Prophet of Zephaniah

Today, the Byzantine and the Latin Churches liturgically recalls the Prophet of Zephaniah. In Hebrew, the name means “Yahweh has concealed.” Zephania is known in biblical study as the ninth of twelve minor prophets (taken in literary order). The Latin Church remembers the Prophet as the one who inspired the hymn, Dies irae. The Prophet gave his message to Jerusalem to be united in their worship and faith in the true God otherwise face God’s judgement, “the Day of the Lord.”

The Prophecy of Zephaniah begins with great wrath – not for the faint-hearted! “I will completely sweep away all things from the face of the land …. Near is the great day of the Lord, near and very swiftly coming. The sound of the day of the Lord! Piercing – there a warrior shrieks! A day of wrath is that day, a day of distress and anguish, a day of ruin and desolation, A day of darkness and gloom, a day of thick black clouds, A day of trumpet blasts and battle cries against fortified cities, against lofty battlements. (Zephaniah 1:1.14-16) But there is hope in his prophecy, hope for the humble who seek Jesus in the cave of Bethlehem, “Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, who have observed his law; seek justice, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the Lord’s anger. (Zephaniah 2:3)”

Zephaniah foretells that there will always be a faithful remnant, But I will leave as a remnant in your midst, a people humble and lowly, who shall take refuge in the name of the Lord. (Zephaniah 3:12) The remnant will be those who follow Jesus in all sincerity, “They shall do no wrong and speak no lies; nor shall there be found in their mouths a deceitful tongue. (Zephaniah 3:13)” These are the humble shepherds, the rich Magi, who come to seek the Lord, and those who repent to hear the voice of the forerunner. For their sake, Christmas is a feast of joy: Shout for joy, daughter Zion! sing joyfully, Israel! Be glad and exult with all your heart, daughter Jerusalem! (Zephaniah 3:14) We sing “God is with us! on that day, and so Zephaniah confirms, “The Lord, your God, is in your midst, a mighty savior (3:17)”

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Mary visits Elizabeth

On the Fourth Sunday [that is, today] before Christmas, the Syrian Church remembers the Visitation of Mary to her cousin Elizabeth. In the Byzantine Church, there is no feast of the Visitation, though this gospel is the common gospel for Matins of Feasts of the Theotokos.

We see here the first appearance of the Forerunner John, then a six month infant in the womb of Elizabeth, and “when Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb. (Luke 1:41)” John and Jesus are closely connected in the Feast of Light: Christmas together with the Theophany, the baptism of Jesus by John. The two: John and Jesus are to be closely connected in the preaching of the Gospel, with quite different styles, “For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they said, ‘He is possessed by a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking and they said, ‘Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is vindicated by her works. (Matthew 11:18-19″ Christmas is in the first place, the birth of Wisdom, and the coming of Christ would be “destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted. (the prophecy of Simeon, Luke 2:34)”

The Theotokos, a prophetess in her own right, today foretells what this means, “He has shown might with his arm, dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart. He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly. The hungry he has filled with good things; the rich he has sent away empty. (Luke 1:51-53)” If we have ears, we must hear this prophecy, Christmas is not a time for arrogance and power and riches, because these are about to be overthrown. There is no future in them. It is a time for humility, for earthly weakness and for poverty. We do not often see Christmas in this perspective, but it is here that the gospel and faith in Christ leads us.

Meditation by Archpriest David Petras
Icon by Christine Uveges of Eikona Studios

Divine Liturgy for the coming week

Glory to Jesus Christ!

Sunday, 12/03/17 26th Sunday after Pentecost —The Holy Prophet Zephaniah

8:30 a.m. Akathist to the Mother of God
9:00 a.m. +Sophie Waselik (16th Anniv.,) requested by the Family
10:30 a.m. For the people of the parish

Epistle: Ephesians 5:9-19
Gospel: Luke 18:18-27, Tone 1

Monday, 12/04/17 The Great-Martyr Barbara; Our Venerable Father John of Damascus
9:00 a.m. no special intention for the Divine Liturgy

Tuesday, 12/05/17 Our Venerable and God-bearing Father Sabbas the Sanctified
9:00 a.m. no special intention for the Divine Liturgy

