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.

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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.

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

Parish announcements this week

Christ is born!

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 greater glory by Luba Kopylec for a special intention.

From the Pastor

With the upcoming Holidays of Christmas, New Year and Epiphany our best wishes to our bishop, His Excellency Bishop Paul Chomnycky our Parishioners, Trustees, Choir Director  and members of the church choir, Altar Boys, Knights of Columbus members, Sestretsi members, all Ukrainian and American Organizations in our parish, all benefactors and  members of our parish that every day donate their time, work and money for good of our Church. May the new born Jesus Christ Bless our Parish.

Fr. Iura Godenciuc and Family

All donations and contributions must be received by Sunday, December 30, 2018 to be recorded on the annual statement for the year 2018.

If someone would like to buy a frozen pierogies (varenyky) during the week please call the rectory at (203) 865-0388.

PHILIP’S FAST, ПИЛИПІВКА, the period of spiritual preparation for the celebration of the Nativity/Theophany continues until Monday evening. Christmas eve is a day of abstinence (meat may not be eaten).

The annual St. Nicholas pageant will be held on TODAY (12/23) after the 2nd Divine Liturgy. All children are invited to meet with St. Nicholas on this joyous occasion.

Schedule for New Year, Holy Theophany and Christmas (Julian Calendar)

~New Year’s Day, January 1: 11:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy
~Holy Theophany, January 6: 9:00 a.m. Great Compline, 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy; 11:15 a.m. Great Sanctification of Water
~Christmas (Julian Calendar), January 7: 9:30 a.m. Great Compline 10:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy

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 20, 2019 after the only one (1) Divine Liturgy at 10:30. Tickets are $20.00 for adults, free for students Ridna Shkola and altar boys. Tickets are on sale in the church hall every Sunday after both Divine Liturgies. Please buy tickets in advance.

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The Three Holy Children

The Byzantine liturgical calendar of the Ukrainian Church has given us today the feast of The Three Holy Children. The feast day commemorates a most fascinating event (experience) of people of faith in the face of evil.

“You did not worship the image circumscribed by hands (χειρόγραφον εἰκόνα), / O thrice-blessed ones, / but armed with the uncircumscribed Essence (ἀγράφῳ οὐσίᾳ), / you were glorified in a trial by fire. / From the midst of unbearable flames you called on God, crying: / Hasten, O compassionate One! / Speedily come to our aid, / for You are merciful and able to do as You will.” (Sunday of the Forefathers, Kontakion-Hymn)

The “thrice-blessed ones” are the Three Holy Children, Shadrach, Mesach, and Abednego, kinsmen of the Prophet Daniel in the tribe of Judah, led away together with him and other Jews into Babylonian Captivity. King Nebuchadnezzar had the three youths thrown into a fiery furnace, (in which they famously remained unharmed), after they refused to worship a golden image of Nebuchadnezzar, which he had constructed and ordered the people to worship (Dan. 3).

Why does this story receive so much “press” in our Church’s liturgical tradition, and especially in the weeks preceding Christmas? Because it signifies the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ, on several levels. First, it reflects Daniel’s interpretation of King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream (Dan 2: 31-35), in which a statue made of expensive metals was destroyed by “a rock hewn from a mountain, not by human hands.” The Church understands this “Rock” to signify Jesus Christ, called in our Church’s hymnography the “Rock Hewn Not-by-Hands” (λίθος ἀχειρότμητος / камень нерукосечный), from the “Mountain“ that signifies the Holy Virgin. The power of His coming to us in the flesh destroys the “power” of false deities, “circumscribed by hands.” The faith of the Three Youths, in the True God, overcomes the “power” and fiery flames of Nebuchadnezzar’s falsehood, prefiguring the ultimate victory of Jesus Christ, our death-trampling Lord. And second, the fiery furnace, in which the Three Children remain unharmed, signifies the Virgin Birth, because the Theotokos’s virginity remained intact, and she –unharmed, even though she received, and gave birth to, the “consuming fire” Who is God Himself (Deut. 4: 24).

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Sunday of the Forefathers

In Colossians 3:4 we read: “When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”

This first phrase from today’s Epistle as the Church begins it’s celebration of the birth of our Lord really tells us what Christmas is all about. This is the announcement of the feast. The Word of God, appearing in our world, is the glory of the believer. He appears in humble surroundings, but invites all to the feast! The gospel (Luke 14:16-24) tells us that those who are well off refuse the invitation, but it is “the poor and the maimed and the lame and the blind,” who come, it is those in “the highways and hedges” who are “compelled to come.” Mary probably realized this when she prophesied, “He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted the lowly” (Luke 1:52). The angels appear to the shepherds in the fields, and they are invited to the house of the Lord. The glory of the Lord is his humility, and our glory is our humility. 

For all that, everyone is invited to the banquet, and the wise and the rich from Persia come with expensive gifts, though they too are outsiders, and the epistle tells us “there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all” (Colossians 3:11). Those who welcome Christ will put aside “anger, wrath, malice …” (Colossians 3:8). The first sticheron at Christmas chants, “let us proclaim the present mystery by which the partition has been broken and the flaming sword withheld. Now the Cherubim shall let us all come to the Tree of Life.” This is putting Christ back into Christmas!

Meditation by Archpriest David Petras