The Soul Saturday before Holy Pentecost

***Nota Bene: Divine Liturgy this morning at 9:00 a.m.

****Father will be praying for the souls (blessing the graves) this weekend at the cemeteries: All Saints this morning beginning at 11am and tomorrow at St Lawrence at 12:30pm.

On this day, the Saturday before Holy Pentecost, we celebrate a memorial for all those who have fallen asleep since the ages in true worship and in the hope of everlasting life. The Holy Fathers established that on this Saturday that precedes Holy Pentecost, we observe the memory of all people who throughout the centuries died in the right faith, just as they ordered that this be observed on the Saturday before Meatfare Sunday. They did this moved by their love for mankind, so that all who for whatever reason did not have the usual benefit of individual memorial services might be included in this common memorial. According to tradition, the Fathers of the Church received this injunction concerning the memorial services from the Apostles, who themselves taught that the memorials performed on behalf of the reposed bring great benefit to those who have fallen asleep. (See Apostolic Injunctions, 8.42)

The Holy Fathers specified that we perform them today, because tomorrow we shall welcome the All-Holy Spirit and shall fervently be entreating the Lord for ourselves, that He send us His All-Holy Spirit to illumine us and strengthen us in the fear of God and in keeping the commandments and to guide us in obtaining eternal life. We shall also be praying for the deceased, that He give them rest in His lovely and longed-for dwellings. In praying for the dead, on the one hand, we show our love for our deceased fathers and brothers, and, on the other hand, we become more keenly aware of the vanity of this world, and thus we receive great benefit to our souls.

For nothing rouses the slothful to repentance better than the recollection of death. And nothing else brings us the recollection of death as well as the memory of our loved ones who have slept the eternal sleep. O Master Christ, grant repose in the dwelling places of the righteous to the souls of those who have preceded us in slumber, and have mercy on us and save us, for You alone love mankind. Amen. (Synaxarion of the Lenten Triodion and Pentecostarion, edited by Fr. David (Kidd) and Mother Gabriella (Ursache), HDM Press, River Junction, Michigan, 1999, pp. 228-229.)

This may have been a “Christianization” of a pagan custom. Spring was a time of release of the souls of children or maidens who had committed suicide or met a violent death. During rusalki these spirits were treated with pity and wreaths of flowers were offered to them. This feast was called rosalia in Latin and anthesteria in Greek and became associated with Pentecost because it was a spring feast. (George P. Fedotov, The Russian Religious Mind, Vol. I (Belmont, Massachusetts: Nordland Publishing Co.,1985), 18.)

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Helping Kostyantyn and Iryna.

We have a mission given to us by Jesus: to heal and visit the sick (Matthew 25). The Myrrh-bearing women come to mind.

Here is some information on the help that many parishioners and friends of St Michael the Ukrainian Catholic Church (New Haven) is giving to Kostyantyn Shkapoed and his wife Iryna.

Kostyantyn, a wounded Ukrainian veteran, is receiving medical treatment in New Haven through the assistance of many parishioners and several others spearheading treatment from other places.

Will you be a Myrrh-bearer for Kostyantyn and Iryna?

Click to enlarge the flyer.

Sunday of the First Ecumenical Council: The Gospel of Unity

“Holy Father, keep them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one just as we are. (John 17:11)”

After the Resurrection, Jesus appeared to his followers for forty days. He did not live with them on a day to day basis, as he did before his crucifixion and death, but he rose now into glory, giving us also the hope of resurrection to eternal life. His appearances had a particular goal, as he explained later in the Gospel of John, but in the same discourse we have heard today, “As you sent me into the world, so I sent them into the world. (John 17:18): The Gospel today begins, “Father, the hour has come. Give glory to your son, so that your son may glorify you, just as you gave him authority over all people, so that he may give eternal life to all you gave him” (John 17:1-2). In the Gospel of St. Matthew, as Jesus leaves his followers, he give them this commission, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:18-19). After his crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus is glorified, he has all power and authority, and he passes on his mission to us by giving us the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.

