The feast of the Circumcision of the Lord

The 8th Day -The feast of the Circumcision of the Lord and feast of St Basil the Great, Divine Liturgy at 11am.

The feast of the circumcision of the baby Jesus on the 8th day after His birth marks the first shedding of blood and His formal entry into the covenant given to the people Israel. Submitting to the Law (the Pentateuch —the first five books of the Bible) Jesus reveals His true humanity and full identification with Israel. According to tradition, the Lord receives his name, Jesus, a name “above every name.” The name Jesus means “the Lord saves” or “God is salvation.” What we celebrate with the Divine Liturgy today is the Lord’s obedience and His self-revelation of the His saving mission.

Divine Liturgy for the coming week

Christ is born!

Sunday, 12/28, Sunday after Christmas—Sunday of St Joseph the Betrothed, St David the King, St James the Brother of the Lord
9:00 a.m. God’s blessing and health for Walter Ushchak requested by the children
10:30 a.m. For the people of the parish

Epistle: Galatians 1:11-19
Matthew 2:13-23, Tone 4

Monday, 12/29, Holy Innocents killed in Bethlehem
9:00 a.m. God’s blessing and health for Barbara Schwartz requested by Sestretsi

Tuesday, 12/30, Holy Martyrs Anysia and Zoticus
9:00 a.m. +Theodore & Maria Kucknij (Pan.) requested by Jaroslaw Paluha

Wednesday, 12/31, Our Venerable Melany
9:00 a.m. +Michael Lipcan Sr. (16th Anniv., Pan.) requested by Barbara and Patrick Bagley

Thursday, 1/1, Circumcision of the Lord and the Feast of St. Basil the Great —Anointing-Myrovanni
10:40 a.m. Lytija and blessing of Bread
11:00 a.m. For the people of the parish

Friday, 1/2, Holy Sylvester, and the Martyr Juliana
9:00 a.m. +Nicholas and Margaret Barraco (Pan.) requested by Jaroslaw Paluha

Saturday, 1/3, Holy Prophet Malachi
10:00 a.m. +CK and Lori Rha (Pan.) requested by Jaroslaw Paluha

Sunday, 1/4, Sunday before Theophany
9:00 a.m. Special Intention
10:30 a.m. For the people of the parish

Epistle: 2 Timothy 4:5-8
Gospel: Mark 1:1-8, Tone 5

Parish news

Christ is among us!

This week vigil light is offered by Barbara and Patrick Bagley in memory of Michael Lipcan, Sr.

Luba Dubno’s sister Irene Hladkyj, 97 died peacefully on December 19, 2025, in Cheshire. Please remember her in your prayers. Irene’s funeral liturgy will be on January 8, 2026. Pray for Irene and the family who mourn her. May Irene’s memory be eternal!

The Immaculate Conception Society gave a gift of a new white vestment and sticharion for the priest. The altar servers also received new sticharia in white, gold red and blue. The servers also received new black cassock. These garments were made in Ukraine. All of these garments are gifts from sacrifices of the Immaculate Conception Society. We are very grateful to our sisters. The parish received a donation of a new larger chalice and paten from Christopher and Liubov Komondy. We are very grateful.

Blessings of Homes: If you would like to bless your house please fill the form that are in the vestibule or call the rectory office 203-865-0388.

All donations and contributions must be received before Sunday, December 28 to be recorded on the annual statement for 2025.

SECURITY at the Parish: There is a professionally installed eight camera system on the property with a two week recording backup. The video monitor is located in the rectory office. This has helped in monitoring and checking activity on the property as well as providing recorded evidence to law enforcement when needed.

Our parish will be preparing a Prosphora, a traditional Ukrainian Christmas meal on Sunday, January 18, 2026 after the Divine Liturgy that will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Tickets are $35.00 for adults, $20.00 for youth from 14 to 18. Free for children Ridna Shkola and altar boys. Luba Dubno, Margaret Maybury and Olga Iastrubchak are selling tickets. We will be running a raffle. No tickets will be sale at the door.