Wednesday, 12/06/17 Our Holy Father Nicholas the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Myra
9:00 a.m. Special Intention: Teodor, Olena Cholodnytschi (Panachyda) and Stefania Tisaridi

Thursday, 12/07/17 Our Holy Father Ambrose, Bishop of Milan
9:00 a.m. no special intention for the Divine Liturgy

Friday, 12/08/17 The Conception of Saint Anna, When She Conceived the Most Holy Mother of God

9:00 a.m. Special Intention
7:00 p.m. For the people of the parish

Saturday, 12/09/17 Our Venerable Father Patapius
9:00 a.m. no special intention for the Divine Liturgy

Sunday, 12/10/17 27th Sunday after Pentecost —The Holy Martyrs Menas, Hermogenes and Eugraphus

9:00 a.m. For the people of the parish
10:30 a.m. +Ivan and Olena Godenciuc

Epistle: Ephesians  6:10:17
Gospel: Luke 17:12-19, Tone 2

My Ukrainian American Story

Parish hosting new book signing

Adrianna Bamber will be meeting us to introduce her new book, My Ukrainian American Story on Sunday at the Ukrainian Women’s League bazaar. Bamber attended our own Ridna Shkola. As the author/illustrator, Ms. Bamber will be signing and selling her books after each Divine Liturgy in our hall on Sunday, December 10th.

Journey with female protagonist, Oksana as she shares her Ukrainian American experience. Thirty-eight pages of detailed color illustrations transport you through Oksana’s vibrant world filled with the customs, dance, food, craft, music and holiday traditions passed down from generations of Ukrainians. Oksana’s appreciation of her culture empowers children to celebrate their heritage.

You can find more information about Ms. Bamber’s new book here: www.myukrainianamericanstory.com

Parish announcements this week

Christ is among us!

1. VIGIL LIGHT: This week vigil light is offered to the glory of God by Luba Romaniw for a special intention.

2. AFTER DIVINE LITURGY: Dear parishioners and guests, after each Divine Liturgy, coffee and hard rolls are available in the church hall.

3. The Philip’s Fast (Pylypivka): We are making the 40-day fast that began on November 15, the day after the feast St. Philip to spiritually prepare Nativity of the Lord. We keep the Philip’s Fast because we believe that doing so it can help us to better understand and appreciate all of God’s saving plan for each of us.

The Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church teaches her faithful that “Penitential fasting practices, repentance and abstinence that aim to satisfy the sins committed and to achieve the highest level of perfection is the oldest tradition in the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church” (CCEO: 882, §1).

To observe the Fast, we do not eat meat or foods containing meat on Wednesdays and Fridays.

Definitions: Abstinence means that we do not eat a certain type of food, for example meat and oil, or any other foods that have that as an ingredient. Fasting means that we eat less food. Those exempt from fasting and abstinence: children under the age of 14; adults over the age of 60; those who are gravely ill, pregnant women, post-partum mothers, breast-feeding mothers, travelers (if travel time exceeds 8 hours), those engaged in heavy labor, those who eat from the table of others, the poor who live from charity.

Further reading: The Winter Pascha (St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press) by Thomas Hopko.

4. FOOD DRIVE: Judy Ellis leads the mercy project which provides food items to the needy. A container is in our church vestibule for non-perishable food. This collection will be taken every week. Father Iura will distribute the food to those in need. Thanks for your support.

5. St Gianna Center of New Haven: The parish is collecting diapers, seats, strollers and gift cards to be given to the St. Gianna Center of New Haven (www.giannacenter.org). Useful diapers sizes: 3, 4, 5. Gift cards are needed from Walmart or Target. Please place the gift card in an envelop marked “St. Gianna Center” and give it to directly Fr. Iura. Also, NEW car seats/ strollers are needed (sorry, old car seats/strollers can’t be accepted due to legislation). Items can be placed in the labeled box at the entrance of the Church. The St. Gianna Center is a ministry of Catholics in New Haven helping at-risk pregnant women and their children. Thank you for your generosity!

