Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Today, September 14th is the commemoration of the Feast of the Exaltation (Discovery) of the Holy Cross.

From a discourse by the bishop St. Andrew of Crete, we learn:

We are celebrating the feast of the Cross,
which drives away darkness and brought in the light.
As we keep the feast,
we are lifted up with the crucified Christ,
leaving behind us earth and sin
so that we may gain the things above.
So great and outstanding a possession is the Cross
that he who wins it has won a treasure.
Rightly could I call this treasure the fairest of all fair things
and the costliest, in fact as well as in name,
for on it and through it and for its sake
the riches of salvation that had been lost
were restored to us…
And if you would understand that the cross is Christ’s triumph,
hear what He Himself also said:
“When I am lifted up,
then I will draw all men to Myself.”
Now you can see that the Cross is Christ’s glory and triumph.

Blessings for the feast, I hope you are celebrating!

Mary’s Birthday commemorated today

Today is the first of the great feasts of the Church (liturgical) year with the commemoration of the birthday of our Most Holy Lady, The Theotokos and ever-virgin, Mary.

As you know, every feast has a history and a meaning for us. Today’s feast is pointing our attention less to the birth of Mary, as very important as it is, to the Nativity of Our Lord, the Incarnation. All liturgical feasts point to Our Savior. Let’s consider the feast in these terms:

“Like most feasts of the Virgin, this one began as a feast of dedication of a church built to honor Joachim and Anna. It was located near Jerusalem at a site held by tradition to be the birthplace of their daughter.

“Apocryphal sources written in the second century provide most of the details used in the texts of this feast. Many of them parallel the scriptural accounts of the birth of John in Luke’s gospel and of Samuel in Kings. The thrust of legend is to emphasize the place of the Theotokos in the line of David.

“The mention of the Sun of Justice in the troparion alerts us to the coming feast of the Incarnation. This feast honoring the birth of the Mother of Life represents the first stage in the realization of this momentous event. (NS)

Divine Liturgy for the coming week

Glory to Jesus Christ

Sunday, 8/22, 13th Sunday after Pentecost
10:00 a.m. For the people of the parish

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

Monday, 8/23, Holy Martyr Lupus and Father Ireneaus
8:00 a.m. No scheduled intention for the Divine Liturgy

Tuesday, 8/24, Holy Hieromartyr Eutyches
9:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy for the 30th Anniversary of Ukrainian Independence

Wednesday, 8/25, Return relics of Apostle Bartholomew
8:00 a.m. No scheduled intention for the Divine Liturgy

Thursday, 8/26, Holy Martyrs Adrian and Natalia
8:00 a.m. No scheduled intention for the Divine Liturgy

Friday, 8/27, Our Venerable Father Poemen
8:00 a.m. No scheduled intention for the Divine Liturgy

Saturday, 8/28, Venerable Fathers Moses and Augustine
8:00 a.m. No scheduled intention for the Divine Liturgy

Sunday, 8/29, 14th Sunday after Pentecost and feast of the Beheading of the John the Baptizer
10:00 a.m. For the people of the parish

Epistle: 2 Corinthians 1:21-2:4
Gospel: Matthew 22:1-14, Tone 5

Divine Liturgy canceled for August 22

Owing to the high winds, heavy rain, and potential flooding anticipated during the hurricane Henri’s arrival tomorrow, the 10:00 a.m. has been canceled. This decision has been made out of consideration for the safety for the traveling priest as well as many of those coming from a distance to attend the Divine Liturgy.

Holy Theotokos, pray for us.
Saint Michael the Archangel, pray for us.

Carl Anderson receives Sheptytsky medal

On the feast of the Dormition of the Holy Mother of God and the 67th Dormition Pilgrimage in Sloatsburg, NY, the former Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus, was awarded the order of Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky by Patriarch Sviatoslav and the Synod of Bishops. Archbishop Boris and Bishop Paul bestowed the medal.

Until last year, Carl Anderson led the Knights of Columbus around the world for 20 years. He was worked very hard for the good of the Ukrainian Church.

The news and photo announcement of the event is here posted by the Patriarchal Curia.

Watch the video of the event that includes Anderson’s acceptance address.

Divine Liturgy for the coming week

Glory to Jesus Christ!

Sunday, 8/15, 12th Sunday after Pentecost—Dormition of the Holy Theotokos
10:00 a.m. For the people of the parish —Blessing of Fragrant Herbs and Flowers

Epistle: Philippians 2:5-11
Gospel: Luke 10:38-42; 11:27-28, Tone 3

Monday, 8/16, Holy Martyr Diomede —Post-feast of the Dormition
8:00 a.m. No scheduled intention for the Divine Liturgy

Tuesday, 8/17, Holy Martyr Myron —Post-feast of the Dormition
8:00 a.m. No scheduled intention for the Divine Liturgy

Wednesday, 8/18, Holy Martyrs Florus and Laurus —Post-feast of the Dormition
8:00 a.m. No scheduled intention for the Divine Liturgy

Thursday, 8/19, Holy Martyr Andrew the General—Post-feast of the Dormition
8:00 a.m. No scheduled intention for the Divine Liturgy

Friday, 8/20, Holy Prophet Samuel —Post-feast of the Dormition
8:00 a.m. No scheduled intention for the Divine Liturgy

Saturday, 8/21, Holy Apostle Thaddaeus, Martyr Bassa —Post-feast of the Dormition
8:00 a.m. No scheduled intention for the Divine Liturgy

Sunday, 8/22, 13th Sunday after Pentecost —Post-feast of the Dormition
10:00 a.m. For the people of the parish

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

Parish announcements

Christ is among us

This week the vigil light is offered by Christopher Komondy for the Komondy and Heinrich Families

Sestretsi will have Corporate Communion on September 19, at 9:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy following by a meeting in the classroom. Please try to attend as it is important meeting.

STAMFORD CHARITIES APPEAL REMINDER: Please don’t forget to donate to the Charities 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.