For sale: stuffed cabbage with meat $12.00 container, borsht $7.00 container, cabbage with meat $10.00 container, pierogis (varenyky) $20.00 two dozen.

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St Stephen’s Day

A blessed name day to all those named Stephen or Stephanie – also special festal greetings to all deacons on this day! Thank you for your ministry!

“First-martyr and apostle of Christ, you fought the good fight. You convicted the tyrants of their wickedness. When you were killed by stoning at the hands of sinners, you received a crown from God’s right hand while you cried out: Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” [Troparion of the feast]

The Church gives us the feast of St. Stephen immediately after Christmas to make something clear. On Christmas we learned “the son of God became man,” and today we see the purpose—“so that we might become God” (CCC 460). The account of Stephen’s preaching and martyrdom shows us what it looks like to become like God.

Christmas Liturgies

9:50am Great Compline –the God with us service
10:30am Divine Liturgy (bilingual)

Join us!!!

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Jn. 3:16

Christos Roždajetsja! Христос Poждається! Christ is Born! Χριστός γεννάται! Krisztus születik

Divine Liturgy for the coming week

Christ is born!

Sunday, 12/21, Sunday before Christmas—Sunday of the Holy Fathers
9:00 a.m. +The Sobko, Danylo, Konyk, Kozoryz, Perederii, Perohanycz families requested by the family
10:30 a.m. For the people of the parish

Epistle: Hebrews 11:9-10; 17-23; 32-40
Matthew 1:1-25, Tone 3

Monday, 12/22, Holy Great Martyr Anastasia
9:00 a.m. +Mychajlo Kucknij (Pan.) requested by Jaroslaw Paluha

Tuesday, 12/23, Ten Holy Martyrs of Crete
9:00 a.m. +Paul Paluha (Pan.) requested by Jaroslaw Paluha

Wednesday, 12/24, Our Venerable Martyr Eugenia
9:00 a.m. +Theodore and Ellen Paluha (Pan.) requested by Jaroslaw Paluha

Thursday, 12/25, The Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ
10:00 a.m. Great Compline (God with Us)
10:30 a.m. For the people of the parish —Anointing-Myrovanni

Friday, 12/26, Synaxis of the Mother of God
10:00 a.m. +Ivan and Olena

Saturday, 12/27, Holy Apostle and Martyr Stephen
10:00 a.m. +Kyle Paluha (Pan.) requested by Jaroslaw Paluha

Sunday, 12/28, Sunday after Christmas
9:00 a.m. God’s blessing and health for Walter Ushchak requested by his children
10:30 a.m. For the people of the parish

Epistle: Galatians 1:11-19
Gospel: Matthew 2:13-23, Tone 4

Parish news

Christ is among us!

This week vigil light is offered by Andrue and Brandon Czabala in memory of Dario Aponte.

All donations and contributions must be received before Sunday, December 28 to be recorded on the annual statement for 2025.

SECURITY at the Parish: There is a professionally installed eight camera system on the property with a two week recording backup. The video monitor is located in the rectory office. This has helped in monitoring and checking activity on the property as well as providing recorded evidence to law enforcement when needed.

Our parish will be preparing a Prosphora, a traditional Ukrainian Christmas meal on Sunday, January 18, 2026 after the Divine Liturgy that will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Tickets are $35.00 for adults, $20.00 for youth from 14 to 18. Free for children Ridna Shkola and altar boys. Luba Dubno, Margaret Maybury and Olga Iastrubchak are selling tickets. We will be running a raffle. No tickets will be sale at the door.

For sale: stuffed cabbage with meat $12.00 container, borsht $7.00 container, cabbage with meat $10.00 container, pierogis (varenyky) $20.00 two dozen.

SOROKOUSTY (All Souls’ Saturdays) will be celebrated February 7, 28, March 7, 14, May 23. Please take a book found at 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!

Fr. Paul Luniw is organizing a Pilgrimage to Ireland, Scotland and England from June 22 to July 3, 2026. Join Fr. Paul Luniw on a tour of some of the most beautiful historic churches and landmarks of Scotland, England and Ireland. Contact Fr. Paul Luniw at 860-922-8088 or paul_luniw@yahoo.com.

