Palm Sunday –Christ the King

Christ the King

The Roman Church has a separate feast of Christ the King in 1925, with Pius XI’s encyclical Quas Primas. It was to counter the rise of secularism by proclaiming that Christ is the only true king of the believers.

The original and ancient feast of Christ the King, however, is today, Palm Sunday. The Gospels record that Jesus is received in Jerusalem, imitating King David by riding into the city on a humble donkey. This is to become a central theme in Holy Week. The Sanhedrin will condemn Jesus for blasphemy, but will give him over to Pontius Pilate for execution for political reasons, that he set himself up as a rival king to the Emperor, a crime of treason. This is, in fact, the crime for which Pilate judges him, putting the accusation on the cross, “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.” The feast today is of immense spiritual importance, but, unfortunately, got tangled up with the concept of “king” that the people had. They wanted a political Messiah who would free them from Roman rule. Instead, Jesus tells Pilate, “My kingdom is not of this world,” and he forbids his followers to fight for him. The kingdom of God is not a kingdom of worldly power, but a kingdom of our hearts and minds given freely to Jesus, the Son of God, that we may live in peace with our neighbor and with the will of God, and may grow in wisdom and understanding.

St. Paul describes what the kingdom of God is like in today’s epistle: “ … whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things” (Philippians 4:8). We must question ourselves today, do we want a king like the mobs did, a political king who will validate our nationalism and support our ideologies, or do we want a king that deifies our souls and hearts and minds? Only the one, true, authentic King can be our redemption and spiritual glorification, in a kingdom established on love of God and love of neighbor. On Holy Saturday, then, we sing, “Let all mortal flesh keep silence and with fear and trembling stand … for the King of Kings and Lord of Lords is coming to be sacrificed and to give himself as food for the faithful” (Cherubic Hymn, Paschal Vigil Liturgy).

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Divine Liturgy for the coming week

Glory to Jesus Christ!

Palm Sunday, 4/09/17   – the Lord’s Entrance into Jerusalem

—Second Parish Mission

8:40 a.m. Lytija and Blessing of Bread
9:00 a.m. +Mary Plaskonos requested by Sylvia & Tony Plaskonos

Blessing of Pussywillows and anointing with the holy oil (myrovannia) of the faithful and distribution of blessed prosfora.

10:30 a.m. Pro Populo

Epistle: Phil.4:4-9
Gospel: John 12:1-18, Tone 6

Holy Monday, 4/10/17   Holy Martyrs Terence, Pompeius, and companions
8:00 a.m no intention for the Liturgy

Holy Tuesday, 4/11/17   Holy Priest-Martyr Antipas, Bishop of Pergamos
9:00 a.m. +Mychajlo, Evdokia, Volodymyr Stadnicki (Pan.) requested by Stadnicki family

Holy Wednesday, 4/12/17   Venerable Father and Confessor Basil, Bishop of Parios
9:00 a.m. Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts

Holy Thursday, 4/13/17   Holy Priest-Martyr Artemon and companions
8:00 a.m. God’s blessing & health for Pyrohy Workers requested by Joan Nast
7:00 p.m. The Proclamation of the Lord’s Passion in the Gospels

Good Friday,  4/14/17   Holy Father Martin the Confessor, Pope of Rome
4:00 p.m. Vespers and Veneration of the Holy Shroud

Great Saturday, 4/15/17   Holy Apostles Aristarchus, Pudens and Trophimus
8:00 a.m.  Divine Liturgy of St Basil the Great
4:00 p.m. Blessing of Easter Foods
6:00 p.m. Blessing of Easter Foods
7:00 p.m. Prayer at the Tomb

Easter Sunday, 4/16/17  —The Glorious and Holy Sunday of the Resurrection of Our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ
8:30 a.m. Procession and Paschal Matins
9:30 a.m. Pro Populo

Blessing of Artos (leavened bread)
Blessing of Easter Foods

Epistle: Acts  1:1-8
Gospel: John 1:1-17, Tone 7

****During coming days, Bright Week, there is no fasting.

Parish announcements this week

Christ is in our midst!

1. Dear parishioners and guests, after each Divine Liturgy, coffee and hard rolls will be available in the church hall. Join the community. Welcome!!!

2. Parish Mission II: On Sunday, April 9, we welcome back Father Robert Markovitch who is giving our second Mission in our parish. I would like to see all of our parishioners participate in this Mission in order to prepare themselves spiritually for the upcoming Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

3. The Ukrainian National Association, Branch 414-New Haven, will hold their 14th Annual EASTER EGG HUNT TODAY, Palm Sunday, April 9, 2017 at 12 noon on the church grounds. For information contact Gloria Horbaty at (203) 269-5909.

