St Moses of Skete

On our liturgical calendar today, the Church remembers a saint many have not heard of, Moses of Skete in Egypt, sometimes called “Moses the black” or “Moses the Ethiopian.”

A biographer writes,

Moses must have been from Ethiopia or the Sudan, which would explain his surname. Before his conversion he lived as an outlaw in the Nitrian wilderness. The sayings about Moses in the Apothegmata stand out for their warmth and compassion, and even gentle humor.

In Skete, Moses was a disciple of Abba Isidore, and, like him, was made a priest for the monks of Skete. He was teased about being black, even on the day of his ordination, when he was robed in white, but Moses always had an answer that reflected wisdom rather than resentment.

The fathers were able to reform his character, but much of the personality of the old outlaw enlivens his stories, such as when he overcame four thieves who tried to rob his cell. He tied them up and carried them to the church. Dumping them on the ground, he asked the startled brothers, “I am not allowed to harm anyone; so, what is to be done with these?” (NS)

May St. Moses of Skete, intercede for us before God.

Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost

The Sacred Scripture for today’s Liturgy: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11; Matthew 19:16-26
 
Jesus never praised riches. Today he tells the people who have just seen a rich young man refuse the Lord’s invitation to follow him, “it will be hard for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven.” This is repeated often in the scriptures. Jesus teaches, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:3)” But the rich in spirit cannot love God more than themselves, and it is a simple reality that if they cannot love God, they cannot love their neighbors, created by God. Mary therefore declares, “The hungry he has filled with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. (Luke 1:53) And Abraham tells the rich man in hell, “you received what was good during your lifetime while Lazarus received what was bad; but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented. (Luke 16:25) And James admonishes his flock, who honored a rich man, “Are not the rich oppressing you? And do they themselves not haul you off to court? Is it not they who blaspheme the noble name that was invoked over you? (James 2:6-7)”
 
To be able to turn one’s back on riches is what it means to be human. As transcending the world, we should be able to see infinite and eternal realities. There is nothing wrong or bad about the material creation God has given us, but it has the power to blind us to greater riches. God does not simply take away riches, but he gives us spiritual riches beyond our understanding. This Sunday I am marking fifty years as a priest. I was not raised in a rich family, though today the poorest among us have more than the richest people at the time of Jesus. This is why it is so much more important to be able to see spiritual realities.
 
The rich young man was unable to follow Jesus’ call, but in humility I hope that I have answered the call to serve God and to see the image of God in all people, not only those I hope I have served. The gospel today, however, tells us one more thing, when describing how difficult it is for a rich man to be saved – easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eyes – Jesus says “for God all things are possible.” Everything that I may have accomplished in my fifty years as a priest was not due to my own talents or merits, but only to the grace of God. I hope to remain, though unworthy, in this calling, so that I may be “as sorrowful yet always rejoicing; as poor yet enriching many; as having nothing and yet possessing all things. (2 Corinthians 6:10)”
 
Meditation by Archpriest David Petras

Divine Liturgy for the coming week

Glory to Jesus Christ!

Sunday, 8/27/17    12th Sunday after Pentecost
10:00 a.m. For the people of the parish

Epistle: 1 Corinthians. 15-1-11
Gospel: Matthew 19:16-26, Tone 3

Monday, 8/28/17    Venerable Father Moses the Ethiopian and Holy Father Augustine of Hippo
9:00 +Wasyl Dobczansky (Pan.) requested by the Melnyk Family

Tuesday, 8/29/17    Beheading of the Honorable and Glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John
9:00 a.m. Special Intention

Wednesday, 8/30/17    Holy Fathers and Patriarchs of Constantinople Alexander, John, and Paul the Younger
8:00 a.m.   no special intention for the Divine Liturgy

Thursday, 8/31/17 Placing of the Precious Sash of Our Most Holy Lady the Mother of God in Calcoprateia
8:00 a.m.   no special intention for the Divine Liturgy