The Holy Prophet Haggai

Today, December 16, the Church liturgically recalls the memory of the Holy Prophet Haggai.

The prophet Haggai, in 520 B.C., preached that the temple must be rebuilt for the sake of the faith of the people. In this way he foreshadowed that Jesus, the Messiah to come, would be the Temple of the New Covenant in his body. His birth, then, is the completion of God’s promise to make his dwelling among his people.

Haggai foretells God’s consolation, “For I am with you – says the Lord of hosts. This is the commitment I made to you when you came out of Egypt. My spirit remains in your midst; do not fear! (2:4-5)”

Yet Christmas still challenges us, as Haggai immediately adds: “For thus says the Lord of hosts: In just a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land.”

Meditation by Archpriest David Petras

Divine Liturgy for the coming week

Glory to Jesus Christ!

Sunday, 12/14, 27th Sunday of the Forefathers
10:30 a.m. For the people of the parish

Epistle: Colossians 5:4-11
Luke 14:16-24 Tone 2

Monday, 12/15, Priest Martyr Eleutherius and the Venerable Paul
9:00 a.m. No Divine Liturgy

Tuesday, 12/16, Holy Prophet Haggai
9:00 a.m. No particular intention for the Divine Liturgy scheduled.

Wednesday, 12/17, Holy Prophet Daniel and his companions Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah
9:00 a.m. No particular intention for the Divine Liturgy scheduled.

Thursday, 12/18, Holy Martyr Sebastian and companions
9:00 a.m. No particular intention for the Divine Liturgy scheduled.

Friday, 12/19, Holy Martyr Boniface
9:00 a.m. No particular intention for the Divine Liturgy scheduled.

Saturday, 12/20, Holy Priest Martyr Ignatius
9:00 a.m. No particular intention for the Divine Liturgy scheduled.

Sunday, 12/21, Sunday before Christmas —Sunday of the Holy Fathers
9:00 a.m. +Ivan
10:30 a.m. For the people of the parish

Epistle: Hebrews 11:9-10; 17-23; 32-40
Gospel: Matthew 1:1-25, Tone 3

Parish news

Christ is among us!

This week vigil light is offered by Mary Ann Mikosky for God’s blessing and health for Brett McNamara.

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.

We have a PARISH COFFEE HOUR following both of the Divine Liturgies on Sundays. Dear parishioners and guests join us for a social hour with coffee and hard rolls and assorted snacks are available in the church hall. Please feel free to join us for good conversation. All are invited.

If you would like to receive the Mysteries of Confession, Holy Communion and anointing at your home or medical facility, please call Father Iura at 203-865-0388.

If you would like to receive a copy of the weekly parish bulletin, please email your email to the Parish email: stmichaels@snet.net

For sale: stuffed cabbage with meat, borsht, cabbage with meat, pierogis (varenyky). See Margaret following the Divine Liturgies in the church hall.

Our parish will be preparing a Prosphora, a traditional Ukrainian Christmas meal on Sunday, January 18, 2026 after the Divine Liturgy that will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Tickets are $35.00 for adults, $20.00 for youth from 14 to 18. Free for children Ridna Shkola and altar boys. Luba Dubno, Margaret Maybury and Olga Iastrubchak are selling tickets. We will be running a raffle. No tickets will be sale at the door.

Fr. Paul Luniw is organizing a Pilgrimage to Ireland, Scotland and England from June 22 to July 3, 2026. Join Fr. Paul Luniw on a tour of some of the most beautiful historic churches and landmarks of Scotland, England and Ireland. Contact Fr. Paul Luniw at 860-922-8088 or paul_luniw@yahoo.com

STAMFORD CHARITIES APPEAL: Please don’t forget to donate for this Appeal. Please make check payable to the Byzantine Rite Eparchy of Stamford. DO NOT MAIL THIS FORM TO THE CHANCERY OFFICE. We sincerely ask all parishioners to make generous contributions.

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