Some of the Fathers of the Church have asked the question: “Why didn’t our Lord stay with us in his risen glory and give us clear guidance in the building up of his kingdom? Why did he leave us and return to the Father, where as God he reigns with the Father eternally, and now sits at his right now also in the human nature that he took for our salvation?” We might muse – it certainly would make it easier for us if Jesus stayed visibly with us and would be the power of our faith in the world. He left us, though because of God’s wisdom. If he stayed with us, we might perceive him as a tyrant, but his whole earthly mission was exactly NOT to establish an earthly political kingdom, but to establish the Kingdom of God, which can exist only in an atmosphere of complete human freedom. In other words, it is now up to us, by loving God and our neighbor freely, by freely doing the will of God to build up this kingdom. At the same time, God did not leave us entirely on our own. He promised, I tell you the truth, it is better for you that I go. For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. (John 16:7)” We have received the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, in our baptisms. The priest has anointed us with chrism, saying, “The gift of the Holy Spirit.” Again, St. John teaches, “As for you, the anointing that you received from him remains in you, so that you do not need anyone to teach you. But his anointing teaches you about everything and is true and not false; just as it taught you, remain in him” (1 John 2:27). We cannot build up God’s kingdom by our own human strength, but only by the power of the Holy Spirit given to us.

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SingCon 2019

We are pleased to announce that registration for SingCon 2019 is now open!

Registration LINK is here.

We look forward seeing you at St. Basils’s Seminary in Stamford, Connecticut, from Thursday, September 26 (registration opens at 4:00 pm), to Sunday, September 29 (concluding after lunch, approx. 1:00 pm). This Year Registration is available either for Thursday-Sunday or Friday-Sunday.

SingCon is a weekend of lectures, workshops, rehearsals, discussions, and liturgical services (Matins, Vespers, Vigil, and Divine Liturgy) for cantors, choir directors, singers, and anyone interested in church singing, regardless of background or ability.

The full schedule, workshop details, music, and liturgical texts will be posted on here in July.

See you in September in Stamford!

Pope’s June prayer intention 2019

The June prayer intention by which we join with Pope Francis, is for the The Mode of Life of Priests.

That priests, through the modesty and humility of their lives, commit themselves actively to a solidarity with those who are most poor.

June is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus the King. Let us pray for our priests, especially the newly ordained.

Parish Easter egg hunt

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Children 13 and younger participated in the 16th annual Easter Egg Hunt on April 21 on the rectory lawn of St. Michael Ukrainian Catholic Church. The annual event, sponsored by UNA Branch 414, invited children to create Easter cards for parish shut-ins, craftwork, games and the hunt for Easter eggs and candy hidden on the lawn. The top winners in three categories received a large chocolate bunny. Each participant received a bag filled with candy and gifts prepared by the UNA branch.

The Ukrainian Weekly
1 June 2019

Divine Liturgy for the coming week

Glory to Jesus Christ!

Sunday, 6/02, Sunday of the Fathers of First Ecumenical Council
9:00 a.m.+Ivan and Halyna Lobay requested by Maria Lobay
Moleben to Jesus Christ

10:30 a.m. For the people of the parish
Moleben to Jesus Christ

Epistle: Acts of the Apostles 20:16-18 and 28-38
Gospel: John 17:1-13, Tone 6

Monday, 6/03, The Holy Martyrs Lucillianus and companions
9:00 a.m. God’s blessing and health for Halya Lodynsky requested by Stefan Yurchak

Tuesday, 6/04, The Holy Patriarch Metrophanes
9:00 a.m. No intention for the Divine Liturgy

Wednesday, 6/05, The Holy Bishop Martyr Dorotheus
9:00 a.m. No intention for the Divine Liturgy

Thursday, 6/06, Our Venerable Fathers Bessarion the Wonderworker and Hilarion the New
9:00 a.m. +Marguerite Komondy (Pan.) requested by Chris Komondy

Friday, 6/07, The Holy Bishop Martyr Theodotus
9:00 a.m. No intention for the Divine Liturgy

Saturday, 6/08, Transfer of the relics of the Holy Great Martyr Theodor Tyr
9:00 a.m. All deceased of the Parish —Sorokousty

Sunday, 6/09, Pentecost Sunday
9:00 a.m. For the people of the parish
Moleben to Jesus Christ

10:30 a.m. All deceased of Zinych and Musij family requested by Walter and Ulana Zinych
Moleben to Jesus Christ

Epistle: Acts of the Apostles 2:1-11
Gospel: John 37-52 and 8:12, Tone 7

Parish announcements this week

Christ is ascended!

This week vigil light is offered to God’s glory by Stephania Tsidaritis in memory of all deceased of the family.

The next meeting of the parish Knights of Columbus Blessed Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky Ukrainian Council will be held on Monday, June 3, TOMORROW, at 7:00 p.m. in the Holy Name Room. All men of the parish are invited to attend.

The next Sestrechi meeting will be held on Sunday, June 2, after the 9:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy. The meeting will be held in the church hall Classroom 1.