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Looking at the Catechism

Bishop Peter Stasiuk, C.Ss.R. of Australia gives a keen perspective on the role and need for a catechism, the compendium of our Byzantine Faith.

Knowing our Eastern Christian faith is knowing that we are saved in Christ Jesus, loved by God and sent on mission. “Every adult must come to an awareness that, in order to attain salvation, it is necessary to continue one’s education and growth in the faith” (Catechetical Directory of the Ukrainian Catholic Church).

Does each family have a copy of Christ our Pascha?

The Holy First-Called Apostle Andrew

The feast of St. Andrew is the beginning of a new relationship of God with his people. He is the first-called, the first follower of Christ particularly as Rabbi, as Messiah and Savior. What does it mean to be Christian? It means to follow Christ without hesitation and without selfishness. This feast is truly a reflection of Christmas. Jesus is the first-born of the Father, the first-born of all creation, the new Adam, the re-Creator of the human race. Andrew is the first-called, but he is simply the forerunner of all who choose Christ, in a world that is hostile to Christ and his renewal. On this feast, we also begin the singing of Christmas stichera. At Psalm 140 of Vespers, we see that Bethlehem is filled with the fire of the Godhead, “Isaiah, dance for joy: receive the word of God. Prophesy to the Virgin Mary that the bush burning with fire will not be consumed by the radiance of our God.” At the Apostichera, we question the righteous Joseph, “Tell us, O Joseph: How is it that you bring the Maiden which you received from the Temple to Bethlehem pregnant?”
 
Through divine intervention, the sending of an angel, he sees through to the holiness of his wife. The stichera at Vespers tells us that the Light that never sets has come into the world in the town of Bethlehem, and is worshiped by the angels, the shepherds and the Magi, a theme to be repeated frequently in the Christmas feast. For us to recognize Christ, we must follow the first-called Andrew, whose first question was, “‘Rabbi’ (which translated means Teacher), “where are you staying?” [Jesus] said to them, “Come, and you will see.” This is Christ who was to say later, ““Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head. (Luke 9:58)” We have no comfortable place in this world. On Christmas, we “come and see” the Word of God in poverty, in a cave, rejected and persecuted by the world.
 
Meditation by Archpriest David Petras
Icon of St. Andrew by Father Elias Rafay

Byzantine Prayers for Persecuted Christians

This coming week is dedicated to the welfare, physical and spiritual, of our sisters and brothers who are persecuted for their faith. Here are the texts for the Litanies to be used during the Divine Liturgy.

Byzantine Litanies for Persecuted Christians

O Lord, hear our supplicating voices for the servants of God, those who are suffering persecution for our Christian faith, that the Holy Spirit may strengthen them with the courage to persevere in faith, hope and charity and for the grace to forgive their unjust persecutors, we pray you hear and have mercy. (Lord have mercy 3x)

Again and again we cry aloud for our brothers and sisters in Christ who are fleeing persecution at the hands of both the unjust heathen and the godless unbelievers throughout the world, that they may find safe haven and protection and that they rebuild their lives in safety and dignity, we pray you hear and have mercy. (Lord have mercy 3x)

We pray, O Lord, for those who provide charitable assistance to Christians fleeing persecution and violence that they may be blessed in their generosity and may continue to see the face of Christ in those who suffer and are in need, we pray you hear and have mercy. (Lord have mercy 3x)

We pray, O Lord, for all those in our Armed Forces who seek to thwart the evildoers in their plans and to protect the innocent. Look down with mercy and compassion upon every soldier who is facing a daily struggle with war, aggression and terrorism. Protect them by your Right Hand and preserve them and watch over them at every given hour. Guide their steps, give wisdom and discernment to all who are in leadership, that your holy will may prevail, and that they may return safely to their homes and loved ones. We pray you hear and have mercy. (Lord have mercy 3x)

We also pray for the unjust heathen and godless unbelievers who persecute Christians and other religious minorities throughout the world, that the light and truth of Jesus Christ and His Gospel of mercy may penetrate the hardness of their hearts so that they might come to believe in the true path of righteousness and peace, we pray you hear and have mercy. (Lord have mercy 3x)

Divine Liturgy for the coming week

Glory to Jesus Christ!