4. The Traditional Easter parish ”SVIACHENE” will be held on April 30, 2017 in the church hall after the Divine Liturgy at 10:30. We will be running raffle. If you would like to donate any items to be raffled please bring them to our church hall on Sundays before “Sviachene” or on Sunday April 30. Also we ask to donate cakes for desert. Tickets are available through Luba Dubno. Tickets are $20.00 for adults, $10.00 for youth between 12 and 16. Free for children under 12, students Ridna Shkola and altar boys. We trust that all Parishioners will join in this parish gathering and through their presence attest to cherishing in our hearts a love for one another which builds our PARISH FAMILY.

5. PANACHYDA at the GRAVES: The Panachyda Service at the Gravesites will take place on Saturday, April 22nd at 11:00 a.m. at All Saints Cemetery and Sunday, April 23rd at 1:00 p.m. at St. Lawrence Cemetery.

6. SOROKOUSTY: will be celebrated during Lent on All Souls’ Saturday, April 22nd. Please take a book found in the entrance of the church, fill it out. Place it in envelope, and drop it in the collection basket. Let us remember all our loved ones who have gone to their heavenly reward. Eternal Memory!

7. The Knights of Columbus Blessed Andrey Sheptysky will hold its next regular meeting on Monday, May 1, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. in the church hall. All men of parish are invited to attend to see what the Knights are all about and what can do for our parish.

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Lubomyr Husar’s anniversary of episcopal ministry

Today is the 40th anniversary of the consecration of His Beatitude Lubomyr Husar to the episcopacy by the late Patriarch, Joseph Cardinal Slipyj. Husar served in our Eparchy of Stamford as a secular priest from 1958 to 1973 (when he professed vows as a Studite Monk). He resigned from the Office of Major Archbishop on 11 February 2011.
 
On March 30th he also celebrated 59 years of being a priest of Jesus Christ.

Parish announcements this week

Christ is in our midst!
 
1. Dear parishioners and guests, after each Divine Liturgy, coffee and hard rolls will be available in the church hall. Join the community. Welcome!!!
 
2. PYSANKA- Ukrainian Easter Egg Workshop will be held on Sunday, April 2, 2017 in the church hall from 1:00 to 3:30 p.m. It is open to youth and adults, but children must be accompanied by an adult. Bring your children and grandchildren to learn their heritage. The workshop is $10.00. Free to parish youth and Ridna Shkola students. For details call Gloria Horbaty (203) 269-5909. This workshop is sponsored by: UNWLA, Branch 108, the Heritage Center and the CT Ukrainian American Historical Society.
 
3. The Knights of Columbus Blessed Andrey Sheptysky will hold its next regular meeting on Monday, May 1, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. in the church hall. All men of parish are invited to attend to see what the Knights are all about and what can do for our parish.
 
4. Our next Pyrohy Saturday Project will be on Saturday, April 8, 2017. We need your help on Friday, April 7, 2017 to peel potatoes AND on Saturday April 8th. Please come and help. Speak with Walter Ushchak for the ways to help.
 
5. Parish Mission II: On Sunday, April 9, we welcome back Father Robert Markovitch who is giving our second Mission in our parish. I would like to see all of our parishioners participate in this Mission in order to prepare themselves spiritually for the upcoming Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
 
6. The Ukrainian National Association, Branch 414-New Haven, will hold their 14th Annual EASTER EGG HUNT on Palm Sunday, April 9, 2017 at 12 noon on the church grounds. For information contact Gloria Horbaty at (203) 269-5909.
 
7. ROOF REPAIR FUND: Please make a generous contribution to allow us to repair the leaking roof of the Church Hall and other roof structures adjoining the Church and the Hall. These roofs must be repaid to prevent serious water damage to our property and we cannot pay for them from regular weekly collection. Roof Repair Fund envelope are available in the vestibule of our church for your special sacrificial gift. Thank you for helping to keep our physical structures in good condition for our use today and for the next generation tomorrow.
 
8. The Traditional Easter parish ”SVIACHENE” will be held on April 30, 2017 in the church hall after the Divine Liturgy at 10:30. We will be running raffle. If you would like to donate any items to be raffled please bring them to our church hall on Sundays before “Sviachene” or on Sunday April 30. Also we ask to donate cakes for desert. Tickets are available through Luba Dubno. Tickets are $20.00 for adults, $10.00 for youth between 12 and 16. Free for children under 12, students Ridna Shkola and altar boys. We trust that all Parishioners will join in this parish gathering and through their presence attest to cherishing in our hearts a love for one another which builds our PARISH FAMILY.
 
9. PANACHYDA at the GRAVES: The Panachyda Service at the Gravesites will take place on Saturday, April 22nd at 11:00 a.m. at All Saints Cemetery and Sunday, April 23rd at 1:00 p.m. at St. Lawrence Cemetery.
 