Helping the poor – a work of charity: The Director of the St. Vincent DePaul Homeless Shelter in Waterbury wrote to us requesting assistance in collecting bath soap, tooth brushes, tooth paste, deodorant, Q-tips, men’s underwear, for the ministry to the homeless. We will have this collection for the poor through Pentecost (June 9). These items can be put in the basket at the entrance of the church in the marked box. Paul Zalonski (of our parish) will drive the donations to the Homeless Shelter in Waterbury.

The Panachyda service at the gravesites will take place on Saturday, June 8, at 11:00 a.m. at All Saints Cemetery and June 9 at 12:30 p.m. at St. Lawrence Cemetery. For Panachyda service at other cemeteries please call the rectory (203) 865-0388.

We will be making pyrohy on Saturday, June 15. We need your help because will be more orders before vacation (July and August). Please come and help also on Friday, June 14 to peel potatoes and Saturday to make pyrohy. See Walter Ushchak, the Manager Pyrohy Project for more information.

We have for sale frozen borscht $5.00, cabbage and sausage (kapusta and kovbasa) for $10.00 and pyrohy (varenyky) 2 dozen for $14.00. You can buy pyrohy after each Divine Liturgy or during the week if you call the rectory.

Olga Iastrubchak will be offering private dance classes for children ages 3-18. Classes will be held on Saturdays at 1:00 pm the St Michael’s church hall. For more information please contact Olga at (203) 400-4467 or email olgaiastrubchak@gmail.com

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The Meaning of the Ascension

“Jesus said to her (Mary Magdalene), ‘Woman, why are you weeping? Whom do you seek?’ Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, ‘Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Mary.’ She turned and said to him in Hebrew, ‘Rabboni!’ (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, ‘Do not touch me (Μή μου ἅπτου / Noli me tangere / Не прикасайся мне), for/because (γὰρ) I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brethren and say to them, I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” (Jn 20: 15-17)

As many Christians celebrate the Lord’s Ascension this Thursday, (and we, Orthodox Christians, prepare to celebrate it next Thursday), I’m thinking about what the Lord says to Mary Magdalene about His upcoming Ascension. She’s not to “touch“ Him as she could previously, physically, “because“ He had not yet “ascended“ to sit at the right hand of the Father, whence He was to send down His Holy Spirit, ten days after His Ascension, on Pentecost. The Ascension was to take Christ’s physical Presence from us, and prepare us for a new kind of His Presence among us, in the Holy Spirit, in Whom we are given to “touch“ Christ in a new way, in the sacraments of the Church. Christ is preparing Mary for that new reality, because, apparently, He knows that she is ready for that, even while the “doubting“ Thomas was not, who was given physically to touch the wounds of the risen Lord (Jn 20: 24-29).

Why would Christ remove Himself from us, physically, in His (physical) Ascension to sit at the right hand of the Father, in order to inaugurate the sacraments of the Church? Because 1. He wanted to demonstrate to us His unity with the Father, as the “place“ from which the grace of God, the Holy Spirit, is poured out upon us; and 2. Because in this project Christ was inaugurating, called “Church,“ He was entrusting the celebration of these sacraments to physically-present human beings, His apostles and their followers, whom He was to empower to do so with the (invisible) grace of the Holy Spirit, and no longer with His own (visible) Presence, in the way it was “touchable“ to us throughout His earthly mission. So as our Lord prepares to elevate fallible human beings, the apostles and all of us, to be vessels of the Holy Spirit in this world, He “ascends“ to His Father in His human body, thus elevating our humanity (in His human body) to a “place“ higher than it ever was before. When He ascends, He’s restoring our dignity, which we had lost when we followed the God-less advice of the serpent (Gen 3: 1-7), and which we continue to lose whenever we get caught up in the pointless circles of our obsessions and addictions. So let me break out of the pointless circles today, and be elevated onto the life-bringing Cross, which points in all four directions, extending me and dignifying me to self-offer as Christ did, in His all-embracing arms, stretched out on the Cross.

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The Fall of Constantinople

The Fall of Constantinople
–May 29, 1453.

One of the worst tragedies in the history of humanity was the fall of the Byzantine Empire, which put an end to centuries of culture, philosophy, education, and morality.

The Fall of Constantinople and the Rise of the Ottomans began a new era of oppression, barbarianism, authoritarianism, and slavery.

To the defenders of the Great City, the past Emperors, Patriarchs, and Military Leaders of the Byzantine Empire: MAY THEIR MEMORIES BE ETERNAL!

#ByzantineCatholicNewHaven
#stmichaelnewhaven