Sunday, 11/26/17 25th Sunday after Pentecost —Our Venerable Father Alypius the Stylite
9:00 a.m. Special Intention
10:30 a.m. For the people of the parish

Epistle: Ephesians 4:1:6
Gospel: Luke 13:10-17, Tone 8

Monday, 11/27/17 The Holy Martyr James of Persia
9:00 a.m. no special intention for the Divine Liturgy

Tuesday, 11/28/17 The Venerable Martyr-Stephen the New
9:00 a.m. no special intention for the Divine Liturgy

Wednesday, 11/29/17 The Holy Martyr Paramon and the Holy Martyr Philomenus
9:00 a.m. no special intention for the Divine Liturgy

Thursday, 11/30/17 The Holy and All-Praiseworthy Apostle Andrew the First-Called
9:00 a.m. no special intention for the Divine Liturgy

Friday, 12/01/17 The Holy Prophet Nahum
9:00 a.m. no special intention for the Divine Liturgy

Saturday, 12/02/17 The Holy Prophet Habakkuk
9:00 a.m. +Ivan and Halyna Lobay requested by Maria Lobay

Sunday, 12/03/17 26th Sunday after Pentecost —The Holy Prophet Zephaniah
8:30 a.m.  Akathist to the Mother of God requested by the Sestrichi
9:00 a.m. +Sophie Waselik (16th Anniv.) requested by the Family
10:30 a.m. For the people of the parish

Epistle: Ephesians  5:9:19
Gospel: Luke 18:18-27, Tone 1

Parish announcements this week

1. VIGIL LIGHT: This week vigil light is offered to God’s glory by Mary Ann and Allan Yursha   in memory of  +Michael Kurylo.

2. LITURGY AFTER DIVINE LITURGY: Dear parishioners and guests, after each Divine Liturgy, coffee and hard rolls are available in the church hall.

3. FOOD DRIVE: Judy Ellis leads the mercy project which provides food items to the needy. A container is in our church vestibule for non-perishable food. This collection will be taken every week. Father Iura will distribute the food to those in need. Thanks for your support.

4. BULLETIN ANNOUNCEMENTS: Dear parishioners. The information in this bulletin is from you and for you. You comprise the bulletin. If you have items of note, please bring them to our attention so that we can let everyone know.

5. End of the Year Donations to the Parish: All donations and contributions must be received by Monday, December 25th to be recorded on the annual statement for the Year 2017.

6. KofC: The Knights of Columbus Blessed Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky Ukrainian Council will hold its next regular meeting on Monday, December 4, at 7:00 p.m. in the lower level of the church hall, KofC meeting room. All men of parish are invited to attend.

7. Update on Humanitarian Efforts in Ukraine: U.S. Senator Blumenthal will be visiting the parish on December 10th at 11:30 a.m. The meeting will take place in the church hall. The main focus of his visit is to let our community know where things stand with the Ukrainian Security Assistance Initiative and our Wounded Ukrainian Soldier Project.

8. VETERANS POST 33: The next meeting of the Ukrainian –American Veteran Bishop John Stock Post 33 of New Haven will be held on Sunday, December 17. We will begin the meeting immediately following the second Divine Liturgy. The meeting will be held in Classroom 2. For more information, contact the Post Commander Carl Harvey at 203-389-6076 or crharv384@optimum.net.

9. St Gianna Center of New Haven:  We are organizing a drive to collect diapers, seats, strollers and gift cards to be given to the St. Gianna Center of New Haven (www.gianna center .org). The Center says the diapers sizes 3, 4, 5, are in greatest demand. Please put a gift card in an envelop marked ” St. Gianna Center” and give it to directly Fr. Iura. Also, NEW car seats/ strollers are needed (sorry, old car seats/strollers can`t be accepted due to legislation). Your donations are greatly appreciated. Items can be placed in the labeled box at the entrance of the Church beginning on November 19th . The St. Gianna Center is a ministry of Catholics in New Haven helping at-risk pregnant women and their children. The Generosity of the Center and its ability to operate relies directly upon the generosity of its benefactors. The mission of the Center relies on your kindness and prayers. Thank you!

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