10. SOROKOUSTY: will be celebrated during Lent on All Souls’ Saturday April 22nd. Please take a book found in the entrance of the church, fill it out. Place it in envelope, and drop it in the collection basket. Let us remember all our loved ones who have gone to their heavenly reward. Eternal Memory!
 
11. All new announcements for upcoming events should be submitted to rectory office before Tuesday of the week prior to when the event is to be posted in the bulletin.
 
12. We will have frozen pyrohy for sale for as long as our supply lasts. See Walter Ushchak after the Divine Liturgy.
 
13. SUMA Federal Credit Union, New Haven Branch, 555 George St., New Haven, CT. Business hours: Tuesday 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Phone (203) 785-8805; Fax: (203) 785-8677.
 
14. 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. Thank you for your generosity. Look for Judy Ellis to help.

Divine Liturgy for the coming week

Sunday, 4/02/17  Fifth Sunday of Great Lent —Commemoration of Our Venerable Mother, Mary of Egypt
9:00 a.m.  +Ella Sowa requested by Walnycky family
10:30 a.m. Pro Popolo

Epistle: Heb. 9:11-14
Gospel: Mark 10:32-45, Tone 5

Monday, 4/03/17  Venerable Father and Confessor Nicetas, Abbot of the Monastery of Medicius
8:00 a.m. +Ivan and Halyna Lobay requested by Maria Lobay

Tuesday, 4/04/17  Our Venerable Fathers Joseph the Hymnographer and George of Maleum
9:00 a.m. +Mary Plaskonos (40 days, Pan.) requested by the Plaskonos family

Wednesday, 4/05/17  Holy Martyrs Theodulus and Agathopedes and companions
9:00 a.m. Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts

Thursday, 4/06/17  Repose of Our Holy Father Methodius, Teacher of Slavs
8:00 a.m. no intention for the Divine Liturgy

Friday, 4/07/17  Venerable Father George, Bishop of Mitylene
7:00 p.m.  Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts

Saturday, 4/08/17  Lazarus Saturday —Holy Apostles Herodion, Agabus, Rufus, Asyncretus, Phlegontus, and Hermes
8:00 a.m. no intention for the Divine Liturgy

Sunday, 4/09/17  Palm Sunday —the Lord’s Entrance into Jerusalem
8:40 a.m. Lytja and the Blessing of Bread
9:00 a.m. Special Intention

Second Sunday of the Parish Mission preached by Father Robert Markovitch

Blessing of Pussywillows and Anointing
10:30 a.m. Pro Popolo

Epistle: Phil. 4:4-9
Gospel: John 12:1-18, Tone 6

Blessed Emilian Kovch

In addition to the Solemnity Annunciation celebrated today, we also have Blessed Emilian Kovch (1884-1944), a married Eastern Catholic priest and father of six who was persecuted under Communism and Nazism. Father Kovch died on March 25, 1944. He was beatified by St. John Paul II on 27 June 2001.

Emilian Kovch, a son of a Greek Catholic priest. Himself ordained the year following (1911) his marriage and began to work as a parish priest. Fr. Kovch spent 1919-1921 as a military chaplain. He was captured and briefly held as a prisoner of war. This time in confinement was a preview what came later.

Kovch lived a life of Christian virtue in his care for orphans and the poor, teaching, working for social and political liberty, he preached respect for others at all times, and he preached on the duty to fight anti-Semitism. He was a organizer of Eucharistic congresses and pilgrimages.

On the point of anti-Semitism, Father Kovch acted heroically when he placed himself in harm’s way when he protected the local synagogue by blocking the entry of soviet soldiers from entering.

Kovch’s social engagement gained the attention of the government, especially the Polish and later soviet leaders that made him vulnerable to the intrusive games of the military when they searched his home 40 times; and on at least one occasion he was fined and imprisoned in a monastery. Father Kovch preached passionately against the actions of his fellow Ukrainians taking anti-Polish actions; it is said he was deeply disappointed that his people looted Polish homes when the Soviets came.

Father Kovch was arrested at what turned out to be the near-end of Soviet oppression. The priest and his two daughters escaped; history reveals that all the prisoners in their group had been murdered by the Soviets as the Nazis approached. As the only Catholic priest in his group of prisoners, he became a source of strength and light in a very dark time. When his family attempted to have him released, he begged them to leave him there:

I understand that you are trying to get me released. But I beg you not to do this. Yesterday they killed 50 people. If I am not here, who will help them to get through these sufferings? They would go on their way to eternity with all their sins and in the depths of unbelief, which would take them to hell. But now they go to death with their heads held aloft, leaving all their sins behind them. And so they pass over to the eternal city.

May we follow the excellent example of Blessed Emilian Kovch. May he intercede for us when we face discouragement and the temptation to abandon the practice of Catholic faith.

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