Friday, 9/01/17 Commemoration of Our Holy Father Symeon the Stylite and His Mother Martha

Beginning of the New Church Year (2017-2018)

8:30 a.m. +Halyna and Ivan Lobay (Pan.) requested by Maria Lobay

Saturday, 9/02/17    Holy Martyr Mamas
9:00 a.m.   no special intention for the Divine Liturgy

Sunday, 9/03/17    13th Sunday after Pentecost
9:00 a.m. Special Intention
10:30 a.m. For the people of the parish

Epistle: 1 Corinthians 16:13:24
Gospel: Matthew 21:33-42, Tone 4

Parish announcements this week

Christ is in our midst!

1. WELCOME ALL NEW PARISHIONERS! New parishioners are always welcome in our parish. If someone wishes to join, please contact Father Iura Godenciuc at 203 865-0388 or our Financial Secretary Natalie Chermak at 203 468-0367.

2. 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 generous support.

4. ANNUAL STAMFORD CHARITIES APPEAL: REMINDER: Please don’t forget to donate for the Charities Appeal. Please make your check payable to the Diocese of Stamford. Please do NOT mail the form to the chancery office. We sincerely ask all parishioners to make generous contribution.

5. UKRAINIAN INDEPENDENCE DAY TODAY: Will be celebrated here this year on Sunday, August 27, 2017. The Divine Liturgy will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. A Proclamation Ceremony will take place on the New Haven Green by the flag pole at noon. The Annual Independence day picnic will commence at 1:00 p.m. at the church hall and Church garden. All are invited to attend. Saint Mary’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church will celebrate their Divine Liturgy at 10:00 a.m. and join us on the New Haven Green and at our picnic afterwards. The food served will be a selection of Traditional Ukrainian foods, drinks, soups and homemade desserts. As well as some traditional American hot dogs, hamburgers and ice cream for the children.

6. The last meeting for the  50th CT State Ukrainian Day Festival will be held on TOMORROW Monday, August 28, 2017, beginning at 6:30 p.m. The meeting will be hosted by The Protection of the Blessed Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church, 255 Barnum Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06608.

7. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: We are in the process of cleaning, painting and updating the interiors of the church hall and later the Church. Right now we would appreciate volunteers to help with cleaning and painting the walls and rooms in the church hall basement. Work crews are being scheduled. Please contact Father Iura with your availability. Your efforts (elbow equity) into this project will save the Parish significant amounts of money, improve the appearance of the buildings and go towards protecting our assets for future generations.

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Divine Liturgy for the coming week

Glory to Jesus Christ

Sunday, 8/20/17    11th Sunday after Pentecost
9:00 a.m.   For people of the parish
10:30 a.m.   God’s blessing and health for Anna Mazur requested by Stefanie Sisisky

Epistle: 1 Corinthians 9:2-12
Gospel: Matthew 18:2-35, Tone 2

Monday, 8/21/17    Holy Apostle Thaddeus and the Holy Martyr Bassa
8:00 a.m.   no special intention for the Divine Liturgy

Tuesday,  8/22/17    Holy Martyr Agathonicus and companions
8:00 a.m.   no special intention for the Divine Liturgy

Wednesday,  8/23/17   Holy Martyrs Luppus and Irenaeus, Bishop of Lyons
8:00 a.m.   no special intention for the Divine Liturgy

Thursday, 8/24/17     Holy Priest-Martyr Eutyches
8:00 a.m.   no special intention for the Divine Liturgy

Friday, 8/25/17     Holy Apostles Bartholomew and Titus
8:00 a.m.   no special intention for the Divine Liturgy

Saturday, 8/26/17    Holy Martyrs Adrian and Natalia
9:00 a.m.   no special intention for the Divine Liturgy

Sunday, 8/27/17     12th Sunday after Pentecost —Venerable Father Pimen
9:00 a.m.   Special Intention
10:30 a.m.   For the people of the parish

Epistle: 1 Corinthians 15: 1-11
Gospel: Matthew 19: 16-26, Tone 3