UPDATES: Dear parishioners, as you may have noticed there have been some changes and improvements to our parish bulletin. In a continuing effort to make the bulletin more parishioner friendly, I call upon you to let me know what else you would like to see and or change. As always I appreciate the various informational materials that you have provided and I am looking forward to your continued responses. Father Iura.
CELL PHONES: Please, please, please, turn off your cell phones when you come to the Divine Liturgy. If you are expecting an emergency call, please put your phone on vibrate and go outside to answer. Also, please stop using your cell phone during the Divine Liturgy. This is for the benefit of all. Thank you.
We have found the Messiah
As we think theologically and personally about the meaning of Christmas, these words from a homily on the Gospel of John by Saint John Chrysostom may help us focus on what it means to say we have a Messiah.
After Andrew had stayed with Jesus and had learned much from him, he did not keep this treasure to himself, but hastened to share it with his brother. Notice what Andrew said to him: We have found the Messiah, that is to say, the Christ. Notice how his words reveal what he has learned in so short a time. They show the power of the master who has convinced them of this truth. The reveal the zeal and concern of men preoccupied with this question from the very beginning. Andrew’s words reveal a soul waiting with the utmost longing for the coming of the Messiah, looking forward to his appearing from heaven, rejoicing when he does appear, and hastening to announce so great an event to others. To support one another in the things of the spirit is the true sign of good will between brothers, of loving kinship and sincere affection.
Notice, too, how even from the beginning, Peter is docile and receptive in spirit. He hastens to Jesus without delay. He brought him to Jesus, says the evangelist. But Peter must not be condemned for his readiness to accept Andrew’s word without much weighing of it. It is probable that his brother had given him, and many others, a careful account of the event; the evangelists, in the interest of brevity, regularly summarize a lengthy narrative. Saint John does not say that Peter believed immediately, but that he brought him to Jesus. Andrew was to hand him over to Jesus, to learn everything for himself. There was also another disciple present, and he hastened with them for the same purpose.
When John the Baptist said: This is the Lamb, and he baptizes in the Spirit, he left the deeper understanding of these things to be received from Christ. All the more so would Andrew act in the same way, since he did not think himself able to give a complete explanation. He brought his brother to the very source of light, and Peter was so joyful and eager that he would not delay even for a moment.
Christmas Liturgy
Christmas, December 25
9:30 a.m. God with Us
(in English and Ukrainian)
10:30 a.m. The Divine Liturgy
(in English and Ukrainian)
Blessed Christmas 2018
Today, the virgin gives birth to one beyond all created essences, and the earth presents a cave to this God beyond our reach. All heaven’s angels join with the shepherds to sing his praises, and men of learning make their way to him with a star. For God eternal comes for all mankind as a newborn child. (Kondakion)
Merry Christmas!
Theophany Home Blessing 2019
The blessing of homes following the Theophany and Feast of the Baptism of the Lord (January 6) is a sacred and time-honored tradition of our Ukrainian Christian faith.
Please let Father Iura know if you want him to visit your home by giving him your name, address and phone number. He will schedule a time to visit.
Call Father Iura: 203-865-0388
Email Father Iura: stmichaels@snet.net
Parish St. Nicholas Play
You are invited to attend the St. Nicholas Play to be held on Sunday, December 23, 2018, 12 noon, in the church hall.
We worship first, and the play follows the Divine Liturgy.
The Ukrainian Ridna Skhola (School) students will be performing at this traditional event. St. Nicholas will make a presentation for all the good children.
Please support the school and bring your children/grandchildren to this event. This is a great opportunity to learn an aspect of our Faith and share life in community. We also need an audience!
(Parents can bring gifts to the kitchen for distribution later by St. Nicholas. It’s a secret for the children.)
We are a small school presently, but we are still keeping traditions.
Divine Liturgy for the coming week
Christ is born!
Sunday, 12/23, Sunday of the Holy Fathers —Fore-feast of the Nativity of Christ
9:00 a.m. For the people of the parish
10:30 a.m. +Evhen Koziupa requested by Lydia Koziupa
Epistle: Hebrews 11:9-10 and 32-40
Gospel: Matthew 1:1-24, Tone 6
Monday, 12/24, The Holy Venerable Martyr Eugenia
Today is a day of abstinence (meat may not be eaten)
Tuesday, 12/25, The Nativity in the Flesh of Our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ
9:30 a.m. Great Compline (God with us)
10:30 a.m. For the people of the parish
~Anointing – Myrovann
Wednesday, 12/26, Post-feast of the Nativity of Christ; Synaxis of the Most Holy Mother of God
9:00 a.m. +Bohdana Chermak (Pan) requested by Lubomyr Chermak
Thursday, 12/27, Post-feast of the Nativity of Christ; the Holy Apostle, First Martyr and Archdeacon Stephen
9:00 a.m. +Michael Docknevich (Pan.) requested by Martin Docknevich
Friday, 12/28, Post-feast of the Nativity of Christ; the Two Thousand Martyrs Burned in Nicomedia
Saturday, 12/29, Post-feast of the Nativity of Christ; The Holy Children, Who Were Murdered by Herod in Bethlehem
Sunday, 12/30, Commemoration of the Holy and Just Joseph, King David; James. Brother of the Lord according to the Flesh; Post-feast of the Nativity of Christ;
9:00 a.m. +Nicholas Krenta requested by Alicja Krenta
10:30 a.m. For the people of the parish
Epistle: Galatians 1:11-19
Gospel: Matthew 2:13-23, Tone 7